If its July, Its time to Beach



We've just gone through a patch of very hot weather here in Vernon with temperatures from July 8 to 18 spiking to 30 degrees or above, the hottest day being July 13 at 38.6 degrees   And after a few days of cool and blustery weather, a torrential rain storm to douse the wild fires, the thermometer is climbing again! 
The average daily high in July is 28 degrees C (82 F) and the average low is 13 degrees C (55 F), which is ideal for summer activities: Cool fresh mornings, warm afternoons and wonderfully comfortable evenings, ideal for outdoor  barbeques and gatherings.  But when the mercury soars well above 30 the best reprieve, other than a long siesta, is to chill out at one of the local beaches. And with  two large lakes bordering Vernon, there are a few beaches to choose from.



Early morning stand-up paddlers on Kal Beach

Probably the best known public beach is Kalamalka Beach, called "Kal" Beach by the locals.  Located at the north end of Kalamalka Lake this the beach that travellers can see from Highway 97 as they gaze down on the bluish-green hues of Kal Lake.  It is a wide strip of sand with a long dock stretching out into the lake and is  a favourite spot for  families and teens keen on sun and sand.  There is a concession stand, washrooms, ample parking, a pub, a general store and a surf store close by.

 Early in the day, when the water is still, stand-up paddle-boarders of various ages and abilities paddle out from the beach.  As the sun gets warmer the beach fills with coolers and umbrellas and the water fills with swimmers and water toys.


Kal Beach on a sunny July afternoon



Playground at Kirkland Beach

If you turn right on Kalavista Drive, just after Alexander's Pub, meander along past some palatial lake front homes,  then turn onto Kirkland Drive, you will find a quiet little gem, Kirkland Beach.  A playground and lush lawn lead down to a small clean beach with a slice of swimming space marked off by buoys.

 



Kirkland Beach

 

South, along the east side of Kal Lake and the end of Kidston Road, is Kalamalka Provincial Park, a great area for hiking and mountain biking. Here there are two great little beaches.  Jade Beach, a long skinny strip of pebbly beach is off the right of the main pathway, about 200 metres from the parking lot.  Juniper Beach, an expanse of green lawn rolling down to two pockets of sand, is farther down the paved pathway.

Juniper Bay Beach

Resident Marmot at Juniper Bay

There are information signs about the natural flora and fauna mounted on the grassy knoll.  The curious resident marmots may scurry by while you relax under the trees.  On rare occurrences you might spy a bear or a rattle snake in the natural areas of the park, a reminder that you are on the edge of a wilderness area.



Another public beach about half way between Kal Beach and Kal Provincial Park is Sovereign Park which is named after a prominent local family who owned the property.

Sovereign Park Beach on a hot afternoon

  Between the paved parking lot directly off Kidston Road and the shaded beach, is a large area of lush lawn dotted with picnic tables.  There is a restroom/change room with an outside shower and handicapped parking closer to the beach.  As you amble toward the beach you pass the old Sovereign home, surrounded by huge oak trees with the magnificent Mackie house behind.



Old Sovereign Home shaded by Oak Trees

 One can imagine what life might have been like many years ago for the residents of these stately homes.



 This is my favourite beach for a good swim.

Morning Swim at Sovereign Beach

About 4 km west  from downtown Vernon, via Okanagan (OK) Landing Road (25 Ave), is Lake Okanagan, the largest lake in the valley which stretches from Penticton in the south to Vernon.  Kin Beach, on the northeast side of the east arm of the lake, is a large park accessed by turning right  off OK Landing Road at Tronson Road or Lakeshore Road.  The grassy park is well shaded by huge trees.  There are washrooms/change rooms and a modern playground.  The beach is sandy with pebbly areas.  Buoys keep the boats out of the swimming area.

Kin Beach, cool on a hot afternoon

 This is a great place to be on a hot afternoon as there is usually a cool breeze off the lake and plenty of room to lounge under the trees.

Paddle Wheel Park community Centre and Museum

Paddle Wheel Park is a kilometer or so farther along OK Landing Road along the east side of the lake.  This is the original site of the former steam boat port where grand paddlewheel boats were constructed in the early 1900's to transport freight and passengers up and down Okanagan Lake.  Here was the terminus of the railroad and the original CPR Stationhouse is one wing of the rebuilt community hall which now houses the OK Landing Museum (open daily and free to the public).

Paddlewheel Park and Beach

Beside the community hall is a large green area with a new playground and restrooms/change rooms.
The beach is popular with families.









Near the end of Eastside Road (a continuation of OK Landing Road) is Ellison Provincial Park.  It boasts two of the most picturesque beaches in the valley.  Set among rocky outcrops that are popular for sun bathers, the clean smooth pebbled beaches are a great place for a cool dip.



South Bay Beach at Ellison Park

Besides these main beaches, there are many little secluded beach access areas that can be used by the public.  A comprehensive list of these can be found at  www.vernonbeaches.com . Although comprehensive, I can not vouch for its current accuracy.