Explore Penticton: Two Lakes, Sandy Beaches and Wineries

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VERDICT: WE GAVE 4 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!

This guide forms part of our complete Canada Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across Canada.

This guide also forms part of our complete British Columbia Ultimate Travel Guide, bringing together our firsthand city guides, road trips and experiences from across the province.

Two lakes, sandy beaches, vineyards and the heart of the South Okanagan

Why Visit Penticton?

Penticton has one geographical advantage few cities can match: it sits between two large lakes.

Okanagan Lake defines the northern end of the city while Skaha Lake, one of our favourites, sits to the south, giving Penticton two very different waterfronts within minutes of each other.

We’ve visited Penticton while travelling through the Okanagan, and it is a city that feels particularly suited to a slower road trip. You don’t need to race from attraction to attraction. Walk the lakefront, explore downtown, stop at a winery, follow part of the Kettle Valley Railway or simply find a beach.

Penticton is also perfectly positioned for exploring the South Okanagan. Naramata, Summerland, Oliver and Osoyoos can all be incorporated into longer itineraries, making the city an excellent base rather than simply an overnight stop. Our trip to Osoyoos, which we have done a number of times, was a road trip from Abbotsford.

Did You Know?

The name Penticton comes from the nsyilxcən word snpintktn, commonly translated as “a place to stay forever,” although a more accurate interpretation relates to a place where people have lived throughout the year. The area has been home to the syilx people for thousands of years. In fact, the Syilx (Okanagan) First Peoples have inhabited and cared for the region for at least 3,000 to over 7,000 years.

Penticton developed between Okanagan and Skaha lakes at a time when water was one of the easiest ways to move people and goods through the valley.

Historic vessels such as the S.S. Sicamous are reminders that Okanagan Lake was once a major transportation route rather than simply somewhere for boating and swimming.

Penticton’s Dual-Lake Location: Sandwiched between Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south, offering miles of sandy public beaches and the iconic Okanagan River Channel float.

Places to See in Penticton

Okanagan Lake Beach: The obvious place to start, particularly during the warmer months.

Skaha Lake & Skaha Beach: A completely different waterfront at the southern end of the city.

S.S. Sicamous Museum: One of Penticton’s most distinctive historical attractions and an excellent reminder of the age of Okanagan lake steamships.

Downtown Penticton: Restaurants, independent businesses, breweries and easy access to the lakefront.

Penticton Farmers’ Market: A great seasonal stop for local produce and regional food.

Kettle Valley Railway Trail: Walk or cycle part of one of British Columbia’s most famous former railway routes.

Penticton Channel: The waterway connecting Okanagan and Skaha lakes has become one of the city’s classic summer experiences.

Skaha Bluffs: Dramatic rock formations and hiking terrain overlooking the South Okanagan.

5 Places to Visit Near Penticton

1. Naramata
One of the easiest side trips from Penticton, with lake views, vineyards and a relaxed village atmosphere.

2. Summerland
Head north for orchards, wineries and the historic Kettle Valley Steam Railway.

3. Okanagan Falls
A small South Okanagan community between Skaha and Vaseux lakes surrounded by vineyards and dramatic scenery.

4. Oliver
Continue south into one of Canada’s most important wine-growing areas.

5. Osoyoos
One of our favourite South Okanagan road-trip destinations, with warm lakes, distinctive dry landscapes, vineyards and an almost desert-like environment.

Explore Nearby Penticton Experiences

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Penticton, British Columbia, Canada ⎮ Ultimate City Guide