'''Summerland''' is in British Columbia, Canada. It is a small community of 12000 people in the Okanagan Valley. The architecture of the downtown area is done in Old English Tudor.
Understand
Summerland began it's life on the lake. At first ''Summerland'' was nestled in the tiny strip of land between Okanagan Lake and the foreboding clay cliffs that covered the settlement in shadow by mid afternoon. The first recorded settler to this area was in 1887, and some of his family's descendants are still in the area. The area had electricity in 1905, telephones in 1907, and a newspaper the next year. Growth was fast.
This area is commonly referred to as ''lower town''.
With the arrival of the '''Kettle Valley Railway''' in 1915, ''West Summerland''(the location of the present town centre) was born. When the alignment of Highway 97 was moved from lowertown up to the plateau in 1955 and the post office was moved to "West Summerland" in 1964 the 'West' was dropped and the entire area was then referred to as Summerland.
Summerland has grown to include ''Trout Creek'', which arcs into Okanagan Lake south of town, ''Prairie Valley'', which leads west of town, and the huge agricultural benchland that sits behind Giants Head Mountain.
Get in
By air
There is no airport in Summerland. Penticton airport is 18km (11mi) to the south. Kelowna airport is 65km to the north.
By bus
Greyhound Bus Lines provide daily passenger service to Summerland.
By car
Highway 97 is the only highway into town. It runs south from Kelowna and north from Penticton. Vancouver is 420km (261mi) to the west. Calgary is 689km (428mi) to the east. Seattle is 519km (322mi) to the southwest.
Get around
Public transportation is currently very limited (handi-dart). There are plans to increase the system in the near future and it is widely hoped that this increase will include public transportation to Penticton. There is a Taxi Service in Summerland. The downtown core is easily walked in under 15 minutes from end to end. While Summerland has a modest population, the residential area is spread over a huge area with many steep hills to climb while you enjoy the breathtaking views this wonderful town has to offer.
See
'''Trout Creek Canyon and Trestle''', Canyon View Road. This bridge was built in 1913 as part of the '''Kettle Valley Railway''', considered one of the greatest railway engineering feats of its time. The last train rolled over the bridge in 1985 and the tracks were removed ten years later. Today you are welcome to wander across and see if you can withstand vertigo when peering down 73M (238F) to the rushing creek below. This trestle is the highest railway trestle in British Columbia, and the third highest in North America.
'''Gartrell Barn''', 3117 Gartrell Road. It may be dilapidated today, but this barn which was built circa 1890 by one of Summerland's pioneer families is a tangible link to the past. Please be respectful of the many families that live in this area.
'''Giant's Head Mountain''' is an extinct volcano right in the center of town, has 360 degree views of Summerland to the north and west, Okanagan Lake to the east, and Penticton to the south. The entire mountain is designated as parkland, and there is a narrow windy road that leads to a parking area near the top. A ten minute climb will take you the rest of the way. There is also a time capsule at the top, to be opened in 2067 coinciding with Canada's bicentennial.
The pristine '''Summerland Ornamental Gardens''', 4200 Highway 97, ''+1 250'' 494-6385 [http://www.summerlandornamentalgardens.org]. Part of Agriculture Canada's fruit tree research facility created in 1916, the gardens feature a picnic area on a vast lawn as well as annotated displays of the local flora. Also features stirring views of '''Trout Creek Canyon''' and the '''Trout Creek Trestle'''. ''Hours 8:00AM-sunset''. ''$3 suggested donation''.
'''Summerland Museum''', 9251 Wharton St, ''+1 250'' 494-9395, info@summerlandmuseum.org [http://summerlandmuseum.org]. Visit displays and collections that provide insight into this area's vast and interesting history and heritage. Contains town records and photographs dating from 1909.
Do
Take a ride on the '''Kettle Valley Steam Railway''' [http://www.kettlevalleyrail.org]. A two hour round-trip on the only remaining part of the historic Kettle Valley Railway. Only 16km. Disembark and enjoy the view from the '''Trout Creek Trestle''', 73m (238 ft) above the creek.
