Things To Do

Play a round of golf at one of 11 courses. In or around Oliver, the Cherry Grove Golf and Country Club ( 1-800-656-5755 ), the Fairview Mountain Golf Club ( 250-498-3521 ), Twin Lakes Golf Resort ( 250-497-8377 ), and St. Andrews by the Lake ( 250-497-5648 ). In Osoyoos, the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club ( 250-495-7003 ). In Penticton, the Pine Hills Golf and Country Club. Sage Mesa, Penticton Gold and Country Club, and Pleasant Valley Golf Course. In Summerland, the Summerland Golf and Country Club, and Sumac Ridge.

Take the family to Wonderful Waterworld waterslide ( 250-493-8121 ) , mini golf and slot car speedway in Penticton; or play arcade games, mini golf, lazer tag, go-karts, and bumper boats at Penticton's Okanagan Amusements ( 250-493-9125 ).

Go for a trail ride or a pack trip with Indian Grove Riding Stables ( 250-498-4478 or 250-495-7555 ), Southern Pines Stables ( 250-498-2399 ) or Wolf Creek Trail Rides ( 250-498-3259 ).

Go boating, parasailing, water skiing, wind surfing, or tubing on Okanagan, Skaha or Osoyoos lakes. In Penticton, The Marina ( 250-492-2628 ), South Beach Boat Rentals ( 250-492-7368 ), or Pier Water Sports. In Osoyoos, Gateway Marine Rentals ( 250-495-7231 ). Rent a boat at Escapade Boat Rentals and spend a few days or a week plying the length of Okanagan Lake or Wood Lake.

Ride the Kettle Valley Railway steam train ( 250-494-8422 ), or visit the S.S. Sicamous paddlewheeler ( 250-492-0403).

Choose from over 20 wineries and vineyards that make up the South Okanagan Wines collection to tour. In Penticton, Nichol Vineyard, Kettle Valley Winery, Lake Breeze Vineyards, Lang Vineyards, Red Rooster Winery, Poplar Grove Winery and Hillside Cellars. In Okanagan Falls, Hawthorne Mountain ( 250-497-8267 ), Wild Goose Vineyards ( 250-497-8919 ), Stag's Hollow ( 250-497-6162 ) and Blue Mountain. In Oliver, Jackson Triggs, Carriage House Wines ( 250-498-8818 ), Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery ( 250-498-3743 ), Hester Creek Estate Winery ( 250-498-4435 ), Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery ( 250-498-3537 ), Inniskillin Okanagan Wines ( 1-800-498-6211 ), Gersighel Vinebert and Vincor.

Go fishing for bass or trout in one of the valley's big lakes, or in the hills around Oliver at Sawmill Lake, Madden Lake and Bear Lake.

Visit the Okanagan Falls Flea and Farmers Market ( 250-497-5762).

Go swimming at one of the many beaches and pools from Penticton to Osoyoos, including Rotary Beach at Tuc-el-Nuit Lake in Oliver and Oliver's Community Centre Pool; leisurely ride an inner tube down the Okanagan River Channel in Penticton, or take the kids to the Skaha waterpark and playground; rent a bicycle or pedal car and tour the lakeshore area of Penticton.

Visit the Vaseaux Lake bird sanctuary to birdwatch or view the California Bighorn mountain sheep; visit the federal Pocket Desert ecological reserve in Osoyoos; or the Burrowing Owl Habitat. Contact the South Okanagan Naturalists Club.

Walk, cycle or rollerblade the paved Oliver Hike & Bike Trail ( 250-498-6321 Oliver Visitor's Centre ) or Penticton's River Channel trail; hike back into the mountains of Cathedral Lakes Provincial Park, or along the Kettle Valley Railway right of way; take a short hike up McIntyre Bluff in Oliver; or climb the rocks of Skaha Bluffs in Penticton ( for experienced people only! ).

Visit Penticton's Art Gallery of the South Okanagan ;Penticton's Leir House Cultural Centre ( 250-492-7997 ); the Summerland Trout Hatchery (250-494-0491); the Dominion ( White Lake ) Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Oliver ( 250-493-2277 ); the 1977 Grist Mill in Keremeos (250-499-2888 ); or Basset Heritage House Museum in Okanagan Falls.

Go downhill or cross country skiing at Mount Baldy Ski Resort in Oliver, or Apex Mountain in Penticton. Curling visitors are always welcome at the Oliver Curling Club (250-498-2244).

Events

Peach Festival, August 7 - 11, Penticton

Kinsmen Pro Rodeo, August 23 - 25, Oliver

Ironman Canada Triathlon, August 30 ( Penticton 250-490-8787)

Festival of the Grape, October 6 (Oliver Chamber 250-498-6321)

Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, October 9 - 18 (Penticton Wine Country Visitor Info Centre 250-490-2006)

Places To Stay

Provincial Park campgrounds include Haynes Point in Osoyoos, Inkaneep in Oliver, Vaseaux Lake in Okanagan Falls, and Okanagan Falls also in - you guessed it - Okanagan Falls.

In Oliver:

• Bel-Air Cedar Motel & RV Park ( 250-498-2443 )
• Cactus Tree Inn ( 1-800-449-8617 )
• Mount View Motel ( 250-498-3446 )
• Centennial RV Park ( 250-498-6800 )
• Lakeside Resort ( 250-498-2177 )
• Maple Leaf Motel and Campsite ( 250-498-3584 )
• Pine Bluff Motel ( 250-498-3377 )
• Ponderosa Campground ( 250-498-6685 )
• Southwind Motor Inn ( 250-498-3442 )
• Wildflower Bed & Breakfast ( 250-498-4326 )
• Inkameep Campground ( 250-495-7279 )
• and the Gallagher Lake KOA Campground ( 250-498-3358).

Other Internet Sites of Interest

Town of Oliver

Oliver and District Chamber of Commerce

Oliver Chronicle

South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls

Penticton

Okanagan Falls

Osoyoos

Thompson Okanagan Tourism

B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Highways Road Reports

The Fruit Seasons