Big Bear, California is a well-known destination amongst travelers who value spending time in a locale where scenery, small-town charm and fantastic flavor collide seamlessly. Big Bear is a vacation destination where its undeniably just as easy to enjoy adventures in the great outdoors as it is to sit back with a cup of something hot and take in the view without a care in the world. It’s this tranquility and versatility that draws many travelers to Big Bear from far more bustling southern California cities such as Los Angeles or San Diego. Of course, visitors make their way this direction from across the country and globe as well finding Big Bear to be a place that beckons to solo travelers, couples in pursuit of romance and families and friends looking for off-the-beaten-path bonding time that comes with a view.
Deciding to travel to Big Bear, California is one thing while putting together that itinerary that takes the best of it all into account is always quite another. Big Bear is home to infamous Big Bear Lake as well as a collection of boutique shops, spas, ski resorts, restaurants and hiking trails that are all worth enjoying but can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Leave stress far behind and focus on making the most of your Big Bear adventure by using this as the ultimate guide to Big Bear when you’re in town.
Accommodations
Time spent on an around Big Bear Lake is always a highlight of traveling this direction and as an added bonus, this body of water provides visitors with stunning views. However, Big Bear as a city also enjoys being surrounded by the towering San Bernardino National Forest, giving it an even more scenic and sensational visual edge. For many visitors, finding just the right place to call your home away from home while you’re here means more than just booking into a hotel. While there are plenty of options for doing exactly that, guests who are looking to experience that delicious balance between a feeling of being immersed in nature, rustic charm and modern comforts can always choose to book vacation cabins in Big Bear, California as well. Whether you prefer to stay by the water or can’t wait to enjoy a stay that has you snuggled up between the trees, booking a cabin in Big Bear is a great option. Cabins are a budget-friendly way to stay in Big Bear but also provide flexibility when it comes to location, size, extra amenities, and even a view.
Dining Options
Once you’re settled into your preferred accommodations, guests might choose to cook up home-style meals during a stay, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to treat yourself to some of the most flavorful restaurants stops Big Bear has to offer up! The Peppercorn Grille is a popular dining establishment in Big Bear where guests can savor a casual, yet elegant atmosphere topped off with friendly service. This is a great place to order up everything from wine to cocktails ideal for being paired with all-American dishes. From steak and pasta options to seafood and even pizza, Peppercorn Grille is the perfect place to come as a couple or bring the entire family for a fantastic meal. Peppercorn Grille can be easily accessed at 553 Pine Knot Avenue and reservations are highly recommended.
If you’re a traveler to Big Bear who could skip dinner entirely and simply swap it out for a mouthwatering breakfast, there’s no place better to settle in during your stay than Grizzly Manor Café. Situated at 41268 Big Bear Boulevard, this bustling breakfast joint is known for its pancakes, waffles, French toast and coffee just to name a few. Service is friendly and the diner-style atmosphere makes it a comfortable place to hang out with friends when you have an appetite for breakfast fare that’s demanding attention.
Activities to Enjoy
Between the mountains, forests, valleys and lakeside trails, Big Bear, California is a place that practically begs visitors to spend as much time as possible outdoors. While the terrain is definitely eye-catching on foot or by vehicle, there’s something particularly thrilling about the option to rent a mountain bike and hit the trails while you’re in town. This is a popular activity amongst locals and visitors alike and there certainly are no shortages when it comes to trails that are bound to inspire. Bear Valley Bikes is a great option for those looking to rent a bike for their adventures. Located at 40298 Big Bear Boulevard, Bear Valley Bikes is a year-round, all-inclusive bike shop where new and used bikes are available for purchase and a large inventory of traditional and mountain bikes are ready and waiting to be enjoyed.
Equally as exciting are those Big Bear, California moments spent hiking Castle Rock Trail. Perhaps the most well-known of the collection, Castle Rock Trail is a popular choice thanks to its short distance combined with 500 foot gains in elevation. This moderately difficult trek is best when begun in the early morning hours with the trailhead easily accessed about one mile east of Big Bear Dam. Hikers can enjoy a mile out and a mile back, complete with rocky terrain and ending with an outcropping that offers up some breathtaking views of the lake. Pack your water and your camera for this one.
No trip to Big Bear, California would be complete without time set aside to enjoy a cruise on the lake. Hop aboard the Miss Liberty which departs from 439 Pine Knot Avenue and provides guests with a 90-minute narrated ride on a vintage paddlewheel tour boat.
Family-Friendly Stops
If you happen to be heading to Big Bear with kids in tow, a stop at Big Bear Alpine Zoo is sure to be the perfect solution to keeping little ones engaged and adults excited about the educational potential. Located at 43285 Goldmine Drive, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo functions as both an exhibition space and a rescue and rehabilitation center for animals large and small. Many of the animals this facility takes in are healed and released while those that can’t be released become part of educational programming focused on animal protection and wildlife conservation.
Author Bio
Caitlyn Knuth is a travel writer whose own adventures have inspired her to write about everything from the most delicious cafés in Paris, France to the breathtaking salmon runs in Juneau, Alaska. Working in association with Big Bear Cabins, she enjoys writing and sharing about Big Bear in the hope others will pack up and head out on California-bound adventures of their very own.
