A Summer Road Trip Through Kelowna, Penticton & Vernon
Okanagan Valley has been calling me for almost two years. Every summer in Alberta, I'd see roadside stalls proudly advertising cherries grown in the Okanagan, and I promised myself that one day I'd pick them straight from the orchard.
That finally happened in June 2026.
We chose to do this trip by car because I knew I'd be bringing home boxes of freshly picked cherries, orchard fruits, and vegetables from local farm stands. It turned out to be one of my favorite road trips in British Columbia—not because of the famous wineries or beaches, but because of the small farms, quiet lakes, and communities that make this valley feel so special.
Rather than giving you a detailed day-by-day itinerary, here are the places that stood out the most during our trip, in no particular order. I've also included my favorite wineries at the end, although I'd highly recommend exploring and discovering your own favorites.
Paynter’s Fruit Stand
Out of nearly twenty fruit stands we visited between Osoyoos and Vernon, Paynter's was easily one of my favorites.
Their produce was organic, incredibly fresh, and perfectly seasonal. Prices were excellent, and we ended up buying most of our groceries for the week in Kelowna from here.
Mike’s Orchard Fruits and Vegetables
A small local market tucked away in East Kelowna.
Besides the fresh produce, it was fun seeing the chickens wandering around behind the market. It felt like one of those neighborhood places that locals have been visiting for years.
Don-O-Ray market
If you're looking for variety, this place has everything.
We bought nearly 3 kg of fresh peas here, along with peaches and plums to take home. Everything stayed fresh for days and tasted incredible.
Peachland Heritage Park
This may have been one of the most peaceful places on the trip.
The walking trails overlook beautiful Pincushion Bay, with plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife. I couldn't bring myself to leave, even after spending almost 45 minutes there. I loved it so much that I actually started browsing real estate listings in Peachland on the drive back.
Munson Mountain
A short uphill walk rewards you with panoramic views of vineyards, orchards, rolling hills, and Penticton.
There isn't much shade, so I'd recommend visiting early in the morning like we did.
Penticton Farmers Market
If you're visiting on a Saturday, don't miss this market.
There were vendors from all across the Okanagan selling fresh produce, baked goods, and local products. It's also surrounded by parks and plenty of places to sit, eat, and simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Honestly, whichever farmers' market you visit in the Okanagan, you'll probably leave happy.
Skaha Lake Beach
My favorite beach in the entire valley.
Calm, crystal-clear water, beautiful mountain scenery, and plenty of room to relax or swim. Sometimes photos really do say more than words.
Off the Grid Winery & Kalala Organic Estate Winery
These were our two favorite wineries.
Both focus on organic wines and offer reasonably priced tastings. We enjoyed them so much that we came home with three bottles between the two wineries.
Bagel Boys and Chilango Modern Mexican
Two restaurants we thoroughly enjoyed in downtown Kelowna.
They're both within walking distance of Bernard Avenue, making them perfect stops while exploring downtown. I'd also recommend spending some time at Kelowna City Park, where locals gather to picnic, swim, and enjoy the waterfront.
Apex Trail on Knox Mountain:
One of the easiest ways to escape the city without actually leaving it.
The trail starts close to downtown Kelowna, has plenty of parking, and offers beautiful views over Okanagan Lake throughout the hike.
Okanagan Centre Safe Harbour Regional Park
This small lakeside park became one of our favorite unexpected stops while driving from Kelowna to Vernon.
Quiet streets, beautiful homes, peaceful lake views, and almost no crowds. It felt like we'd finally left the busy tourist areas behind.
Planet Bee Honey Farm
A fun stop for both adults and children.
You'll learn a surprising amount about bees while watching them work inside the observation hive. It's educational without feeling like a museum.
Davison Orchard, Vernon BC
If you're travelling with kids, this place deserves half a day.
There's a farm market, playgrounds, animals, tractor rides, and plenty of photo opportunities. We visited in June, so the produce season was only beginning, but I can imagine this place becomes even better later in the summer.
Kin beach (Vernon)
This was the place that stayed with me long after the trip ended.
I came back here three evenings in a row just to walk along the shoreline.
Some places simply make you slow down. Kin Beach was where I sat, wrote, watched the sunset, and appreciated doing absolutely nothing.
It was worth the trip all by itself.
Peter's U-Pick (Vernon)
This was the experience I'd been looking forward to the most.
We picked almost six pounds of dark sweet cherries and somehow managed to bring every single one back to Calgary.
The orchard also grows apricots, apples, and plums, although many were just coming into season when we visited in June.
If you've never picked cherries straight from the tree, I can't recommend it enough.
Final Thoughts
The Okanagan is yours to discover. Whether you're wandering through orchards, hiking scenic trails, swimming in warm lake waters, sipping wine at family-run wineries, or simply indulging in the endless bounty of fresh, seasonal produce, there's something here for everyone.
The summer heat is a little more than I personally enjoy, but that's a small trade-off for everything this valley offers. I know I'll be returning—not just to revisit old favorites, but to continue discovering new corners of British Columbia. And if I do, you'll almost certainly find me leaving with a car full of cherries, peaches, vegetables, and whatever else the season has to offer.
May every visit to the Okanagan leave you with beautiful memories, a slower pace of mind, and a bountiful harvest to take home.
