Okanagan Valley Road Trip: 5 Days of Adventures in the Okanagan

I recently spent some time travelling through British Columbia’s Beautiful Okanagan wine region, which boasts amazing restaurants, breweries, cafes and over 300 wineries…basically a foodie dream come true!

It’s a great place to travel for a long weekend because the drives between locations are fairly short, local food and drink is plentiful, there is no shortage of things to do and there are beautiful lake views wherever you go.

In this post, I share some of my favourite things to do and places to eat, drink and stay from my recent visit, divided by region. These locations were divided over 5 days (with an additional day of travel time on each end of the trip). I hope you enjoy and that they inspire you as you develop an itinerary for some of your future food adventures!

OSOYOOS & OLIVER

Nk’mip Cellars

Nk’mip Cellars is the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America on the centuries-old home of the Osoyoos Indian Reserve. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the desert-like climate of Osoyoos is the driest and hottest place in the country and the patio restaurant at the winery boasts stunning views of all of it.

vinAmité Cellars

vinAmité Cellars is a South Okanagan boutique winery in Oliver BC that produces wines using traditional French-style varietals. Their tasting room is small but this spot is not to be missed so be sure to book ahead through their website.

Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek

Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek is a picturesque restaurant with stunning views serving a locally sourced Mediterranean inspired menu. If the weather is nice, be sure to reserve a spot on their patio.

Bear, Fish Root and Berry

Located in Canada’s only desert, The Bear, The Fish, The Root and The Berry serves modern vineyard cuisine inspired by the Indigenous roots of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation. Their approach to food is based on the creation stories of their culture and they have taken these stories as the inspiration for the name of the restaurant, which represent the key elements of Indigenous cuisine in the region. If you’re planning a trip to the Okanagan/ Osoyoos area, this is a must visit! Be sure to book the patio for beautiful views of the vineyards and lake if weather permits.

Watermark Beach Resort

During our visit to Osooyos we stayed at Watermark Beach Resort, a casual yet well appointed spot on the lake with breathtaking views, a gorgeous pool and beach. It’s suites are perfect for families or couples and it’s the perfect spot to explore all Osoyoos has to offer.

OKANAGAN FALLS & PENTICTON

Tickleberry’s

Tickleberry’s is a quaint little spot in Okanagan Falls that is known for their ice cream but also sells a variety of other home and gift items. They have been making their own chocolates, fudge, kettle korn and of course over fifty flavors of ice-cream for over 30 years!

See ya Later Ranch

Located high a top Hawthorne Mountain, See Ya Later Ranch Winery is one of the highest elevated vineyards in the Okanagan, where the terroir benefits from steep slopes that produce grapes with more intense flavours. They are a unique and fun ranch winery with gorgeous views and they are even pet friendly with a “barking lot” play area for your pups! In fact, let’s are so much a part of their legacy that all of their blends are named after the founder’s furry friends.

Painted Rock Estate

Painted Rock Estate in Penticton is a family winery committed to the production of ultra-premium, terroir driven Okanagan wines from their single estate vineyard.

Their modern and strikingly designed tasting room offers wines paired with charcuterie. Painted Rock is a definite must-visit on your next visit.

KELOWNA

The Cove Lakeside Resort

During our time in the Kelowna area, we stayed at the beautiful and well-appointed Cove Lakeside Resort in West Kelowna. With a gorgeous pool area, restaurant, water sports, spa, and much more, this lakeside resort offers private suites with lake or mountain views. It’s the perfect spot for couples, friends or families and close to many fantastic wineries.

Cedar Creek Winery

Cedar Creek Winery in Kelowna produces organic wines made entirely on site with the help of bees, highland cows, chickens and other furry and winged friends on their farm that overlooks beautiful Lake Okanagan. If you’re planning a visit, don’t miss a visit to their incredible restaurant, Home Block.

Old Vines Restaurant at Quails Gate

Old Vines Restaurant located Quails’ Gate Winery West Kelowna is a must visit in the Kelowna area. Quails Gate not only houses this local and ethically sourced farm-to-table restaurant with a gorgeous patio, but also absolutely stunning accommodations that house 7-14 people.

Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market

I love to visit local Farmer’s markets when I travel and Kelowna has a great farmer's and crafters market with a wide variety of foods and artisans running every Saturday morning..

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery

Okanagan Spirits sells a range of entirely apple based Spirits and liqueurs. When you book a tasting you can choose 3 products to sample that they first allow you to taste individually before individually mixing them so you can really get a sense of both the pure spirit as well as how it mixes. A must stop if you’re in downtown Kelowna!

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Whether visiting for a wine tasting, relaxing in the dining room, or soaking in the vineyard and lake views from their year-round patio while enjoying fresh, local organic menu, Summerhill Winery is not to be missed during your next Okanagan visit.

Wiseacre Farm Distillery

Wiseacre Farm Distillery is a cute spot nestled into the woods of East Kelowna and taste some small batch spirits while exploring and meeting the animals on the farm.

Yamato

When I travel, I’m always on the lookout l for great brunch spots, which for me also includes dim sum. This trip, I found Yamato, a restaurant offering a variety of Asian cuisines that serves dim sum on weekends and it definitely fulfilled my craving.

Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill

Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill Winery offers a 3-course lunch or 4-course fine dining prix fixe dinner featuring local, sustainable and seasonal cuisine. This 5 time “Winery of the Year” national Wine Align Award winner not only boasts incredible wine, culinary experiences and views, but the grounds themselves are some of the most stunning of all the spots we visited during our trip and a definite must visit when in the Kelowna area.