Why Living in Penticton BC is a Dream: Wine Country & Lakeside views

Penticton shines in the summer with its warm weather, scenic lake views, and laid-back charm. Whether you are visiting for the weekend or dreaming of making Skaha Hills your home, the Okanagan offers a lifestyle that’s both breathtaking and life-changing.

Thanks to year-round activities, a vibrant community full of artistic and cultural events and festivals, that small town charm with big city amenities, and unparalleled natural landscapes, we firmly believe that there’s no place quite like this. There are truly so many reasons to move to Penticton , and Skaha Hills is only one of them!

What makes Penticton a must-visit destination in the summer?

Did you know that Skaha Lake Park is recognized as one of Canada’s premier beaches? Perhaps we’re biased since it’s only a short jaunt away from our community, but it’s definitely our top choice, especially with its numerous features and amenities: 

• Beach-front paved promenade 
• Sandy volleyball courts
• Enclosed tennis and basketball courts 
• Softball fields
• Boat launch
• Concession stands, including Tickleberry’s Ice Cream
• Picnic areas
• Washrooms
• Rest rafts and beach slides
• Children’s water park
• Playgrounds
• Safe fire pits
• Free parking 
• And the Rotary Centennial Pavilion

Thanks to this world-class beach just steps from your new Skaha Hills home, you can easily set up shop on the waterfront and enjoy an entire day beneath the sun! It’s also the perfect destination to bring family and friends when they visit. 

But there are plenty of other waterfront options because when it comes to the Okanagan, summertime and lakeside leisure just go hand-in-hand. With a valley as extraordinary as this one, there are plenty of water sports and aquatic adventures to discover, including: kayaking, campsites across the lake, boat days, early morning paddle board trips, tubing and jetskiing, and the famous Penticton channel float from Okanagan Lake all the way to Skaha Lake. 

Penticton is bursting with outdoor recreation, so whether you’re beached-out and wanting a slower pace or ready for a new adventure, there’s plenty to experience. Just hit up any of the world-class wineries, craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, or pubs for a taste of local flavour—after all, why move to wine country if you don’t get out and enjoy it! But for our personal favourite, don’t miss out on the famous Saturday morning Penticton Farmers Market. With stalls set up all along Main Street to the lakefront, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a slow, relaxed start to your weekend and meet plenty of local vendors. From pottery, farm-fresh produce, honeys, jams, specialty soaps, and more, you can discover the best of Okanagan talent.

How does the lifestyle of Penticton change with the seasons?

One of the best aspects of living in the Okanagan Valley is its multi-season appeal, and Penticton is one of the top places to live in British Columbia thanks to its small-town charm and big-city amenities. Picture hot summers and mild winters, with plenty of world-class businesses and destinations.

Over the winter, you can enjoy plenty of sports: think cross-country skiing at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre; downhill snowboarding and skiing at local mountains like Apex and Mount Baldi; or world-renowned resorts like Silver Star Resort and Big White. In the summers, transition to mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, exploring the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, bird watching, and more! 

Whether you’re retiring for a calmer, slower outdoor pace or in the prime of your life looking for adrenaline-inducing adventures, the best part of Okanagan living is the outside opportunities. 

Why is Penticton considered one of Canada’s most picturesque cities to live in?

While a little lesser known than Kelowna, Penticton is well worth calling home! With beautiful historic landmarks like the SS Sicamous—the largest surviving ship of its kind in Canada with its  original steam boiler engine—all the way to Munson Mountain and the iconic PENTICTON sign, there are plenty of gems waiting for you. 

Stroll through the quaint, walkable downtown core and discover murals and other beautiful street art, or pop into one of the many boutiques and art galleries. Keeping the city’s artistic community vibrant and alive, make sure to visit the Penticton Art Gallery for ongoing exhibits, or get involved with one of the many drop-in groups courtesy of the Penticton Arts Council! With ongoing events and workshops throughout the year, you can try your hand at everything from pottery to creative writing. 

There’s no shortage of culture thanks to many beloved yearly festivals: 

• Ignite the Arts Fest
• Peach Fest
• Penticton Grand Fondo
• Dragon Boat Festival
• Wine Country Writers’ Festival
• Rib Fest

The South Okanagan Events Centre also boasts plenty of big-name concerts throughout the year to get your music fix. And, earlier this spring, the Penticton Vees Hockey Team announced it was moving up from a BCHL team all the way to the WHL, bringing in bigger names and exciting games.

What makes Penticton ideal for high-end dining and vibrant culture?

For foodies and wine connoisseurs, there’s nothing quite like the culinary scene in the South Okanagan! Dining in Penticton is truly extraordinary, especially during the summer months when wineries feature incredible dining options in addition to seasonal tastings. For a list of ones close to the city, try out:

• Poplar Grove Winery with the Poplar Grove Restaurant
• TIME Family Wines with Orolo Restaurant
• Da Silva Vineyards & Winery with The Kitchen by Abul Adame
• Hillside Winery with its Bistro

Within the downtown core, you can find Turkish tapas at Elma, Napoletana pizza at Tratto’s, vegan options with Stillfoods Bistro, and steakhouse fare at The Hooded Merganser. For trendy, hole-in-the-wall options, try out Chulo’s for authentic Mexican tacos or take a quick cocktail at Sociale. 

Just a thirty-minute jaunt north to Naramata and you’ll find even more incredible restaurants, including the Naramata Inn’s newly opened Bistro Lapin Perdu. Take a glass out on their Veranda, or head downstairs to the Inn’s foundations for a cocktail and aperitif at The Burrow. Continue along the Bench and you’ll find Terroir Kitchen at Serendipity Winery, a vegetable-forward, true farm-to-table establishment where you can sip and savour next to rolling vineyard views. 

Stay up to date on all the exciting culinary news by following local outlets like Castanet or the Penticton Herald; most of the local media always feature a food and drink section, highlighting any new openings and events! 

Trust us, this is a community that knows how to enjoy fine dining. 

How does owning a Skaha Hills home transform your lifestyle in Penticton?

Penticton truly is one of the best places to live in British Columbia, and purchasing a home at Skaha Hills only furthers this dream. With easy lakeside access and plenty of exclusive amenities within our master-planned community, you simply move in and live the Okanagan dream. Pair this with the city’s exceptional events, businesses, and charm, and you experience the best of both worlds. 

Our rancher-style condos are single-floor, easy to maintain, and come with a wide outdoor living space out on the terrace, perfect for entertaining. For our single-family homes, each build includes open-concept layouts, seamless architecture, and xeriscape landscaping for ease and comfort. No matter what you choose, you get world-class lake and mountain views.

For life-changing ownership, get in touch with us today! Discover how easy it is to transform a summer visit into a lifestyle and make the Okanagan your everyday retreat.