Penticton at a glance
Penticton is a city in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, on a narrow strip of land between Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south. The two lakes shape every visit. The north side has the downtown, the lakeshore and the old sternwheeler. The south side has Skaha Beach and the road to Okanagan Falls.
Most sights are close together, so you can combine a garden, a museum visit and a beach in one day. Wine, trails and the nearby towns are covered on their own pages: see Penticton wine tours, the Kettle Valley Rail Trail and hiking around Penticton.
Our pick: the wine trolley
A day pass for the trolley is the easiest way to combine several stops in and around Penticton without a car.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. 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.
Penticton tours and day trips
Wine tours, lake activities and day trips around Penticton, with live prices and availability.
The main sights
What each stop involves and when it works best.
Okanagan Beach
Nearly 1 km of sand runs along Lakeshore Drive, with a marked swimming area, toilets nearby and shade trees. The beach has free parking. That does not apply to the downtown streets, where parking is paid. The Okanagan Beach page has the details.
Ikeda Japanese Garden
The garden lies on the Okanagan shore, north of 199 Marina Way. It has ponds and garden paths. April and May are the bloom season, but a particular day is never guaranteed. Plan a short, slow visit rather than a half day.
Penticton Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is at the corner of Lakeshore Drive West and Riverside Drive. It is open to the public and can also be reserved for private events. Check on site for hours before you plan around it.
SS Sicamous
The museum ship stands on the west shore at 1099 Lakeshore Drive West. In autumn it opens on varying days from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the schedule changes by season, so check the current days before you go. Events and air quality can also change the plan.
Penticton Farmers' Market
The outdoor market runs on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 100 block of Main Street. The 2026 season runs from 18 April to 31 October. A winter market has its own dates.
River Channel float
The channel links the two lakes over about 7 km. A full float takes roughly 3 to 4 hours, depending on water level and wind. See the safety rules below.
Japanese Garden Penticton and the Rose Garden
These two gardens suit a slow morning. Walk the Japanese garden's ponds and paths first, then continue along the shore toward the rose beds. Bloom depends on the weather of the year, so treat April and May for the Japanese garden as a seasonal window, not a promise.
SS Sicamous and the lakeshore
The SS Sicamous is a restored white sternwheeler on the west shore, and a well-known landmark of the waterfront. Adult admission is CA$10, seniors 55 and over pay CA$8, children aged 6 to 13 pay CA$5, children up to 5 are free and a family ticket for two adults and two children is CA$25 (2026). The age bands overlap at 13, so ask at the desk which rate applies. The history of Penticton explains why the ship matters here.
Floating the River Channel
Keep away from the bridge piers, leave the water before the last bridge and never drift on into Skaha Lake. Do not tie floats together and do not float alone. Small children and non-swimmers should wear a life jacket. Take water and sun protection. Float operators run weather-dependent days with booked rides back within Penticton, and hours differ by operator.
The city tests water at Okanagan Beach, Skaha Beach and the channel every week in summer. Follow any advisory signs, and avoid swimming for 24 hours after heavy rain.
Sights compared
2026 seasons and costs where they are published.
| Stop | Best season | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Okanagan Beach | Summer | Free parking at the beach |
| Ikeda Japanese Garden | April and May | – |
| Rose Garden | – | – |
| SS Sicamous | Check current days | Adults CA$10 |
| Farmers' Market | 18 April to 31 October | – |
| River Channel float | Summer | Varies by operator |
For most first visits, combine the beach and the SS Sicamous with a lakeshore walk on a summer day, and add the market if it is a Saturday.
Things to do in Penticton: frequently asked questions
What should I do first in Penticton?
Start at Okanagan Beach and the lakeshore. They are central, the beach has free parking, and the SS Sicamous stands on the west shore.
Is the Penticton Farmers' Market open all year?
The outdoor market runs on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the 100 block of Main Street, from 18 April to 31 October 2026. Winter markets have their own dates.
How much does the SS Sicamous cost?
In 2026 adults pay CA$10, seniors CA$8, children aged 6 to 13 CA$5, and a family of two adults and two children CA$25. Children up to 5 are free. Check the current opening days before you go.
How long does the River Channel float take?
The channel is about 7 km long, and a full float takes roughly 3 to 4 hours. Water level and wind change the time. Leave the water before the last bridge.
Can I swim at the Penticton beaches?
Okanagan Beach has a marked swimming area. The city tests the water at Okanagan Beach, Skaha Beach and the channel every week in summer. Follow any advisory signs, and avoid swimming for 24 hours after heavy rain.