Is there any better time to plan a vacation than the summer? With kids out of school and beautiful warm weather, the summer season is a perfect excuse to plan a getaway. Although many people may be heading to Southern California for the beaches, consider a vacation further inland and enjoy the gorgeous mountain scenery of Big Bear! This sleepy mountain town offers seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Keep reading to find out about all the great summer activities in Big Bear to plan for on your next vacation!
Out on the Water With Summer Activities in Big Bear
During your visit Big Bear during the summertime, you’ll quickly notice that most of the activity here revolves around Big Bear Lake. This 7-mile lake rests in the center of Big Bear, and you couldn’t pick a better vacation destination if you love being out on the water. Surrounding the lake are six different marinas that offer nearly every kind of water rental you can imagine. For a relaxing day on the water, consider renting a pontoon boat or booking a 90-minute lake cruise to get a full tour of the lake. If you love watersports, spend the day water skiing or wakeboarding, either by renting your own equipment or booking a lesson. Get some exercise in while having tons of fun by renting a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. If you love fishing, then Big Bear Lake is the place to be. Considering one of California’s best fishing spots, summer in Big Bear is trout season. Explore the waters on your own or rent a fishing charter to get in the know on all the best fishing spots along the lake!
The Cycling Center of SoCal
Whether you enjoy road cycling or mountain biking, Big Bear is one of the best vacation destinations for cycling enthusiasts! Here you’ll find hundreds of miles of trails and a lift served downhill park, you are sure to find the perfect trail for you. Summit Bike Park is located in the Big Bear Mountain Resort and features over 60 miles of trails with a 1,200-foot vertical. Purchase one day tickets or package deals so you can explore every mile of the available trails. If you prefer a cross country ride, consider heading to one of the many trails in the area. One of the most popular is the Alpine Pedal Path, a 2.5-mile paved path that offers lake views and is perfect for a family biking adventure. If you are in need of bike and equipment rentals, head to Bear Valley Bikes or Goldsmith’s Sports to get suited up for your ride. Whether you want a challenging ride with steep climbs, or a leisurely path that the whole family can enjoy between other fun Big Bear summer activities , Big Bear has the perfect trail waiting for you.
Summer Thrills
Although Big Bear is known as a winter skiing destination, the thrills don’t stop here once the snow melts and the temperatures rise. Thrill-seekers will be elated to find that there are plenty of activities in the summer to pique your interest. The Big Bear Jeep Experience offers a variety of off roading tours, from two-hour kid-friendly adventures to more intense rock crawling tours that can give you that white knuckle experience. If you want to spend some time zipping through the trees, consider spending an afternoon at Action Zipline. Located in the national forest, Action Zipline offers daily tours along their nine zip lines that make you feel as though you are flying through the forest. For those that prefer to keep their feet on the ground, they also offer XL Segway tours that allow you to explore the beautiful scenery that surrounds Big Bear. Lastly, thrill seekers will want to head to the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. Take a chair lift up the mountain and slide down your choice of two quarter-mile slides full of twists and turns!
Fun for the Whole Family
Those looking for family friendly activities will find plenty of fun things to do in Big Bear! The kiddos will be delighted by a visit to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, a rehabilitation facility and education center. Enjoy seeing over 85 species of all kinds and enjoy programs and activities that are both fun and educational. If you are interested in Big Bear’s history, head to the Big Bear History Museum, which takes through its humble beginnings as a mining town up to the present. You’ll love the live blacksmith demonstration, and the gold-panning experience is a great way to take home a unique souvenir. Lastly, the Big Bear Discovery Center is great for those who love the outdoors. Learn about the San Bernardino National Forest that surrounds Big Bear and enjoy fun activities like ranger campfires and nature crafts.
Make the most of your Big Bear vacation by enjoying the fun summer activities in Big Bear here!