Penticton: You Are Here

You are here.

Welcome to Penticton, the heart of BC wine country. Mountains to the east and west, lakes to the north and south, and vineyards stretching in every direction.

Penticton, or “Snpintktn” as translated from the Interior Salish language of the Okanagan First Nations, means “a place to live forever” (the commonly accepted translation) or “a place to live year-round.”

The locals seem to like it…rich in history, with an abundance of natural beauty, Penticton and the surrounding Okanagan Valley bursts with the creations of land and labour: internationally-renowned wines, the harvest of fruits and vegetables destined for both family tables and world-class eateries, art and culture inspired by the terroir. The ripening warmth spreads from lakeside beaches in summer to the top of champagne-powdered mountains in winter.

The Wine Bloggers’ Conference takes place at a perfect time; the soon-to-be-summer sun is warm, but just enough for a blush of colour to your cheeks. The city begins to prepare for its annual signature summer festivals and events, from an Elvis Festival to the long-standing Peach Festival to the world-renowned Challenge Penticton Canada triathlon, debuting this year.

Your host hotel, the Penticton Lakeside Resort, has some of the best views in the valley — looking out over Okanagan Lake, you’ll see Summerland to the west, the Naramata bench to the east, and if you’re lucky, the mythical lake creature Ogopogo will make an appearance.

Step outside the hotel for a stroll down the lakefront, take a photo next to our giant peach (just to the west of the hotel), and sip some BC wine on a patio.

Pick up a #youarehere pin from the Tourism Penticton table at the opening tradeshow or businesses around town. Tweet or Instagram a photo with your pin to @travelpenticton, and tag it #youarehere. Post your photo on the Tourism Penticton Facebook page too (www.facebook.com/travelpenticton). Airfare and accommodation prizes can be won. An oversized version of the hashtag is installed outside of our Wine Country Visitor Centre for a great photo opp.

And don’t forget to check-in to the 2013 Wine Bloggers’ Conference on Foursquare. When the conference wraps up, one random check-in will be drawn, and an attendee will win two round-trip tickets to travel from Canada or the Continental USA back to Penticton, courtesy of Air Canada.

It’s been a long journey. We look forward to welcoming you to Penticton, where you can truly take time to breathe.