Summerland
Summerland is in British Columbia, Canada. It is a small community of 11,600 (2016) people in the Okanagan Valley. The architecture of the downtown area is done in Old English Tudor.
Understand
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Summerland began its life on the lake. At first, Summerland was nestled in the tiny strip of land between Okanagan Lake and the foreboding clay cliffs that covered the settlement in shadow by mid afternoon. The first recorded settler to this area was in 1887, and some of his family's descendants are still in the area. The area had electricity in 1905, telephones in 1907, and a newspaper the next year. Growth was fast.
This area is commonly referred to as lower town.
With the arrival of the Kettle Valley Railway in 1915, West Summerland (the location of the present town centre) was born. When the alignment of Highway 97 was moved from lowertown up to the plateau in 1955 and the post office was moved to "West Summerland" in 1964 the 'West' was dropped and the entire area was then referred to as Summerland.
Summerland has grown to include Trout Creek, which arcs into Okanagan Lake south of town, Prairie Valley, which leads west of town, and the huge agricultural benchland that sits behind Giants Head Mountain.
Get in
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By plane
[edit]There is no airport in Summerland. Penticton airport (YYF IATA) is 18 km (11 mi) to the south. Kelowna airport (YLW IATA) is 65 km to the north.
By car
[edit]Highway 97 is the only highway into town. It runs south from Kelowna and north from Penticton. Vancouver is 420 km (261 mi) to the west. Calgary is 689km (428mi) to the east. Seattle is 519km (322mi) to the southwest.
Get around
[edit]The downtown core is easily walked in under 15 minutes from end to end. While Summerland has a modest population, the residential area is spread over a huge area with many steep hills to climb while you enjoy the breathtaking views this wonderful town has to offer.
By public transit
[edit]- BC Transit (South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System), toll-free: +1-844-442-2212. Offers local bus service in Penticton. Also offers Monday to Saturday service on separate routes Naramata and Summerland.
- Bus route 30 operates between Summerland and Penticton (25 min, $3) from Monday to Saturday.
- Bus route 70 operates between Penticton and Kelowna with stops in Summerland, Peachland, and West Kelowna. Route operates from Monday to Friday. Travel time from Kelowna is about 45 minutes and from downtown Penticton is about 20 minutes.
By taxi
[edit]- Summerland Taxi, ☏ +1-250-494-6651.
See
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- 1 Trout Creek Canyon and Trestle (Canyon View Road). This bridge was built in 1913 as part of the Kettle Valley Railway, considered one of the greatest railway engineering feats of its time. The last train rolled over the bridge in 1985 and the tracks were removed ten years later. Today you are welcome to wander across and see if you can withstand vertigo when peering down 73 m (238 ft) to the rushing creek below. This trestle is the highest railway trestle in British Columbia, and the third highest in North America.
- 2 Gartrell Barn, 3117 Gartrell Road. It may be dilapidated today, but this barn which was built circa 1890 by one of Summerland's pioneer families is a tangible link to the past. Please be respectful of the many families that live in this area.
- 3 Giant's Head Mountain, 9296 Milne Rd. Is an extinct volcano in the center of town, has 360-degree views of Summerland to the north and west, Okanagan Lake to the east, and Penticton to the south. The entire mountain is designated as parkland, and there is a narrow windy road that leads to a parking area near the top. A ten minute climb will take you the rest of the way. There is also a time capsule at the top, to be opened in 2067 coinciding with Canada's bicentennial.
- 4 Summerland Ornamental Gardens, 4200 Highway 97, ☏ +1 250-494-6385. 8 AM-4 PM (winter), 8 AM - 6 PM (spring, fall), 8 AM - 8 PM (summer). Part of Agriculture Canada's fruit tree research facility created in 1916, the pristine gardens feature a picnic area on a vast lawn as well as annotated displays of the local flora. Also features stirring views of Trout Creek Canyon and the Trout Creek Trestle. $5 suggested donation.
- 5 Summerland Museum, 9251 Wharton St, ☏ +1 250 494-9395, info@summerlandmuseum.org. Visit displays and collections that provide insight into this area's vast and interesting history and heritage. Contains town records and photographs dating from 1909.