Spend the day at one of Summerland's six beaches:
* Powell Beach, Trout Creek.
* Gordon Rotary Beach, lowertown.
* Kin Beach, lowertown.
* Peach Orchard Beach, lowertown.
* Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park, Trout Creek.
* Crescent Beach, lowertown.
Buy
Homemade preserves, fruit leather, and ice cream from '''Summerland Sweets'''.
Fruit leather from '''Kettle Valley Dried Fruit'''.
Wine from the five local Wineries:
* '''Adora Estate Winery''', 6807 Highway 97, ''+1 250'' 404-4200 [http://www.adorawines.com].
* '''Scherzinger Vineyards''', 7311 Fiske Street, ''+1 250'' 494-8815 [http://www.scherzingervineyards.com].
* '''Sonoran Estate Winery''', 21606 Hwy 97 North ''+1 250'' 494-9323 [http://www.sonoranestate.com].
* '''Sumac Ridge Estate Winery''', 17403 Highway 97 ''+1 250'' 494-0451 [http://www.sumacridge.com].
* '''Thornhaven Estate Winery''', 6816 Andrews Avenue ''+1 250'' 494-7778 [http://www.thornhaven.com].
Eat
'''Cellar Door Bistro''', 17403 Hwy 97 N, ''+1 250'' 494-0451. Part of '''Sumac Ridge Estate Winery'''.
'''Zias Stonehouse Pub''', 14015 Rosedale Avenue, ''+1 250'' 494-1105. Upscale dining in an old converted stone house.
'''Santorinis''', 13229 Henry Avenue, ''+1 250'' 494-7811. Locally owned and operated. Standard fare. Good prices.
'''Vanilla Pod Restaurant''', 9917 Main Street, ''+1 250'' 494-8222.
'''Yaki's Pizza and Subs'''. Try the ''tank sub''. If you can eat it all in one sitting you probably need to go on a diet.
Drink
Peacock's Perch Neighbourhood Pub & Liquor Store - offers a selection of on-site brewed beers and more. The pub-style menu has something for everyone. - 14218 Rosedale Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0 - 250 494-9727
Shaughnessy's Cove Waterfront Pub and Restaurant - offers something for everyone. Set on beautiful Lake Okanagan, just minutes from Penticton, Shaughnessy's offers a fantastic view and a place to take your family for a chef prepared meal. - 12817 Lakeshore Dr. North, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z1 - 250 494-9448
Pubs
'''Peacocks Perch''', 14218 Rosedale Avenue, ''+1 250'' 494-9727. The only pub in uppertown. Pub menu. Friendly staff. Pool table, darts.
'''Shaughnessy's Cove''', 12817 Lakeshore Drive, ''+1 250'' 494-9448. Recently reopened by new owners. Beautiful lowertown location right on the lake. Features a dock to tie your boat up to whilst having lunch or dinner.
Nightclubs
There are none. You will have to go fifteen minutes south to Penticton.
Sleep
Bed and Breakfast
'''Touch of English''', 6111 Tavender Court, ''+1 250'' 494-0212 [http://www.touchofenglish.com].
'''Catbird Ridge''', 17404 Logie Rd, ''+1 250'' 494-0111 [http://www.catbirdridge.ca].
'''Heritage House''', 11919 Jubilee Road West, ''+1 250'' 494-0288 [http://www.heritagehouse1907.com]. Built in 1907.
'''Wildhorse Mountain Ranch''', 25808 Wild Horse Road, ''+1 250'' 494-0506 [http://www.wildhorsemountainranch.com].
'''Hill House Bed & Breakfast''' 17007 Logie Road, ''+1 250-494-2971.
Hotels and Motels
'''Rosedale Motel''', 14001 Rosedale Avenue, ''+1 250'' 494-6431 [http://www.rosedalemotel.com].
'''Pleasant View''', 13608 Highway 97,''+1 250'' 494-7406 [http://www.pleasant.summerland.com].
'''Summerland Waterfront Resort''', 13011 Lakeshore Drive ,''+1 250'' 494-8180 [http://www.summerlandresorthotel.com].
Get out