Summerland

The small community of Summerland is situated on the west side of Okanagan Lake within Province of British Columbia's interior region. The town had an approximate population of 11,000, based on 2006 numbers. Penticton lies 12 miles or 20 km south of Summerland, whereas the small community of Peachland is the nearest community to the north, around 28 km or 18 miles away. Kelowna is the largest city centre in the region and it is located about 50 km to the north on Highway 97. The community of Naramata is located directly across Okanagan Lake from the town of Summerland. Vancouver City is about 425 km or 264 miles away towards the west.

The theme of the town has Summerland being designed as an olde English Tudor style town. The majority of the companies in the town of Summerland are situated up on the hill even if Old Summerland is considered to be the area down on the water.

Fruit orchards supply most of the towns overall economy, and is just rivaled by the larger City of Kelowna as the largest processor and producer of fruit in the Okanagan area. There are world renowned Eden-like orchards and farms, wineries and several heritage ranches, giving the town a rustic atmosphere.

With a name like Summerland, people can imagine bright blue skies, warm beaches and friendly, smiling people. The town of Summerland definitely lives up to its name and has much more to provide.

For those residents who live within the 3 major Canadian cities of Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the town of Summerland has become a widely famous getaway. The town offers an idyllic location to enjoy with sandy beaches along the wonderful Okanagan Lake. Tourist attractions and tourism used to be the main industry, although this is rapidly disappearing due to pressure from residential subdivision developers.

Agriculture along with canneries have traditionally been the mainstays of the economies, featuring the various fresh fruit trees like for example cherries, pears, apples and peaches. The focus eventually moved from the focus on fruit trees to more grape production for the wine trade. The town of Summerland is now proudly home to a few world famous wineries. The town of Summerland is also home to the historic Kettle Valley Steam Railway and has several golf courses.

Winemaking is super popular within the Okanagan due to the dry and arid weather. There are 6 wineries within Summerland to experience. They provide special events throughout the Spring and Fall Okanagan Wine Festivals and self-guided wine tours are likewise highly suggested.