British Columbia Bed and Breakfast Canada Innkeepers Guild

Summerland, BC, sits on the southwestern shore of Okanagan Lake, in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. East of town are the Okanagan-Similkameen Forest, the Penticton Indian Reservation, and Eneas Provincial Park. Peachland is 22 kilometres to the north, and Penticton is 19 kilometres to the south.

BC’s Okanagan Valley has become well known for its wines, and the Okanagan Wine Festivals host many events throughout the year. The year starts out right when the Winter Festival of Wine in January pairs wine events with outdoor recreation. The Spring Wine Festival in May unites fine wine with good food. In August, the Summer Wine Festival offers interesting seminars and discussions along with great outdoor music and entertainment. The Annul Okanagan Fall Wine Festival in October celebrates the harvest with food, wine and arts. In addition to these festivals, there are numerous events throughout the year devoted to tasting wine, learning about wine, and enjoying wine, food, music and art. There are six wineries in Summerland, BC.

Before grapes flourished here, British Columbia’s Okanagan was known for its orchards. They still exist, and are an important part of Summerland’s economy. An overview of the history of the region can be found in the Summerland Museum and Archives, in the heart of town. For a taste of how folks used to travel, hop aboard the Kettle Valley Railway, one of the few remaining steam engines in British Columbia. This two-hour journey along the original rail lines takes passengers from 1100 to 4000 feet above sea level, and across more than 18 trestle bridges.

Okanagan Lake is great for boating, fishing and swimming. The area has good golf courses, excellent hiking, and mountain biking. In the winter, ski and snowboard at Apex Mountain Provincial Recreation Area, and enjoy thirty kilometres of groomed trails in the Nordic centre of Nickel Plate Provincial Park.

Summerland BC Bed and Breakfasts are great spots for year round vacationing in the sun.