I was raised in the Central Okanagan living in both West Kelowna and Kelowna for the vast majority of my life. Kelowna and the Okanagan area in general is a travel hotspot for Canadian and international travelers alike. Most people are drawn in by the beautiful scenery and sparkling lake yet there is much more to explore. A foodie's dream, a wine lover's playground, it even has something adorable for the shopaholic in your life. This three part series will tell you my favorite places for every occasion, focusing on Kelowna and a bit of the surrounding area, and all local.
Shop Walks
In the summer every Saturday until 1pm Penticton will shut down their entire main street for the best outdoor farmers and makers market you've ever seen. Whenever I visit I will spend at least a couple hours looking at all the stalls. It's also the perfect place to grab a bite to eat while you wander the street.
Pandosy
Pandosy is one of the cutest streets in Kelowna filled with local shops, most of which are fairly feminine but my family always sends the men to get coffee and there are a bunch of amazing options. A couple of the cafes I mentioned in the first part of this post are located along Pandosy to visit as you stroll.
Bernard
The true downtown of Kelowna is one of its best shopping locations. Along this street you will also find adorable cafes as well as many of my favorite shops. You will often find musical buskers performing along Bernard to add to the ambiance.
Must Visit Shops
The oldest independent bookstore in Kelowna is absolutely adorable. The staff are very well read and will have a recommendation for everyone. The selection of books and displays are meticulously curated not just with popular books but also some amazing underrated gems. Yet the best part of this store is the "book bin" in the back with amazing discounts on your favorite novels. Mosaic is located on Bernard for your strolling convenience along with being a must see.
I may be recommending this store out of bias as they were my favorite place to work. Located on Ellis in downtown for the Kelowna branch Opus is a BC art supplies chain, the biggest in western Canada. The staff always know what you need for any project and wandering around is a creative dream. Whether you create regularly or are just looking for a little something to doodle at the park Opus will have the perfect project for you.
This beautiful Bernard shop has the best selection of consignment clothing I've ever seen. The entire store is curated with on trend and vintage clothing for both men and women. This is a must visit store for me whenever I visit and I highly recommend checking it out.
Located on Penticton's main street (perfect for visiting after the market) this secondhand bookstore has floor to ceiling shelves filled to the brim with books for every occasion. The staff are amazing with recommendations and finding exactly what you're looking for. Visiting this store is an experience in itself that I highly recommend to any reader.
Vernon
If you are looking for a day trip I highly recommend going to Vernon for their antique stores. The stores are owned by very knowledgeable collectors and have some of the best selection I've seen. Distinctive Décor is one of my favorites for refinished antique furniture. Blast From the Past has a little bit of everything, you could easily spend hours in this little shop of history.
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