About Penticton

Derived from a word in the Okanagan language, Penticton is often translated as “a place to stay forever.” The city itself lies in the Okanagan Valley, in B.C.’s southern interior of B.C., smack dab between Okanagan and Skaha lakes.

Between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake are a number of farms, which grow orchard and wine products. By highway, Penticton is five hours from Seattle, Washington and from Vancouver, and eight hours from Calgary.

The Syilx (Okanagan people), of the Interior Salish languages group, originally lived there. In 1866, Irishman Thomas Ellis and his family became the first white settlers. Ellis built a cattle empire, planted fruit trees and, in 1892, established the Penticton Hotel. Around that time, a number of European fur traders traveled through Penticton and the surrounding communities.

In 1908, Penticton was incorporated as a district municipality. During World War I, the Kettle Valley Railway train service began operating. The city developed the Penticton Regional Airport during World War II due to wartime military air transportation concerns. In 1948, a provincial highway opened between Hope and Princeton, which allowed access to Penticton, and created competition for the Kettle Valley Railway. That same year, Penticton was incorporated as a city. 

Penticton has a cold semi-arid climate bordering on an oceanic climate and humid continental climate. This means the city experiences low precipitation, hot summer days with cool nights, and moderately cool, mostly cloudy winters. Penticton has the mildest winter of any non-coastal city in Canada.

Penticton Real Estate Highlights

The average cost of a house in Penticton in 2019 was $469,000, a decrease of three percent over the previous year.

Demographics

Penticton is the largest city by area and population in the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District, which is part of the Okanagan as a whole. According to the 2016 Canadian Census, its population was 33,761, while its census agglomeration population was 43,432.

Penticton is served by a school district which maintains 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three secondary schools. There are three independent schools, Penticton Christian, Holy Cross, and Concordia Lutheran.

The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates two Francophone schools: école Entre-lacs primary school and the école secondaire de Penticton.

The city is also home to a Sprott Shaw College campus, and an Okanagan College campus.

The median age is 52.4, higher than the national median age of 41.2. 29.0 percent of residents are 65 years or older, compared to 16.9 percent nationally.

Amenities in Penticton

Schools

Penticton is served by a school district which maintains 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, and three secondary schools. There are three independent schools, Penticton Christian, Holy Cross, and Concordia Lutheran.

The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates two Francophone schools: école Entre-lacs primary school and the école secondaire de Penticton.

The city is also home to a Sprott Shaw College campus, and an Okanagan College campus.

Parks, Sports & Recreation

Penticton offers many forms of recreation, including skiing at the Apex Mountain Resort ski area. The resort is 33 km (21 mi) west of the city on the Thompson Plateau, and home to the tallest mountain peak in the area. 

There is also boating and fishing on Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake; golfing; and hiking and biking on the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, which has been converted from the original railroad’s route to a multi-use recreational trail. Trail heads lead to more than 160 km of flat, railbed trails for hiking and biking and can be accessed from Penticton. 

Rock climbing is also popular. Located south of city centre on a hillside above the Skaha Lake in Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, the Skaha Bluffs feature over 1,200 documented routes.

Penticton is home to the Penticton Vees, a junior “A” team in the British Columbia Hockey League, and the PCSL soccer team Penticton Pinnacles.

The city has hosted the 2010 British Columbia Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2010 World Junior A Challenge, 2013 Continental Cup of Curling, the 2016 BC Winter Games, the 2017 International Triathlon Union Multisport World Championships, and Curling Canada's 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

From May–October, outdoor markets fill the downtown section of Main St. Two markets, the Downtown Community Market and the Penticton Farmers Market combine to form one of the largest outdoor market events in BC. Visitors peak around 8,000 in July–August.

The Penticton Art Gallery features international and local artists.

With 120 wineries within an hour’s drive and over 40 wineries within city limits, Penticton is the Okanagan Valley’s wine tourism hub. Penticton is also noted for its early involvement in the craft brewing movement.

Annual events include the Okanagan Wine Festival, the Okanagan Children’s Festival, Meadowlark Nature Festival, the Fest of Ale, the Penticton Peach Festival, the Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival, and the Peach City Beach Cruise.

The South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) is a $73m arena, sports complex and convention centre. Besides hosting the city’s hockey team the Penticton Vees, it is a popular venue for concert tours and other special events. Notable shows in recent years have been Rihanna, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Def Leppard, Carrie Underwood and several Cirque du Soleil spectacles.

Dining

There are many places to eat and drink in Penticton. Many of the most popular are located in wineries, such as Painted Rock Estate Winery. Other hotspots include Bogners, located inside a heritage house; family-run Greek resto Theo’s; and, for pub grub and local beer, Bad Tattoo Brewing.

Shopping

The main shopping area is downtown, where you’ll find local landmarks like Teas & Weaves, the YGO Fine Art Gallery, and The Book Store. Malls include Penticton Plaza, Penticton Power Center, and Cherry Lane Shopping Center.

Penticton Real Estate Listings

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