On the surface, it is easy to see why people love travelling to Big Bear. A massive lake affords endless recreational opportunities, while endless beauty makes it a place of incredible relaxation. But there are also so many things that are not as obvious, but go just as far in making it a one of a kind place. The following are five things that you probably did not know about Big Bear.
Big Bear has a rich history of human inhabitants that dates back further than you may think. Thousands of years ago, Native Americans lived here, with numbers in Southern California around 30,000. Throughout Spanish colonization of the area, the number had dropped incredibly low by the start of the 20th century. It is clear that people have always been attracted to the one of a kind beauty that this land has to offer.
Click below to see our amazing Big Bear Vacation Rentals!
It is hard to imagine this area without this beautiful lake, but before the late 19th century, people did not have to imagine. The lake began to form after 1883 when the first dam was built here. This man-made wonder has made this an amazing place for all the lake fun that we all love as the summer rolls around.
What most people know about Big Bear is that it offers some of the best mountains and weather for skiing throughout all of California, but in the early 20th century, there was virtually no market for it. It was not until a few innovative folks had the idea to use the amazing natural conditions here to compete through skiing that the industry exploded here and throughout the country.
This is due to the great elevation of the town around 7,000 feet and the incredible biking opportunities throughout the area. Whether you are looking for road bicycling or mountain biking, you can find some of the best trails and roads for doing so.
Films like Gone with the Wind and Old Yeller have created a familiarity with Big Bear for so many people. This is a testament to how beautiful and unique the area looks. One thing is for sure, the movies do not quite do it justice.
It is home to beautiful vacation homes to be specific. This is yet another reason that Big Bear is such a phenomenal place to visit. Whether you are looking for a quaint lakeside cottage or something fit for a king, you can find it in the wonderful homes provided by Big Bear Cabins. See for yourself by browsing our selection of rental homes today!
If you are planning a trip to big bear, it is likely in order to take advantage of the incredible beauty that the area provides. Once you arrive though, you will find endless other things to fall in love with. Many of these things are facilitated by the natural landscape, but many others are provided by a vibrant community. Incredible farmers’ markets throughout the week are a great example of this. The following are a couple of the best farmers’ markets in town.
For 25 years, this farmers’ market had provided a wonderful reason for the community to get together and enjoy some of the amazing natural goods that make Big Bear so unique. It all revolves around produce that is fresher and more natural than that which you can find at your typical grocery store. Add incredible local arts from endless vendors and amazing food to enjoy while you are here and you have an experience that is unique to Big Bear. This awesome celebration is taking place every Tuesday between From April through September. You can find the best market in town at the Convention Center at the corner of Division and Big Bear Blvd.
A trip to Big Bear provides endless opportunities for amazing memories. The community also provides endless beautiful places to call home during your time here. And it has never been easier to find the perfect place for you among countless beautiful homes and cabins than it is with Big Bear Vacations, the best vacation rental company in town. You focus on your vacation and leave the logistics to the professionals here!
People travel to Big Bear from all over the world for a wide variety of reasons, the most predominant of which is the beautiful area in which the town sits. A massive lake, towering mountains, endless wilderness, and much more highlight the sights of Big Bear. There is plenty to see, but there is also plenty to do on any Big Bear vacation. The area is home to many attractions that you will not want to miss during your time in Big Bear.
The Big Bear Discovery Center makes taking advantage of this beautiful area easier than ever before. The goal of the Center is to teach people and provide joy in the San Bernardino Wilderness. They do this by acting as a sort of natural museum with exhibits that teach visitors about the wildlife and ecosystems of this one of a kind area. But they also provide numerous opportunities to get out explore. Weekly programs allow visitors a peak into the work of conservationists, park rangers, and more. And an amazing eco tour is always available. They also try to take some of the guess work out of experiencing the area by providing trail maps, camping info, permits, and more. You can find the Big Bear Discovery Center located on the north side of the lake at 40971 North Shore Drive.
Big Bear is known for its incredible skiing and snowboarding, especially at Snow Summit. Visiting this place during the winter is a no-brainer, but the sky chair lift is sure to provide a good time even during the summer. This one-mile-long ascent takes you to one of the highest peaks in the San Bernardino Wilderness. Once you reach the top, you will be greeted by the best views, but there is also plenty of opportunity for hiking, mountain biking, and more.
Now that you have a couple of good ideas of where to begin your adventure, you should turn your focus to find a wonderful place to call home while you are here, which should prove to be very easy. This is because of an amazing selection of vacation homes and incredible vacation rental companies and services like Big Bear Vacations. We are the premiere vacation rental business in the area for both unparalleled service and a wide selection of homes located throughout the area. Check out our listings and see how easy it is to find the vacation home of your dreams in Big Bear.
