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Thanksgiving is just about here which makes now the perfect time to begin planning your well-deserved and fun getaway to scenic Big Bear, California. When you’re ready to start creating your unforgettable holiday itinerary for Big Bear during Thanksgiving, the following stops are open for business this time of year and make for amazing additions to your list!

Stores Open for Holiday Shopping

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to get a head start on your holiday shopping list. When you make your way to Big Bear, you’ll find you’re in exactly the right place to put your retail therapy skills to work! There are plenty of stores that are open around Thanksgiving time, but the Mountain Christmas Boutique is often a fan favorite. This annual event is on from November 24th through November 26th at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. Here, visitors can browse one-of-a-kind gifts on display by more than 40 vendors. There are also opportunities for those with little ones to have them meet Santa and take part in arts and crafts activities. All in all, it’s a family-friendly Thanksgiving weekend event you simply won’t want to miss.

Another top shop to check out over Thanksgiving in the area includes Goldsmith’s Sport at 42071 Big Bear Boulevard. This is a prime place to gear up for ski season as they carry all the best wintertime apparel and equipment ranging from waterproof ski pants and snowboards to skis and poles as well. They can even do tune-ups if your Big Bear adventure this Thanksgiving includes time on the slopes, and you want to be at your very best.

Outdoor Recreation Options

The outdoor fun and recreation in Big Bear are limitless over Thanksgiving much to the delight of locals and visitors alike. Head over to the Alpine Slide or the Big Bear Snow Play area to enjoy afternoons of fun with the entire family! Many of the local outdoor adventure tour companies also operate over Thanksgiving giving visitors a chance to customize their sightseeing over the holidays. Partner with Big Bear Off-Road Experience for a winter outing that’s filled with adrenaline-pumping fun. Helicopter Big Bear is ready and waiting year-round to provide Big Bear adventurers with a new view on the terrain. Action Zipline Tours offers cold-weather options for outdoor fun as well!

The Running Trails are Always Open

There’s no holiday closure on running trails or winter hikes when you head to Big Bear over Thanksgiving. While taking an independent trek is always an exciting way to spend the holiday here, the annual Big Bear Turkey Trot puts you in good company when you’re up for some friendly competition. This annual event is the perfect way to work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast ahead. Participants can choose the 3, 6, or 9-mile route starting from Meadow Park on Thanksgiving Day. While the race is fun and challenging, it’s also something you can feel great about. Proceeds from this Thanksgiving event will go towards supporting local food pantries.

Restaurants to Enjoy

Year-round, Big Bear is an amazing destination for those who are looking to dine their way through a stay in style. Thanksgiving is no exception to that rule! The Peppercorn Grille at 553 Pine Knot Avenue has stayed open for Thanksgiving meals in years past. This casual eatery is a great place to enjoy all-American dishes paired with just the right wine, cocktail, or beer selection. They’re open from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm most days of the week with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 10:00 pm. Thanksgiving dinner options here might include shrimp saute, seared ahi tuna, calamari, vegetable stuffed cannelloni, pesto and artichoke pizza, or beef stroganoff. From surf n turf to filet mignon, the options are delicious, vast, and varied. Thanksgiving guests can top things off on a sweet note with dessert options at Peppercorn Grille that include chocolate cake, classic cheesecake, root beer floats, and homemade apple-raisin bread pudding too.

If you prefer to grab your Thanksgiving meal to go and enjoy it in the comfort of your luxurious vacation rental instead, The Barnstorm Restaurant has you covered. Located at 501 W. Valley Boulevard, this eatery often provides dinners that can be ordered in advance for pick up. In years past, menus have included turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie as well. Dinners can be customized upon request with options to order meals that serve up to six people at a time.

Book Your Getaway to Big Bear Today

Whether your travel plans bring you to Big Bear over Thanksgiving or you’re excited to spend time here another time of year, having amazing accommodations in place for you and your entire traveling crew can elevate the experience from start to finish! Reach out to the team at Big Bear Vacations today to learn more about our exciting property options available including our Thanksgiving rentals that are one-of-a-kind!

Enjoying a well-earned trip to beautiful Big Bear, is a treat no matter when your travel plans have you headed this way. That said, if you’re lucky enough to be able to visit over Thanksgiving, the options for fun and flavor are truly endless. This year, why not grab your suitcase and gather your loved ones for a Big Bear adventure you will never forget. Here, you’ll be able to fill your holiday experience with fantastic dining options fun in the great outdoors, and all the while, you’ll be making Thanksgiving in Big Bear memories that will last a lifetime. The following are just a few of the many activities you’ll want to be sure to add to your itinerary.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies & Santa Claus 

There are two annual Christmas Tree Lighting events scheduled for 2023 bringing you two nights of celebration to ring in the holidays with the community and Santa Claus himself! Head over to the Village Friday Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. to enjoy festivities at Christmas Tree Corner. On Saturday Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. head over to the Bear City Fire station to  welcome Santa another time as the the tree is lit for the holiday season.

