Okanagan Lake Beach
Location: Lake Okanagan – just drive to the very North end of town until you hit the lake! The beach stretches along Lakeshore Drive.
Pros: Many things to do, many places to eat, many people to watch
Cons: Can get very busy at peak times
Okanagan Lake Beach is the quintessential beach in Penticton. It stretches nearly a kilometre from the iconic Penticton Peach all the way to the SS Sicamous along Lake Okanagan. There is a beautiful promenade along the entire beach for walking, biking, scootering, rollerblading or whatever your preferred mode of beach leisure transportation is. There is free parking all along the beach but in the summer it can get quite competitive for a spot so walking a distance might be inevitable.
The beach here is absolutely splendid! There are public bathrooms at both ends of the beach and plenty of restaurants and activities in between. All of this makes Okanagan Lake Beach just a bit more chaotic than all of the other Penticton beaches, but in a good way. It gets very busy on summer weekend days and can even be hard to find a spot if you arrive in the afternoon. If people watching is one of your favourite beach activities then I highly recommend Okanagan Lake Beach.
Activities at Okanagan Lake Beach:
Okanagan Lake Beach is definitely a top pick if you are looking for some fun water activities. You could easily spend several days here and not run out of things to do. There are fun things to do in the actual lake but also plenty to explore along the lakeshore.
- The Wibit: an inflatable water park in the lake!
- Rent bikes (4 seater or 6 seaters!), paddle boards and kayaks
- Seadoo (and other boats!) rentals at Pier Water Sports
- Lakawanna Park is on the corner of Lakeshore ave and Power ave and has a waterpark and a playground
- Loco Landing is just a few hundred metres from the west end of the beach
- The SS Sicamous itself is an interesting museum for a visit
Food and drinks at Okanagan Lake Beach:
Okanagan Lake Beach is also a top pick for a variety of food, drink and treat choices. If you are feeling lazy about packing a picnic and want to be able to grab a burger or a drink to go then this is the beach to go to. You can pick from something casual like Patio Burger or end your day with a nice dinner on the patio at Elma.
- Food trucks: Creperie Ooolala (by the Sicamous) and Twisted Chopsticks (by the Peach)
- Restaurants on the promenade: Salty’s Beach House, Elma, Patio Burger, Cambo Beach
- Treats: Cherry on Top Shakes, Lickity Splitz ice cream
- Drinks: Family Squeezed Lemonade (non-alcoholic) inside The Penticton Peach, Patio Burger does to-go alcoholic beverages
Hotels/Motels on Okanagan Lake Beach:
One of the best parts about Okanagan Lake Beach is the number of hotels and motels within walking distance. Many are right on Lakeshore Drive and just steps from the beach!
Motels/Hotels immediately on the beach:
- Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Center
- Penticton Slumber Lodge Motel
- Spanish Villa Resort
- Tiki Shores Inn & Suites
- Shoreline Resort
- Kettle Valley Beach Resort
- Okanagan Lakefront Resort
- Black Sea Motel
- Golden Sands Motel Resort
- Casa Grande Inn & Suites
Motels/Hotels near the beach (less than 500m walk):