There are certainly many more attractions in Big Bear, and they are exceedingly easy to find, almost to the point where all you have to do is walk outside. When you mix some cool attractions with any one of the homes provided by Big Bear Vacations, you have yourself an unforgettable vacation.
When we are very small we are cared for and protected. As we grow the food is on the table and the home decorated special for Birthdays and Holidays. Photos are taken at school functions and hung on the refrigerator. Tears as first after first is recorded and shared – first steps, first Christmas, first dance, first car, first day of college. Remember your Mother this weekend and take her for a wonderful mountain adventure.
Allow mom to rest, relax, explore, shop, and enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful lake.
~ Add Flowers $45.00
~ Add Flowers and Chocolate $60.00
All items will be delivered to your cabin.
To book this special call: 855-638-3971
Bring Mom for fun at the farm. Take her on a hay ride through the forest and set her on a horse! Pet the baby goats and enjoy a moment back in time when things were simpler and family spent more quality time together.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Big Bear Vacations.
Big Bear, California is one of the most visited alpine lakes in the country. This is due to some of the best lake leisure around, great skiing, and endless other activities. But it is also because this is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The following are a couple places throughout the Big Bear area that provide the very best views of that beauty.
You can find beauty throughout this 1.5-mile trail, but the real prize lies at the end of the hike. It culminates with sweeping views of the lake, but also of the incredible mountains that surround. This is often considered the best place to take in the mountains. Not only does this spot provide for some of the best views, but it requires a bit of light exercise. Nothing adds to the pleasure of a pleasant hike like an incredible view. You can find the trail on the southwest corner of the lake off of Big Bear Blvd and Fisher Creek.
This amazing spot puts you on the shore of Big Bear Lake while providing incredible views of the beauty that surrounds. This is the best place to experience the contrast of blue and emerald water that makes you feel as if you are in the tropics coupled with forests and mountains. This is a truly stunning place. The best vantage point in the park comes from the small, charming dock that takes you out over the crystal blue water. Find this incredible experience on the south side of the lake at the intersection of Big Bear Blvd and Bluejay Lane.
There are countless opportunities to get out on the water. Among the most peaceful methods of enjoying the views from the water are those afforded by sailboats, but you can also kayak, paddle boat, jet ski, and everything in between. You can rent all your watercraft at Big Bear Marina on the south side of the lake, or from North Shore Landing on—you guessed it—the north side of the lake!
You may come for one recreational opportunity or another, but you are sure to fall in love with Big Bear for the natural beauty that you will find there. Whether it’s the heart of winter or the heat of summer, plan your next trip here and be blown away by the amazing sights you will find.
Big Bear is a land of four seasons and life changing experiences. Many come up the mountain for snow adventure and even our summer concert series Music in the Mountains, however there is so much more! Bear Valley is a photography mecca with opportunities to take high altitude photos of San Gorgonio or Snow Summit, wildlife, people, events, music, lake life, and of course sunsets (we think we have the best!). Come to Big Bear and enjoy the more hidden gems with us at Big Bear Vacations.
With the holidays but a memory, February finds us itching for a reason to do something special. Take Valentine’s Day as your excuse to visit Big Bear, California! The mountain town is more romantic than some people give it credit-full of excitement, beauty, and relaxation, it’s perfect for a trip for two!
Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are both in full operations during the month of February, and if you don’t think anything can up your heart-rate like the sight of your special someone, try taking them with you down a ski slope! The chill against your cheeks, the scenery rushing by, and the smile of your partner when you reach the bottom-it’s just the kind of thrill you need to spice up your Valentine’s Day! And if you’re new to the slopes, don’t worry-the ski resorts offer lessons and shops both in town and up the slopes sell equipment. You’ll enjoy the (certainly well-meaning!) laughter of your partner as the two of you practice staying upright and making it down your first slope.
The mountains are always romantic, skiing or no-skiing. Standing tall and proud and seeming eternal, they’re even more beautiful up close in a mountain town. As they gleam white with winter snow, the view is even more breath-taking. For the best views, find a winter hiking trail, gear up, and visit your vista. Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for taking a trail like Pine Knot Trail up to a stunning view to share!
