Oliver

Local industries include grape and fruit production, agri-tourism, wine production, ranching, golfing and recreation, retail and service trades. Some of the largest employers include Osoyoos Indian Band, School District #53, Interior Health and Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative
It was named after John Oliver (1856–1927), Premier of British Columbia. "Honest John" and his government brought irrigation water and settlement lots to the area with the South Okanagan Lands Project.

• Visit the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce or Visitor Centre today for more information.

History

The First Nations of the South Okanagan settled near the river, creeks and valley lakes. The first encroachment from the outside world came circa 1811, when fur traders came to the area with the establishment of Fort Okanagan (now in the US) and first explored the area for trade.
In the 1880s, free gold-bearing quartz was found at Camp McKinney (east of Oliver) which became a busy gold mine, attracting miners, con men, and outlaws. In Fairview (just west of and above Oliver), miners found gold and fueled the growth of a boomtown but it lasted just a few years and no remnants of the town survive today, other than a heritage marker.
Established in 1918, Oliver was a settlement for unemployed veterans of the First World War. A gravity-fed canal was constructed to provide irrigation to the semi-arid area.
On January 30, 1919, the South Okanagan Lands Project (SOLP) began work on the Intake Dam at the base of McIntyre Bluff. Over the next eight years the of the concrete-lined main canal were dug southward to the boundary. SOLP designed it to enable farmers to put nearly a foot of water per month on every acre of bottom land in the southern Valley. To get the canal from the east side of the valley to the benches on the west, the “big siphon”—now concrete, but originally a 1,940-foot (590 m)-long wood-stave pipe of six and a half-foot-diameter—was constructed. It runs directly beneath the centre of Oliver. The offices of the land project and the building that housed the BC Provincial Police built circa 1924 stand today in Oliver as preserved heritage sites.
In 1923 the Kettle Valley Railway (CPR) constructed Oliver station and rails to transport fruit north to Penticton.

By air

Oliver has a small airport; it is possible to fly directly in to town by private jet from a neighbouring city such as Penticton or Osoyoos.

By car

Highway 97 (a major highway through the Okanagan region) passes directly through the town.

Oliver is a relatively small town; most, if not all, of everything is within walking distance. Oliver has a private taxi company, but there is no public transportation system except for specialized bus services for seniors or people with disabilities.
The KVR trail (also referred to as the Hike & Bike path) makes its way to Osoyoos and up to OK Falls and Penticton; it is a scenic route along the Okanagan River. Most of the route is paved and well maintained, and even the unpaved (gravel) parts are well looked after with few holes and obstructions. This path is definitely faster, safer and more fun to travel on than the highway, if you plan to bike or walk to any of Oliver's neighbouring cities.

• Oliver & District Heritage Society Museum

  phone: +1 778-439-3100
  address: 474 School Avenue, Oliver BC

Make sure to visit some of the many world-class wineries while in Oliver. Oliver is home to the Golden Mile, and some of the valley's best grapes are grown here.
Across the valley from the Golden Mile is the Black Sage bench, which is home to some of the valley's most acclaimed wineries. It is renowned for its easterly position, heat, and long summer sun exposure, allowing for the production of high-quality red wines. Not all wineries in the area focus on "big red" wines, however. The Black Sage region of the South Okanagan is definitely a worthwhile area to tour during a stay in Oliver.

• Oliver Theatre

  phone: +1 250-498-2277
  address: 36092 97th St.
  historic, to take in a modern day flick on a big, old-time screen with old-time prices

• Sundance Video

  phone: +1 250-498-6560
  address: 36023 97 Street
  enjoy it on your own terms

Oliver is home to many unique specialty shops, the likes of which span subjects as diverse as crafts, aesthetics, jewellery and video rental. In the town's core there is a mall, a friendly and informative Visitor Centre, and numerous restaurants to fill your bags, quench your thirst and satiate your hunger.

• Beyond Bliss Boutique

  phone: +1 250-498-6898
  address: 35672-97th St.
  pick up some jewellery for that extra lustre, or get yourself beautified by one of their many aesthetics treatments.

• Quail's Nest Art Gallery

  phone: +1 250-485-0088
  address: 34274-95th St.
  to experience first-hand the contemporary rustic-modern fusion that defines Oliver's artistic ambience.

• Shores Sculpture & Design

  phone: +1 250-498-4414
  address: 11103-354th Ave.
  to experience first-hand the contemporary rustic-modern fusion that defines Oliver's artistic ambience.

• Stoneboat Vineyards

  phone: +1 250 498-2226
  address: 7148 Orchard Grove Lane
  is a family owned and operated estate winery that focuses on premium Pinot varietals as well as Pinotage, a robust red varietal that is relatively unique in Canada. The Martiniuk family has been growing grapes in the Okanagan since the 1990s.

