A budget traveller's guide to wine sipping through the Okanagan

Whether you’re looking to ride your bike through gorgeous landscapes, eat a picnic of fresh fruit at the beach, or cheers a glass of wine to celebrate a milestone with friends, a vacation here will leave you feeling rested and fulfilled. 

The area consists of small cities like Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton. If you’re planning a trip to the region, consider leapfrogging your way from one to the next. Kelowna was actually named a UNESCO Creative City for its gastronomy in 2025 (Canada’s first!) so go with an appetite. 

If you’re more of the type of traveller who likes to hunker down and really get to know one location, Penticton is a place to have your eye on. Penticton is very, very much a summer destination and often referred to as the “California of Canada,” for its beautiful vineyards and quality wine.  

Our cozy location, HI Penticton, is located four blocks from Okanagan Lake—a clean beach that welcomes guests to the southernmost end of Okanagan Lake which stretches over 100 kilometers through the valley right up to Vernon. If you’re in the area in summer, here’s what to do:

Hit the beach

Is this even a question in summer? The beach here is where it’s at. Along the beach in Penticton, visitors will find several parks perfect for picnics or lazy days in the sun. Picture a central location where everyone comes together to take a dip in the lake that glimmers in the sunshine. While you’re there, consider walking along the promenade or checking out the Art Gallery and Japanese Gardens (both free). 

With the beach being a spot that draws locals and tourists alike, there are of course plenty of restaurants. Consider checking out Salty's Beach House for seafood, Turkish cuisine at Elma, Sociale, or the Hooded Merganser. Across from Okanagan Lake is All Roads Cafe which offers cheaper dishes in the $10 - 20 range.

Rent bikes and do a self-led winery tour

Penticton is known for producing some of the best wine in Canada so don’t even think about leaving before visiting at least one winery. By renting a bike, you and travel companions can pedal your way to spots like Red Rooster, Ruby Blues and Hillside Winery (all of which are easy to access from downtown by bike or on foot). 

While a winery bike crawl is absolutely the way to go, if we had to choose just one, the vibe Ruby Blues offers has totally won our hearts. To find your bike rental, head to Hoodoo Adventures located two blocks north from the hostel and consider cycling not just to these wineries but along the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway) or TCT (Trans Canada Trail).

Go peach picking

One of the most beautiful afternoons you can spend in Penticton is picking your own peaches in one of the many orchards. Many offer “U-Pick” options where you pick your own fruits and vegetables (they’ll explain the rules when you arrive). This is an activity where everyone wins as you get time outside, plenty of beautiful photos for the memory, and you go home with fresh goods for the rest of your trip!

Plan an epic picnic (wine and peaches included)

Picnics are kind of the perfect trip activity for several reasons. You can enjoy being outdoors, you pick the menu, you can eat fresh, and you save money while still technically eating out. If you’re planning a beach or park afternoon, load up the day pack with local ingredients and snacks from favourite spots in town. Walk two minutes from the hostel and you’ll find a cherished deli Il Vecchio which provides picnic lunches. 

Another spot to keep an eye out for is The Bench Eatery on Vancouver Avenue which sells paninis, cheese, crackers, produce, chutney and other picnic essentials. For the freshest fruits and vegetables, don’t miss the farmer’s market which happens every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Don’t skip breweries, cideries, distilleries, and live music

The Okanagan is synonymous with wine but if you’re ready for a change from the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, make sure to visit the distilleries, cideries, or breweries. La Petite Abeille and The Tin Whistle are popular amongst cider drinkers in Penticton. If you’re more of a beer person, try  Cannery Brewing (located two blocks from the hostel), Neighbourhood Brewing in town, or Abandoned Rail Brewing which, located along the KVR and TCT,  is the perfect place for pizza and a beer!

Do a DIY wine and charcuterie tasting in the hostel

Look, as much as we love wineries, restaurants, vineyard tours, and breweries, it can all add up. Sometimes the best way to make dollars stretch while travelling is to sample much of what a particular region offers by collecting fruit here, a bottle there, a loaf of bread, local cheese, and a couple cans from popular spots nearby and then host a dinner or wine tasting back at the hostel. Same flavours, same company, lower price. If you’re doing a little DIY tasting and charcuterie board, bottles of wine from 4 Shadows and Evolve Cellars will complete your spread. Cheers!