It’s perhaps the most traditional of Valentine’s traditions-going out to enjoy a meal together. The Pines Lakefront makes an ideal spot for the occasion. A charming restaurant with delicious food and gorgeous views of the lake, this is one of the best spots to share your Valentine’s Dinner. The Peppercorn Grille may not be pegged as romantic, but it’s another excellent option. The décor is pleasant and the food is delicious, and best of all, the staff is among the best around-it’s nice to see your significant other treated like the royalty you see them as! Captain’s Anchorage gets honorable mention-the walk-up soup and salad detract from feelings of “upscale,” but the steak and seafood are top-notch, and the dim, cozy, relatively quiet ambiance makes it perfect for a dinner together.
Focus more on your partner and less on the logistics-book with Big Bear Vacations and we’ll have everything set up for you, so you can go straight to enjoying each other’s company. Contact us today at 877-417-6504 to set up your Valentine’s escape and book your vacation rental home!
Bear Necessities is our newest addition to Big Bear Vacations check in experience. You will receive $5 Credit to use for a minimum ten dollar purchase at check in. This is a GREAT start to getting all your family souvenirs or even some basics like Firewood. Avoid the lines in the Village or the big stores and get truly unique high quality gifts and Big Bear Gear.
Because of the weather that southern California typically experiences, it may be hard at times to really get into the spirit of winter. Let’s be honest: Does it really feel like winter when it’s sunny and 75 degrees outside? Luckily for you, there’s a hidden winter wonderland in southern California waiting to make you and your family’s winter vacation the most memorable to date. Come up and visit Bear Big Lake and experience a winter wonderland like no other in California!
Unlike the majority of southern California, Big Bear Lake sits at an incredible 6,752 feet in elevation. This means one thing: lots of snow! In the wintertime, Big Bear Lake transforms from a lakeside destination to a winter wonderland, with light and fluffy snow covering the mountainsides and powdering the thousands of trees of the San Bernardino National Forest. This provides visitors with picturesque views that are perfect for getting you in winter mood, and will make it so you can’t resist putting your feet up with a warm cup of cocoa in front of a roaring fire!
Some people may think that because Big Bear Lake is a big summer vacation town that this means it slows down in the wintertime, and that’s not true at all! Big Bear Lake is a year-round destination with plenty of winter fun to be had on the mountains. Snow Summit Ski Resort is truly a sight to behold. Whether you’re new to winter sports or an experienced rider, you’ll love shredding down the mountain trails found in Big Bear.
Not interested in skiing or snowboarding, but still want to explore the winter landscape? Why not try your hand at snowshoeing? Snowshoes let you explore the trails found around Big Bear Lake at your own pace; just be sure to dress warmly!
No matter how you choose to spend your winter escape, Big Bear Lake has something for everyone. If you want to start the new year off right, come spend the beginning of 2018 in a true winter wonderland with us!
Big Bear is one of Southern California’s top skiing and snowboarding destinations for the winter season. Whether you are enjoying one of the community’s numerous ski resorts, the shops and restaurants of the Big Bear Lake Village, or exploring the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear offers something for everyone in the winter season. Planning Christmas for the family may seem like a scary task when on vacation, but here in Big Bear, finding the closest Christmas event is just as easy as being at home. Here are our top picks for local Big Bear Christmas events!
Every child yearns to visit Santa and relay his or her wishes for Christmas gifts each year. Lucky for you, Santa does not miss out on Big Bear! Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Christmas Tree Lot in the Big Bear Lake Village located just off the corner of Pine Knot Boulevard and Village Drive. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be available for your child’s wishes on December 23rd and December 24th from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Santa will even at the base of Snow Summit on December 23rd for all you skiing enthusiasts!
Every Friday and Saturday this holiday season will be the host of the Santa’s Hayride just down in Bear Valley Farms. This event will delight everyone in your family with a night of beautiful Christmas sightseeing. Come see the array of thousands of beautiful Christmas lights and decorations. Complimentary cocoa will be available to enjoy at the Bear Valley Farms’ theater, which is playing all of the Christmas classics. Letters to Santa and book readings but his helpful elves will delight all of your children. This magical hayride will transport you into the magical kingdom of the North Pole!
The Big Bear Lake Arts and Moonridge School of Dance will be putting on a two-night performance of the Nutcracker. Performances will be held on December 16th at 7:00pm and December 17th at 2:30pm. Tickets are $22 for general admission and can be purchased at http://www.citybigbearlake.com, calling the PAC box office at (909) 866-4970, or at the door. This beloved performance is a holiday tradition for the entire family and makes a terrific Christmas gift idea as well. Don’t miss out on this local production of the Nutcracker!
Take a break from the mountain’s beautiful ski slopes and spend your next Christmas tradition in Big Bear Lake Village. There is Christmas fun that the whole family can enjoy!
