Kelowna is well known for its beaches, golfing and wineries. But when we visited recently, we also veered “off-the-beaten-path” to see what else the city had to offer.

Our fun art find on this trip was a yellow puffer fish at SHARE thrift store in Kelowna’s Fruit Packing District. It will be a great addition to our thrift store art collection.

Thrifting District

While not officially called the “thrifting district,” five thrift stores are located along highway 33 in the Rutland neighbourhood, all within easy walking distance. The district includes Value Village, Rutland Thrift, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission Thrift Store, MCC Thrift Shop and The Salvation Army. You can easily spend several hours there, and we did.

If you are staying downtown, there are two thrift stores in the “Fruit Packing district,” near Ellis Street and Gaston Avenue. SHARE Society Thrift store, at Gaston, between St Paul and Richter Streets, is huge. Walking in, we thought it was just the nicely curated boutique shop at the front, but then we came upon the back room, then the outside area and finally the “back, back indoor space” with even more treasures.

Close by at Ellis and Industrial Avenue is Kelowna Women’s Shelter Thrift Store; this boutique-like shop is also definitely worth a visit and certainly had a “buzz” with lots of people treasure hunting.

While in the old “Fruit Packing District” you might also want to do a local brewery tour. Red Bird, Kettle River, Vice & Virtue, Jackknife, Rustic Reel, Unleashed and Welton Arms Craft Beer and Restaurant all call this area home.

FYI: To learn more about Kelowna’s fruit packing history, the heritage BC Growers Packing House in downtown has been converted into a museum that tells the story. Link: BC Growers Packing House

There are lots of other thrift stores in Kelowna, one definitely worth mentioning is the Habitat For Humanity’s ReStore in West Kelowna. It is huge and unlike most ReStores I’ve been to; this one is more like a thrift store with a large book and records area, and lots of housewares, not just construction/renovation materials (see below).

Heritage Homes

Kelowna is a mecca for anyone interested in heritage homes. Within walking distance of downtown is the Abbott Street Heritage district, where we had a lovely afternoon wandering not only Abbott Street but also the neighbouring streets, enjoying the charm and character of the architecturally diverse homes. In addition to the heritage homes, there are several new infills and home renovations underway. We had an animated discussion with one heritage homeowner about the pros and cons of preservation vs adaptation of heritage homes to meet modern homeowner expectations.

Link: Abbott Street Heritage District Brochure

When back home and was doing some more research, I discovered there are dozens of heritage homes in Kelowna’s Bernard-Lawrence Neighbourhood. A neighbourhood self-guided walking tour brochure has been created by the Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods and is available for pick up at City Hall and Kelowna Museum. Here is the online link: Bernard-Lawrence Neighbourhood

Secret Beach

Did you know Kelowna has 20+ beaches just on the east side of the Okanagan lake alone? In the downtown alone there is the lovely Tugboat Beach, Downtown Sails Dog Beach and Boyce-Gyro Beach Park (with the iconic “The Big Red Apple Beach Concession” convenience store). But Google Maps doesn’t show the secret beach.

Backstory: While staying in a downtown Airbnb, in typical fashion I asked our host “if she any hot tips on things to see and do, places that only the locals know about?” She quickly said, there’s a secret beach – and told me how to get there.

Guess it won’t be a secret much longer. It is not that hard to find, it’s even signed. You just go to the end of Truswell Road, park your car and walk towards Trust Creek. Then follow the well-worn pathway to a sandy point that offers spectacular views of the lake and mountains. Once there, you are not secluded as one might expect. In fact, you are very much on view as there are houses and condos all around it. It is the perfect spot to build a fire and watch the sunset, but don’t wait until it is too dark as the narrow, uneven pathway could be tricky in the dark.

