From Wikitravel

Kelowna is a city in the Okanagan region of British Columbia.

[edit] Understand

Kelowna is the largest inland city in British Columbia, located in the heart of BC's wine country. It has a metropolitan population of 165,596. Okanagan Lake is the main draw in the summer. This 135Km long jewel is a big draw for boaters (power and sail), swimmers and kite-boarders. In winter thousands of tourists come from all parts of the world to ski at Big White resort, located 55Km from the city. Tourists also come in the fall (mostly) to experience and taste the Okanagan's world class wines from various wineries throughout the valley.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Kelowna has one international airport, with daily service to several cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, and Seattle. Kelowna International Airport also offers flights to Puerto Vallarta,Victoria and Toronto.

Some of the Airlines utilizing Kelowna International Airport are:

• Westjet
• Air Canada
• Jazz
• Horizon Air
• Skyservice Airlines

[edit] By train

There is currently no train service available to Kelowna however you can utilize the nearest train terminal in Kamloops (about 90 minutes north-west of Kelowna by car).

[edit] By car

Highway 97 is the major highway through Kelowna, with Vernon and Highway 1 to the north, Penticton and Highway 3 to the south, and (via Highway 97C) Merritt to the west. Highway 33 provides secondary access to points south and east.

[edit] By bus

Greyhound services Kelowna from Vancouver and Calgary and points in between.

[edit] Get around

Traffic can be quite heavy on major roads in Kelowna during the summer months, especially at the approaches to the floating bridge. A lack of advance left turn traffic lights contributes to accidents at major intersections.

The Regional Transit service within Kelowna has become increasingly efficient over the last few years. Best times to travel are early mornings and late afternoons, Monday to Friday. High traffic routes (such as Lakeshore #1, University #8, Rutland #10 are the most efficient and numerous routes). Bus drivers are generally courteous and will on request call ahead to your next bus to facilitate a timely transfer. When school is in session, expect to miss a bus (or two) due to over-filled buses. Check the user website [1] for more details and schedules.

Kelowna has an extensive network of bike lanes. Cyclists are advised to use bike lanes (when not obstructed by parked vehicles) and intersections with caution. Cycling on local highways is not recommended. See the city of kelowna website for a detailed map.[2]

There are several boat launches along the lakeshore with parking facilities. Be prepared to queue in the summer months. As for the lake itself, it can get crowded out there, especially with small watercraft.

The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, especially along the waterfront.

[edit] Vehicle Rentals

• Budget Car Rentals
• Enterprise Rent-a-Car
• Avis Car Rentals
• Discount Car and Truck Rentals
• Hertz
• Vespa and Scooter Rentals [3]

[edit] Downtown

The Downtown Core is easily accessible with public transit as well as taxis and bicycles, once downtown you have two major Parkades to choose from if you decide to drive yourself one is of Pandosy Street (The Verve Restaurant is in the first level) or at the Library by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Station, so parking shouldn't be a chore.

You should know however that as in any city the Rush Hour (usually 4:30-6pm) can be a challenge in the downtown core as well as on the main transportation arteries (Highway 97C, Highway 33, Lakeshore Rd).

[edit][add listing] See

The Downtown City Park offers a great environment in the summer to sun tan play and enjoy yourself or with your family playgrounds as well as the water and skate board park offer for a great time in the sun.

Enjoy the half submerged playground at Gyro Beach; in summer you can let yourself slide along the rope into the lake within which you may come across our lake's resident the Ogopogo (we are not joking, Loch Ness isn't the only body of water with a lake monster [the term monster is used loosely]). If you see Ogopogo make sure to be friendly as it is his home your swimming in ;).

One of the best kept secrets of Kelowna is Bertram Park at the end of Lakeshore Road, with beautiful beaches and grassy areas to picnic on it is one of the most idyllic places in Kelowna, it offers BBQ's as well as change/wash rooms.

