July 4, 2024 was officially 3 years of owning/operating "A Taste Of Kelowna Food Tours", so thank you for following along if you've made it this far :)
I'm just a one man show, and being born and raised here on my Family's Orchard it means the world to me that I'm able to show you some of the best spots this area has to offer.
I'm loving this year more than ever, and I'm still enjoying showing my extraordinary guests all my favourite local places.
A quick shout out to two of my Vendors! Sprout Bread won Best Bakery in Kelowna back-to-back years, and El Taquero won Best Mexican back-to-back years as well! I'm more than honoured they find time for us on every tour!
"What's In The Blog?"
June Video Update
Summer Update
Local Hike(s)
What's Up Andrew?
1 - June Video Update:
While we are thankful for no fires so far this year, it was a bit of a damp Spring so thank you to those who came out and tested my Umbrellas!
We made the best of the sunny days we had, and if you're dreaming about living and eating like a local in the Okanagan this video is for you :)
2 - Summer Update:
I am open from Monday-Saturday until Christmas time. Right now all us locals are hoping we get some rain this summer to keep the forest fires at bay. Thank you to all my returning guests from last year, and to future ones there is lots of food and drink on my tour so not to worry!
Hopefully see some of you this summer :)
3 - My Favourite Local Hikes:
I like chasing waterfalls what can I say!
Only about 30 minutes from Downtown Kelowna is Fintry Park with its stunning views and waterfalls. Whether you want to wander for hours, or get a quick 1-2 hour cardio blast, this hike is for you. Easy to moderate level.
Fintry Park includes 360 hectares of the former Fintry Estate, a heritage site with a colourful history. From the delta area to a forested area made up of ridges and deep slopes, this park offers two dramatically different topographical areas. There is over 2km of waterfront with surrounding mountains and deep canyons. Shorts Creek passes through a deep canyon creating a series of waterfalls and deep pools. With almost two kilometres of waterfront property, the park has opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Recreational users can enjoy the natural sand beach while wildlife viewers can hike the Canyon trail and view a variety of birds, small mammals, deer, and bighorn sheep in the higher regions.
Historical features throughout the park include the Manor House, the octagonal barn and several other farm buildings. A small wetland area located south of the Packing House, a portion of lakeshore and the Shorts Creek corridor and canyon below Westside Road are designated special feature-natural conservation areas. Notable features within the zone include a large eagle’s nest, old growth cottonwoods, and several wildlife trees, Shorts Creek waterfall and kokanee spawning grounds. The Fintry Manor House, garden, the barns, remnant power generation, and irrigation systems are special heritage features.
Fintry Protected Area was established on April 18, 2001, to enhance the ecological viability of the existing park. This protected area protects important California bighorn sheep habitat and provides increased representation of the North Okanagan Basin ecosection by capturing an increased elevational gradient as well as providing a spectacular canyon and hiking and viewing opportunities.
Finally, about an 45 minute drive from Kelowna down to Lake Country you'll find the Wood Lake Loop. 17 kilometres of biking, or walking, around the lake my family grew up on! I went here the other day and biked around. Fruit Stands are open, Ice cream is flowing, the beaches are sandy, and the water is refreshing. I always tell guests to spend some time in Lake Country when visiting Kelowna!
4 - What's Up Andrew?:
Summer comes so quick here in the Okanagan, but nothing beats it! So far this year I've been to the Elvis Festival in Penticton! I'm serving at Denim On The Diamond here this year as well at the end of summer!
Until next time, I'll be eating and living like a local :)
Also, my friends at Lakeside Eco-Sports have created a new Bike Tour that takes you Gold Panning! Check them out to take part in that adventure while you're here!
This year has gone by too fast, so thank you again to everyone who supports me!
Yours In Food Tours,
Andrew Deans
Owner/Operator
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