Fall is a beautiful time to visit Kelowna and the surrounding valley. Harvest season is in full swing, with apples, pears, pumpkins, and late-season plums ready to be picked. The agricultural industry flourishes at this time of year, offering visitors the chance to not only taste the bounty but also experience it firsthand through orchard strolls, farm markets, and even a classic apple u-pick. What makes this season even more special is the legacy of family-owned farms and orchards, where generations have worked the land and welcomed locals and visitors to share in their traditions.

If you're looking for things to do during the fall, plan a stop at some of the valley's best-loved family farms: Don-O-Ray Farm Market in Kelowna's Mission neighbourhood, Paynter's Fruit Market in West Kelowna, Gatzke's Farm Market in Lake Country and Davison Orchards near Vernon are all local Farm Spots worth the drive, part of the Okanagan's farms, orchards, and markets.

Here's a closer look at each spot and what makes it worth the visit this harvest season.

Gatzke's Farm Market in Lake Country

The story of Gatzke's Farm Market, also known as Gatzke Orchards, in Lake Country began almost by accident when Grandpa Leo Gatzke missed his train stop, starting a family legacy that now spans four generations. Today, the orchard is run by a third-generation orchardist who grew up learning every corner of this lakeside property, and it's earned a reputation for its hands-on approach to agritourism, welcoming an international community of seasonal workers and visitors each growing season from May to September. The orchard is more than just a place to buy fruit; it's a historic orchard and a testament to how deep the agricultural roots run in the Okanagan. You can enjoy a meal at the café, pick out some fresh-grown produce right from the farm, and find other local and seasonal products to take home.

This fall, Gatzke Orchard is brimming with pears like Bartlett, Anjou, Clapps Favourite, and Kotsui, along with late-season plums in several varieties, including Golden, Black Amber, Rancher, and even the unique “Mystery Plum.” Apple lovers will also be in their element, as the orchard offers a massive variety from Golden Delicious and Gala to the local favourite, Ambrosia. Rooted in history yet alive with modern flavours and experiences, Gatzke Orchard blends family tradition with fall abundance.
 

Local Tip: Be sure to try Grandma Gatzke's pies, made from her original 1941 recipe and still baked by her granddaughters today. The apple pie is a fall favourite.

Don-O-Ray Farm Market

Don-O-Ray Farm Market got its start in 1960 as a small farmgate vegetable stand on Benvoulin Road, and it's grown steadily since into a go-to grocery stop in Kelowna's Mission. Today it's carried on by the Sanghera and Basran families, who grow much of what's on the shelves themselves while also stocking products from other local farmers and artisans. Alongside their own fruits and vegetables, shoppers will find Okanagan dairy, sausages, and farm-raised chicken, plus a full pantry of international dry goods, spices, and grains. It's a philosophy the families live by in more than just their farming: tend to what's planted, and watch it grow.

This fall, expect the market's shelves to fill with apples, squash, and pumpkins alongside the honey, dressings, and small-batch drinks that round out a visit. The in-person market closes for the season from December 24 through June 1, but the online store stays open through the winter, so regulars can still order their favourite Don-O-Ray products and pick them up at the farm. Come June, the full farmers market experience returns with fresh local produce and Nature's Kitchen favourites, making it worth planning an early fall visit before the season winds down.

Local Tip: Regulars know to check the freezer section too, where the family's homemade Indian dishes, including a well-loved butter chicken sauce, are a perfect cozy fall meal.

Paynter’s Fruit Market in West Kelowna

The Paynter family’s story began in Alnwick, England, before emigrating to Canada in 1909. After World War I, Edwin and Margaret Paynter returned to West Kelowna in 1919 to farm the land, raising seven children. Six remained in Westbank, while one daughter settled in East Kelowna. In 1951, Henry Paynter Sr. recorded in his diary, “Sold our first cherries on the side of the road”—a simple note that marked the start of Paynter’s Fruit Market. Since then, the farm has been passed down through generations, evolving into the beloved market it is today.

