The beautiful lakeside town of Osoyoos is in Canada’s only desert! Located in BC’s south Okanagan region, Osoyoos is about 5 hours east of Vancouver and is well known for its wineries, beaches, and unique desert climate. This was our first proper visit to the region and we had such a blast! Even though it was early fall it felt like a second summer while we were there. The sun was shining, the weather was warm, and we had perfect conditions for lots of sight seeing outdoors. This really is such a special part of the province and we highly recommend adding it to your BC travel list. Keep reading for our full guide to a lesbian friendly getaway to Osoyoos, BC!
When to Visit
Osoyoos is a very popular summer destination because of its amazing weather! It gets plenty of sunshine and is home to Osoyoos Lake, the warmest lake in the country. While summertime is a great time to visit because of this, be prepared for it to be quite busy! We actually recommend shoulder season in late spring or early fall if you’re looking to enjoy some outdoor activities but avoid the crowds. Our visit in early October was a fantastic time of year to experience everything this destination has to offer, and we already can’t wait to come back in other seasons. Whatever time of year you plan for, you’ll have a wonderful trip!
What to Do
There is so much to do in Osoyoos and we managed to pack a lot into our visit. It’s truly such a beautiful destination! If you’re visiting in spring, summer, or fall, you’ll definitely need to add this list to your itinerary. Here are all our recommendations for must-do activities in Osoyoos!
Explore Downtown Osoyoos
Osoyoos has a bustling downtown community, so be sure to set aside some time to walk around and explore. There are a lot of great locally owned businesses to support, and it’s a great way to get a feel for the area! The main downtown area is very walkable and easy to get around, it’s a perfect spot to kick off your visit.
Enjoy Osoyoos Lake
Osoyoos Lake is the warmest lake in Canada, and one the major highlights of the town of Osoyoos. If you’re a water lover, there are plenty of beaches to swim at as well as plenty of water activities to do on the lake like paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, wake boarding, tubing, and more. If you don’t feel like getting in the water but you still want to enjoy the lake, be sure to take a stroll along the Osoyoos Beach Walk, or head to Haynes Point Provincial Park!
Go for a Walk at the Desert Centre
We highly recommend visiting the Osoyoos Desert Centre (open May-Oct) early on in your visit, to learn more about the south Okanagan’s very unique landscape. The centre opened in 1998 by the Desert Society, in an effort to conserve the region’s habitat. There’s an interpretive centre, along with a beautiful 1.5km boardwalk where you can take a self-guided tour. It’s a wonderful place for photos so be sure to bring along your camera! We spent a beautiful morning here and it was such a great opportunity to learn more about Osoyoos and Canada’s desert. The boardwalk unfortunately isn’t pet friendly, but if you do have your pup with you, you can leave them on the doggie deck where the volunteers can keep them company. They took such great care of little Theo for us!
Visit a Family-Owned Winery
Osoyoos is part of the Okanagan’s famous wine region, so we highly recommend visiting a local vineyard. There are some really amazing family-owned wineries that offer great tours and tastings, and we definitely encourage you to support the smaller establishments! We visited Covert Farms Family Estate for their ‘Hands On Harvest Tour’ during our visit, and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip! We toured their huge 650 acre property and learned all about the organic practices on their farm and vineyard. Our guide drove us around in a very photo worthy vintage truck, and we chatted all about sustainable farming while sipping on sparkling wine. We even got to pick some veggies from the farm’s organic veggie patch! After the tour you can enjoy a wine tasting with local charcuterie, and they even offer a plant-based option. We tasted a wonderful selection of wine, snacked on vegan cheeses, and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon here. We even got to bring little Theo along because the whole farm is dog friendly! Highly recommend this spot, and be sure to pick up some bottles to bring home with you.
Visit the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Another absolute must while in Osoyoos, is a day up at Spirit Ridge Resort. A visit to the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre is a great way to learn more about the stories, art, and history of The Osoyoos Indian Band. The cultural centre is a perfect destination for the whole family, with an amazing interpretive centre, indoor and outdoor exhibits, lots of interactive learning stations and educational displays, as well as two multi-sensory theatre experiences. The outdoor exhibits are also connected to a trail system with 2km of walking trails, so we highly recommend setting aside a couple hours for your visit. You can explore the beautiful desert conservation area taking in the sage grasslands, pine forests, and whatever plants are in bloom depending on the season. Also on-site at Spirit Ridge Resort is an amazing restaurant and winery.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for beautiful lakefront accommodations in Osoyoos, we can absolutely recommend Sandy Beach Suites! We stayed in a one-bedroom suite during our visit and it was the perfect home base for our trip. The hotel is right on Osoyoos Lake, with its own private beach and stunning views. It’s quiet, the staff are very friendly, and it’s in a great location for exploring the town! The suites also have full kitchens and there are laundry facilities so it would be a great choice for a longer stay. There’s also a tennis court on-site, as well as a children’s playground, BBQ’s, and free paddle boards and kayaks to take out on the lake. If you’re looking for something laid back and relaxing, this is such a great spot! Other excellent choices would be the hotel at Spirit Ridge Resort, or if you’re looking for something right in town – the Watermark Beach Resort. Other accommodations to suit any style of trip can all be found on the Destination Osoyoos website, so be sure to have a read for the full list.
Where to Eat & Drink
Osoyoos has some great cafes and restaurants to check out, and of course the many amazing wineries! Be sure to leave plenty of time on your trip for eating and drinking your way around town. For breakfast we definitely recommend Jojo’s Cafe, the neighbourhood coffee bar where you can find the locals! It’s the perfect spot to start your day before you head out sightseeing. For amazing baked goods, definitely head to The Lake Village Bakery. This family owned bakery is known for their traditional artisan sourdough, but they have plenty of tasty treats including lots of vegan options! If you need a pick-me-up during the day, we recommend checking out the cute takeaway coffee window at Junction 3 Coffeehouse, they have a great menu and cozy outdoor seating. For lunch or dinner, you should definitely head to The Bear, The Fish, The Root, & The Berry at Sprit Ridge Resort. They have an amazing wine list, a beautiful patio, and an Indigenous inspired menu with plenty of options for everyone (including plant-based!). Another fantastic dinner spot is 15 Park Bistro at the Watermark Resort. The lakeside restaurant has a great evening atmosphere, and an amazing menu focusing on local ingredients, as well as wines from family-owned vineyards in the region. Last but not least, if you’re into craft beer you definitely need to check out North Basin Brewing Co! They’re fairly new to the scene in Osoyoos, but they have a great beer list and an awesome vibe.
Lesbian Friendly
Our favourite thing about travelling locally here in BC, is how safe and inclusive every destination feels. Even in rural destinations or small towns, the locals are always welcoming and we can feel at home as a lesbian couple. Osoyoos was no exception and it’s definitely LGBTQ+ friendly! We loved seeing Pride flags in shop windows, and chatting with the local residents during our stay. Nobody batted an eye at the fact that we’re a married couple, and everyone was warm and friendly to us. We felt completely comfortable being ourselves during our trip, and we know that Destination Osoyoos is happy to welcome everyone, including queer travellers. We highly recommend putting Osoyoos on your BC travel list!
Disclosure: Destination Osoyoos generously hosted us (and Theo) for our stay. This included our accommodations, some meals, and all activities during our stay. We were able to experience so much of what Osoyoos has to offer during our trip, and we’re so excited to share this destination with our audience!
