The South Okanagan is known for its wine country, with rolling vineyards, award-winning wineries and sun-soaked tasting patios putting Osoyoos and Oliver on the map. But beyond the vines lies another story rooted in generations of growers, producers and family-run farms that have shaped the region's taste of place long before the first bottle was poured.
Over two days, we followed the South Okanagan Farm Trail through roadside fruit stands, orchards, working farms and local markets. One thing quickly became clear: family is at the heart of everything here. Many farms have been passed down through generations, with neighbours supporting neighbours and growers proudly sharing the fruits and vegetables nurtured under the South Okanagan sun.
There's something magical about meeting the people behind your food, hearing their stories and tasting produce just moments from where it was grown. Every stop along the trail celebrates the region's agricultural roots and reminds visitors that the true flavour of the South Okanagan starts with the people who grow it.
Day 1
Fuel Up Before the Farm Trail at JoyCraft Roasters
8141 Main St Unit 101, Osoyoos, BC
Before setting off on your farm-hopping adventure, make your first stop at JoyCraft Roasters. This welcoming café has quickly become a favourite among locals, serving some of the creamiest lattes in town alongside pastries and baked treats worth making a special trip for.
Don't leave without trying the irresistibly gooey peanut butter and jam-filled cookie. It's soft, rich and perfectly paired with one of their handcrafted espresso drinks.
With summer temperatures regularly climbing in Osoyoos, we highly recommend ordering your coffee iced. Grab your drink, slather on the sunscreen and get ready to explore one of Canada's warmest regions with a smile.
Danny's East Bench Fruit Market
If you're looking for your first taste of the South Okanagan harvest, Danny's East Bench Fruit Market is the perfect place to begin. This family-operated market overflows with seasonal favourites, from juicy cherries and sweet strawberries to plump blueberries that practically beg to be eaten by the handful.
While many of the fruits and vegetables come straight from their own fields, Danny's also proudly supports neighbouring growers by stocking produce from other small local farms throughout the region. The result is a market that celebrates the incredible diversity of the South Okanagan harvest while supporting the farming community that makes it all possible.
Build yourself the ultimate roadside snack because you'll want fresh fruit for your next stop.
Anarchist Mountain Lookout
Just a short drive from Osoyoos, Anarchist Mountain Lookout rewards visitors with one of the most breathtaking panoramas in the South Okanagan. Sitting 685 metres (2,247 feet) above sea level, the viewpoint overlooks Osoyoos Lake, the surrounding vineyards and orchards, while offering sweeping views south toward Oroville, Washington.
There's no better place to enjoy the fruit you just picked up from Danny's than perched above the valley where it was grown. Watching the patchwork of orchards spread across the landscape gives you a whole new appreciation for the growers who call this remarkable region home.
The road to the lookout is steep and winding, so take your time on the drive up and down. Drive carefully, enjoy the scenery and save your sightseeing for the designated pull-offs where you can safely soak in the spectacular views.
Osoyoos Fruit Basket
9910 Crowsnest Hwy, Osoyoos, BC
Established in 2010, Osoyoos Fruit Basket has grown into one of the area's favourite roadside stops for fresh fruit and produce. This family-run farm market is a true labour of love, operated by a close-knit family where everyone pitches in. During our visit, we met the brother and daughter duo working alongside their parents, harvesting fruit and welcoming visitors with genuine South Okanagan hospitality.
While the market is stocked with an abundance of seasonal produce, it was the cherries that stole the show. We were invited on a tour through the orchard, where we learned how to spot perfectly ripe cherries and the proper way to pick them straight from the tree.
There's something unforgettable about tasting fruit exactly where it was grown. Warm from the afternoon sun, each cherry burst with sweetness and an incredible depth of flavour that simply can't be replicated once it's travelled beyond the orchard. It was a reminder that some of the best culinary experiences aren't found in restaurants; they're found standing among the trees, and meeting the people who dedicate their lives to growing exceptional food.
Lunch at Sofia Mexican Food
9910 Crowsnest Hwy, Osoyoos, BC
Tucked beside Osoyoos Fruit Basket, Sofia Mexican Food is proof that the South Okanagan's taste of place is shaped not only by its farms, but by the diverse cultures and people who call the region home.
