by Barb Aoki, Royal Bed and Breakfast
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We fell in love with Penticton (Pen-Tak-Tin, a Salish word meaning "a place to stay forever"). Penticton is a vacationer's dream come true with all the elements of a world class resort. Cradled within tree trimmed mountain slopes, dramatic clay cliffs and bordered by Okanagan and Skaha Lake, Penticton has the natural beauty vacationers seek. The climate of this semi-arid desert is the envy of much of the rest of the country. The sun shines down on the flower-laden city for more than 2,000 hours each year, creating long hot summers and mild pleasant winters. Along with delighting year-round guests, these ideal conditions lend to a superb agriculture and wine industry.
Getting there:
Penticton is situated on a delta between Skaha and Okanagan Lakes and is well
connected from the rest of Canada and the U.S.A. A map is available here.
Air Canada offers direct, nonstop flights to Penticton from Vancouver: five flights daily Sunday to Friday, and four flights on Saturday. Taxis and shuttle services meet each arriving flight in Penticton. Vancouver is about 400 kilometres by road from Penticton. Many airlines serve Vancouver from all over North America and the rest of the world.
Take the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) east from Vancouver to the town of Hope. At Hope, if you take the Crowsnest route, there will not be any tolls, you will see nice scenery, and have plenty of places to stop for food and fuel. From Hope, take Highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) through Manning Provincial Park to the town of Princeton, continuing on to Keremeos. At Keremeos take Highway 3A to the junction with Highway 97. Turn north on Highway 97 to Penticton. The total distance from Vancouver to Penticton using this route is 395 kilometres. This is less than a 5-hour drive.
When entering Penticton from the north, use highway 97 from Kelowna.
Where to stay:
CBBH recommends Royal Bed and Breakfast, as guests can enjoy a bird's eye view of Okanagan and Skaha Lakes just a 5 minute drive from Downtown Penticton in a quiet suburb. As an added bonus, there is an on site Certified Massage Therapist who offers a 20% discount to the Bed and Breakfast guests to help them loosen up for their golf game or just wind down from their days activities!
Another one of Penticton's finest bed and breakfast homes is Above The Beach Bed and Breakfast, boasting a breathtaking view and magnificent fully equipped suite including a luxurious full Bath, with extravagant features. Enjoy the ambiance for your ceremony, accommodation, reception or any part of your special occasion. Above The Beach offers high quality, luxurious rooms and a warm, inviting ambience.
What to do:
From sailing, boating and wind surfing to downhill and Nordic skiing, the recreational
possibilities are seemingly endless in this resort city. Year-round sites and
activities are sure to entertain the adventurous spirit in everyone. Sun seekers
can enjoy an abundance of warm sandy beaches while water sport enthusiasts will
find their every need catered to. Scenic mountain biking trails are in abundance
on the outskirts of the city along The Kettle Valley Railway bed . Hikers and
rock climbers challenge nature on Skaha
Bluffs,rated world class within the industry. One of the longest playing golf seasons
Okanagan Golf (March through November)
in the country beckons golfers to return to the city year after year. Centrally
located in the Okanagan Wine Country, Penticton is a good home base to set out
for on a self directed Wine Tour.
Skiers will marvel at the diverse terrain at nearby Apex Resort,rated "Best Small Destination Resort" by Ski Canada Magazine.a>
Why not plan your vacation around one of the city's many annual events and festivals. A true host city, Penticton welcomes visitors to a diverse range of annual festivals and events from the Canada Subaru Ironman Canada Triathlon, to the Tour deVine and the week-long Peach Festival. The wine industry celebrates its accomplishments during the Okanagan Spring and Fall Wine Festivals, and beer-lovers sample the arts of micro-breweries at the Okanagan Fest of Ale. Each May, bird enthusiasts flock to the annual Meadowlark Festival, in July film buffs take in the annual Beach Blanket Festival and during the fall, lively strains of music fill the air during the citywide Pentastic Jazz Festival.
Other popular places to visit are Vaseux Lake Habitat and Migratory Bird Conservation Park, The Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, SS Sicamouse, Sternwheeler & Museum, The Grist Mill and Kettle Valley Steam Railway.
Eating well:
Enjoy elegant waterfront dining or pick up a snack to take to the beach. Savour
international cuisine, from Greek to Thai, or drop by an abundance of coffee
shops to calm your caffeine craving and tempt your tummy with delicious sweets
and gourmet sandwiches. With more than 100 eating establishments throughout
the city, the menu of dining choices in Penticton is extensive. Our first picks
are Isshin Japanese Deli, Theo's Restaurant,
and Vila Rosa Restaurante.
