West Kelowna

West Kelowna is a city of about 33,000 people (2016) in the Okanagan region of British Columbia. It is the fourth largest community in the valley and home to some of its best known wineries, including Mission Hill, Mount Boucherie and Quail's Gate.

Understand

Located on the west side of Okanagan Lake this stunning community offers lush trellised vineyards, mountain biking trails, hiking paths, skiing, beaches and spas.

Prior to incorporation in 2007, West Kelowna was commonly known as Westbank. The municipality is home to more than 25,000 people. Pride in the community's deep agricultural roots continues today with row upon row of orchards and vineyards and even the country's first nut farm.

Get in

By car

British Columbia roads have been vulnerable to natural disasters such as major flooding in November 2021 and wildfires in August 2023. You can check with DriveBC for up-to-date road conditions and road restrictions after clicking the Major Events tab.


Most travellers will arrive in Westbank/West Kelowna by car. Highway 97 is the major highway through the community with Kelowna & Vernon to the north and Peachland, Summerland and Penticton to the south. Highway 97C (the Coquihalla Connector) also offers access to the community, which is the route most people from Vancouver travel.

By plane

The Kelowna International Airport is a 25-minute drive away in Kelowna.

By boat

There are several boat launches with parking facilities along the lakeshore, and they can get quite busy in the summer months.

Get around

By public transit

By taxi

Do
  • Wine tasting, as there are numerous local vineyard and wineries, including some of Canada's most well known wineries. See "Drink" section for local wineries.
  • 🌍 Gellatly Bay Park, 4030 Gellatly Rd. Features swimming platforms and has some beach areas. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 🌍 Mount Boucherie. A focal point of the community and an extinct volcano. Explore some of the trails while on the lookout for ancient lava river beds. 

Buy
  • 🌍 Westbank Towne Centre, 2475 Dobbin Road, ☏ +1 403-259-3572. Daily 8AM-10PM, store hours vary. About 20 stores including Save-On Foods, BC Liquor Store, and Starbucks. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 🌍 Westridge Shopping Centre, 2484 Main St, ☏ +1 250-717-3000. In downtown West Kelowna at Highway 97 and Elliot Road (off Main Street). The Westbank Farmers’ Market is held here each summer. Anchored by Lordco, Pharmasave, and the Okanagan Regional Library. (updated Jun 2022)

Eat
  • 🌍 Kekuli Cafe Westbank, 307-3550 Carrington Rd, ☏ +1 250-768-3555. M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa Su 9AM-4PM. A locally owned Aboriginal cuisine cafe coffee shop, serving everything on bannock or with bannock (fried bread). Breakfast served all day, lunch & dinner. “Don’t panic… they have bannock!”. (updated May 2018)
  • 🌍 Terrace Restaurant, 1730 Mission Hill Road (Mission Hill Winery), ☏ +1 250-768-6467, . May-Sep: Daily 11:30AM-8PM. Overlooking rows of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay set against the Okanagan Lake, this outdoor serves cuisine that is locally, sustainably, and seasonally sourced. Sustainable and bio-dynamic agricultural practices, including local foraging, organic farming, and the Vancouver Aquarium's OceanWise program. (updated Jun 2022)

Drink

Gentle winding roads, lush orchards, ripe vineyards and spectacular views will take you away to your wine tasting adventures. West Kelowna is proud to have seven wineries within its boundaries, with all offering a unique flavour and experience. From a winery that adorns a hilltop with mission style architecture and bells, to small farmgate organic wineries as well as the most photographed vineyard in the Okanagan, you are sure to find the perfect bottle of wine here. With an additional 22 wineries within a half hour drive, if wine touring is your thing, the area offers the perfect central location for a wine touring vacation.

Sleep

Cope
  • The nearest hospital is in Kelowna.

Go next
Routes through West Kelowna
Vernon ← Kelowna ←  N  S  → Peachland → Penticton / Merritt via


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