| |
|
|
Kelowna Area Information
|
The Kelowna Lifestyle |
| |
 Kelowna BC, often referred to as the 'California of the North' and voted the most beautiful city of its size in Canada, has a population of about 150,000 and is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley. Kelowna boasts all the amenities of a major city - fine dining, unique shops, and a vibrant cultural life - yet orchards and vineyards thrive within a 10-minute drive of the downtown core. Of course, not to be missed are our warm sandy public beaches. It's a place where, regardless of season, world-class amenities are always available to enjoy. It's a place where the climate is mild and sunshine is something to be expected. It's a spot blessed with spectacular mountain scenery, where nature cradles pristine lakes and trims them with warm, sandy beaches and blossom dusted hillsides |
| |
Wine & Fruit
A delightful day can be spent sampling the award-winning wares of our numerous internationally acclaimed wineries, or you may wish to visit one of several championship golf courses in the area. With an abundance of natural resources it is no wonder we are often referred to as the Four Seasons Playground. Of course, Kelowna has always enjoyed wonderful apricots, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and apples. Blossom dates run from the second week in April to the end of May, and harvest dates start in July, ending in October. These quality fruits and the majestic beauty of the orchards in bloom are not to be missed. |
| |
Fun
Kelowna residents and tourist alike find the lake offers wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming, or fishing. The nearby mountains attract hikers, skiers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all descriptions. There are 18 golf courses and three major ski hills within a one-hour drive - Big White, Silver Star and Apex. What began, as a small agricultural community a century ago has now become the fastest growing city in Canada. A variety of activities can be enjoyed in Kelowna such as skiing, golfing, rock climbing, wine tours, hiking and Western Hockey League games, giving both resident and visitor alike plenty to keep themselves busy. |
| |
|
Business
But it's not all fun and games in Kelowna. There are about 13,000 companies in the Central Okanagan as a whole, employing over 60,000 people. The manufacturing industry, one of the largest industries in Kelowna, employs more than 6,000 people. Forestry, tourism, aviation, home-based businesses, and high technology sectors create a diverse landscape in which to do business. |
| |
| Weather
Kelowna is well known for its hot, dry summers and temperate winters. The average daytime high during July and August is 27.4° C (81.3° F). Summer nights are cool and refreshing with average morning low temperatures averaging 10° C (50° F) even in the warmest months. The average daytime high during December and January is -0.3° C (31.5° F) with an average low of -7.7° C (18.1° F). Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and just over 11 inches of rain. This results in a semiarid climate with ponderosa pine, sagebrush, and even cactus growing in some un-irrigated areas. The climate is like many parts of the American West and Southwest, but with the influence of Lake Okanagan, which stretches approximately 130 Km (81 miles) through the Okanagan Valley. |
|
|
| |
|
Location
Kelowna is situated along the shores of 82-mile long Okanagan Lake, midway between Penticton in the south and Vernon in the North. By highway, the city is 471 km east of Vancouver, 78 km, north of Penticton, and 606 km west of Calgary, Alberta. |
|
|
