Fuel Free…Almost
The best things in life are free.
In Penticton, the best things in life are possible because they’re free from the constraints and dependence on fuel. Fuel Free…Almost is our unique way to promote responsible, sustainable travel, by visiting Penticton without fuel and choosing local options for dining, wine and more. Penticton brings freedom from fumes, from pollution, from gridlock, from parking and from gas money. By removing all of those stressors, we have the opportunity to create the freedom of possibility; the freedom from fuel brings freedom to explore, to discover, to indulge, responsibly. It gives us the opportunity to connect more with our natural environment.
Driving in an unfamiliar (or even familiar) place means passing by some off-the-beaten-path gems and gravitating toward what looks familiar, and safe. We’re inspiring people to park the car and wander the streets; to pop into a boutique store, a tucked away cafe, and a lakefront patio. The freedom to explore is a freedom to discover the gems that are typically enjoyed by locals only.
Fuel Free…Almost encourages you to take time to focus on your personal health and wellness by exploring Penticton’s active lifestyle, fresh air and wide open spaces. Be kind both to yourself and the environment. Engage your senses, relax your mind, and rediscover more of yourself, while discovering all that Penticton has to offer.
If the best things in life are free, the best feeling is freedom.
By Foot
The natural landscape surrounding the City of Penticton has fostered a cozy community feel with all the amenities of a larger metropolis. With less than 7 km between the north and south end of the city, you’ll find yourself just steps away from world-class culinary and cultural experiences as well as numerous outdoor activities.
Walk around the downtown core of Penticton, visiting art galleries, cafes, local shops and more, take a stroll along the boardwalk of Skaha Lake or Okanagan Lake, or hike up Munson Mountain above the iconic PENTICTON sign, or check out some other hiking and walking trail options. Use the Flavour Trail‘s downtown arts culinary trail itinerary, which includes arts and culture stops mixed in with fresh, delicious food and drinks. Other fun options include playing a round of golf, lawn bowling, disc golf, or rock climbing at one of North America’s top climbing destinations, Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park. In the winter, lace up your skates and enjoy a skate at the Penticton Outdoor Public Skating Rink, located right downtown, or rent some snowshoes and explore.
By Pedal
Penticton is surrounded by a wide range of responsibly maintained road cycling routes and bike trails.
The 45 km loop around Skaha Lake and the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail both offer incredible vistas and panoramic lake views. The KVR trail heading north to Naramata offers plenty of winery or lunch options and lookout stops along the way. Follow our Naramata Bench culinary trail, which combines outdoor adventure with a focus on our local spirits and craft distilleries. In town, we have the lake-to-lake bike route, providing a safe route through town to ride from one lake to other. For the more adventurous rider Three Blind Mice and Campbell Mountain offer some of the best singletrack mountain biking terrain in BC.
If you don’t have your own bike or are unable to bring it on you travels, then just stop into one of our local bike shops or bike rental locations to pick up a bicycle or e-bike and start exploring, with fat bikes available for rent in the winter. No matter what type of biking you enjoy, whether it’s road, mountain or leisure cycling, you’ll work up an appetite for a flavourful, local meal.
By Paddle
Penticton is one of only two cities in the world situated between two lakes. The fresh waters of Okanagan & Skaha Lakes are ideal for a variety of Fuel Free water activities whether it’s taking a cooling swim, exploring the coves by kayak or catching air on a kiteboard.
Rent a SUP or kayak and take in the beautiful views and Okanagan sunshine out on the water. A 7 km long river channel connects the two lakes and locals and visitors love nothing more than to grab a floatie and spend an afternoon lazily drifting through the city as they float the Penticton Channel. When the weather cools down a bit too much for a dip in the lake but you still want to get in the water, then check out the Penticton Community Centre, with a lap pool, leisure pool featuring a lazy river and spray features, a waterslide, and large whirlpool.
…Almost
We know that you have to get to Penticton first, which will require driving or flying. Those going Fuel Free and driving here in a electric vehicle will be able to easily reach us. We are just a 4 hour drive from Vancouver, with electric vehicle charging stations along Highways 1, 3, 5 and 97, or an 8 hour drive from Calgary, with electric vehicle charging stations along Highways 1, 97 and 97A.
Some experiences around Penticton will still require the use of a vehicle as well, and we have a number of local operators to do the driving for you! Wine touring operators, outdoor adventure shuttle services and local transportation operations can help you get you where you need to go. Our Penticton Transit is another option for getting around, with a modern fleet of low floor transit buses that are fully accessible. All Penticton buses are equipped with bike racks that can carry up to two bicycles at a time.
Check out all the ways to play in Penticton here.
Community Partners
Based in Penticton, BC, Swagman is the leading brand of value-added bicycle racks and outdoor-oriented sporting products.