Penticton a popular summer destination on Okanagan Lake
By: Roger

Penticton a popular summer destination on Okanagan Lake, Incredible scenery!

Call the 'Peach City', a beautiful spot in the south Okanagan nestled between two lakes: The 155km long Okanagan Lake to the north, and the smaller Skaha Lake to the south. Tourism in Penticton is largely seasonal. In the summer tourists double Penticton's population to 60,000. Historically, in the winter things were very quiet, but now that World Cup Freestyle Skiing stops at local Apex Mountain every winter, the winter scene is picking up.

This area has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Salish group of First Nations people. They called their settlement in this area Snpinkten which translates as 'a place to stay forever' and gives Penticton its name. The first non-native settler Thomas Ellis preempted land in Penticton in 1869 and started a very successful cattle ranch. With the arrival of engineering marvel Kettle Valley Railway the boom in Penticton had begun. Penticton was officially given life as a municipality in 1908, and received 'city' status in 1948.

Since the beginning Penticton's climate was well suited for agriculture, and thousands of fruit trees were planted all along the west and east bench areas overlooking Okanagan Lake. From cherries in early July to apples and pears in early September, Penticton has always been a large producer and exporter of non-citrus tree fruit. Many local oldtimers decry the trend of ripping out perfectly healthy and productive orchards for the more lucrative vineyards which supply grapes for the regions more than thirty boutique wineries. Today Penticton's two largest industries are tourism and the growing wine industry, which threatens to eclipse the fruit production industry.

Penticton's climate and geography is a northern, four-seasons version of what some call mediterranean. Large clay banks, benches, and scrubland skirt the mid-level mountains that frame the valley on the east and west sides. Summers are hot with an average temperature of 27C, and peaks of 35-40C are not unheard of. The large size of Okanagan Lake tempers the climate in winter which sees an average temperature of -2.6C. It can and does snow occasionally, but generally only during December and January will it accumulate in modest quantities. You can check the snow level with a quick glance to the mountains, which will have a white apron about half to three-quarters of the way up. Penticton sees about 2000 hours of sun per year, which is a higher average than Rio de Janeiro.

MUST SEE

• The Peach is a concession stand located at the foot of Winnipeg Street on Okanagan Lake shaped and painted as a giant peach. While it isn't that interesting in and of itself, it has an interesting history and is one of the most photographed spots in town. Film buffs may recognize it from the movie My American Cousin which was filmed in the Penticton Area.

• Munson Mountain Park is home to the large 'Penticton' sign (a la 'Hollywood') that greets travelers coming in to town from the north. The sign was created with thousands of small white stones. The original stones have since been replaced with letters made of concrete. The park itself affords visitors with stunning 360 degree panoramas of the South Okanagan valley. To get there head east on Vancouver Ave. and follow the signs.

• Penticton Ironman Triathlon. The last Sunday in August sees Penticton pretty much shutdown as everyone moves to Lakeshore and Main Street to watch the thousands of competitors in this gruelling event. The triathlon includes a 3.86km (2.4mi) swim, 180km (112mi) bike, and finally, a full marathon of 42.2km (26.2mi). The professionals complete this in 8-10 hours. The event is often chosen as the Canadian championship for this sport.

• Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, 199 Marina Way, +1 250 493-2928. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-Su noon-5PM . Contains a modest permanent collection of work by local and area artists as well as bone carvings by traditional Inuit artists. Also features moving exhibits and other special events. Admission Tu-F $2, Sa-Su free.

• The Penticton Roundabout (junction of Front Street, Ellis Street, Marina Way, and Vancouver Hill) features changing art installations. A work nicknamed Frank (actually called The Baggage Handler) was moved because of vandalism and controversy with local puritans due to the anatomical correctness of the piece. Today you can see Frank at his permanent home at Red Rooster Winery, and the roundabout has a less contentious piece.

• Penticton Museum & Archives, 785 Main Street, +1 250 490-2451. Features over 8000 artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Penticton's pioneers days, as well as local First Nations pieces. Located in the same building as the Penticton Regional Library. There is a gift shop on site. Suggested donation $2.

• Leir House Cultural Centre, 220 Manor Park Avenue, +1 250 492-7997. This beautiful 1927 house was once a nurses residence but now serves as the home of the Penticton Arts Council. Open to the public year round. Worth a visit just to see the grounds, with vintage stone walls and a relaxing gazebo. Free