This town is on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, opposite Kelowna. Highway 97 crosses the lake between the two communities on a floating bridge. The highway from the north winds up a steep hill, to get to the top (and back) of the hill, the backside of Mount Boucherie, and then have a splendid elevated perch overlooking the Lake.
West Kelowna was formerly known as Westbank and coloquially known as Westside. The city encompasses several distinct neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Rose Valley, Westbank, and West Kelowna Estates. West Kelowna had an estimated population of 35,000 (2018) The amalgamation was incorporated in 2007 as a District Municipality, and in 2009 was renamed West Kelowna, and in 2015 officially became the City of West Kelowna.
The town has a charming downtown shopping area, with a one-way south and a one-way north, each with plenty of shops and services meeting the needs of residents and visitors alike. The town’s facilities are located on both sides of the highway, with attractions found mostly on the west (uphill) side, and the town’s popular beach is just down the hill.
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West Kelowna Attractions
Westbank Museum
2376 Dobbin Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2H9
(past Brown St, on southbound highway 97)
250-768-0110
This museum is also the town’s information centre.
Kelowna Floating Bridge
Highway 97 over Okanagan Lake
This bridge was opening in 1958 by Princess Margaret, and at 640 metres, this pontoon structure is the first and remains Canada’s largest floating bridge. Prior to the bridge, a ferry service connected the two shores, first (from
1904 on) using the Sokum, and then (after 1927) using the Kelowna Westbank. In 2008, this bridge was replaced by a fixed bridge that handles the greater year-round traffic volumes of the urban Kelowna area.
Westbank Wineries
Mission Hill Winery
Winemaker: John Slimes
1730 Mission Hill Road,
West Kelowna, BC, V4T 2E4
Phone (250) 768-7611
Fax (250) 768-2044
Until 1996, Mission Hill had purchased grapes from vineyards owned by others to produce wine, with no vineyard holdings of its own. It started to purchase its own vineyards in 1996. Mission Hill Family Estate farms 32 family-owned estate vineyards in the Okanagan Valley. Mission Hill has estate vineyards in each of the five growing regions; West Kelowna, East Kelowna, Naramata Bench, Black Sage Bench in Southeast Oliver and Osoyoos. In 2002 the new showpiece building opened. The centrepiece and focal point of the design was a twelve-story and 85 foot high bell tower, with four bells cast by Fonderie Paccard in Annecy, France who also crafted the bells for St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and Sacré-Cœur in Paris.
Quails’ Gate Estate Winery
Winemaker: Peter Draper
3303 Boucherie Road,
West Kelowna, BC V1Z 2H3
Phone (250) 769-4451 or
1-800-420-9463
Fax (250) 769-3451
Take a casual stroll through the vineyards to drink in the spectacular views or discover the perfect pairing for your favourite meal. Renowned as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada, Old Vines Restaurant is an all-seasons culinary destination. Chef Roger Sleiman and his team create spectacular dishes made from the freshest local ingredients, providing guests with a true taste of the Okanagan.