Okanagan Valley
Lake towns, vineyards and orchards in British Columbia's sunny interior, where you can spend a morning on the water and an afternoon tasting wine.
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The Okanagan sits in southern British Columbia, with Okanagan Lake at its core and the Okanagan River flowing through it. The valley runs about 250 km long and 20 km wide, and it continues south into Washington State as Okanogan County. Kelowna is the largest city and the main tourism base, with Penticton, Vernon and West Kelowna as other key towns.
Expect a dry, sunny climate and plenty of time on the water, with boating, swimming and watersports on the lakes, plus skiing and hiking in the hills. Orchards once defined the valley, and vineyards and wineries are now a major attraction. The Syilx, the Okanagan people, are an Interior Salish nation, and their culture is central to the valley. The south is the warmest and driest part, while the north is cooler and wetter, so choose a base based on the climate and the experiences you want. Plan several days if you want to see more than one town.
Okanagan Valley in five
- Treat it as a 250 km valley, not a townWine BC says the Okanagan stretches north to south over 250 km and holds 86% of BC's vineyard acreage. Pick one or two bases instead of driving the full length in a day.Wine BC Okanagan page
- Match the grapes to the end of the valleyWine BC says the cooler north favors aromatic whites such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer, while the desert-like south near Osoyoos ripens bolder reds such as Merlot and Syrah.
- Arrange a driver for every tasting dayEstates are spread across benchlands and lakeshores, so a tasting day means several drives. Book a guided tour or a driver, and keep the rental car for the non-drinking days.Kelowna
- Bring photo ID for tastingsWine BC asks visitors to confirm they are over 19 before entering its site. Carry photo ID, since cellar doors may ask for it.
- Add the coast or the Rockies by roadThe valley sits on the inland leg of many British Columbia loops. Link it with Vancouver and Whistler on the coast side or Banff on the mountain side.BC and the Rockies
Things to do in Okanagan Valley
See all attractions in Okanagan Valley
Need to know
- Airport
- Kelowna (YLW) for most visitors; Penticton has a small airport
- Getting there
- Flights to Kelowna, or drive inland from Vancouver or the Rockies
- Getting around
- Car or guided tour; wineries are spread across the valley
- Best base
- Kelowna for choice; Penticton or Naramata for wine; Osoyoos for the south
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days for lakes, wine and one long drive
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, ski nearby
- FebruaryCool, quiet
- MarchEarly spring
- AprilOrchard blossom
- MayBlossom, mild
- JuneWarm, lake days
- JulyHot, lake season
- AugustHot, smoke risk
- SeptemberHarvest, warm
- OctoberHarvest, cool
- NovemberCool, wet
- DecemberCold, ski nearby
Right now in Okanagan Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 2°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 17 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Okanagan Valley
01:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°1°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue12°2°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed11°1°19%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Thu12°2°20%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri10°2°15%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sat10°2°21%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sun11°2°22%Sunday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 01:06 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kelowna and Myra Canyona day within the central valleyLake days and a trestle trail; see the Kelowna guide for the details.Read the guide
- The Rockiesa long drive eastBanff and Lake Louise lie over the mountain passes; fly via Calgary unless you are already driving a loop.Read the guide
- Vancouver and the coasta full day by roadThe valley is usually the inland end of a loop from Vancouver, not a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Okanagan Valley
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Rules for Okanagan Valley, checked
- Wine BC: the Okanagan Valley stretches over 250 km, holds 86% of BC's vineyard acreage and has more than 200 wineries.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Okanagan Valley
The lake city and Myra Canyon trestles
Read the guideBritish Columbia and the RockiesLoops through the interior
Read the guideVancouverThe coast end of an Okanagan loop
Read the guideBanff National ParkThe Rockies on the far side of the interior
Read the guideGetting around CanadaCar hire and long distances
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideOkanagan Valley FAQ
How many days do you need in the Okanagan?
Three to five days covers lakes, a wine day and one long drive. The valley runs about 250 km, per Wine BC, so a second base such as Penticton or Osoyoos saves driving.
Where is the best wine in the Okanagan Valley?
It depends on style. Wine BC says the north suits aromatic whites and Pinot Noir, the central valley Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Merlot, and the hot south bolder reds. Choose a sub-region for the grapes you like.
Is Kelowna or Penticton better for a first visit?
Kelowna for the widest choice of rooms and restaurants and the closest airport. Penticton for beaches on two lakes and a wine-focused stay. Many trips use both over four or five days.
When should you visit the Okanagan?
June to September for lake days and patios, and early autumn when estates are busiest with harvest. Spring brings blossom. Late summer smoke can interrupt plans, so keep a spare day and read the wildfire advice in the British Columbia planner.
Can you drive between wineries after tasting?
No. Use a designated driver, a guided tour or a driver service for tasting days. Estates are spread across benchlands, so plan fewer stops per day and eat lunch between tastings.