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Kelowna is located in the heart of BC's wine country. It has a metropolitan population of about 180,000.
Okanagan Lake is the main draw in the summer. This 135 km long jewel is a big draw for boaters (power and sail), swimmers and kite-boarders. In winter, thousands of tourists come from all parts of the world to ski at Big White resort, located 55 km from the city. Tourists also come in the fall (mostly) to experience and taste the Okanagan's world class wines from various wineries throughout the valley.
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By plane
Kelowna International Airport [url=http://www.kelowna.ca/cm/page68.aspx/],]provides daily service to several cities including [[Vancouver[/url]], [wiki=1e4eb05040e68d9312eb6ed016eaa4d8]Calgary[/wiki], [wiki=25d43c379dc973b097d7d3ee052d7d2a]Edmonton[/wiki], Prince George, [wiki=d0aa2dffa0da83f1f34681308d04db5d]Los Angeles[/wiki], and [wiki=4c54c163f43d0ac8512df032b3b07bff]Seattle[/wiki]. Kelowna International Airport also offers flights to [wiki=3a8681d9c876cc1400c5ad5746b4a07e]Puerto Vallarta[/wiki], [wiki=cb54e075e1a2b5381ef2f8e1682423fa]Victoria[/wiki] and [wiki=948ce72be6c871b84f6d0dab24f209ed]Toronto[/wiki].
Some of the Airlines utilizing Kelowna International Airport are:
* Air Canada
* Air North
* Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air
* Central Mountain Air
* Northwestern Air
* United Airlines
* Westjet
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By train
There is currently no passenger train service available to Kelowna, however, you can utilize the nearest train terminal in [wiki=b83494fc9fa0e45e8a880dbfe7eb8fe4]Kamloops[/wiki] (about 90 minutes north-west of Kelowna by car).
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By car
Highway 97 is the major highway through Kelowna, with [wiki=fe89252d8c6fcc186bf7b743753f8c77]Vernon[/wiki] and Highway 1 to the north, [wiki=eb81c6d5b77800330a4f04b6fe113403]Penticton[/wiki] and Highway 3 to the south, and [wiki=c9ce09edec407346a358bc6bfe0b5dde]Merritt[/wiki] and [wiki=38278119f2c41ca7aedcbc55eabf73cd]Vancouver[/wiki] to the west via Highway 97C. Highway 33 provides secondary access to points south and east.
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By bus
Greyhound services Kelowna from Vancouver and Calgary and points in between.
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Traffic can be quite heavy on major roads in Kelowna during the summer months, especially at the approaches to the bridge crossing the Okanagan Lake and the Ellison Overpass near the university and airport. A lack of advance left turn traffic lights contributes to accidents at major intersections.
* Kelowna Regional Transit System, 250-763-6011, [url=http://www.transitbc.com/regions/kel/].]Best times to travel are early mornings and late afternoons on weekdays. High traffic routes (such as Lakeshore #1, University #8, Rutland #10, RapidBus #97 are the most efficient and numerous routes). Bus drivers are generally courteous and will on request call ahead to your next bus to facilitate a timely transfer. Bus frequencies are reduced during the summer months when school is not in session, but when school is in session, expect to miss a bus (or two) due to over-filled buses. Check the user website for more details and schedules.
*Kelowna has an extensive network of bike lanes. Cyclists are advised to use bike lanes (when not obstructed by parked vehicles) and intersections with caution. Cycling on local highways is not recommended. See the City of Kelowna website for a detailed map.[http://www.kelowna.ca/citypage/docs/pdfs/Maps/Bicycle%20Route%20Map.pdf[/url]
*There are several boat launches along the lakeshore with parking facilities. Be prepared to queue in the summer months. As for the lake itself, it can get crowded out there, especially with small watercraft.
*The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, especially along the waterfront and Bernard Avenue.
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Vehicle Rentals
Budget Car Rentals
* Enterprise Rent-a-Car
* Avis Car Rentals
* Discount Car and Truck Rentals
* Hertz
* Vespa and Scooter Rentals, [http://www.vespakelowna.ca/].
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Downtown
The Downtown Core is easily accessible with public transit as well as taxis and bicycles, once downtown you have two major Parkades to choose from if you decide to drive yourself one is of Pandosy Street (The Verve Restaurant is in the first level) or at the Library by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Station, so parking shouldn't be a chore.
As in any city the Rush Hour (usually 4:30PM-6PM) can be a challenge in the downtown core as well as on the main transportation arteries: Highway 97C, Highway 33, Lakeshore Rd.
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The Downtown City Park offers a great environment in the summer to sun tan play and enjoy yourself or with your family playgrounds as well as the water and skate board park offer for a great time in the sun.
