Kelowna is an urban oasis of 111,000 people, with a backdrop of rural splendor.

The area has an established fruit-growing industry and has become well-known for its wineries (14 in or near). The community is the largest in the interior of British Columbia. It has moderate temperatures, with an average daily high of about 23 Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit) in September. The area has lots of sunshine (2,000 hours per year). The sparkling 110-kilometer-long (68 miles) Lake Okanagan nurtures the valley’s agriculture.

The area has plenty of fine restaurants, a good variety of accommodations, indoor and outdoor attractions and boasts 15 golf courses. There are unending miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, trail riding and family walks. The downtown core, where services are held, houses galleries, museums, theaters, studios, restaurants, a waterfront park and walkways.

The Kelowna International Airport serves the area with direct flights from some major cities. It is easily accessible by vehicles from all directions, being about 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) from Vancouver and 600 kilometers (372.8 miles) from Calgary, featuring a lovely drive through the Canadian Rockies, including Banff and Lake Louise.

Local Web Sites:

• www.kelownabc.com
• www.castanet.net
• www.tourismkelowna.com
• www.kelowna.ca/cm/site3.aspx