Budget

• A&W

  address: 34651 Highway 97

• Tim Horton's

  address: 150 34017 Hwy 97

• Subway

  address: 35609 97th Street

• Buy Low Deli

• Yum Yum's Pizza & Bistro

  address: 35833 97th Street

• Pizza 97

  address: 34634 97 Street

• Almerio's Pizza

  address: 5-34836 97th Street

• Canteloupe Annie's Deli

  address: 34845 97th Street
  Enjoy homemade sandwiches, salads, and soups. They also have a great breakfast.

• Cock & Bull Cappuccino Bar

  address: 34849 97th Street
  They have nice desserts as well as great sandwiches and daily specials.

• Medici's Gelateria9932 - 350 Ave This place serves up traditional gelato, sorrbetp, paninis, and an assortment of gourmet coffees.

• Mr. Spud Fry Truck

  address: 34674 97 Street
  The fries are made from fresh cut potatoes and fried once you've ordered.

• Oliver's Bakery & Deli

  address: 34830 97 Street
  The best donuts in town, they also have sandwiches and coffee.

• Sunshine Cafe34882 Hwy 97 Enjoy a cup of coffee in a nice, quiet, and relaxing atmosphere.

Mid-range

• Asia Buffet

  address: 35640 97th Street
  A lunch and dinner smorgasbord serving Chinese and Canadian cuisine.

• Oliver Garden

  address: 35617 97 Street
  Chinese.

• Sizzling Rice

  address: 4840 97th Street
  Fresh and creative Asian cuisine, you can dine in or take out.

• Best of India

  address: 36094 97th Street
  Enjoy authentic Indian food in the comfortable, bright decor of India.

• Sinbad's Fish & Chips

  address: 35656 97th Street
  Who would've thought you could get great fish & chips with out driving all the way to the coast.

• Savvio's Family Restauarnt

  phone: +1 250-498-4418
  34646-97th Street Enjoy a Mediterranean meal in a family friendly environment.

• Covert Farm's Market & Restaurant

  address: 38614 Secrest Rd
  A great organic meal prepared for you in a farm setting.

• Crucetti's Family Restaurant

  address: 34651 2451 97th Street
  The place to go for a great breakfast, lunch and casual dinner.

• Hammer's House of HogThe barbeque sauce is out of this world. This place serves up all your southern BBQ favourites.

• Medici's Gelateria & Coffee House

  phone: +1 250-498-2228
  address: 9932 350th Ave.
  Enjoy some authentic gelato with your gourmet lunch

Splurge

• Firehall Bistro

  phone: +1 250-498-4867
  address: 34881-97th Street
  It offers good wine choices by the glass and hearty plates with plenty of local ingredients.

• Pappa's Firehall Bistro

  phone: +1 250-498-4867
  address: 6077 Main St
  for a taste of their chic atmosphere and classic cuisine.

• Miradoro

  address: 32830 Tinhorn Creek Road
  Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a breathtaking view of the valley.

• Terrafina

  address: Road # 8
  Discover the Tuscan-inspired cuisine while enjoying a view of the valley from the patio.
• Sonora Room at Burrowing Owl Winery. Freshness and flavour are mixed with an obsession to deliver the very best of the region to ensure unsurpassed quality.

• The Grill

  phone: +1 250-498-2880
  address: 37041 71st Street

• Diamondback Grill

  phone: +1 250-498-6050
  address: 13105 334th Avenue

Oliver has a bar on Main Street. There is also a bar in the Ghallager Lake area (a bit outside of town on the way to Penticton). There is a provincial liquor store on Main Street. The drinking age in BC is 19.

• Ye Olde Welcome Inn

  address: 39008 97th Street
  This pub has an old English feel to it, inside and out; they'll be serving up your pub favourites.

• Murphy's Pub

  address: 36041 97 Street
  The only bar in town serves up all your favourite pub food, they also have trivia and karaoke nights.

Vineyards & wineries

Oliver, like the Okanagan Valley, is known for it's winemaking:

• Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery

  phone: +12504984756
  address: 6094 Blacksage Road Oliver, BC V0H 1T2
  Vineyard and winery near Oliver, family owned and operated for many years. Excellent reds.

Bed & Breakfast

• 1 Of A Kind Sculpture B&B

  address: 935 Morningstar Road
  A comfortable, friendly accommodation. Located in a quiet neighborhood. Private bathroom with jetted soaker tub and shower.

• Above the Orchard B&B

  address: 33616-93 Street (Road 4)

• Absolutely Suite

  address: 11119 348th Ave

• Adobe Rose

  address: 924 Morningstar Rd

• Burrowing Owl Guest House

  address: Burrowing Owl Lane

• Elm Tree Farm Bed and Breakfast

  address: 307 Park Rill Road

• The Villa At Hester Creek

  address: 13163-326 St

• Morbrook Farms

  address: 245 Bettison Rd

• Oliver House

• O'Reilly's Organic Farm

  address: 7219 Highway 97

Take Highway 97 to Osoyoos (south) or Penticton (North) to open a wide possibility of other cities in the Okanagan region. Penticton is a 30-minute drive and Osoyoos is about 15-20 minutes.