Using fresh produce sourced from the Osoyoos fruit basket, Sofia blends authentic Mexican flavours with the bounty of the South Okanagan, creating dishes that celebrate both tradition and local agriculture. We enjoyed the mouthwatering fish taco and rich, flavourful beef birria tacos! Each showcases just how beautifully local ingredients can be transformed into authentic, memorable meals.
It's these unexpected moments that define the South Okanagan. Between the orchards and vineyards, you'll discover passionate chefs and entrepreneurs who are weaving their own cultural heritage into the region's food story, proving that a destination's taste of place is always evolving while remaining deeply connected to the land that sustains it.
Kailay Fruit Market
8800 Meadowlark Dr, Osoyoos, BC
Just across the road from our last stop, Kailay Fruit Market is another family-run gem showcasing the incredible bounty of the South Okanagan. Overflowing with seasonal fruits and vegetables, it's the kind of roadside stand that invites you to slow down, browse, and inevitably leave with more than you planned.
During our visit, we sampled some beautifully sweet Rainier cherries, their golden-yellow skin blushed with red and bursting with juicy flavour. It's another reminder of just how special cherry season is in the South Okanagan.
Beyond the fresh produce, we loved seeing the shelves filled with products from other local makers. From golden local honey and handcrafted artisan candles to an assortment of regional goods, Kailay celebrates not only its own harvest but the wider community of growers, producers, and artisans that make this region so unique. It's the perfect stop to pick up a few edible souvenirs while supporting local businesses along the way.
Peach Hill Farm Market
9105 Okanagan Hwy, Osoyoos, BC
Family is at the heart of the South Okanagan Farm Trail, and Peach Hill Farm Market was another wonderful reminder of that. We loved meeting so many incredible families who are genuinely passionate about what they do and proud to share the harvest with visitors.
Walking up to Peach Hill, we immediately noticed a shift in pace. There was something about the cherry trees providing shade from the warm South Okanagan sun, the farm dog napping beneath them, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of fresh cherries, and the hazy view of neighbouring orchards and vineyards being tended to by hardworking growers. There's a rhythm here that makes you feel completely at home.
Inside the market, we were greeted by an abundance of fresh, local produce, including asparagus, strawberries, and freshly picked cherries. Just outside, peach trees were heavy with fruit, almost ready for harvest, offering a glimpse of what will soon become the next seasonal highlight of the South Okanagan.
Van Kalkeren Orchards
Before wrapping up your day with dinner, make one last stop at Van Kalkeren Orchards. This family-run orchard has been at the heart of the Osoyoos farming community for more than 50 years, continuing a legacy that began over 70 years ago with Pam's grandparents. Today, Teunis and Pam proudly operate the orchard where they raised their family and now welcome a new generation of grandchildren.
The market is filled with fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, but it's the little extras that make this stop memorable. Pick up one of their frozen fruit pies to enjoy later or cool off with a scoop of ice cream before heading to dinner.
We also couldn't resist sending up the drone, where we discovered a hidden surprise: a vibrant rooftop mural by Canadian artist Mavik Robinson. While this piece can only truly be appreciated from above, it's just one of many of Mavik's colourful murals scattered throughout the South Okanagan, adding another layer of creativity and local character to the region. It was the perfect sweet ending to a day spent exploring the South Okanagan Farm Trail before settling in for an evening meal.
Check In & Dinner at 15 Park Bistro at Watermark Beach Resort
After a full day exploring orchards, farm stands, and meeting the growers behind the South Okanagan's harvest, there was no better way to end the day than checking into the Watermark Beach Resort and settling in for dinner at 15 Park Bistro.
We kicked off the evening with the Chocolate Banoffee Espresso Martini, a rich and indulgent cocktail that was the perfect treat after a day in the sun. For our mains, the fall-off-the-bone braised lamb shank was an easy standout, served with herb tabbouleh couscous, pistachios, crispy shallots, and a mini mustard jus that tied every bite together beautifully.
We also couldn't resist ordering the fluffy bao buns, generously stuffed with slow-cooked pork belly that practically melted in our mouths.
