This town, halfway between Kelowna and Penticton on the west shore of Okanagan Lake. It sits at the mouth of three fertile valleys where they meet the Okanagan: Garnet, Prairie, and Peach. The downtown has been revitalized, resembling a Tudor theme since the late 1970s. There are plenty of fruit stands along the roadway selling the area’s bountiful produce.
John Moore, the founder of Summerland (after he did the same for Peachland) set up irrigation and lured unhappy prairie farmers into fruit farming. It was the home of the first commercial orchard in the area, planted in the 1890s, and by 1900 the Okanagan had over 1 million fruit trees growing. The community is home to BC Fruit Packers, Beavan’s orchard cannery, and Summerland Sweets (specializing in syrups and jams).
Recreation in the area is focused on the several beaches along the shores of the Lake, including Sunoka, Peach Orchard, Powell, and Rotary. There are two golf courses here, a 9-hole and an 18-hole.
Other Links
Summerland Attractions
Beavan’s Orchard Cannery Tour
7915 Hespler
250-494-0377
Tour of manufacturing facility, with onsite products for sale.
Summerland Museum
9521 Wharton St
250-494-9395
This local museum is open afternoons year-round with extended tours in July and August. There is an art gallery above the museum selling works by local artists.
Summerland Trout Hatchery
south on Highway 97
250-494-2686
Rainbow, brook and kokanee trout are raised for release into local rivers and lakes.
Giants Head Park
The 910 metre Giants Head Mountain overlooks Summerland, looking like (what else?) a giant man’s head, with great views of the lake, and has picnic areas.
Canada Department of Agriculture Research Station
past Trout Creek Bridge, 5 km south on highway 97
250-494-7711
300 hectares of ornamental gardens and a museum, with guided tours and a picnic facility. Guided tours daily at 1 pm, of the museum at 2 pm. Open daily 7:30 am to 8 pm April to October; 7:30 to 5:30 rest of the year.
Provincial Trout Hatchery
13405 South Lakeshore Dr
250-494-0491
This provincial hatchery raises two million rainbow and eastern brook trout which are released into 250 lakes in the area.
Okanagan Lake Provincial Park
13 km north of Summerland
250-494-0321
Sandy beaches and a boat ramp, surrounded by great variety of trees, including Russian olive, China elm, Norway maple, and Lombardy poplar.
Ogopogo Viewpoint
19 km north of Summerland
This viewpoint overlooks Rattlesnake Island and Squally Point on the opposite shore. The legendary Ogopogo sea monster is said to make its home in an underwater cave off the Point. The viewpoint is at a bend in Okanagan Lake and provides views of both Kelowna and Penticton
Trout Creek Canyon Trestle
Above the Agricultural Research Station, 5 km south on highway 97
This 500 metre long, 72 metre high steel trestle was one of the largest steel girder bridges on this continent, as part of the now-defunct Kettle Creek Railway. Great views from the
trestle, now part of the Kettle Valley Trail.
Summerland Sweets
Canyonview Rd
250-494-0377
Tours of the factor which makes fruit syrups, jams and candies from fresh and frozen fruits. Open weekdays June through August 10 am to 3 pm.
Summerland Wineries
Direty Laundry Vineyards (formerly Scherzinger Vineyards)
Winemaker: Edgar Scherzinger
7311 Fiske Road,
Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0
Phone & Fax (250) 494-8815
The winery currently owned by Bob Campbell, Neil MacGillivray, Hermann Teichtmeister and partners, who purchased the winery from the Scherzinger family in the early 2000s, fulfilling a lifelong dream. In the last 13 years, the winery has grown from producing 1800 cases of wine to 35,000 cases per year. Throughout the summer months Dirty Laundry has live entertainment on Friday and Saturday Evenings from 6:30 PM until 10 PM. Thewine shop is also open for shopping throughout the evening.
Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
Winemaker: Mark Wendenburg
17403 Highway 97, Box 307,
Summerland, BC, V0H 1ZO
Phone (250) 494-0451
Fax (250) 494-3456
Sumac Ridge was the very first operating estate winery in British Columbia and we’re proudly celebrating 38 years in 2019. The winery was founded by Harry McWatters in 1979 in the town of Summerland. Since the 1800s, the area’s combination of sparkling water, brilliant sun and fertile land has made it ideal for growing grapes, and has been dedicated to producing wine from 100% BC grown grapes since its inception.