West Kelowna, city in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
West Kelowna is a city on the west shore of Okanagan Lake in the middle of the Okanagan Valley. Home to nearly 40,000 residents and growing rapidly, it features rolling hills with vineyards, orchards, and trails that connect parks and natural spaces throughout the region.
The region was long inhabited by the Syilx people before fur traders passed through and farmers later settled the land. In the second half of the 20th century, the small community grew into a modern city as wine production and tourism became increasingly important.
West Kelowna, often called 'Westside,' carries deep connections to the Syilx people, the original inhabitants of this land. The Sncewips Heritage Museum preserves their stories and artifacts, while local art galleries throughout the city display works by contemporary artists from the community.
Visitors can move around easily by car or bicycle, as the city has good bike lanes and walking trails throughout. The location offers all necessary services like schools and clinics in a comfortable, compact urban area.
The Westside wineries thrive in volcanic soils with special sunlight that makes their wines distinctly different from those across the lake. The Westside Wine Trail is a popular route for visiting several wineries in one day and discovering their individual characters.
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