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. The white chocolate yogurt and raspberry panna cotta was light, refreshing, and exactly what we needed to cool down after the day's warm temperatures, while the decadent salted caramel cheesecake was the perfect sweet finale.
Executive Chef S.J. Lee and his team delivered a memorable dining experience that beautifully showcased thoughtful flavours and warm hospitality, making it the perfect ending to our first day on the South Okanagan Farm Trail.
Day 2
Nature's Basket
Kicking off our second day in Oliver, we stopped at Nature's Basket, where owner Beanjit Chahal welcomed us with an exclusive tour of their impressive new tomato-growing facility. It was a fascinating look behind the scenes at the care and innovation that goes into producing fresh, local food in the South Okanagan.
Back at the market, we sampled juicy apricots, sweet cherries, and perfectly ripe plums, each showcasing the incredible flavours of the season. To make enjoying the region's harvest even easier, Nature's Basket also offers curated fruit boxes filled with seasonal favourites, making it simple to take home a taste of the South Okanagan or pick up the perfect road trip snack.
Sunkeya Farm Alpacas
1264 Green Lake Rd, Oliver, BC
After a morning of fruit stands and orchards, we traded cherries for crias with a visit to Sunkeya Farm Alpacas, and we're so glad we did. Tucked away just outside Oliver, this family-run farm offers a chance to slow down, meet some incredibly gentle alpacas and learn about a side of agriculture you may not have experienced before.
Our tour started with a warm welcome from the resident Golden Retrievers, Koach and Keyla, before we wandered through the farm, hand-feeding the alpacas and getting to know their curious personalities. We also learned about their incredibly soft fibre, making every moment equal parts educational and fun.
Before heading out, don't skip the farm store. We couldn't leave without picking up their Soap in an Alpaca Coat, a handcrafted bar of soap wrapped in alpaca fibre, along with a set of alpaca dryer balls to bring a little piece of the farm home with us.
It's these unexpected stops that make the South Okanagan Farm Trail so special. Between the orchards, vineyards, and family farms, you'll discover experiences that connect you with the people, animals, and stories that make this region unlike anywhere else.
Dhaliwal's Sunview Market
Our next stop brought us to Dhaliwal's Sunview Market, another family-run market bursting with the flavours of the South Okanagan. With rows of fresh produce, it was hard to know where to begin. Sweet cherries, raspberries, strawberries, fragrant garlic, and vibrant summer squash filled the shelves, showcasing the incredible diversity of the region's harvest.
One thing we quickly noticed was just how much there was to explore. This is one of the larger farm markets along the trail, offering an impressive variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and local products. And if the South Okanagan sun starts to catch up with you, there's an ice cream shop tucked into the corner, making it the perfect excuse to cool down before continuing your farm trail adventure.
Amazia Farm
We wrapped up our South Okanagan Farm Trail adventure with a visit to Amazia Farm, an organic no-till farm that's growing more than just incredible produce. Owner Michael Kosaka shared his passion for farming in a way that works with nature, not against it, using no-till practices that build healthier soil, reduce water loss, and create a more resilient future for agriculture.
Walking through the farm, it was inspiring to hear how every decision is made with the long-term health of the land in mind. Rather than disturbing the soil each season, Michael focuses on creating thriving ecosystems beneath the surface, producing vibrant fruits and vegetables while caring for the environment for generations to come.
The excitement doesn't stop there. Amazia Farm is expanding to a nearby property, where visitors will soon be able to enjoy a brand-new farm stand and coffee shop, creating another welcoming space to connect with the people and produce that make the South Okanagan so special.
It felt like the perfect final stop. After two days of meeting passionate growers and exploring family farms, Amazia Farm reminded us that the future of the South Okanagan is just as exciting as its rich agricultural past.
It’s your turn to explore the South Okanagan Farm Trail
The South Okanagan Farm Trail is more than a road trip; it's an invitation to meet the people behind the region's harvest. Every stop tells a story, from multi-generational orchards and bustling farm markets to innovative growers shaping the future of agriculture.
If you're looking to experience the South Okanagan beyond the wineries, follow the farm trail, fill your cooler with the season's freshest produce, and discover the people who make this region so special.
Ready to plan your own adventure? Visit the official South Okanagan Farm Trail website here and start exploring.
