There's no better time of year to explore beautiful B.C. than in the summer, and so long as conditions are favourable, hitting the road for a little R & R in the South Okanagan can do wonders for anyone.
Osoyoos is the southernmost town in the Okanagan Valley, and has been welcoming visitors for a couple of centuries.
While my personal memories don't stretch back quite that far, I do recall family holidays in the charming, laid-back desert resort community going back to my early childhood. Osoyoos makes a terrific family getaway destination, thanks to its many kid-friendly activities, abundant recreation options, and plenty of places to grab at bite that aren't too upscale.
That said, savvy Metro Vancouver residents know that the Okanagan is the province's biggest wine-growing region, making Osoyoos a great base for travellers looking to explore a few tasting rooms (responsibly!).
Here are some tips for how to spend three days (and two nights) in Osoyoos, including where to stay, eat, sip, and play.
Day 1: Arrival & Chill
1. Morning: Departure & Scenic Drive
From Metro Vancouver, hop on Highway 1 and head east to Hope before transferring to Highway 3 (Crowsnest). If you hit the road in the mid-morning, you may want to plan to make Hope your lunch stop, as the options dwindle for the longer second portion of the drive to Osoyoos. All told, this drive is about 5.5 hours from downtown Vancouver.
The Crowsnest is my Vancouver-Okanagan route of choice, even if I'm bound for the Central Okanagan (that's how much I hate the Coquihalla), so I feel quite attuned to its windy patches and occasional sharp turns. Given that the Crowsnest takes you through Manning Provincial Park, the drive demands that you ensure you have enough fuel in your tank, snacks handy, and you know where the rest stops are. It's become a ritual for me to take a bathroom break at the Manning Park visitors' centre.
As you wind your way along the final stretch, you'll see the landscape shift as you approach the towns of Keremeos and Cawston, with their tree fruit farms, vineyards, and produce stands.
With about 10 kilometres to go, keep an eye out for Spotted Lake; in the drier summer months the lake bottom's circular patches become more prominent. However, the lake is on private property and spotting it from the highway is the only way to see it.
Afternoon: Lakeside wine tasting
Pull into town in the afternoon and make the most of the time until you can check-in at your hotel, which is the Walnut Beach Resort.
A great spot to bridge road and relaxation is Lakeside Cellars, with its tasting room and patio on Osoyoos Lake. Located on Lakeshore Drive, the family-owned winery offers seated wine tastings for one to six guests for $10 per person. The shelves are stocked with components to build your own charcuterie board if you're feeling peckish.
Lakeside's whites, roses, and bubbles really set the summer mode to full-on; my personal favourite is their 2022 Lakeshore Vineyard Bubbles, with its big, tropical, juicy notes.
Check‑In: Walnut Beach Resort
Walnut Beach is just a couple of minutes by car from Lakeside, and it's a great stay, particularly for families. Check-in during summer hours is 5 p.m., which will give you some time to settle into your room and get a glimpse of the resort, which is situated on Osoyoos Lake with a private beach and lakefront swimming pool and hot tub.
The four-star Walnut Beach is comprised of 96 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites and penthouse. Each suite is equipped with a kitchen or kitchenette, air conditioning, WiFi, flatscreen TV, and free coffee and tea. Some suites have washer/dryers. But my favourite of its amenities might be that they keep a fully stocked freezer with frozen treats for sale right by the front desk for when that post-swim Drumstick craving hits.
But you've just gotten in. This would be a great time to pop open a bottle of wine if you picked one up at Lakeside or packed some with you, or head down to the pool for some early evening chill time (ice cream optional).
Evening: Dinner in Town
If you're still in restoring your battery mode, the fact that Walnut Beach has grills available in the vicinity of the pool (and your in-room kitchen) you can kick back and have dinner on your own terms.
But if you're keen, it's about a five-minute drive into the main hub of Osoyoos, to the aptly-named Main Street. Here's where you find several dining options, from tacos to Thai, old school Greek-Italian, and scattered about, familiar fast-food joints.
Cap off the evening with ice cream at Moolix. The Okanagan chain took over the former Scoopsies shop on Main Street earlier this year.
Bottom line: No need to trek too far tonight; there's always tomorrow.
