Kelowna is located on the shores of Okanagan Lake between Penticton and Vernon, 80 miles (128 kilometers) north of the US border. The name Kelowna is a corruption of an indigenous word for grizzly bear. The history of Europeans in the area dates back to the fur brigades in the 19th century. Father Pandosy established a mission here in 1858. The apple trees he planted began one of the largest fruit-growing districts in Canada.

The Civic Centre complex, located in downtown Kelowna, includes government buildings, community theater, a curling rink, regional library, and centennial museum. The city also has 31 parks, seven on the lakeshore. Among the facilities in these parks are soccer fields, lawn-bowling greens, and tennis courts.

Kelowna is a playground at almost any time of year. Water sports, golf, cricket, curling, baseball, and skiing are only a few of the sports played in the area. The winter highlight is the annual Snowfest.