Written by Julian

An Okanagan Road Trip from Vancouver: The Road to Relaxation

16 April 2025 | 0 comments

An Okanagan road trip from Vancouver sounds like a lot—four hours of driving, some dusty vineyards, maybe a lake or two. But is it worth the effort for just a short trip?

That’s the question I kept asking myself before I went.

And honestly? It’s absolutely worth it. Especially if you’ve got a long weekend or a few days to spare, let me show you why.

Why Take a Road Trip to the Okanagan?

The Okanagan Valley is British Columbia’s sunny backyard. It’s where desert meets orchard, and lakes stretch out like polished glass between vineyard-covered hills.

In summer, this place feels like it belongs on a postcard—warm, dry air, golden hills, and long days filled with peaches, pinot, and paddleboarding.

So why go?

✅ Canada’s Best Wines: The wine country that feels like the Mediterranean without the jet lag.
✅ Lounging on the lakes and beaches: Freshwater lakes that are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or just floating around.
✅ Urban charms: Charming towns like Kelowna and Penticton, each with its own vibe.
✅ The perfect golf getaway: Dozens of golf courses with dramatic views.
✅ Incredible weather: The area is warmer and drier than the coast, with great weather from spring to early fall.
✅ Enjoying the outdoors: Outdoor adventures include cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a lazy river float in Penticton, or boating on the lake at sunset.
✅ Incredible fruit: The area’s orchards produce the sweetest cherries, peaches, plums and apples north of California.

An Okanagan road trip is great for couples, friends, solo explorers, foodies, and anyone who loves sun and scenery.

It’s about 4.5 to 5.5 hours from Vancouver, depending on where you stop, which makes it a solid weekend getaway without going too far.

Why You Shouldn’t Take a Road Trip to the Okanagan

❌ It’s not close enough for a quick there-and-back day

If you only have one day, this might feel rushed. But stretch it out over a long weekend or even just two nights? You’ll be glad you did.

🔎 Okanagan Road Trip Destinations

Kelowna: The heart of the Okanagan with wineries, beaches, and great restaurants.
Penticton: Laid-back lakeside town perfect for cycling and tubing.
Kamloops: A gateway city with golf, hiking trails, and desert landscapes.
Okanagan Lake: Massive and clear—great for boating, paddleboarding, or lounging on the beach.
Oliver: Famous for its wine—some of the best in Canada.
Osoyoos: Canada’s desert town with warm weather and even warmer lakes.

📋 Okanagan Valley Must-Sees

Kelowna – Wineries, Water, and Walkability

Kelowna has that rare mix of chill and buzz. You can sip wine on a patio, go shopping, then hop in the lake—all without moving your car.

I spent two nights here last summer and could’ve stayed a week.

The downtown core hugs the lake, and it’s packed with cafes, galleries, and waterfront parks. I loved walking the boardwalk in the evening, grabbing a drink at BNA Brewing, then catching a lakeside sunset.

What really makes Kelowna shine? The wineries. Mission Hill, Quails’ Gate, and Summerhill Pyramid are all within easy reach—and they’re beautiful. Think rolling vineyards, sweeping views, and tasting flights that make you forget you’re still in Canada.

🤔 Wondering what else to put on your Kelowna itinerary? Check out my article on the best things to do in Kelowna.

Okanagan Lake – Beaches, Boats, and Lazy Days

This lake is huge—stretching over 135 km—and touches several towns, including Kelowna and Penticton.

If I had one word for it? Relaxation.

There are beaches all along the water, and the swimming is unreal. Warm. Clean. No tides, no jellyfish, no worries.

On my last trip, I rented a paddleboard in Peachland and drifted for hours. Zero stress. There are also boat rentals, parasailing if you’re feeling brave, or just lakeside lounges where you can do nothing at all.

Here are a couple of the lake’s most popular beaches:

Okanagan Beach (Penticton): Long, sandy beach in the heart of Penticton, close to shops and restaurants.
Boyce-Gyro Park (Kelowna): Family-friendly with a large playground, sports courts, and a sandy beach.
Hot Sands Beach (Kelowna): Popular beach in City Park, known for its lively atmosphere and proximity to downtown Kelowna.

Osoyoos – Desert Vibes and Endless Vines

Osoyoos is dry, warm, and honestly feels like you’ve crossed the border into the American Southwest.

The lake here is the warmest in Canada, which makes it perfect for swimming well into September. There are sandy beaches, vineyards in every direction, and clear skies at night.

I stayed here one night and used it as a base to explore the Oliver wine region—just 20 minutes north. There are more than 40 wineries nearby, and they’re less crowded than the big-name ones in Kelowna. I ended up at Tinhorn Creek for an Italian-style lunch and wine tasting with mountain views.

🚐 Don’t Want to Drive? Go with an Organized Wine Tour

If you’re hoping to sip your way through wine country without worrying about driving—or if you don’t have a car at all—organized wine tours are a game-changer.

There are dozens of guided tasting tours available, whether you’re based in Kelowna, exploring the Naramata Bench, or heading south toward Oliver and Osoyoos. Some tours focus on big-name vineyards with sweeping views, others take you to smaller, hidden gems you might never find on your own.

They’re especially great if you want to leave the keys at home, taste freely, and let someone else do the navigating (and the spitting, if that’s your thing).

Most include hotel pickup, tasting fees, and a local guide who knows the region—and the wine—like the back of their hand. To learn more, click the button below:

Okanagan Wine Tours
Pick Your Tasting Tour Today

🥇 Best Thing to Do on a Road Trip to the Okanagan

Book a wine tasting at Mission Hill Estate in West Kelowna if you only have time for one thing.

