Oliver. Your South Okanagan Four Season Playground.

Your South Okanagan Four Season Playground

With a panoramic view of the Okanagan Valley and the Town of Oliver, Casa Rio is the hub of a vibrant and dynamic community.

The downtown core is only a brief walk from Casa Rio, and the community centre and recreation complex -- including athletic fields, curling rink, outdoor pool, and arena -- sits across the street, tucked beside South Okanagan General Hospital.

When you live in the Jewel of the South Okanagan, this is not all that will be in your own back yard.

In 1921, British Columbia Premier "Honest" John Oliver established this agricultural community, as a settlement for veterans of World War I. An irrigation canal transformed the desert -- Oliver sits at the northern tip of the Sonora, Canada's only desert ecosystem -- into prime growing land.

This southern part of the Okanagan Valley balances fruit trees and grape vines, with resort and sporting activities enjoyed, year round, by its residents and tourists.

The renowned orchards produce apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, pears and plums. Visitors to the area can expect to find a cornucopia of top quality fruit and vegetables at the farm-gate produce stands that line the highway and country roads.

In 2001, Oliver declared itself the Wine Capital of Canada, and for good reason. Fourteen local wineries and 3,000 acres of wine grapes combine with wine-making expertise, winning growers and wine makers annual accolades. October's Festival of the Grape tops off the season, with cheers to family and friends.

There is no chance of becoming bored in this vibrant community. Each year, the Festival of the Tomato brings families together at Covert Family Farms, to celebrate the harvest. Special events, festivals, recreation and entertainment opportunities abound in the region.

Hot summers and mild winters offer the perfect climate for every taste, and the right season for every activity. From the antelope-brush desert land, to the mountain lakes and rivers, there is no limit to outdoor adventures. Hike for hours to reach the top of McIntyre bluff for a bird's eye view of the valley, or casually stroll along the 18.4 kilometer hike and bike trail that meanders along the Okanagan River.

Wildlife observation, fishing, hiking and an array of sports and other lifestyle choices abound, all close to home. A short drive to Apex Mountain Ski Resort, or Oliver's own Mount Baldy, expands the recreation to all four seasons.

Looking to golf? Nk'Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course and Fairview Mountain Golf Club both offer 18-hole championship courses, complete with pro-shops and clubhouses.

Oliver. The Jewel of the South Okanagan.

Other Oliver Attractions

Oliver and District's Parks and Recreation department delivers a range of affordable seasonal programs for all ages.

For the anglers, a short drive north to Vaseaux Lake -- or any of the local mountain lakes -- might net a large or small mouth bass, kokanee or rainbow trout.

Walkers, hikers, and cyclists will enjoy the easy access to numerous interesting, and beautiful trails that loop, cross, and skirt through the valley, the benches and the hillsides of Oliver.

The sands of Rotary Beach on Tuc-el-Nuit Lake in Oliver offer a pleasant place to sit in the sun, or cool off in the lake.

Local stables offer trail rides for all abilities.

Outdoor enthusiasts particularly enjoy the mild winters of the Okanagan Valley. Whether its skiing, skating, snowmobiling or tobogganing, you'll find it in Oliver.

If prefer your winter sports indoors, the curling rink and hockey arena will help you keep you cool.

No matter what the season, after you have worked up an appetite, Oliver has a great selection of restaurants to match the tastes of every patron and their pocketbook.