• Kelowna Rockets hockey [4]
• Okanagan Sun football [5]
• Local wineries [6]
• Mission Creek Greenway [7]
• Knox Mountain (two viewpoints) - an annual hill climb is one of the highlights of this peak [8]

[edit][add listing] Do

• Ski and Snowboard at Big White[9] and Silver Star Resorts [10].
• Swim in Lake Okanagan
• Bike and hike the local mountains
• Golf on any of our many great Golf Courses
• Play Tennis
• Enjoy our Athletic Centers (Parkinson Recreation Center, Athens Recreation Center, Capital News Center[11])
• Seadoo-ing and Boating on Okanagan Lake
• Sailing on Okanagan Lake [12]
• Windsurfing
• Vespa and Scooter Rentals [13]
• Take a tour of the nearby Mission Hill[14] or Summerhill[15] winery.
• Skateboarding/longboarding--the skateparks are average but lots of great hills
• Or the best yet... just be lazy and lay at the beach... or in winter in a jacuzzi surrounded by snow
• Walk or Bike the Kettle Valley Railway Trestles - Recently rebuilt after being burnt down - They provide a unique and beautiful view of the Kelowna area, as well as the uninhabited areas surrounding it. These are about an hour's drive outside of Kelowna - up a dirt road.[16]
• Hangout in city park and walk along the boardwalk.

[edit] Learn

• UBC Okanagan
• Okanagan College

[edit] Work

The main industry in Kelowna is tourism, with its requisite offering of service industry jobs at or slightly above minimum wage. The local ski hill Big White offers winter employment for ski/board instructors, liftees, servers, and so on. With the recent boom in housing, there is a shortage of skilled tradespeople in the construction industry.

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Orchard Park shopping centre
• Bernard Avenue between Richter and Water Streets
• Central Park shopping area, Hwy 97 and Banks Road
• Pandosy St at/around KLO Road

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Ken's Dim Sum, near Starbucks on Bernard.
• For Great Donairs check out Sub City Donair on Highway 33, and on Rutland road by McCurdy
• Mad Mango's cafe (try the curry and soups most under $7.00) across the street from the bargain shop on Bernard.

[edit] Mid-range

• O-Zeki Japanese
• Moxies

[edit] Splurge

• The Fixx[17]
• Mon Thong
• Bouchons - High Quality French Bistro with a great kitchen (Near the Grand Hotel by Prospera Place)
• The Rotten Grape
• Ric's Grill
• La Bussola Restaurant

[edit][add listing] Drink

• The Grateful Fed is on Bernard Ave, the main strip downtown, and has live music in the later evenings, with pub/deli style eats and drinks, and a patio in the warmer months.
• Roses - Waterfront pub located by the Grand/Kelowna Yacht Club.
• Flashbacks - Nightclub on Ellis Street (Close to Prospera Place)
• The Blue Gator - A Blues Club located on Lawrence Street. Has an outdoor sidewalk patio where you can eat/drink.
• 97 Street Pub - At the intersection of Hwy 97 and Leckie Road (Beside the Best Western Hotel)
• Doc's
• Sturgeon Hall
• Tonics Pub - On Ellis Street - Good food, and great prices on drinks. Nice atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

If you will be staying in Kelowna between May and September, book your accommodations well in advance, especially for weekends. Kelowna is the home of Owner Direct Vacation Rentals which gives site visitors access to vacation homes for rent in the Kelowna area and worldwide.

[edit] Budget

• Kelowna International Hostel - The recommended of the two hostels in town. Interesting atmosphere, not overcrowded. It has a limited number of beds, however, so it's easiest to book ahead. http://www.kelowna-hostel.bc.ca/
• Samesun Backpacker's Lodge, [18]

[edit] Mid-range

• Acker Vacation Homes & Suites
• Best Western
• Ramada Lodge
• Holiday Inn
• Super 8 Motel
• Siesta Inn Motel
• Apartment Hotel Enigma

[edit] Splurge

• Grand Okanagan

[edit] Ski Resorts

• Big White Ski Resort - Half an hour on good road conditions(Take the 97 past the floating bridge into town a little while and turn right at highway 33)
• Silver Star Ski Resort (located North of Vernon)
• Crystal Mountain (Last mountain to all you Old Skollers)located on Kelowna's Westside.
• Apex Mountain - Located outside of Penticton (1 hour South of Kelowna on HWY 97) 16:24, 8 March 2008 (EST)24.70.3.107

A new ski hill, Kelowna Mountain Ski Hill, just north of Kelowna's Mission area, has been proposed.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay Safe

Kelowna is a growing city and therefore has its growing pains, with these come the following recommendations, avoid Leon & Lawrence Avenues between Water and Ellis during night time. City Park at night is patrolled however can be somewhat dodgey after hours, too.

As long as you keep yourself aware of your surroundings, you will be fine.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

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