About Go Kelowna

GoKelowna is your independent local guide to the Central Okanagan. We live here, and we created this guide to share our love for the communities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country. We're not a franchise or a big corporation; we're a small team dedicated to providing honest, useful information for locals and visitors alike. Think of us as that friend you call for a recommendation, the one who knows the best spot for tacos in Rutland and the quietest trail in Lake Country.

Our guide includes a directory of local businesses, in-depth articles about things to do, and tips for making the most of every Okanagan season. Whether you're planning a summer day on Okanagan Lake or a winter weekend at Big White, we've got you covered. We believe in supporting local, and our goal is to make it easy for you to do the same. From the vineyards of the Westside Wine Trail to the shops in Pandosy Village, we're here to help you discover the places that make our region special.

And then there's Nessie. Inspired by the local legend of the Ogopogo, the sacred lake spirit of the syilx/Okanagan people known as n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ, Nessie is our AI local guide. Ask Nessie a question, and you'll get a personalized recommendation based on our verified listings and local knowledge. It's a modern nod to a timeless story, designed to make your Okanagan adventure even better.

Our most important promise is editorial independence. We never accept payment for a place to be included in our editorial guides or ranked higher in a list. Our recommendations are based on our own experiences, extensive research, and the reviews of real locals. If we say a place is great, it's because we genuinely believe it. This ensures that you're getting authentic advice, not just a paid advertisement.

Every business or place listed in our directory is verified by our team. First, we confirm that the business is real and currently open. We check their address, phone number, and website to make sure everything is up-to-date. This might seem basic, but it's a crucial step to make sure you don't show up to a closed restaurant or a shop that's moved. We use a combination of online tools and old-fashioned phone calls to keep our listings accurate.

We also prioritize places that have a strong local reputation. We read reviews from multiple sources and listen to what people in the community are saying. A business doesn't need to be the biggest or the fanciest to be featured, but it does need to be loved by locals. From a family-run farm stand in Southeast Kelowna to a new brewery in the North End, we look for the places that contribute to the unique character of the Okanagan.

Local tips

• Look for the 'Verified by GoKelowna' note on our listings.
• Our guides are updated weekly to reflect seasonal changes and new openings.
• We prioritize businesses with positive, recent reviews from local customers.

Get the best of the Okanagan delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning with the GoKelowna Weekly. Our newsletter is your inside track on what's happening in and around Kelowna. We feature the best upcoming events, from the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market to concerts and festivals. It's the easiest way to plan your weekend, whether you're looking for a family-friendly activity or a night out.

Each week, we also share a new discovery—a hidden gem we think you'll love. It could be a new hiking trail in Rose Valley Regional Park, a fantastic coffee shop in the Lower Mission, or a must-try dish at a restaurant in West Kelowna. These are personal recommendations from our team, complete with all the details you need to check them out for yourself. We also include seasonal tips, like the best beaches for avoiding the summer crowds or where to go for the best winter views.

Signing up is easy and free. Just enter your email on our website, and you'll be on the list. We respect your privacy and will never share your information. And of course, you can unsubscribe at any time. Join our community of Okanagan explorers and never miss out on the best our region has to offer.

If you're a local business in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, or Lake Country, we want to hear from you. You can add or update your business information in our directory for free. Simply visit our 'Submit a Listing' page and provide your details. We'll review and verify your submission to ensure it meets our guidelines. Having an accurate and up-to-date listing is the first step to getting discovered by our readers.

Want to be featured in one of our editorial guides? The best way is to keep doing what you're doing: providing a great product or service. Our team is always on the lookout for standout local businesses. While there's no direct application to be featured, making sure your online presence is strong—with accurate information and positive reviews—helps us find you. We make our editorial decisions independently and never accept payment for features.

For businesses looking for more visibility, we do offer advertising opportunities that are always clearly marked as 'Sponsored Content' or 'Advertisement'. This allows us to keep our editorial content independent while offering a way for local businesses to reach our engaged audience. If you're interested in learning more about our advertising packages, please visit our 'Advertise With Us' page for details and to contact our sales team.

Local tips

• Check your current listing for accuracy using our search bar.
• Encourage your customers to leave reviews on platforms we consult.
• Contact us about sponsored content opportunities for guaranteed placement.

See something that's not quite right? We count on our community to help us keep GoKelowna as accurate as possible. If you notice a business has closed, moved, or changed its hours, please let us know. You can send us a correction through the 'Suggest an Edit' link on every listing page or by using our main contact form. We review every submission and will update the guide accordingly. Your feedback is invaluable in keeping our information fresh and reliable.

Have a hot tip for a new place we should check out? We'd love to hear it. Whether it's a new food truck, a cool little shop in the Landmark District, or a great new trail you've discovered, send it our way. We can't promise to feature every suggestion, but we do read every single one. Your tips help us discover the hidden gems that make the Okanagan so special. Please include as much detail as possible, like the name, address, and why you think it's great.

We're a small team, but we're passionate about getting it right. Every correction and tip helps us make GoKelowna a better resource for everyone. Thank you for being a part of our community and for helping us share the best of the Central Okanagan.

Have a question, a comment, or just want to say hello? We'd love to hear from you. The best way to reach us for general inquiries is by using the contact form on our website. This ensures your message gets to the right person on our team, whether it's an editorial question, a business inquiry, or a technical issue with the site. We do our best to respond to all messages within two business days.

For specific inquiries, you can also reach out to us directly. Our editorial team can be contacted at editor@gokelowna.example.com for story ideas and feedback. For advertising inquiries, please email our sales team at advertising@gokelowna.example.com. If you need to submit or correct a business listing, please use the dedicated forms on our site for the fastest service.

While we don't have a public office, our team is based right here in Kelowna. We're your neighbours, and we're passionate about building a useful and trusted local resource. Your feedback helps us grow and improve, so please don't hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!