Do
[edit]- Spend the day at one of Summerland's six beaches:
- 1 Powell Beach in Trout Creek.
- 2 Gordon Beggs Rotary Beach in lowertown.
- 3 Kin Beach Park in lowertown.
- 4 Peach Orchard Beach Park in lowertown.
- 5 Sun-Oka Beach Park in Trout Creek.
- 6 Crescent Beach in lowertown.
- Bottleneck Drive, Around Summerland. Step off the busy highway and enjoy this self-guided winery tour to go tasting various types of alcohol made in Summerland. As of 2023, there are 11 wineries, 4 cideries, one distillery, and one brewery. See also "Drink" section for some of the locations.
- 7 Kettle Valley Steam Railway, 18404 Bathville Road, toll-free: +1-877-494-8424. A 90-min, 16-km round-trip on the only remaining part of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. Disembark and enjoy the view from the Trout Creek Trestle, 73 m (238 ft) above the creek. It operates May-October, December, Mothers Day, and Easter. Reservations required. Adults $29, seniors (65+) $27, teens $24, children (3-12) $19.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Summerland Sweets, 6206 Canyon View Rd, ☏ +1 250-494-0377, toll-free: +1-800-577-1277. Homemade preserves, fruit leather, and ice cream.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Cellar Door Bistro, 17403 Hwy 97 N (part of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery), ☏ +1 250-494-0451.
- 2 Zias Stonehouse Pub, 14015 Rosedale Ave, ☏ +1 250 494-1105. Upscale dining in an old converted stone house.
- 3 Second Home Cafe & Grill, 13229 Henry Ave, ☏ +1 250-494-7811. Locally owned and operated. Standard fare. Good prices.
- 4 Yaki's Pizza and Subs, 9902 Main St, ☏ +1 250-494-7600. Try the tank sub. If you can eat it all in one sitting you probably need to go on a diet.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Peacock's Perch Pub, 14218 Rosedale Ave, ☏ +1 250-494-9727. The only pub in uppertown. Pub menu. Friendly staff. Pool table, darts. Pub-style menu.
- 2 Shaughnessy's Cove, 12817 Lakeshore Dr N (set on Lake Okanagan), ☏ +1 250-494-8855. It offers a fantastic view and good food.
For nightclubs, you will have to go fifteen minutes south to Penticton.
Wineries
[edit]Wine from one of the many local wineries. New wineries pop up all the time. And old ones change hands or names. Note, winery store hours vary seasonally.
- 3 8th Generation Vineyard, 6807 Highway 97, ☏ +1 250-494-1783, info@8thgeneration.com.
- 4 Dirty Laundry Vineyard, 7311 Fiske Street, ☏ +1 250-494-8815, fax: +1 250 494-8850, TheMadam@dirtylaundry.ca. Vineyard with excellent views of a the steam railway. Ask the staff about the story of the establishment. Their slogan is "Wine is Fun". Formerly Scherzinger Vineyards.
- 5 Heaven's Gate Estate Winery, 8001 Happy Valley Rd, ☏ +1 778-516-5505.
- 6 Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, 17403 Highway 97, ☏ +1 250-494-0451. The first estate winery in BC has been in business since 1981.
- 7 Thornhaven Estate Winery, 6816 Andrews Avenue, ☏ +1 250-494-7778.
Sleep
[edit]Bed and breakfast
[edit]- 1 Catbird Ridge, 17404 Logie Rd, ☏ +1 250 494-6845, catbirdridgeinfo@gmail.com.
- 2 Wildhorse Mountain Ranch, 25808 Wild Horse Road, ☏ +1 250 494-0506.
Hotels and motels
[edit]- 3 Rosedale Motel, 14001 Rosedale Ave, ☏ +1 250-494-6431.
- 4 Pleasant View Motel & RV Park, 13608 Highway 97, ☏ +1 250 494-7406.
- 5 Summerland Waterfront Resort, 13011 Lakeshore Dr, ☏ +1 250-494-8180.
- 6 Summerland Motel, 2107 Tait St, ☏ +1 250-494-4444.
Cope
[edit]- The nearest hospital is in Penticton.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Summerland |
| Kelowna ← Peachland ← | N  S |
→ Penticton → Osoyoos |