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Penticton is a holiday town in the Okanagan sandwiched between two lakes. Growing up it was a frequent vacation destination for my family to enjoy the hot weather, fresh BC fruit, and boating on the Okanagan lakes.

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This time we went with friends, stayed at an inn right on Skaha Lake and spent several days enjoying the beaches and warm weather. This is what happens when people too old to build sandcastles try to make one:

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There are plenty of recreational activities in Penticton and surrounding area. One morning we biked along the hills around Okanagan Lake and through the many wineries in the area.

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Speaking of wine, we decided to go on a winery tour to learn about the basics of wine. The Okanagan’s warm weather makes it home to many well-known wineries, including Mission Hill, Quail’s Gate, Jackson Triggs, Summerhill and Cedar Creek.

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We spent our evenings in more juvenile ways, playing mini golf, go karting, and rock climbing at Penticton’s outdoor amusement park.

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Surrounded by both Skaha and Okanagan Lakes, one of the most fun things to do in Penticton is to rent a boat or jet ski, and go tubing.

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With its hilly atmosphere, there are also several hikes to do around Penticton. Nearby Summerland offers a hike up Giant’s Head Mountain for the great views:

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Other nights we just walked down along the beach taking in the sunset, enjoyed a sandy campfire, or had a tasty dinner at one of our favorite seafood restaurants – Salty’s.

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