Big Bear, CA

Big Bear is a lake / mountain town that is only a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles and surrounding areas, making it an easy weekend getaway! The best part about Big Bear is getting a change of scenery. Forests and mountains are much prettier than the sprawling city! The only downside is that everyone in the coastal city towns know about Big Bear, so it can get crowded with lots of traffic going up the mountain.

The biggest draw to Big Bear is to get outdoors. The best time to visit is either in the winter to go skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or to just play in the snow and cuddle in a cozy cabin. In the summer, you can get out on the water in a boat or kayak. Camping is also a favorite in the summer months! My favorite campsite is Serrano Campground because of its location on the lake. Although be warned, you must book 6 months in advance due to its popularity.

Skiing / Snowboarding / Sledding

The most popular activity in Big Bear is to hit the slopes in the winter. If you haven’t tried skiing or snowboarding before, read my guide on what it is like trying it for the first time! A lot of the cabins you can rent are walking distance or a short drive away from the ski lifts. You could even go as part of a day trip because it is only a 2 hour drive. If you stay the night, try to find a cabin with a hot tub! Best thing to do in the cold after a long day in the snow. It also just makes for a relaxing get away to hang out and play cards and not plan a ton of stuff to do.

The best part about the mountains in California, is that you can go in the springtime and the weather is just gorgeous. While you can’t sled and the roads have no snow on them, you can still enjoy the slopes. Best part is that you can get 60s and even the occasional 70 degree weather while on the mountain! This means skiing with only a t-shirt on! Odd right! So depending on the experience you want, you could go in the winter and get the height of the snow or you can go in the spring and enjoy nicer weather.

For more winter activities, you can also try to find a spot to go sledding. When I went in March, the roads were clear of snow and the surrounding hillsides. Go down the back side of the mountain and you will see some pullouts and just find a random hill and go sledding! You might even see other people already doing it so you know if there is a good spot or not. I found this the easiest way to enjoy sledding in the wintertime. So either try to plan for sledding on your way to or from Big Bear. The back side of the mountain take a little longer to get home but it also is a safer journey as you don’t have the cliff sides.

Boating

The most popular summertime activity! You can either trailer your own boat to the lake or you can rent a boat when you get there. There are boats that are good fora variety of activities including water sports, fishing, or just a pontoon boat to relax and drink a beer! I’ve been fishing in the fall time before and it was a little disappointing as we didn’t catch anything, but still a fun experience nonetheless.

If boating isn’t your thing, you can also rent kayaks or stand up paddle boards. One thing to watch out for is that occasionally in the summer there is a green algae bloom that makes the water unsafe. I would either look up conditions before you go, or anyone that you rent gear from would advise you ahead of time if it is not safe to swim in the waters. You can even see it, its pretty gross looking.

Oktoberfest

For a little different activity, try going to the seasonal Oktoberfest! Mirroring the one in Germany, they set up a big festival for people to flock to in the fall. It is really pretty attending this event in the fall as the landscape is beautiful. The main thing to do at Big Bear’s Oktoberfest is why of course to drink beer and try the traditional Bavarian food!

Hiking

Another great summer activity is to find a hike! There are plenty of trails around to suit all the levels. Some hikes get beautiful views of the surrounding forest and the lake.

Big Bear Town

I feel like all mountain towns have to have a quintessential quaint village that captures the essence of the surrounding area, and Big Bear is no different. Find fabulous breweries, outdoor patio seating, and karaoke bars that come alive at the night time! It is definitely worth spending some time getting to know this little town on your visit.

When staying near Big Bear, I always rent an Airbnb although I’m sure the hotels are great too! I opt for Airbnb so my dogs can come with and for a hot tub! You can also check out nearby Lake Arrowhead, although this lake is private so you need to be staying in one of the hotels to enjoy the area. It does make it slightly less crowded experience than Big Bear. What I enjoy about Big Bear is how close it is to Orange County compared to Mammoth. You can easily leave on a Friday afternoon and come home Sunday or even do a one day trip. If you are new to California or need a weekend getaway, I can highly recommend Big Bear! One day I will get a cabin here, one day!