The grounds are stunning. The wines? Award-winning. And they serve farm-to-table food that’s genuinely impressive.

Not to mention their exciting summer concert series, which has featured artists like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, and Melissa Etheridge, among others.

Other great options include cycling the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, lounging on a floaty on the Penticton Channel Float, or paddleboarding at sunrise on Okanagan Lake.

The region is truly about relaxing in the sun and sand, so you don’t have to rush into anything!

📋 The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary to the Okanagan

You could easily stay a week here, but four days gives you a solid taste of the valley. Here’s a flexible long weekend plan to help you hit the highlights.

Day 1

8:00 AM: Hit the road—Highway 1 to the Coquihalla (Hwy 5), then to Hwy 97.
12:30 PM: Arrive in Kelowna, have lunch at The Restaurant at Mission Hill.
1:30 PM: Wine tasting at Mission Hill Winery.
3:30 PM: Walk the waterfront boardwalk or hit Hot Sands Beach.
6:30 PM: Pasta and more wine at Roma Nord.
8:30 PM: After dinner drinks at Born to Shake.
Overnight in Kelowna.

Day 2

Morning: Coffee at Bean Scene, breakfast by the lake at Diner Deluxe.
Midday: Golf at Gallagher’s Canyon or chill at Boyce-Gyro Beach.
Afternoon: More wine tasting—Quails’ Gate is nearby.
Evening: Chill evening walk or live music in town.
Overnight in Kelowna.

Day 3

Morning: Drive to Osoyoos via Oliver, stopping for wine tastings.
Midday: Lunch at Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek.
Afternoon: Swim in Osoyoos Lake, relax at the beach.
Evening: Dinner at Pointe 49 at Walnut Beach Resort.
Overnight in Osoyoos.

Day 4

Morning: Scenic breakfast, then check out.
Late Morning: Stop in Penticton for a final beach stroll or café visit. Or, take HWY #3 and head towards Princeton.
Afternoon: Begin the drive back to Vancouver with a snack stop in Merritt or Hope.
Evening: Arrive home before sunset.

👀 Looking for more details? Check out our guide on a Kelowna road trip from Vancouver.

🚀 How to Get to the Okanagan from Vancouver

The city of Kelowna serves as the Okanagan’s primary hub, acting as the main point of entry for both air and bus travel. For a detailed Kelowna travel guide, you can check out my article on how to get to Kelowna from Vancouver.

For those travelling by road, several highways link Vancouver to the Okanagan. The most common route is via the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5), known for its challenging mountain passes and stunning scenery. It leads to Highway 97 in Merritt, which heads east towards the Okanagan Valley.

Alternatively, if you’re heading to the south Okanagan, you can opt to take Highway 3 east from Hope towards Osoyoos.

🚗 By Car: 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic and route. Fuel + parking around $120 round trip.
🚌 By Bus: About 6 hours. $60–$100 each way via Ebus or Rider Express.
✈️ By Air: Westjet and Air Canada both provide regular service to Kelowna from YVR.
🗺️ Guided Tour: Limited multi-day options. Private wine tours start around $200/day, including tastings and transport.

If driving isn’t an option, Ebus runs a daily service between Vancouver and Kelowna. Once you’re there, you can join local wine tours that handle transport. This is your best option if you’re not willing to spring for a flight.

Click the button below to learn more:

The Vancouver to Kelowna Bus
Book Your Okanagan Getaway Now

😎 The Easiest Way to Do a Road Trip from Vancouver

Driving your own car is the best move.

It lets you jump between wineries, lakes, and small towns at your own pace. You’ll want that freedom, especially in places like Oliver or Peachland, where buses don’t really go.

If you don’t have a vehicle, our partners at Rentalcars.com offer the best rates in the industry. This Booking partner is a price aggregator that allows you to compare the rates of all available providers.

To learn more, click on the widget below:

Instagram: @tourismkelowna

🙋 Is a Road Trip to the Okanagan Worth It? My Experience

Absolutely.

I’ve done this road trip many times with friends, once solo. Each time, it gave me exactly what I needed.

Relaxation. Sunshine. Really good food. Great wine. And some quiet moments just floating on a lake with zero emails or noise.

What surprised me most was how varied the region feels. Kelowna is urban and lively. Osoyoos is chill and almost tropical. Penticton feels like a ’90s vacation town in the best way.

My personal tip? Book at least one winery lunch. Eating with a view of the vines while sipping what was grown just steps away—yeah, it sticks with you.

One thing I wouldn’t do again? Skip the sunscreen. That desert sun doesn’t play around.

Okanagan Road Trip from Vancouver FAQ

How do I take a day trip to the Okanagan from Vancouver?
It’s better as a road trip or overnight. Driving is the easiest and fastest way—about 4.5 to 6 hours each way.

What’s the best time of year for a day trip to the Okanagan?
Late spring to early fall. July and August are peak season.

Can I do a day trip to the Okanagan without a car?
Yes, but it’s harder. You can take a bus to Kelowna and book local tours. You’ll miss smaller spots like Oliver or Osoyoos though.

Are there any hidden costs to be aware of?
Tasting fees at wineries, parking at beaches, and gas prices in remote towns.

What should I pack for a day trip to the Okanagan?
Swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, sandals, and a cooler if you’re bringing back wine or fruit.