Day 2: Play time, wine time
Morning: Local Breakfast
Fuel up for the first part of your day with one of Barn Owl Eatery's signature breakfast sandwiches, which they call "Eggies." Breakfast at this cozy local café is served daily from 8 to 11 a.m. and the staff is warm and friendly. I got a nice protein hit from the Wheelbarrow Turkey Eggie, and ticked off my hit of heat thanks to its smoky chipotle ketchup.
Mid‑Morning: Choose your own adventure
There's plenty of fun to be had on the rides or playing the games at Rattlesnake Canyon, the local amusement park that's open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
If mini golf and bumper boats aren't your style, opt to get connected with nature at the Desert Centre. The interpretive facility is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the summer, with guided tours available at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. However, you can also do a self-guided stroll on the boardwalk (just note that admission for the boardwalk cuts off at 2 p.m.).
But it's not really lake life without some lake time, so you can simply take a dip or you can get adventurous and try some water sports.
Wakepilot has a stand just steps from the front of Walnut Beach (unfortunately, you cannot get there from the beach at the resort) and they do stand-up paddleboard, kayak, Seadoo, pontoon, and deck boat rentals.
The helpful staff will get you set up with all you need, from the quick online waivers to life jackets. I will confess that my son and I landed here as total newbies and were coached with great kindness on getting started out trying paddleboarding. Sure, the goal is to stand up, but we kept it in the seated position and stuck to the zone around the Wakepilot docks. It was great fun, no matter your skill level. If someone had recorded us, it might make for a great comedy video.
Afternoon: Wineries and Leisure
Dry off and head back to your suite for a bite or hop in the car to cruise to downtown Osoyoos if lunch is calling your name.
But if your mission is to get some winery visits in, this is the ideal time. You can certainly find snacks along the way, from highway-side produce stands to somewhere like Ward's Country Kitchen at District Wine Village in Oliver, too.
One of my favourite newer wineries to visit in the area is French Door, which is a relaxed tasting room with chic vibes and the option to enjoy a flight indoors or outside on the terrace (with a fantastic view). They're on the Black Sage Road, so many a neighbouring vineyard will have its open sign on for visitors. I highly recommend the boutique-style experience at Red Barn at Jagged Rock. Their "Hungry Ride" is $35 and includes a tour, tasting, and daytime eats like pizza and panini.
But if you'd prefer to keep it local, like, hotel local, get yourself to the pool or lake at Walnut Beach and settle in for a swim and some serious hanging out. Not every minute has to be scheduled!
Dinner in Wine Country
Head up the highway or into the hills to dine at nearby wineries; neighbouring Oliver has some of the best in B.C., like Manzil at Kismet, Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek, or the restaurant at Phantom Creek to name a few. If you're going this route, be sure someone in your group is the designated driver.
Another option is to take a wine tour that includes dinner and transportation. Many outfits offer such tours in the area; a good starting point is to check out the options listed by Destination Osoyoos.
Day 3: Time to hit the road
All good things must come to an end, even getaways in Osoyoos.
No need to venture out for breakfast, because check-out day is a good one to head down to Walnut Beach's in-house restaurant, Pointe 49, for an Eggs Benny or Belgian Waffles. This way, you can probably slide in a final swim or hot tub dunk before having to pack up and hit the road. Hey, don't forget you left your swimsuit on the balcony to dry!
Check out is at 11 a.m., and you've got a big day of driving ahead. Gas up and get going: The highway is calling. Be sure to swing into at least one (more) produce stand as you leave the Okanagan; I have a soft spot for Mom & Pop's Farm Market in Keremeos, where I will grab some fresh fruit, a cold drink, and some local goodies, like apple chips (for now) and jam (for later).
You know the drill: Highway 3 to Highway 1 back to Vancouver. Buckle in for a 5.5-hour ride.
Don't forget: There's a bathroom in the Manning Park Visitor Centre. You're welcome.
Thanks to Destination Osoyoos for facilitating a portion of the meals and activities mentioned above and to Walnut Beach Resort for hosting the stay. All opinions and inclusions are those of the author and were based solely on personal experience. None of the businesses or entities featured were granted any previews of the story before publication or paid to be mentioned.
