Where to stay

Most visitors choose to base themselves in Downtown Kelowna or Kelowna Central Business District, which offers a wide range of places to stay. As well as being the most sophisticated part of the city, it's the jumping-off point for numerous tours and excursions. In warm weather these include kayaking, parasailing, biking, and rock climbing. Fall brings horseback rides. Winter includes days spent ice skating and nights swapping stories around fire pits. Rutland is farther from the city center, but its mid-range hotels are in easy reach of less intensive activities including rounds at Black Mountain Golf Club and Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club, plus gentle hikes in Scenic Canyon Regional Park.

Kelowna and its surrounding vineyards spearheaded winemaking in British Columbia. This is one of the best places to taste the region's elegant Syrahs and delicate Rieslings. Those who don't want to give up the convenience of staying in Downtown Kelowna can even visit urban wineries on foot following the city's "grapes to grains" route. Alternatively, South Pandosy has the longer "lakeshore wine route," which winds along the shore linking sleek tasting rooms and scenic vineyards. Hotels here can be more affordable with a little more space, and some have pools. Accommodations across the lake in West Kelowna include swanky resorts and cozy inns. Here the Westside Wine Trail includes the Indigenous World Winery and organic-certified Off the Grid.

Despite its reputation for being a center of all things oenological, Kelowna is a great family vacation destination as well. Numerous orchards and farms offer pick-your-own experiences on the outskirts of Rutland. Especially for those traveling with a car, this can be a great neighborhood to stay in when using Kelowna as a base for a longer trip. Even close to Downtown Kelowna's hotels, families will find lots of attractions, including a swimming beach at Kelowna City Park and watersports on the lake. Consider booking a hotel in West Kelowna for quieter beaches and easy mountain biking trails.