*Enjoy the half submerged playground at Gyro Beach; in summer you can let yourself slide along the rope into the lake within which you may come across our lake's resident the Ogopogo (we are not joking, Loch Ness isn't the only body of water with a lake monster [the term monster is used loosely]). If you see Ogopogo make sure to be friendly as it is his home you're swimming in ;).
*One of the best kept secrets of Kelowna is Bertram Park at the end of Lakeshore Road, with beautiful beaches and grassy areas to picnic on it is one of the most idyllic places in Kelowna, it offers BBQ's as well as change/wash rooms.
*Another "best kept secret" is a beautiful beach located off Lakeshore in the Mission area. To get to it, turn down Truswell Road and take a left on Martin Road. If you walk keeping on the right to the end of Martin, you will come to a river. Turn right down a narrow bank alongside the river and walk along it for a short distance and you'll find and absolutely gorgeous beach frequented mainly by the younger crowd. If you bring beer or "other things" BC is famous for, be careful, as this beach is certainly not a secret to the police. This beach is referred to by locals as "Hidden Beach", often reduced to "Hidden", or "Skim Beach".
* Kelowna Rockets hockey [http://www.kelownarockets.com/].
* Okanagan Sun football [http://www.okanagansun.org/].
* Local wineries [http://www.okanaganwine.ca/].
* Mission Creek Greenway [http://www.greenway.kelowna.bc.ca/].
* Knox Mountain (two viewpoints) - an annual hill climb is one of the highlights of this peak [http://www.knoxmtnhillclimb.ca/].
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Ski and snowboard at [wiki=9cf3061a44a662b241c5d459c7607891]Big White[/wiki], [url=http://www.bigwhite.com/]]and [[Silver Star[/url]] resorts, [http://www.skisilverstar.com/].
* Swimming - many sand beaches great beaches. Some feature swimming platforms (Gellatly bay aquatic park) and swing lines (Gyro park).
* Bike and hike the local mountains (Kettle Valley, Myra Canyon, Knox Mountain)
* Golf on any of the many great Golf Courses
* Play Tennis
* Enjoy the Athletic Centers (Parkinson Recreation Center, Athens Recreation Center, Capital News Center[http://www.capitalnewscentre.com/]).
* Sailing, Seadoo-ing and Boating on Okanagan Lake [http://cosa.bc.ca/].
* Windsurfing
* Vespa and Scooter Rentals, [http://www.vespakelowna.ca/].
* Visit and tour The Fintry Estate[http://www.fintry.ca]
* Tour Mission Hill Winery[url=http://www.missionhillwinery.com],]Quail's Gate Winery[url=http://www.quailsgate.com/[/url]]or Summerhill Winery[url=http://www.summerhill.bc.ca[/url],]an organic winery.
* Skateboarding/longboarding--the skateparks are average but lots of great hills
* Or the best yet... just be lazy and lay at the beach... or in winter in a jacuzzi surrounded by snow.
* Walk or Bike the Kettle Valley Railway Trestles, .[url=http://www.trailsbc.ca/okanagan_region/myra-canyon.html[/url].]Recently rebuilt after being burnt down - They provide a unique and beautiful view of the Kelowna area, as well as the uninhabited areas surrounding it. These are about an hour's drive outside of Kelowna - up a dirt road
* Hangout in city park and walk along the boardwalk.
*See a Ballet Kelowna performance [http://www.balletkelowna.ca[/url]
*H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre is the largest municipally owned water park in Canada and features an Olympic length 50 meter pool, wave pool, river run, 3 water slides, children’s water play area, and an ocean wave surf simulator. And, for the fitness enthusiast, a 12,000 square foot cardio and weight equipment and exercise space awaits you.
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University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus [http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/]
* Okanagan College [http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/]
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The main industry in Kelowna is tourism, with its requisite offering of service industry jobs at or slightly above minimum wage. The local ski hill Big White offers winter employment for ski/board instructors, liftees, servers, and so on. With the recent boom in housing, there is a shortage of skilled tradespeople in the construction industry.
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Bernard Avenue (between Richter and Water Street) & the downtown area: Frock (vintage clothing), Olive & Elle (beautiful household items), Funktional
* Pandosy St at/around KLO Road
* Okanagan fruit tree co-operative, 816 Clement Avenue, Mon-Sat 9-5
* Kolu, Rosebuds consignments
* Orchard Park Shopping Centre [http://www.orchardparkshopping.com/]
*Rustic & Mexican furniture and accessories as well as a large supply of teak and rattan patio furniture
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Budget
Awesome little Chinese vegetarian restaurant serving light, healthy meals even carnivores will love. Almost all dishes are also gluten-free. Also serves wide selection of teas, bubble tea. Incredibly nice people, great service. Accepts credit cards. Try the honey crispy bean!
