Penticton is unique in Canada: it is the only city positioned between two lakes. Okanagan Lake lies to the north, Skaha Lake to the south, and a short channel connects them through the middle of town. This geography gives Penticton two distinct waterfronts, two sets of beaches, and a character that feels more like a lake town than a regular city.
At just over 35,000 people, Penticton is the largest city in the South Okanagan. It has the dining options, breweries, and services that smaller towns lack, but it keeps the relaxed pace that makes the whole region worth visiting. The Naramata Bench wine region sits just a 15-minute drive northeast and is one of the most scenic self-drive winery routes in the country.
Staying in Penticton?
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Beaches in Penticton
Okanagan Lake Beach (North Beach)
The main Penticton beach runs along the north end of town on Okanagan Lake. It’s a wide, sandy beach with good facilities, a volleyball scene in summer, and that characteristic Okanagan Lake clarity. The water warms up well by July. The beachfront esplanade has restaurants, ice cream, and rentals nearby.
Skaha Lake Beach
Skaha is generally considered the better swimming beach. The water is shallower, calmer, and warms up earlier in the season. Skaha Lake Park on the north shore has excellent facilities and is very family-friendly. Less crowded than Okanagan Lake Beach on peak weekends.
The Tubing Channel
A beloved Penticton summer tradition: floating the Okanagan River channel from Okanagan Lake down to Skaha Lake on an inner tube. It’s about an hour, completely flat, and genuinely fun for all ages. Tube rentals and shuttle services operate from late June through August.
Book the Channel Float
Tube rentals and shuttle services — book ahead for July and August, it sells out fast.
Book direct with Coyote Cruises — the local tube rental and shuttle operator. Opens June 22 each season.
Book Channel Float on Viator →Naramata Bench Wineries
The Naramata Bench is one of BC’s most celebrated wine regions and sits right on Penticton’s doorstep. The bench road winds 15 km north along the east side of Okanagan Lake with over 40 wineries tucked into the hillside, each with views across the water.
It’s best done as a self-drive: pick 3 or 4 wineries, take your time at each, and end with dinner at one of the estate restaurants. The whole experience is more intimate than any other wine region in BC.
See the full Naramata Bench winery guide →
Craft Breweries
Penticton has a surprisingly strong craft beer scene for a city its size. The standouts:
- Cannery Brewing one of the Okanagan’s originals, great taproom, solid range of styles including the beloved Naramata Nut Brown.
- Neighbourhood Brewing community-focused, excellent food menu, relaxed atmosphere.
- Highway 97 Brewing local favourite, solid IPAs and seasonal releases.
- Barley Mill Brew Pub good pub food alongside the beers.
Cycling in Penticton
Penticton is one of the top cycling destinations in Western Canada. The Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail runs through the area, with the famous Myra Canyon trestle section (technically in Kelowna) within reach. Locally, the KVR offers great riding through orchards and benchland above the valley. Skaha Bluffs is a world-class rock climbing area that doubles as a mountain biking destination. Road cyclists use the Naramata Bench loop extensively.
See the full Okanagan cycling guide →
Where to Stay in Penticton
Penticton has the widest range of accommodation in the South Okanagan, from lakefront resorts to budget motels to vacation rentals on the Naramata Bench.
- Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre the flagship lakefront hotel, right on Okanagan Lake.
- Penticton Lakeside Resort good location on Skaha Lake for beach access.
- Naramata Bench vacation rentals staying on the bench itself puts you in the middle of wine country.
Getting to Penticton
Penticton Regional Airport has scheduled flights from Vancouver (about 45 minutes). By car: 400 km from Vancouver (about 4 hours via the Coquihalla), 100 km south of Kelowna (1 hour on Hwy 97), and 60 km north of Osoyoos (45 minutes).