With 106 years of farming and 72 years of sharing produce with locals and visitors, Paynter's Fruit Market and the Paynter's family have built a reputation for quality, authenticity, and deep ties to the land. From May through October, the market is overflowing with fruits and vegetables grown on the farm or sourced from nearby BC growers. Each season brings something different, and fall is no exception.

Shoppers can find apples, pears, and other harvest favourites in the fall, with the added bonus of u-pick opportunities depending on timing. Strolling through the orchard to pick your own fruit is a quintessential Okanagan fall experience, giving visitors a true taste of farm life. With more than a century of history, Paynter’s is a reminder of how strong family roots create experiences that keep people coming back year after year.

Local Tip: Fall is prime time for pumpkins at Paynter's, both carving pumpkins for your porch and culinary varieties perfect for soups, roasting, and (of course) pumpkin pie.

Davison Orchards: A Full Day of Orchard Life Near Vernon

Since 1933, five generations of the Davison family have grown apples on the same stretch of land above Vernon, turning a small orchard into a full country village without losing its roots. What began with Tom and May Davison's leap across the ocean has grown into a working farm run today by three generations at once, with a produce barn, a bakery, and the Farmhouse Café, where farm-to-table breakfast and lunch look out over the valley. It's a longer drive north from Kelowna, but worth it for visitors who want a full day of farm adventures.

Fall is peak season at Davison Orchards. Hop on the Johnny Popper tractor train for an orchard tour through the apple, pear, and peach trees, or ride out for a u-pick apple tour running Wednesday to Sunday from late August through September, followed by u-pick pumpkin tours through October. Round out the visit with the farm's cold-pressed apple juice, fresh-baked pies, and real fruit ice cream, or let the kids loose in the animal barn and one-acre play area before heading home with a box of fresh-picked fruit. Davison Orchards is open daily from May through October, so it's worth checking the current tour schedule before you go.
 

Local Tip: Some of the farm's fresh apple juice is blended into Applelanches at the café, no added sugar, just pure Okanagan apple juice.

Planning Tips for Your Fall Farm Visit

• Best time to visit: late September through October, when apple and pear selection peaks. Inventory shifts week to week during harvest, so calling ahead is worthwhile.
• Bring reusable bags or boxes for produce, and a cooler if you're stocking up before the drive home.
• New to picking your own fruit? Check out our U-Pick 101 guide for what to bring and how it works before heading to Paynter's or Davison Orchards.
• Dress in layers: Okanagan fall mornings can be cool, but afternoons often warm up fast, especially if you're out in the orchard or on a tractor tour.
• Hours wind down as harvest ends, typically by late October or early November, so check current hours before visiting late in the season.

Savouring Family Traditions This Season

Every stop on this list has its own story, and its own reason people keep coming back year after year. Whether you're picking up pears and Ambrosia apples at Gatzke Orchard, filling a bag with fresh squash and pumpkins at Don-O-Ray Farm Market, strolling the orchard to pick your own fruit at Paynter's Fruit Market, or riding the tractor train out to the pumpkin patch at Davison Orchards near Vernon, each stop connects you to generations of growers who have shaped the Okanagan's agricultural story.

Explore More of Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley This Fall

^{Downtown Kelowna in Fall. Photo: Ken Hagen}

Fall is one of the best times to visit the Okanagan Valley: the harvest is in full swing, the summer crowds have thinned, and the valley's food and drink scene is at its peak. Pair your farm tour with more of what makes Kelowna a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Sip your way through the valley's wineries, many of which are running their own harvest events this time of year, or browse a local farmers' market.

These farms are all part of our Farm Spots, one corner of Kelowna and the Okanagan's Must-Visit Spots. From Foodie Spots and Wine Spots to Sip Spots and Culture Spots, there's a whole valley of local favourites worth seeking out beyond the orchard. Consider booking a Spot-to-Spot Guided Tour to explore several in a single day, letting someone else handle the driving while you focus on the tasting.

Start planning your fall visit at tourismkelowna.com.