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Plan Your Trip

About the South Okanagan

The South Okanagan is perfectly located in the south central region of British Columbia. The region is easily accessible by road, air and rail trail for visitors coming from any direction in BC.

Our regional communities embrace the natural environment and offer unique experiences for a wide range of visitors. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts have a lot of terrain to explore both in the valley and the surrounding mountains. Along with regional historic sites, rail trails, community, national and international events, farmers’ markets and other agritourism experiences and a number of unique winter activities, there is so much to do all year round!

The South Okanagan has long been recognized for producing high quality BC agriculture and is at the heart of BC’s wine industry. Our wine is world class, and winemakers have been building momentum on a global scale for its consistency and quality. With an abundance of fresh local produce and world class wine, book ahead to make a reservation and have a truly unique South Okanagan culinary experience.

The South Okanagan is appealing to all BC travellers because of the variety of accommodation options available from luxury resorts, economical family friendly motels, B&B’s, vacation rentals as well as private and provincial campgrounds and parks.

Welcome Back to the Okanagan You Remember!

Getting Here

By Car

The South Okanagan communities are connected by Highway 97, which is one of the longest north-south highways in North America. It runs from California to Alaska right through the center of the province of BC. The Highway 97 corridor connects the South Okanagan to the rest of the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops, and Northern BC.

A popular route to access the region is from Highway 3 running west and east from Hope, BC through the South Kootenays and to the southern Alberta border.

Coming from Vancouver, you connect to Highway 3 (Hope/Princeton Highway) off of Trans-Canada Highway 1 in Hope, BC. This route travels through E.C. Manning Provincial Park and the Similkameen Valley towards Keremeos. Take Highway 3A to connect to Kaleden, turning South on Highway 97 for Okanagan Falls and Oliver or North for Penticton, Naramata, Summerland and Peachland. To complete a South Okanagan circle tour originating from the west, connect with Highway 97C just north of Peachland which takes you towards Merrit, BC and intersects with the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5).

From the Alberta border to the east, Highway 3 travels through the southern Kootenay-Rockies before it intersects Highway 97. To complete the circle tour of the South Okanagan originating from the east, continue north on Highway 97 towards Salmon Arm or Sicamous where it connects to the Trans-Canada Highway 1.

By Air

The closest airport is Penticton Regional Airport (YYF), which is conveniently located close to downtown Penticton and offers daily non-stop flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Calgary International Airport (YYC) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) via major airlines WestJet and Air Canada.

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is located 1.5 hours to 2 hour north of the South Okanagan region, in Kelowna and offers more than 70 daily flights on nine airlines, including multiple daily flights to and from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, and Seattle, Washington.

Getting Around

Getting around the South Okanagan region is as easy and as scenic as it is to get here. Each South Okanagan community offers something different and unique to that community. Most of the communities have historic downtown districts full of local shops, art galleries, restaurants and tasting rooms that are best explored by foot or on a bike. The South Okanagan also has a wide range of tour companies, taxi services and public transit options to help you get to the airport, wineries, trail heads or golf courses.

Weather and Climate

The South Okanagan is renowned for having the warmest weather conditions in all of Canada. With over 2,100 hours of annual sunshine, the climate is comfortable all year round. The South Okanagan is a great four season destination with warm early spring conditions, hot & sunny summers, warm & colourful fall seasons and to the mild & dry winters in the valley.

As you travel further up the highlands and into the mountains surrounding the region, you are able to experience the best of what British Columbia has to offer.

Visitor Centres

Penticton Visitor Centre building

Penticton Visitor Centre

888 Westminster Ave West
Penticton, BC
V2A 8S2
1 (800) 663-5052

Oliver Visitor Centre

6431 Station St
Oliver, BC
V0H 1T0
1 (778) 439-2363

Summerland Visitor Centre

15600 BC-97 Box 130
Summerland, BC
V0H 1Z3
1 (250) 494-2686

Okanagan Falls
Visitor Centre

5350 9th Ave
Okanagan Falls, BC
V0H 1R1
1 (250) 497-6260

Peachland
Visitor Centre

5684 Beach Ave
Peachland, BC
V0H 1X6
1 (250) 767-2455

Peachland Visitor Centre

@visitsouthokanagan