A Romantic Getaway to Big Bear Lake: The Complete Guide for Couples Short answer: Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California’s best romantic getaways for a simple reason: a mountain lake, pine forest, dark starry skies, and a private cabin with a hot tub and a fireplace, all about two hours from the city. The most romantic things to do here work like a menu you can mix and match: a lakeside dinner, a golden-hour overlook or a sunset from the Scenic Sky Chair, a lake cruise or a