Back On The Beaten Path

Wineries

No trip to Kelowna is complete without visiting a few wineries. We chose two that are in town – Mission Hills and Frind. Mission Hills is huge and one of Kelowna’s oldest wineries (established in 1966). It is worth a visit just for its Tuscany inspired architecture and public art. Yes, with a little imagination you’ll think you have traveled across the pond to Italy. The grand archway entrance is hand-carved from a five-ton block of Indiana Limestone. The Courtyard is dominated by a 12-storey bell tower, with its four bronze bells, handcrafted in Annecy, France by the Paccard Bell Foundry. The site offers spectacular vista views of the lake and valley.

FYI: There is also a well curated gift shop.

Wandering the grounds is like in a sculpture park with the highlight being the 1922 Henry Moore Mother and Child (below).

Quite different is the Frind Estate Winery. I believe it is the only winery in the world on a lake. It is also one of Kelowna’s newest wineries, (established in 2019). Located on the historic Bennett Property (the property was once the family home of former BC Premier, Bill Bennett) the lakefront setting makes it ideal for families as there is a beach for the kids to play. As the day we visited was cooler, we enjoyed a lovely lunch inside at Annie’s Café + Lounge; on a warmer day, al fresco dining would be wonderful.

Cultural District

No visit to Kelowna is complete without a walkabout of the downtown and lakefront promenade. Grab a copy of the Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Cultural District from the Visitors Centre and it will guide you on a tour that includes the Kelowna Art Gallery, Rotary Centre For The Arts, Laurel Packinghouse, Library, Okanagan Military Museum, Okanagan Heritage Museum, Kasugai Garden, City Hall, Community Theatre as well as a stroll along Waterfront park.

FYI: If you are into public art, there is also a great “Guide to Public Art” brochure.

Restaurants

Basil & Mint was our “hidden gem” food find (3799 Lakeshore Rd). Not only is the décor warm and inviting, but so are the staff.

We had 10 hungry guys arriving at 9 pm after playing 36 holes at Vernon’s Predator Ridge golf course and they were more than accommodating.

There was no rush for us to eat and leave, and in fact, we were made to feel like we were having a family dinner. Their $40 three course fixed menu option was great. There wasn’t a single complaint from any of the golfers. https://basilmint.ca/

Georgia Café (3330 Richter St.) was our “off the beaten path” find. Located on the main floor of a medical centre office building at the southern edge of South Pandosy Village, we got the tip that this was the place to go for borsch and perogies (and is known for its soup and sandwiches).

And, I can’t neglect to mention we had great lunch at the animated Train Station Pub (1177 Ellis St.) with its fun patio vibe.

Sprout Bread (1295 Cannery Lane) is a great place for breakfast, lunch or just coffee and treat. We loved the eclectic décor. It is where the cool kids hang.

While we ran out of time to dine at Infusions Restaurant (1000 K.L.O. Road) at Okanagan College, it was highly recommended to us by a local chef. We have had some great meals at culinary schools around the world. It will be at the top of our list of places to dine when we are next in town.

Golf

While there are lots of golf courses in and around Kelowna, my recommendation is The Harvest Golf Club (2725 K.L.O. Road). The golf course is very playable, it offers spectacular views of the city, lake and mountains, has a great practice facility, good food and outstanding the customer service.

Yes “outstanding!” Everyone on our golf trip was impressed with how the Manager welcomed us to the course, accommodated all special needs we had, and the staff were always happy to help us. Several of my buddies commented about how this was the best customer service they have ever experienced anywhere. (This is a major compliment as these are guys have been to some of the most prestigious golf courses and restaurants in the world).

**At 7,109 yards, The Harvest is a championship-length layout designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Graham Cooke. The name is inspired by the many fruit trees that still dot the course.**

Last Word

If you’ve never been to Kelowna, get it on your list. If haven’t been to Kelowna in a while, think about a return visit as the city is evolving into an urban gem.

If you like this blog, you will like these links:

Nelson BC: Fun, Funky & Quirky

Slow Travel: Fun Stops in Sicamous and Vernon, BC

Revelstoke Postcards: Architecture, Painted Ladies, Cafes, Public Art

Kelowna Off & On The Beaten Path: Thrifting, Beaches, Heritage, Wineries, Golf