How to Spend 3 Perfect Autumn Days in Penticton
If autumn is the best season for adventure, then this is the place to experience it.
The sun danced over the moss-green waters of Okanagan Lake, rippling with gentle waves from the brush strokes of my paddle. The canvas looked like an oil painting: dense brush, high cliffs and soaring swallows filled the frame. My arms propelled me through the water, granting my legs a much-needed respite after our 32-kilometre cycle.
With a population of 36,000, Penticton, BC is experiencing a rejuvenation. The walkable downtown core is a quaint pocket of local restaurants, cafes and shops with easy access to water routes and hiking or biking trails.
Situated between two gorgeous lakes—Okanagan and Skaha—with cascading hills of yellow grass and verdant vines on the shorelines, adventure is always within reach. Beautiful, unassuming and affordable, Penticton is the perfect spot for a shoulder-season getaway.
Day One:
eBiking the KVR
We started exploring on two wheels, renting eBikes from Pedego. We picked up boxed lunches at The Bench Market and jumped onto the Kettle Valley Rail Trail at kilometre zero.
Built in 1915 and decommissioned in 1989, the historic railway is part of the Trans Canada Trail, which stretches across the entire country.
This was a nostalgic ride for me—when I was 13 years old, I cycled this multi-use recreational trail with my dad. Being on the KVR again brought me back to those special memories with my late father. I could practically taste the Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars we’d shared in those beautiful, challenging moments together.
With less than a two per cent grade, the trail was easy and enjoyable on our pedal-assist eBikes. We cruised past smiling seniors on morning walks and nodded at other cyclists. We crossed over a trestle bridge, pedalled past views of the lake and rolled through vineyards.
Despite the cool breeze, warmth rose in the valley, carrying the outdoorsy aroma of ponderosa pine. The cozy fragrance of the outdoors was resplendent without oppressive summer heat or crowds.
We cycled 16 kilometres to Little Tunnel in just over an hour, averaging a speed of 11 kilometres per hour. The cavernous tunnel walls swallowed us up and spit us out next to picnic benches where we enjoyed lunch.
There are over 80 wineries in the Penticton area, so we decided to stop, sip and savour the flavours. We cycled to Ruby Blues Winery, which offers free tastings, and bought a crisp, refreshing bottle of Riesling.
With the most craft breweries per capita, you have to try a Penticton beer. We stopped at Abandoned Rail Brewing for a tasting flight and an apple slushie on the dog-friendly patio.
Day Two:
Kayaking Okanagan Lake
The next morning, we met at Hoodoo Adventures for a gentle paddle on Okanagan Lake.
Our guide Adam explained that we were paddling past 30,000-year-old rock, some of the oldest exposed metamorphic and plutonic rock in the Okanagan. He pointed out Giant’s Head, a lava dome volcano formed around 51 million years ago, and added insightful commentary about the history of the area.
After five kilometres, we docked at Three Mile Point. On the pebbly beach, we indulged in a hot cup of coffee and freshly baked cookies for a pleasant picnic before paddling back.
We capped off our adventure by treating ourselves to a ginormous, delicious, double-scoop ice cream cone at Tickleberry’s.
Day Three:
Farmer’s Market and Fall Hiking
I love farmers’ markets, and Penticton might have the best one in BC. All the vendors make, bake or grow their own wares, and speaking with the people who create the products adds a personal touch.
After picking your produce, the Carmi/Ellis Creek Canyon View Trail makes a great late afternoon hike. Beginning at the Garnet Fire Interpretive Site Parking lot, a winding dirt path dips between trees, granting glimpses of scenic Lake Okanagan. The 3.5-kilometre out-and-back trek is the perfect way to stretch your legs before the road trip back home. There are a ton of other trails, from tranquil and scenic to tough and strenuous, so you can pick a trek to suit your mood.
I was impressed by the community, generosity and welcoming feeling in Penticton. As always, it’s the people who make the place, and the friendly faces who smiled and waved while we biked, paddled or walked by made it feel a bit warmer, no matter the season.
When You Go:
Where to Eat
There’s a surprising diversity of dining options, from Turkish-inspired Elma along the Okanagan Waterfront to the cozy, indulgent soup tasting flight at Brodo Kitchen. Tratto serves up charred Neapolitan pizza with scissors to cut your own slice of pie, while The Black Antler has a divine cocktail list and yummy burgers. For the ultimate coffee and breakfast, visit Wayne & Freda or Petrasek Bakery. Grab a local beer at Neighbourhood Brewing or Slackwater.
Where to Sleep
We stayed at the aptly named Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre. Splurge for a water-facing room—you won’t regret it.
Select images by Field Photographer Tavis Gilmore
This article was sponsored by Visit Penticton
Penticton is a popular destination for all types of visitors. With our city’s deep roots of agriculture, Indigenous and craft culture and outdoor recreation, Penticton is an iconic destination that needs to be experienced multiple times throughout the year.