* Sub City Donair on Highway 33, and on Rutland road by McCurdy
* Mad Mango's' cafe (try the curry and soups most under $7) across the street from the bargain shop on Bernard.
* A friendly place, with a small menu of delicious mainstream Thai food. All dishes can be prepared vegetarian, and in any spiciness from mild to very hot. Lunch specials include soup and spring rolls. Try the red curry!
* The Bohemian Cafe
* The Marmalade Cat cafe
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Mid-range
O-Zeki Japanese
* RauDZ Regional Table
* Cabana Bar & Grill
* The Yellow House
* Bai Tong Thai food - On Water at Bernard, upstairs, one of Kelowna's best Thai food places!
* A fantastic BBQ house, close to the water in downtown Kelowna.
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Splurge
Chop Steakhouse & Bar - Steak, seafood & drinks for a special night out. [http://www.chop.ca]
* The Fixx, [http://www.kelownagolfski.com/the-fixx-cafe-restaurant.htm].
* Mon Thong
* Bouchons - High Quality French Bistro with a great kitchen (Near the Grand Hotel by Prospera Place)
* The Rotten Grape
* Ric's Grill
* La Bussola Restaurant
* Waterfront Restaurant
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Pubs close at 1AM and clubs at 2AM.
* The Grateful Fed, Bernard Ave, the main strip downtown, and has live music in the later evenings, with pub/deli style eats and drinks, and a patio in the warmer months.
* Roses Waterfront pub located by the Grand/Kelowna Yacht Club.
* Flashbacks Nightclub on Ellis Street (Close to Prospera Place)
* The Blue Gator A Blues Club located on Lawrence Street. Has an outdoor sidewalk patio where you can eat/drink.
* 97 Street Pub At the intersection of Hwy 97 and Leckie Road (Beside the Best Western Hotel)
* Doc Willoughby's Downtown Pub, 353 Bernard Ave
* Sturgeon Hall, 1481 Water Street
* Tonics Pub', Ellis Street. Good food, and great prices on drinks. Nice atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff.
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If you will be staying in Kelowna between May and September, book your accommodations well in advance, especially for weekends.
*email info@kelownabb.com Two well appointed guest suites
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Budget
Kelowna International Hostel, 2343 Pandosy Street, 250-763-6024, [url=http://www.kelowna-hostel.bc.ca/].]The recommended of the two hostels in town. Interesting atmosphere, not overcrowded. It has a limited number of beds, however, so it's easiest to book ahead.
*Newly renovated comfortable hostel located right in downtown. Great for downtown shopping and beach strolling.
* Samesun Backpacker's Lodge, 245 Harvey Avenue, 250-763-9814, [http://www.samesun.com/destinations/kelowna/[/url]. Clean with good facilities and a very friendly party atmosphere. Outdoor courtyard area with DJs, BBQs and a pool in the summer. Daily activities year round.
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Mid-range
BEST WESTERN PLUS Kelowna Hotel & Suites, 2402 Highway 97 N, (250) 860-1212, [http://www.bestwesternkelownahotel.com/].
*Days Inn Kelowna, 2649 Highway 97 N, (250) 868-3297 [http://daysinnkelowna.com/]
*Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 1655 Powick Road, (250) 763-2800, [http://www.marriott.com/ylwfi/].
*The Hopeless Romantic Bed and Breakfast, 735 Lone Pine Drive, (250) 765-5006 [http://www.thehopelessromanticbandb.com/]
*Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Avenue, (250) 860-9711, (Fax: (250) 860-3173, Toll Free: 1-800-663-9400), [http://www.ramadalodgehotelkelowna.com/].
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Splurge
Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort, 1310 Water Street, (250) 763-4500 (Reservation Toll Free 1-800-465-4651), [http://www.grandokanagan.com/].
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Ski Resorts
Big White Ski Resort - Half an hour on good road conditions(Take the 97 past the floating bridge into town a little while and turn right at highway 33)
* Silver Star Ski Resort (located North of Vernon)
* Crystal Mountain (Last mountain to all you Old Skollers)located on Kelowna's Westside
* Apex Mountain - Located outside of Penticton (1 hour South of Kelowna on HWY 97)
A new ski hill, Kelowna Mountain Ski Hill, just north of Kelowna's Mission area, has been proposed.
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Kelowna is a growing city and therefore has its growing pains, with these come the following recommendations; avoid Leon & Lawrence Avenues between Water and Ellis during night time. City Park at night is patrolled, however can be somewhat dodgy after hours too.
As long as you keep yourself aware of your surroundings, you will be fine.
In summer, the city is also prone to forest fires, having suffered large fires in 2003 and 2009. Depending on the season, there may be campfire bans or parks may be closed.
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[[WikiPedia:Kelowna, British Columbia]]
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