Fifty By 50: Kelowna Culinary Tour and Lake Kalamalka (Aug. 2, 2024)

Jason booked a food tour for us in Kelowna this morning which is about an hours drive from where we are staying.

I wanted to be on the road by 8:30 to give us some time but it was 9 by the time we left so we got to there right exactly at 10 am.

We found parking very close to where it started but you had to pay online and I must have fiddled around on that website trying to pay for the first 10 - 15 minutes of the tour which was frustrating but I did eventually get it done.

The first stop of the day was a tea shop.

It was really pretty inside.

They gave us some cold brewed fruity tea to try and I really liked it.

I ended up buying some of it and a few other flavors as well so they gave me the instructions on how to do the cold brewing.

The next spot was a coffee shop/bakery/cafe called Sprout.

Haylee, Kody and Crystal all came on the tour as well.

Jason and I.

We got to try their coffee, their made in-house granola and avocado toast.

They make their own bread as well and the avocado toast was delicious.

The guide said they also do a mushroom truffle toast which I would love to go back and try sometime.

It was really big inside and there was a seating area upstairs as well then a bakery attached next door.

Jason and Kody went over and checked it out and they had some amazing looking doughnuts.

We walked from place to place so we got to see some of Kelowna while on the tour.

It's very beautiful.

This is our guide.

He was telling us how Kelowna used to be more of a hub for trading and fruit packing so this area is just kind of a nod to that.

There was a fire years ago so only a couple of the original buildings remain there in the city.

Kelowna means grizzly bear.

The city of Kelowna is really into making their downtown area a place that people want to visit - they give land to businesses to use and in return they ask that the businesses install art pieces.

I think even if they don't give the land, it's still a requirement for the businesses that open in the area to have art so this is an example of that.

This thing actually spins around which was kind of cool.

Then there was also this snail shaped bench.

That was covered in different animals - some were cut-outs so when the sun shines through, the shadows look like animals on the ground.

This turtle looks like he was about to walk off the edge.

Our next stop was a restaurant called Gather.

Apparently it is a very popular restaurant and hard to get into but it just opened when we got there so not a whole lot of folks there yet.

We started off with some kind of fruity alcoholic drink which I didn't really like.

The presentation was fun though.

We tried a spicy tofu dish there - I loved it.

The restaurant is in a building that houses a bunch of other businesses and there is a rooftop area for the employees to use but they let us go up to have a look.

There was a great view up there.

This is just looking the other way.

I can see why Kelowna is so popular - it is very beautiful.

On the other side of the lake is where the fires swept through last year and a lot of people lost their homes.

My Honey and I.

A full length view.

Looking away from the lake into the city.

Crystal and Haylee.

This is the inside of the building.

Another artwork installation by another business.

Random artwork on the sidewalk.

Gorgeous doorway we passed by.

Next stop was El Taquerio.

It was nice inside and the servers were very friendly.

We started off with different flavored margaritas.

There was lime, pomegranate and I think maybe peach ones - I tried a sip of the pomegranate

Then they brought some chips and salsa to the table.

And we also got two tacos each.

Up next was The Curious Cafe.

The tour guide noticed that Jason and I weren't drinking the alcoholic drinks so he called ahead and had them make mocktails just for us at this spot.

I don't know what it was but it was very good.

They have this giant 'apple' oven in here.

So of course we had pizza here and it was quite good.

We walked through this Japanese Garden that is right downtown and open daily to the public - it is so peaceful and serene in there.

The pond is full of koi fish and we were hoping we'd see them get fed but we just missed it.

So pretty.

You could come sit in here and enjoy your lunch or just relax or meditate - what a great spot to have.

Everyone checking out the koi fish.

There were a bunch of tiny little baby koi fish in the water.

There is this piano down on the walkway by the water that anyone is welcome to play and apparently Steve Tyler from Aerosmith was here one time and did an impromptu performance.

There was lots of activity out on the water, kayaks and sailboats and even parasailers.

There were public flower gardens and they were in full bloom.

A beach right downtown as well.

I liked the sunbather statues but it was hard to take a picture with those guys sitting there so we just snapped one quickly.

The flower pots here are brimming over with blooms - they are gigantic.

I'm not sure if this dolphin fountain/statue fits with down here but it's pretty.

We stopped at a place right by the water and had some gelato but we didn't take any pictures.

Then our last stop was BNA Brewing Co.

When you first walked in there was a bar area and a lounge area then it led to an upstairs area.

Check out that gorgeous chandelier.

The inside was humongous, this is looking back at the entrance we came in from the stairs to the second floor.

There was another bar upstairs.

There was even a bowling alley.

With what looked like really comfy seating.

Words of Wisdom.

We were all checking things out and taking pictures.

I like the industrial feel mixed with the old world feel.

Some very Instagram-able decor.

I like the old pictures and the mix of frames.

Back downstairs we were able to each chose the kind of beer we wanted to try.

I just picked something random - I gave mine a taste but didn't like it which wasn't surprising - I've never liked the taste of beer.

This wall had the lyrics to a song on it which looked really cool.

Kody and Haylee - it was their first time on a food tour and they both really enjoyed it (Crystal too).

There was a small kitchen with a very limited menu.

We had sliders there - our tour guide is just brining them to us here.

There were just a couple bites big but they were good.

We had hoped we could do a little exploring in Kelowna before heading back but it was after 2 pm by then and we knew the kids would be getting restless and likely asking for us so we just headed straight back to Vernon.

We were right - Rita said Freya was asking every couple minutes when we would be back.

So as soon as we got back, we got packed up and we all went to the beach.

There was one about a 15 minute drive from the house, Lake Kalamalka.

It was later in the day so we didn't have trouble finding parking.

It was a nice sandy beach and there were lots of people there but it didn't feel too crowded or anything.

The water was gorgeously warm and we went right in.

Eden was having fun splashing around in the water.

Jason pumped up my paddle board so I could take it out for my inaugural ride.

Everyone tried it out and I got Kody to hold it for me while I stood up on it and I was able to stay standing on it and paddle around a bit.

I was so proud of myself.

I had to get him to hold it while I got back off too but still - I never thought I'd be able to stay standing on it my first try so I'm proud of myself.