Editor’s Note: This post is written by a member of LTV’s sponsored content team, The Leisure Explorers. Do you own a Leisure Travel Van and enjoy writing? Learn more about joining the team.
Through the Years
When I was young, traveling to Kelowna was the trip of the year. Being from Alberta, it was a new province with hot sun, sandy beaches, and fun nights camping in our pop-up tent trailer. Hearing stories of Ogopogo at night around the fire made me wonder if I would be brave enough to swim in the lake the next day.
In my early 20s, it was the place to go on road trips with friends for long beach days, late nights, and out-of-Canada vacation vibes. These days, the trips look slightly different from travel in my LTV. Searching for coffee shops to get a couple of hours of work done on the road and carving out time to explore the many amazing restaurants and wineries.
Coffee and Community
Analog Coffee
Analog Coffee is always a great first stop in Kelowna. Their coffee is delicious. It was created by partnering with farmers worldwide to bring meaningful impact to those farmers and their local communities. Speaking of community, Analog is known for its inviting feel. Someone is always there to say “hello” while giving you space to work when needed.
Happy Hour with a Tropical Twist
Oak + Cru at the Delta Grand Hotel
Once work is done, head to the Oak + Cru patio, which overlooks a lagoon and feels especially tropical on a hot summer day. Happy hour runs from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm and again from 9:00 pm-midnight, where you can get various snacks. Warm hummus with cucumber salad, naan, truffle fries, and a glass of wine for $6 make this a perfect stop.
They have the best zoodle zucchini salad if you prefer to order off the regular menu. Paired with the Viognier from Poplar Grove, which has nectarine flavors and sweet spice, it creates a great combo.
Wineries Overlooking Lake Okanagan
If you have the afternoon off, head to West Kelowna to visit a couple of wineries. It’s a great way to enjoy the beauty of Okanagan Lake and support local winemakers.
Frind Estate Winery
Located right on the lake, it is perfect for a stroll after a flight. Grab a bottle of The Baronnes to enjoy while you sit at the picnic area, listening to waves lap up onshore. Made with 61% Sauvignon Blanc and 39% Semillon, with notes of grapefruit, passionfruit, and apricot, it is a particularly delicious addition to a delightful afternoon.
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery
Another beautiful winery on a hill overlooking the lake. In 2020, after 20 years with a modest tasting room, they unveiled a brand new 15,000-square-foot facility. It’s modern and elegant, and they offer some delicious wines for tasting. I love grabbing a bottle of MtB Mt. Bubbles with bright citrus flavors to take on the hillside because who doesn’t love bubbles?
Restaurants with Cool Vibes and Upscale Options
Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium
An upbeat vibe awaits. The decor is eclectic and fun and will transport you back decades. They have a small but well-rounded wine menu that includes many local wineries. Evolve Spontaneity, which tasted of apricot, lemon, and melon, was easy to drink. The food also stands out. For starters, the okonomiyaki-style Brussels sprouts get your mouth watering, and you cannot go wrong with the lobster gnocchi or the crispy garlic crab fettuccini.
Waterfront Wines Restaurant
Are you looking to get dressed up or something a bit more upscale? Reservations were hard to get; however, due to a huge rainstorm that arrived as I was walking by, they took me in and gave me a cozy spot on the patio. I was not hungry and ordered the wise earth butter lettuce salad with buttermilk dressing. For wine, the Orofino “clone: 239” Reisling, which, with its lime zest and minerality, made a perfect pairing with my salad. It’s a pricier restaurant but ideal for a special occasion.
Harvest Hosts in Kelowna
Sperling Vineyards
Just 14 minutes from downtown. Grabbing an Uber is an easy way to head out for dinner after a delicious tasting. It has been a certified organic winery since 2017. The best part of the stay? The Labyrinth Vineyard. Once the winery is closed for the day you can enjoy it entirely to yourself.
Lake Country
Just north of Kelowna is another incredible area called Lake Country, which can be explored. When I was young, I thought it was too sleepy for me, but now it’s a must-stop.
Coffee, Breakfast, and a Lakeside Stroll
The Salty Carmel Kitchen
For some work time, that includes pleasing decor and a welcoming staff. Right across from the water, you could do a beach stroll once your work is done! If you get hungry, an appetizing brunch menu awaits!
Wineries Flights, Charcuterie Boards, and Epic Views
Afternoon wine tasting in Lake Country is always a highlight of any time spent in the Okanagan.
Arrowleaf Cellars
It’s my absolute favorite and “must stop.” A family-owned and operated winery named after the Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Okanagan Sunflower). With a bright, modern tasting room with a view. In the summers, you can do a tasting on the patio and enjoy overlooking Lake Okanagan or stay indoors for the AC. I never leave without a bottle (or six) of their Bacchus, a vegan wine with tasting notes of honeydew melon, pomelo, rosemary, and lemongrass. It is a wine that is a hit no matter where I take it, loved by those who have extensive wine knowledge and those who just like to sip here and there.
Gray Monk–The Lookout Restaurant
A flight and charcuterie board enhance the view of Lake Okanagan in the late afternoon. A glass of their Riesling is always crisp and refreshing on a hot day, with white peach, sweet citrus, and apple flavors. Gray Monk is available back home in Alberta, so I am always so grateful when I can grab a bottle and have memories of my time there.
Farm-to-Table in Lake Country
There are so many gems for dinner in Lake Country. Many offer farm-to-table food that enhances any meal.
Peak Cellars
With an ½ acre vegetable garden that supplies their Garden Bistro. The strawberry salad is refreshing year-round with a delicious poppy seed dressing. Afterward, the Arctic char dish is unreal paired with their Pinot Gris with flavors of peach and pineapple. On your way out, grab a bottle of Guener Veltliner. With aromas of honey, candied almonds, golden raisins, and dried apricots, it’s the perfect wine to toast a great Lake Country trip.
50th Parallel Estate Winery / BLOCK ONE Restaurant
It is a must-visit with its incredible architecture and beautiful view of the lake. Happy hour runs Thursday through Monday from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, when you can enjoy a halibut or jackfish taco and a glass of their 50th Parallel Estate Pinot Gris for under $20.
If you can make it for dinner, it truly is a spectacular experience, especially if you sit outdoors where you are covered by a one-of-a-kind cantilever that has won awards for its architecture. Equally beautiful is the indoor space, which is bright and airy. Make a reservation to ensure you get the seating you want! For dinner, try the scallops, crab cakes, and asparagus from the appetizer menu. Perfect for sharing with the table, the 50th Parallel Estate Chardonnay with flavors of lemon, caramel, and honey is a great pairing.
Kelowna and Lake Country offer travelers of any age a vast array of things to do, which is likely why so many people come once and come back again often. I am always sad to leave, but I always make such amazing memories.
I’m counting down the days until I’m back to revisit my favorite places and find new ones!
To see Reanna’s story mapped out, click here to view the route in the Leisure List.
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