Plan on Penticton for your next family vacation

By Claire Newell

 Penticton is the perfect place for your next family vacation. Did you know Penticton has the best climate in Canada? With over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, beautiful sandy beaches, and endless outdoor activities, Penticton is a great vacation spot that the whole family will enjoy. The diverse landscape of the Okanagan Valley offers a little something for everyone. Penticton is an outdoor activity playground for adventure seekers and families alike.

Spending a day on the water has always been a favourite pastime in Penticton. In fact, Skaha and Okanagan Lake beaches were voted number two in TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards for 2011 Best Beaches in Canada.

There are always great new ways to take advantage of Penticton's bounty of waterways.

To get the true Penticton lake experience and enjoy a little relaxation and quality family time, Penticton offers two warm-water lakes lined with soft sand beaches.

Skaha Lake, located between Okanagan Falls and Penticton, is very popular with swimmers, sunbathers, windsurfers and even kite surfers. Skaha with its golden sandy beaches is a tourist haven and excellent family lake, with popular family motels and campsites along its shore. Families can sunbathe; play in the splash park, enjoy a game of tennis or beach volleyball on the dedicated courts, or enjoy a picnic at Skaha's beautiful park. More adventurous families and those with active teens will love Okanagan Lake for water activities like wakeboarding, waterskiing, parasailing, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking.

Stand-up paddle boarding is the latest in family fun with rental equipment available at local shops. Supposedly home to the legendary lake monster Ogopogo, Okanagan Lake is the largest lake in the region with its southern tip located at the north end of

Penticton. While enjoying Okanagan Lake beach in Penticton, be sure to stop for a snack at the landmark Peach on the Beach.

For boaters there are numerous bays and coves that offer good moorage and beautiful spots to stop and explore all along Okanagan Lake. Boat rentals are available at several points along both Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake.

Tubing down the Okanagan River Channel is a defining Penticton activity. Tube lazily from one lake to another with a cooler chock full of refreshments to keep you satiated on a hot summer's day. For just $10 dollars you can rent a tube and get a ride back with Coyote Cruises. As anyone who has floated down the channel will tell you, the ride back on the bus is half the fun.

Besides your beach flip flops, running shoes are a must for outdoor activities in Penticton. Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park is one of the top five climbing destinations in North America and draws climbers from all over the world.

Besides rock climbing, the bluffs are known for their network of walking and hiking trails that weave amongst the climbing walls and provide stunning Penticton vistas. Total beginners can easily get acquainted with the bluffs by taking a lesson with an experienced local guide.

Bike tours are a great way to see Penticton. For a self-guided tour, you can try the Kettle Valley Railway Trail - learn the history of this storied decommissioned railway as you take in miraculous views of Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake and wine country. Bring or rent mountain bikes and try one of the KVR's many routes, as well as other great trails in the area. There are several parks and great look-out points in and around Penticton that are ideal for picnics and barbeques, so be sure to pack a lunch. If you are looking to rent a bike for the day you can do so at Freedom the Bike Shop or Fun City Bike Rentals for $40/day, or $25/half-day.

Several companies in and around Penticton also offer guided bike tours of the Kettle Valley Railway Trail.

The Dickinson Family Farm makes for a great family excursion. It boasts the tallest orchard ladder, some antique farming equipment and a chance for everyone to touch and taste the fruits of this century-old family farm. For something different, you can camp in their working orchard amid the cherry trees.

Open from May 1 until September 30, mid-July is the cherry harvest where you can take part in the U-pick cherry operation. Penticton is in the heart of the Okanagan's golf country, and a family that loves to hit the links can choose from 15 golf courses. The Penticton Golf & Country Club boasts 18 lush holes complete with a putting green, equipment rentals, full service pro shop and a clubhouse with licensed dining room and lounge. If mini golf is more the little ones' pace, check out Okanagan Amusements, near Skaha Lake, where everyone will enjoy mini golf, go karts, bumper boats, batting cages and an arcade. Or head to LocoLanding Adventure Park, near Okanagan Lake, which features similar attractions and more.

The friendly and spirited community of Penticton sure knows how to throw a party.

Whether it's hosting a world-class athletic competition, a funky arts festival or simply commemorating the annual harvest, locals warmly welcome visitors to share in the festivities.

This July, check out the debut of the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan where more than 2,500 cyclists of all skill levels will ride on a heart-thumping journey through the picturesque South Okanagan. More than just a race, this event will feature lots of activities and entertainment for the whole family. Chief among these events is the Okanagan Summer Wine Festival's Granfondo Wine Tasting in Penticton. This consumer tasting event takes place July 10 at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. From August 3-7 is the 64th Annual Penticton Peach Festival. The Peach Festival features a whirlwind of family entertainment at Okanagan Lake Park, including a pancake breakfast, music concerts, one of BC's largest parades, food vendors, crafts and much more. One of its signature events is a sandcastle competition at Skaha Lake, where teams or individuals can showcase their best creative skills.

There are lots of family-friendly activities and accommodations in Penticton, some great examples are:

• Ogo's Ice Cream in downtown Penticton, has over 50 flavours and don't miss the 10-ft Ogopogo sculpture!

• The Sandman Hotel Penticton features an atrium with an indoor pool great for kids and families, and is just steps to the beach, LocoLanding Adventure Park and the Penticton Youth Park.

• Shoreline Resort on Lakeshore Drive features 3-bedroom suites, kitchenettes and barbeques all priced for the family budget

• The Days Inn Penticton features a splash park and two pools perfect for family fun.

Parents - looking to get a break from the kids and take advantage of Penticton's spectacular wine country? The Ramada Inn & Suites, which just completed a brand new pool, and Penticton Lakeside Resort both offer babysitting services