Plan Your Trip

About the South Okanagan

The South Okanagan, located in the beautiful interior of British Columbia, is one of the best places to visit in BC. Easily accessible by road, air, and scenic rail trails, the region stretches from Peachland through Summerland, Penticton, Naramata, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, and all the way to Osoyoos, offering countless ways for travellers to explore the natural beauty of the Okanagan Valley.

These vibrant communities embrace their stunning landscapes and provide unique experiences for every type of visitor. Outdoor adventurers will find endless terrain to discover—from lakeside trails and mountain viewpoints to historic rail routes. With local farmers’ markets, award winning golf, community festivals, and winter recreation, there is something to enjoy year‑round.

The South Okanagan is also at the heart of Okanagan wine country producing some of the highest‑quality wine and fresh local produce in Canada. From boutique vineyards on Naramata Bench, Kaleden, and Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive to established wineries in Oliver and Osoyoos, winemakers continue to earn global recognition for exceptional craftsmanship. Visitors are encouraged to book ahead to enjoy unforgettable culinary and wine experiences.

Accommodation options are just as diverse as the region itself, ranging from luxury lakeside resorts , family‑friendly motels, charming B&Bs, vacation rentals, and well‑maintained private and provincial RV campgrounds.

Welcome back to the Okanagan you remember—where every community offers a distinct taste of the South Okanagan lifestyle.

Getting Here

By Car

The South Okanagan communities are connected along the iconic Highway 97, one of the longest continuous north–south highways in North America. Stretching from California to Alaska, this major route passes directly through the heart of British Columbia. Travellers choosing to Visit South Okanagan will find that Highway 97 provides easy access to the area’s most celebrated landscapes, including Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake, Vaseaux Lake, and Osoyoos Lake.

Another popular way to reach the region is along Highway 3, running east–west from Hope, BC, through the South Kootenays to the Alberta border. Visitors coming from Vancouver connect to Highway 3 (the Hope–Princeton Highway) via the Trans‑Canada Highway 1 in Hope. This scenic route winds through E.C. Manning Provincial Park and the Similkameen Valley toward Keremeos. From there, Highway 3A leads travellers to Kaleden, where Highway 97 branches south toward Okanagan Falls and Oliver, or north to Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, and Peachland—each offering unique views of nearby lakes and wine country.

For those completing a circle tour of the South Okanagan, Highway 97C just north of Peachland connects westbound travellers toward Merritt and the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5). From the east, Highway 3 crosses the southern Kootenay‑Rockies before joining Highway 97, where visitors can continue north toward Salmon Arm and Sicamous to reconnect with the Trans‑Canada Highway 1.

Whether you’re exploring the warm waters of Okanagan Lake, biking along Skaha Lake, enjoying wildlife near Vaseaux Lake, or relaxing by the sun‑soaked shores of Osoyoos Lake, every route offers a beautiful journey and countless reasons to Visit South Okanagan.

By Air

Flying into the South Okanagan is a breeze with multiple flights available daily. Connect effortlessly to Vancouver, Calgary, and beyond with Pacific Coastal Airlines and WestJet. Your Gateway to the South Okanagan is through the Penticton Regional Airport (YYF), which is conveniently located near downtown Penticton. Enjoy daily non-stop flights to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is located 1 to 2 hours north of the South Okanagan region, depending on your destination. Situated in Kelowna, YLW offers over 70 daily flights on nine airlines, including multiple daily flights to and from Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, and Seattle, Washington. This major transportation hub provides convenient access to the South Okanagan, ensuring a smooth start to your visit.

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.