Beach Fun, Ice Cream Mayhem and a Monster — Family Fun Awaits in Penticton

What makes a destination an excellent choice for families?

A beach goes a long way — especialy if kids can wade out to a waterpark. Design the park in a serpentine shape to evoke thoughts of a mythical resident monster and that’s all the giddier.

Ice cream is a must. Serve it in giant containers brimming with cotton candy or crumbled chocolate bars or fruity decorations and you spin a treat into an hour of ogles and guffaws as you try to consume it as a family. Kids’ eyes will surely balloon with shock and awe at whatever over-the-top menu selection they’ve chosen.

An amusement park — preferably an inexpensive one that doesn’t require a long drive or an arduous search for parking — is another hallmark that families seek.

How about where to stay? A hotel with a swimming pool that you can count on to be filled with other kids would be a clear winner for moms and dads. Add a full kitchen, spacious floor plan with room to spread out, and a location that’s walking distance to the town’s top attractions and you can rack up the bookings.

Kid-friendly food options that are also a notch up from the typical chains that families end up choosing as a last or only resort is a big plus for today’s diners who want local dishes with fresh ingredients and some kitchen flair.

And you need some magic, too. That often comes from nature and the wonderment of it that captivates imaginations when kids explore settings that are new to them.

Penticton has all of those attributes, plus other gems, my family and I learned on a July visit so delightful we made a list of things we wanted to do, or do again, on the next trip to the Okanagan Valley. Although I have ventured to Penticton and its neighbouring municipalities a number of times, I never saw the region through the eyes of my child. At 7 years old, Gabriel is keen to learn about places, find adventure, and connect with familiar activities in the destination he visits. With him top of mind, the city felt like a new destination — one beyond the wine tourism and active hikes I have done in the past, and with more playfulness than I expected.

Where to Stay in the Okanagan Valley

The Balcomo is an icon in Penticton that continues to renew itself for current and future generations. Decades old, it has remained in the ownership of the original Agur family, who settled the Balcomo area of nearby Summerland in 1904. The property is now managed by Ramada and features a number of family-friendly highlights, including the pool that’s a focal point of any guest stay. It’s in the centre of the property’s courtyard and was filled with laughter during our three-night stay. A hot tub is adjacent to a beautiful new fitness space that includes a yoga studio with a salt wall. It’s an eye-catching feature that will mesmerize even if you’re not in a meditative state.

With 122 well-appointed rooms, the Balcomo is a big hotel for a city the size of Penticton and one whose updates reflect changing consumer expectations. The hotel features a number of suites with kitchenettes and some ground-floor units that have their own private patios. The units are great for families and multi-generational travel. Location-wise, it’s a winner, too. The hotel is about a 15-minute walk to either the Penticton Confernece Centre or the beach along Lakeshore Drive.

Family Golf in Penticton

Gabriel is a good golfer for his age and during our stay we were very happy to see that the Penticton Golf & Country Club was located directly next door to the Balcomo. Our room overlooked the seventh hole, which we were eager to tee off on.

We got our chance on our second day of our getaway. Playing the first nine holes, we were able to experience the beauty and forgiving nature of the course. It has wide fairways and water features that are more like eye candy than hazards. The greens are exceptionally well maintained and the grounds are in outstanding shape. When I learned how much pride the community took in establishing the golf course, I wasn’t surprised. Volunteers built and maintained the course in its early days, which began in 1961. It was the B.C. Interior’s first 18-hole course and was later expanded to reach championship size.

That seventh hole, with the Balcomo in direct sight, is among the show holes if only because it’s a short par 3 and even kids have a shot at an ace. In fact, Gabriel was the only one in our trio to hit the green on his tee shot.

Following our play, we dined at The Blue Heron, the club’s on-site restaurant that offers kids’ favourites, like chicken fingers and fries and pizza.

Kid-friendly Activities in Penticton

The beach is the main attraction in town, for good reason. Lake Okanagan is at its most spectacular and inviting at its southernmost point in Penticton. The beach includes a water park where kids can jump and dive on a bouncy feature designed to look like Ogopogo, the monster that legend says swims in the depths of the lake.

Nearby is LocoLanding Adventure Park. I didn’t know until this visit that Penticton had an amusement park within its city. And it’s in the perfect location next to the beach and a few minutes’ walk to cafes and restaurants on Lakeshore Drive.

Once you enter through the giant metal gates, you have the chance to ride on go-karts or bumper boats, rock climb, or mini-golf. LocoLanding is open from May to September and unlike the famous parks we’ve all heard of, it’s not jammed with lineups, and is neither expensive nor time-consuming. We spent an hour-and-a-half before venturing off for something sweet.

Places for Families to Eat in Penticton

Cherry On Top Shake Shop and Lickety Splitz: The two-in-one sugar attack will make life hard for ice cream lovers to choose. That’s why one family member can opt for the soft-serve over-the-top treats at Cherry On Top Shake Shop and another can go for the more conventional hard ice cream options at Lickety Splitz. The servings are huge; there’s no chance of anyone being unsatisfied.

The Bench Market: Massively popular with local residents, the Bench Market serves all-day breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch. Many come in for baked goods and house-made granola.

Wayne & Freda: I always look to come back to this cafe run by a young family who know how to make great coffee and deliver a charming casual dining experience in the morning. The coffees are as good as you’d find in any large North American city and the menu options include toasts with healthy and inventive toppings, hearty bowls, and big sandwiches.

The Penticton Farmers’ Market and Downtown Community Market: If you love markets, there is no better experience in Western Canada than what Penticton offers during the summer. Essentially, two organizations have combined to give downtown visitors one incredible experience of exploring artisan crafts and food makers. You’ll find a number of food trucks and food stalls, as well as retail shopping finds. For 2025, the farmers’ market continues to operate until October 25, while the downtown market had its last date for the year during the first weekend of September.