It's hard to beat Penticton's location. With Okanagan Lake lapping at the northern edge of town, Lake Skaha's beaches forming the town's southern boundary, and the Okanagan River cutting between the two, Penticton has the feel of a real oasis. Hemmed in by lakes and desert valley walls, Penticton is pleasantly compact and in summer fairly hums with activity. As elsewhere in the Okanagan Valley, watersports are the main preoccupation, but Penticton also has an air of gentility that suggests there's a little more going on than just jet-skiing.
The old commercial center is along Main Street toward the north end of town; there's also a lot of activity along Lakeshore Drive, the boulevard that parallels the beachfront of Okanagan Lake. Lined with hotels and restaurants on one side, clogged with sun worshippers on the other, Lakeshore Drive is a very busy place in summer.
Right on the lakefront is the SS Sicamous, a sternwheeler that plied the waters of Okanagan Lake from 1914 to 1935. Now preserved as a museum, it's beached in the sand, and currently houses a scale model of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. It's open in summer daily from 9am to 9pm, the rest of the year Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Even if you're not into sunbathing, a saunter along the beachfront promenade is called for. Beach volleyball, sand castles, and a drinks kiosk in the shape of a giant peach are just the beginning of what you'll encounter along this long, broad strand: It's prime people-watching territory.
At the eastern end of the beachfront is the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, 199 Marina Way (tel. 250/493-2928), a showcase for local artists. The gift shop is a good spot to pick up a souvenir. Just beyond the gallery is Pier Water Sports (tel. 250/ 493-8864; www.pierwatersports.com), where you can rent all manner of watercraft.
The beach along Skaha Lake is usually more laid-back than the Okanagan Lake front. The relatively more secluded nature of this beach, plus a large water park for the kids, makes it a good destination for families. The Penticton Paddling Centre (tel. 866/658-6333) is at the east edge of the beach.
Special Events--The town's big summer celebration is the Penticton Peach Festival, held the first week of August. It includes parades, watersports competitions, live entertainment, street dances, midway rides, and a general and pervasive air of fun.
Be the first to taste the valley's best chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot, and ice wines at the Okanagan Wine Festival (tel. 250/861-6654; www.owfs.com), during late September and early October at wineries and restaurants throughout Penticton.
