Big Bear Lake, California | Events, Activities and Attractions
Big Bear Lake
The mountains of Southern California offer fun things to do every day for a year.
In the middle of the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake is known for its beautiful scenery, 300 days of sunshine a year, and a wide range of fun things to do in all four seasons. This top resort town is 156 kilometers west of sunny Los Angeles and is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to go on vacation. There are ski slopes, difficult hiking trails, lazy days spent fishing, and unique shops where you can treat yourself. On and off the beaten road, there are a lot of things to do, from well-known filming spots to remote wilderness reserves.
A Playground All Year Round
Winter: Take on the hills at Snow Summit, see how long you can go snowshoeing over long distances, or go bobsledding at the Alpine Slide. When you want to get out of the cold, you can go to the Bowling Barn and play indoor bowling, ice skating, or laser tag. The arrival of spring opens up a world of options. You can rock climb at Onyx Summit, hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail, or fish all day at the dock. Summer is a great time to snowboard, surf, and go to Holcomb Valley, which is where the Southern California gold rush began. The colors of autumn light up the scenery in the fall. Go to Oktoberfest and try craft beers. Ride a horse through the mountains and enjoy the fresh air, or take a ride on the Scenic Sky Chair for amazing views from above.
Natural Wonders and Well-Known Places
If you go into the wild areas around Big Bear Lake, you’ll find beautiful views, quiet places to relax, and even places where Hollywood movies were filmed. At Bluff Lake Reserve, you can get away from the noise and chaos of the city and relax while visiting filming sites for Disney’s “The Parent Trap.” This path has paved tracks that you can use to hike, bike, or skate. And remember to look up every once in a while. People often see bald eagles along this road. If you want to see beautiful views of Big Bear Lake, you can walk the 4.2-kilometer trail to Castle Rock. With a gain of 152 meters in elevation, it’s a great spot for lunch and pictures. Because there are so many nature parks in the area, people often see animals. Keep your camera ready in case you see deer, chipmunks, or coyotes.
The Village has a wide range of shops and restaurants.
Take a trip to Big Bear Lake Village, which has more than 120 stores, for great food, shopping, and fun. Check out quirky gift shops, one-of-a-kind shops, and the newest “wilderness chic” home decor. For camping tools, campers should stop by the nearby outfitters. And if you love the holidays, Christmas Store ‘N’ More is open all year. Want to take it easy and see the sights? Take the train around town. The Cave’s comedy shows are a great way to spend the evening because they make you laugh over and over again.
After a day of shopping or hiking, there are many places to eat that will make your taste buds happy. For tasty beef jerky, go to the Big Bear House of Jerky. For pizza, go to Saucy Mama’s Pizzeria, or for Hawaiian fusion food, go to the Local Tropical. Treat yourself to something sweet at North Pole Sweets and Treats. The cookie dough fudge is out of this world.
From simple to fancy: places to stay in Big Bear Lake
There are many places to stay in Big Bear Lake, whether you want to camp out under the stars or unwind by the pool at a lodge. Lodges like Snow Lake and Hillcrest have rooms with views of the lake, and Pine Knot and Serrano both have campgrounds with fair daily rates. You can rent cabins all year, and if you want a more luxurious place to stay, The Club at Big Bear Village will treat you like a celebrity.