BC’s Okanagan: An Accessible Self-Drive Getaway

Arrive at the Kelowna airport where you’ll be met by an agent who will help with picking up your rental vehicle. From Kelowna, make the short drive north to Vernon where you’ll start your north-to-south journey.

Get artsy in downtown Vernon, where 28 outdoor works showcase the history, culture, scenery, and folklore of the city. Tip: View the map of Vernon’s murals or join a guided tour to learn the stories behind each piece. Continue along the Vernon Tasting Trail to uncover the city’s hidden culinary gems; check with individual businesses about accessibility.

Heading south to Kelowna via Highway 97, enjoy the scenic drive that cruises by gorgeous lakes: Kalamalka, Wood, and Duck. Access points to the Okanagan Rail Trail can be found near these bodies of water, particularly at the Kickwillie Loop, Kekuli Bay, and the Wood Lake/Oyama Boat Launch.

To ensure no one draws the short straw as the designated driver, book a tour to explore the region’s wineries. Choose from nine accessible, top-tier wine tours, including the popular High Spirits Tour, where guests enjoy beer, cider, and spirits alongside wine.

Catch the breeze from Okanagan Lake at Rotary or Gyro beach. Okanagan Beach Rentals provides free, specially designed beach wheelchairs at both sandy locales; one wheelchair is available at each beach, so it’s best to call ahead so that they can reserve/assemble.

Take the day to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

As you drive south to Penticton, be sure to visit Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, Summergate Winery, Heaven’s Gate Estate Winery, Thornhaven Estates Winery, Lake Breeze Winery, and Dirty Laundry Vineyard enroute.

For a novel way to see the sights in Summerland, board the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, which runs from mid-May to October; there are special schedules for the Easter Train, the Mother’s Day Ride, the Great Train Robbery, the Murder Mystery Train, the Halloween Terror Train, and the Summerland Christmas Express.

Spend the day relaxing in this mountainside resort town

Today, you’ll head back to Kelowna for the flight home or to your next destination.