British Columbia Nightlife

It's unclear why whales jump and splash on the surface of the ocean. It could be to get attention from potential mates, or a way to lose the parasites on their backs. But it is also possible that the whales are simply having fun. From the vantage point of a 65-foot whale-watching vessel, guests of Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres can observe grey and humpback whales in their natural environment, while forming their own hypotheses about their mystifying behaviour.

In addition to whale-watching trips, Jamie's leads bear-watching tours, tours to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking adventures, group hikes, and sunset cruises to find out where the sun really goes at night. A portion of proceeds from all tours supports local wildlife research and rescue programs.

Laser Health Centre's certified beam-wielders deploy lasers in rejuvenating cosmetic procedures, drug-free pain relief, and behavioural-modification regimens for substance abuse and smoking cessation. Staff members customize treatments to suit each patient, and in-office laser therapy may be reinforced by take-home nutritional supplements. An exclusive diet plan paired with laser therapy tackles weight-loss goals, and light-based medicine enhances the mind-soothing stress-relief program.

Though the Local Lounge • Grille’s 120-seat patio hovers over Lake Okanagan, the cuisine is close to the soil. Chef Paul Cecconi draws on locally grown ingredients for his menu of burgers, steaks, pastas, and seafood, which helped crown him the winner of the 2011 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Complex flourishes elevate classic dishes; Chef Cecconi adds a lavender glaze to beets and forms crispy falafel with chickpeas and Dungeness crab. Additionally, the eatery offers local craft beers and cocktails infused with Okanagan-made spirits.

Scanning Del Pollo's cozy dining room, it's not unlikely you'll see a few sombreros speckled throughout the largely hatless group of guests. That’s because waiters crown birthday celebrants with the classic Mexican cap, adding an air of unpretentious fun and festivity to the room. The cooks, however, make no such distinctions—they serve their authentic Mexican cuisine to everyone no matter their day of birth. These chefs fill sizzling fajitas with prawns tossed in house sauce, wrap flour tortillas around char-grilled AAA sirloin steak marinated with chipotle peppers, and whip up a Mexican poutine with achiote sauce, jalapeños, and a three-cheese blend. In addition to classic Mexican dishes, they whip up calamari with housemade tzatziki sauce and a New Orleans–style jambalaya comprised of chorizo sausage, scallops, and veggies. Bartenders complement the kitchen’s creations with a wealth of soft drinks, beers, shooters, and sangria, as well as specialty cocktails and margaritas. The soft glow from wall lamps, flatscreen TVs, and Christmas lights strung from the ceiling illuminate the live musicians who grace Del Pollo's stage.

At Mission Oaks Laser & Spa, a licensed crew of laser technicians and aestheticians buffs bodily exteriors in a clean and professional environment. Medicam intense-pulsed-light units lower the friction coefficients of upper lips, chins, and bikini lines and work to remove tattoos, reduce wrinkles, and eliminate spider veins. The team also eschews these light-based labours to perform a slate of spa services, such as massages, mani-pedis, and hair stylings. Before each treatment during complimentary consultations, clients can choose their technician and express their individual needs and any concerns.

Dr. Morgan Campbell relies on technology from Alma Lasers and serums approved by the FDA and Health Canada to cultivate smooth, youthful skin. He guides the activities of Mission Medical Skin & Laser Clinic's technicians, who launch every recovery and beautification regimen with a complimentary consultation. The team specializes in enhancing faces without surgery, particularly in diminishing acne, signs of aging, and body hair with intense pulsed light and other gentle laser therapies. Their medical-grade tonics come from the labs of powerhouse companies including Botox, which flattens wrinkles with an injection, and Latisse, which lengthens lashes by coating them in Bambi's beauty secret: tears. To soothe and protect skin after treatments, they stock SwissTec products specifically designed for that purpose.