Penticton, BC at a glance
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. It lies between Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south, so you choose between two very different waterfronts. Okanagan Beach and the downtown lie on the north side, Skaha Beach and its park on the south side. The city had 36,885 residents at the 2021 census.
Most visitors come for wine, water and trails. The Naramata Bench vineyards sit across Okanagan Lake, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail leaves from Penticton, and the hills around the city have short viewpoint walks. Prices on this site are in Canadian dollars (CA$) as published for 2026, and they change.
Our picks: tours from Penticton
The Naramata Bench day is the full wine experience close to town, and the trolley is the flexible option if you want to pick your own stops. Oliver and Summerland suit you if you want to taste somewhere further out, and the water bike is a short break at Skaha Lake. Whoever drives does not taste, so a tour with pickup is the easy choice.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Oliver wine day with a guide
- All tasting fees
- Hotel pickup and return
- Wine concierge service
A six-hour guided day through the Oliver wine area, south of Penticton, with reservations handled for you. Ask before booking whether lunch is part of the day.
Check availability →
Naramata Bench wine day with a guide
- All tasting fees
- Hotel pickup and return
- Wine concierge service
A six-hour guided day on the Naramata Bench with the winery bookings made for you. Ask before booking whether lunch is part of the day.
Check availability →
Summerland full-day tasting tour
- All tasting fees
- Water and snacks
- Door-to-door pickup
A day of tastings in the Summerland area with water and snacks on board and pickup at your accommodation. Taxes and wine you buy are paid on top.
Check availability →
Naramata half-day wine tour
- Tasting fees
- Guide gratuity included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
The shorter way to taste on the Naramata Bench, with the guide's tip already included. The guide drives, so everyone can taste.
Check availability →Hop-on hop-off trolley to the Naramata Bench
- Unlimited rides for one day
- Winery and brewery stops
- Dog friendly
A day pass for a trolley that runs between fixed stops for wineries, breweries, cideries and attractions, so nobody has to drive. Tasting fees are paid at each stop.
Check availability →
Water bike rental at Skaha Lake
- 30 minutes on the water
- Life jacket
- Safety briefing
Thirty minutes on the water at the Skaha Lake marina. There is no guide on board; a safety briefing comes first and a life jacket is provided.
Check availability →Penticton tours and day trips
Wine tours, bike and boat outings and day trips around the Okanagan, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Penticton trip
Start with the main things to do, then pick the pages you need.
Things to do in Penticton
Gardens, the SS Sicamous, the farmers' market and the beaches.
Penticton wine tours
How to plan a tasting day without driving after the glass.
Naramata Bench
The wine route along the east shore of Okanagan Lake.
Skaha Lake
Skaha Beach, the Skaha Bluffs and Okanagan Falls.
Okanagan Beach
A kilometre of sand and the seasonal river channel float.
Kettle Valley Rail Trail
Penticton to the Little Tunnel, Myra Canyon and current closures.
Summerland
Giant's Head, the steam railway and lakeside wine country.
More pages for planning
Southern Okanagan, hiking, weather, stays and the way here.
Osoyoos and Oliver
A warm lake, dry hills and wine country to the south.
Hiking around Penticton
Munson Mountain, the Skaha Bluffs and wildlife rules.
Weather and best time
Monthly averages and which season suits which plan.
Where to stay
Lakeshore, Skaha side, downtown or Naramata.
Getting to Penticton
Driving from Vancouver, flights and airport transfers.
Okanagan road trips
Day routes to Osoyoos, Kelowna and the Similkameen.
History of Penticton
Syilx land, sternwheelers and the Kettle Valley Railway.
A few things to know before you go
Details that change how you plan in 2026.
The Rail Trail is not open end to end
The corridor between Summerland and Banbury Green has no public access because of rockfall and unstable slopes, status of 10 June 2026. The footpath along the river channel is the exception. Plan out-and-back rides on the sections that are open.
Rail Trail guide →The Adra Tunnel is open again
The tunnel and its surroundings were fully reopened on 26 May 2026 after a short construction closure in early May.
Rail Trail guide →The SS Sicamous opens on selected days in autumn
The museum ship runs a reduced autumn schedule from 14 September 2026, with hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on open days. Check the current schedule before you go.
Things to do →The steam railway season in Summerland ends in October
The regular 2026 season of the Summerland steam train runs until 12 October. Special trains follow their own timetable.
Summerland →The Ironman race is over
The 2024 race was announced as the last Ironman Canada in Penticton, so do not plan a trip around a race date.
History →Fly, drive or take the bus
Penticton Airport (YYF) has direct flights to Vancouver and Calgary. Kelowna Airport (YLW) is about 70 to 90 minutes away by road.
Getting there →Beyond Penticton
Towns further north in the Okanagan have their own guide.
For the waterfront and wineries around Kelowna, see Kelowna and the north Okanagan. This site stays with Penticton, Naramata, Summerland and the south.
Penticton: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Penticton?
July and August are the warmest months, with average daily highs of 29.2 °C and 28.4 °C. May, June and September have highs of 21.4 °C, 24.6 °C and 22.6 °C, which many walkers and cyclists prefer. Winters are cold, with January highs around 1.6 °C. See the weather page.
How far is Penticton from Vancouver?
By road it is about 415 km, with a driving time of roughly 4 hours 54 minutes. You can also fly to Penticton Airport (YYF) or Kelowna Airport (YLW). See getting to Penticton.
Can I cycle the whole Kettle Valley Rail Trail from Penticton?
No. Parts of the old railway corridor are closed, including the stretch between Summerland and Banbury Green. A popular out-and-back ride runs from Penticton to the Little Tunnel near Naramata. Details are on the Rail Trail page.
Can I drink at a winery and then drive?
No. British Columbia enforces road safety measures from 0.05 % blood alcohol, so the driver should not drink. Book a tour with a designated driver or plan other transport. The Naramata Bench page has options.
Do I need an eTA to visit Canada?
German citizens arriving by air need a passport and an eTA, which costs CA$7. Arrivals by land or sea do not need one. US citizens do not need an eTA. Check the rules for your own passport before you travel.
Is this the official Penticton website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the City of Penticton, Travel Penticton, Destination BC or any tour operator.