Vernon (British Columbia)

Vernon is a city of about 45,000 people (2016) in the north end of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Vernon is known for its lakes and beaches in the summer, and skiing and hockey in the winter. It is therefore a year-round tourist destination and weekend getaway for people from Vancouver and Calgary.

History
The site of the city was discovered by the Okanagan people, a tribe of the Interior Salish people, who named the community Nintle Moos Chin, meaning "jumping over place where the creek narrows". This name refers to a section of the Swan Lake that passes through Downtown Vernon, the community's central business district. Some of these were part of the Okanagan Indian Band, a First Nations government part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. This name was followed by Priest's Valley, which serves as an Indian reserve, and its present name, in honour of Forbes George Vernon, a pioneer member part of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Yale. The Okanagan people settled around the city's two lakes, Okanagan Lake and Swan Lake, obtaining seasonal sources of food.

In 1811, fur traders began travelling around the area. After one of these, David Stuart, began working with the Pacific Fur Company, which was bought out by the North West Company; Luc Girouard became the first white settler. The North West Company was forced to merge with the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. A number of fur traders decided to camp in Vernon, which started to develop in 1863, following a gold discovery at the Cherry Creek, Monashee Mountains, Mission Creek and the east side of Okanagan Lake. After the development began, numerous ranches were constructed. Centreville, the community's original central business district, was formed in 1885. That same year, a post office, hotel, general store, and school house was constructed. A Hudson's Bay Company store was established in 1887, in a rough wooden structure. Historically a major economic hub destination in the Okanagan, Vernon was home to many cattle ranches and fruit orchard areas, attracting British families.

Vernon's growth accelerated beginning in 1891, after the Canadian Pacific Railway was opened. Fruit trees were planted in Vernon, which first grew by the early 1890s. In 1908, the Okanagan Mounted Rifles military program was formed in it, thus bringing a number of people to the area during World War I and World War II for lessons.

By car
Vernon is accessed from the north or south by Hwy 97. It is a 30-40 minute drive from Kelowna and just over an hour from Kamloops. Travel time from Vancouver (via Kamloops and the Coquihalla Hwy 5) is 4½-5 hours. Hwy 6 connects Vernon to Lumby, the Slocan Valley and Nelson to the east.

By plane
Vernon has a very small airport but no commercial flights. Kelowna International Airport is about 30 min to the south if Vernon, and has regular scheduled flights.

Get around
Vernon is quite spread out. Many of the restaurants and hotels are located close to the town center while the attractions are often at the edge of town. Having a car will be the most efficient way to get around and see the sights.

By public transit

 * Operates bus route 60 from Monday to Saturday that travels between Vernon and Enderby with stops in Armstrong. Travel time to Vernon from Enderby is about 65 minutes and from Armstrong is about 35 to 40 minutes. On Wednesdays, BC Transit (Shuswap Regional Transit System) operates bus route 41 between Enderby and Salmon Arm.
 * Operates bus route 90 multiple times daily between Vernon and Kelowna (51 min) with a stop along the way in Lake Country.
 * Operates bus route 90 multiple times daily between Vernon and Kelowna (51 min) with a stop along the way in Lake Country.

Do

 * Enjoy Kalamalka & Okanagan Lakes
 * Enjoy Kalamalka & Okanagan Lakes

Golfing






Buy

 * Lots of shopping including most of the big box stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy).
 * Lots of shopping including most of the big box stores (Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy).

Eat

 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")
 * Food Court at the Village Green Shopping Centre (see "Buy")

Go next

 * Head south on Hwy 97 to see the rest of the Okanagan including Kelowna and Penticton.
 * Head east on Hwy 6 to see the mountains and lakes of the West Kootenays, including Nakusp, New Denver and Nelson.
 * Head north on Hwy 97 to the 97A and 97B to see the Shuswap lakeside towns of Salmon Arm and Sicamous.