Mountain Christmas Boutique

Get some Christmas shopping kicked off early at the Mountain Christmas Boutique arts and crafts events. Featuring a huge variety of vendors, free arts and crafts for kids, holiday libations and food, and of course a visit with Santa. Happening Nov. 24-26 at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center.

Thanksgiving Hike and Bike

While the many trails that wind their way through Big Bear are endlessly tantalizing in the summer months, they’re just as appealing to outdoor enthusiasts who find themselves here in November as well! There’s no reason to skip over the outdoor fun, even if there’s an early dusting of snow on the ground this Thanksgiving. Instead, visitors can choose to bundle up and make their way through stunning scenery with a camera in hand. From wildlife watching to that perfect photo background spotting, hiking or biking your way through a Thanksgiving Big Bear stay might end up being the highlight of your adventure. Take to the trails before your big Thanksgiving meal to work up an appetite worthy of all the deliciousness that awaits. A hike or biking excursion could also be welcome when you’re full from dinner and could stand some fresh air. Either way, Big Bear offers up that lush terrain holiday travelers deserve to enjoy.

Enjoy a Home Style Meal in Your Rental

If you’re having a hard time imagining a Thanksgiving Day away from home without that home-cooked meal as part of the lineup, there’s no need to worry. The team at Big Bear Vacations works closely with holiday travelers to make sure they’re settled into a home away from home that includes access to a full kitchen during their stay! This makes it simple to serve up Thanksgiving dinner just the way you like it. Full kitchens often include extended breakfast bars with additional seating options, spacious counters for meal preparations and modern appliances too. Making the situation even more appealing is the fact that many properties include cabinets already stocked up with cookware and bakeware!

 

Book Your Stay & Enjoy Thanksgiving in Big Bear

There’s no reason to wait when you’re ready to enjoy Thanksgiving in Big Bear, California. There’s never been a better time to book a trip! Let Big Bear Vacations handle all of your accommodation details while you’re in town so that the only thing left to do is focus on the fun that awaits. Reach out to our property professionals today to learn more about our many property options, like our Big Bear cabin rentals, and to start planning your next trip. We can’t wait to see you in Big Bear!

We all know the importance of a holiday does not necessarily come from where or how you celebrate it, but who you celebrate it with. Getting together with family is what many of us look forward to for Thanksgiving. With that being said, spending the holiday in an amazing place will go a long way in adding some excitement to the typical proceedings. One of the best places to spend a Thanksgiving in the United States is Big Bear, California.

Activities to Celebrate this Thanksgiving in Big Bear

There is always a reason to celebrate in Big Bear, so there are always activities that bring the community together on the docket. During the Thanksgiving holiday, there is a little something going on for everyone. If you are in Big Sur, then you have to check out the turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day. Go for a casual run, jog, or walk, and then relax with people from this vibrant community to enjoy games, activities, and even a costume contest. The day after Thanksgiving, you can be a part of the town’s preparations for the Christmas season by partaking in the lighting of the tree ceremony. Enjoy carolers, live entertainment, and even a Santa appearance.

Everywhere a Feast

This is a community that does not take a delicious meal lightly, especially during Thanksgiving. When the holiday comes around, you can bet that the many charming eateries will be ready with amazing meals for the community. Find one of the tastiest traditional Thanksgiving buffets you will ever see is in full swing at the Evergreen Restaurant. Or you can pop into Nottingham’s Restaurant any time between 1:00 pm and 7:45 pm to enjoy the incredible flavors that they bring to all your favorites. Maybe you want to go off script this Thanksgiving. Well, you can do that in a big way with amazing Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian, and every other type of eatery you can imagine!

Beauty and Recreation for Everyone

There’s no better way to start Thanksgiving Day than going for a hike in the brisk mountain air, and there’s no better place to do it than in Big Bear. There are also some very special activities that always make for a great time on vacation. A classic way to explore the Big Bear canopy is with a zip line excursion, but you can also go horseback riding. Not only are all of these awesome services available on Thanksgiving Day, but you can enjoy them at discount prices.

It does not matter where you eat or how you spend your days this Thanksgiving in Big Bear, your Big Bear Thanksgiving is sure to be one of the most memorable of your life. Make this beautiful place the newest addition to your Thanksgiving tradition this year!