The city encompasses several neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Gellatly, Glenrosa, Lakeview Heights, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Rose Valley, Westbank, and West Kelowna Estates.

[6] On June 16, residents voted overwhelmingly to change the Westside's governance structure, and also to incorporate by a margin of 5,924 to 5,582; voter turnout was approximately 48%.

[5] In the fall of 2007, Rosalind Neis was elected as the first mayor of the newly incorporated area for a special one year term after running a campaign based on reversing the referendum result in order to pursue amalgamation with Kelowna.

The West Kelowna name was confirmed by the municipal council on December 9, 2008 and became official January 30, 2009, after the Government of British Columbia approved the change to the Letters Patent.

Neighbourhoods within the city's jurisdiction include Goats Peak/Gellatly, Glenrosa, Shannon Lake, Smith Creek, Westbank Centre, and Westbank in the south, which comprise approximately half of the total population, and Westside Road/Bear Creek Road, West Kelowna Estates/Rose Valley, Bartley North, West Kelowna Business Park, Boucherie Centre, South Boucherie, Lakeview Heights, and Casa Loma in the north.

Many of these neighbourhoods, including Glenrosa, Gellatly, Lakeview Heights, Sunnyside, and Westbank, have rich histories, some dating to the early to mid-19th century.

A farm loop features varied local agricultural products, seasonal farmers' markets, and the Gellatly Bay multi-use corridor, which includes the CNR Wharf Aquatic Park.

West Kelowna's business areas are also complemented by those in the Westbank First Nation, which include various big box stores, cafes and restaurants, retail outlets, services, theatres, and tourist accommodations and attractions.

[37] Several community and regional parks are scattered throughout the municipality, offering soccer pitches, ball fields, children's play areas, and hiking trails.

West Kelowna has a lakefront walking trail alongside Gellatly Road and several swimming areas along Okanagan Lake, including Willow Beach.

[38] The Mount Boucherie Community Centre includes Royal LePage Place arena—home to the West Kelowna Warriors of the BCHL—and Jim Lind Arena for ice sports such as hockey, figure skating, and ringette.

Free Friday night concerts are held in July and August at Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre in Memorial Park in Westbank Centre at the south end of Old Okanagan Highway.

The amphitheatre and park are also home to a large number of events and concerts during the annual Westside Daze celebration, which includes a parade and midway.