- Surrounding
Communities:
SUMMERLAND, BC
Summerland (population: 10,713) sits on the western shore of Okanagan Lake in an area known for orchards and
wineries. It’s a picturesque spot and the city, with its Tudor-style buildings, hanging flower baskets, outdoor sculptures and old-fashioned lampposts, easily lives up to its surroundings. There are many recreational options but water activities definitely take centre stage in summer. Cultural happenings include a Shakespeare festival, an art show, live theatre productions and wine festival events. Two of the city’s best-known attractions are the
Summerland Sweets factory and the
Kettle Valley Steam
Railway.
Water activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, boating and swimming, are very popular summer pursuits in Summerland. You can also camp, hike, golf and ride horseback. Family-friendly attractions include the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, the Summerland Trout Hatchery, Summerland Ornamental Gardens and Summerland Sweets, as well as a museum, art gallery and classic car showroom. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Giant’s Head Mountain is visible from just about anywhere in Summerland
 and the 360-degree view from its summit is arguably the area’s best. You can reach the viewpoint in one of three ways: hike a 3-km (1.9-mi) trail accessible from Giant’s Head Road or drive to a parking lot 1 km (0.6 mi) from the summit and hike the rest of the way along either the steep Confederation Trail or the more manageable Centennial Trail. Other popular trails include the 4.5-km (2.8-mi) Peach Orchard Loop and the 6-km (3.7-mi) Lakeshore Loop, both of which start off tracing the lakeshore and then veer off into the surrounding hills.
Many visitors come to take advantage of the area’s excellent golf, camping and horseback riding opportunities. The nearest
golf courses are the 18-hole Summerland Golf and Country Club and the 9-hole Sumac Ridge Golf Club. Okanagan Lake Provincial Park has 168 campsites in two campgrounds and there a few private campgrounds in the vicinity as well. Local riding trails feature spectacular viewpoints overlooking Okanagan Lake. Horses and guides are available for hire.
Most of Summerland’s many attractions are suitable for the whole family. On a two-hour Kettle Valley Steam Railway tour you’ll enjoy live banjo music, beautiful scenery and live historical commentary while riding in a vintage car pulled by a restored early 1900 locomotive. Some tours include a mock train robbery. The self-guided Summerland Trout Hatchery tour is very popular with families, as are tours of the Summerland Sweets factory, which produces jams, syrups and fruit jellies. Summerland Ornamental Gardens features 6 ha (15 ac) of tree-lined walks, manicured lawns, meadows, a rose garden and a xeriscape demonstration garden. The 85 vintage cars on display at
Nixdorf Classic Cars will get any classic car lover’s motor running.
Orchards and wineries abound around Summerland and many offer tours, tastings and on-site shopping. Some orchards offer “u-pick” and/or picnic areas.
Penticton
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