What To Do In Big Bear!
Big Bear valley is a four season resort as well as a beautiful place to live all year round.
There are three major highways to enter the valley as well as an airport.
But for this journey we will begin on highway 18 which begins in the City of San Bernardino, California.
The 45 minute drive up the mountain is in itself a scenic wonder however when you cross over the dam on our new bridge you will enter an area we call Boulder Bay filled with old and new cabins as well as permanent homes.
You won't have to keep a sharp eye out for a brand new park on the lake, on your left, because it also provides ample parking a dock that is often occupied by fishermen and ladies and a small swim beach.
If you look just ahead on your left you will see the sign for Boulder Creek Condos and if you were smart you would have made advance reservations especially for a unit with a lake view!
A quater mile on your right and you will see Golden Bear Cottages, one of the oldest and best kept sleeping facilities on the hill, sleeping well over 200 people at a time, with a pool tennis court and etc..
Another mile on your left and you will see a sign for Holloways Marina which has as much to do about boat rentals, guided fishing tours, The Pirates Ship lake tours as well as full and part time What To Do In Big Bear!
Another quarter mile on your right up highway 18 and you will find a locals favorite called Azteca Grill with authentic Mexican dishes to die for at very reasonable prices including beer and wine. Say hello to your hosts Arturo and Rosa for us!
And right accross the road you will find Bear Creek lodge with a large number of newly remodeled cabins, pool and recreation grounds.
And would believe just another quarter mile up the road on your right you will find a long time outdoor fun park called Alpine Slide. With Go carts, Miniature Golf and Bob Sled it operates 12 months of the year and provides fun for Kids of all ages.
And right next door you will find Cool Cabins with over 300 vacation rental facilities.
Another quarter mile and you have to make a decision. Do you wish to go straight ahead and enter the village with dozens of shops and visit one of Big Bears most famous photo artist, Tim Wolcott at his world famous Gallery Of The American Landscapes.
Or turn left, follow the curve and just on your right you will discover the Bowing Barn with tons of things to do including a bar with a dance floor.
And believe it or not just a few feet more and the next barn red building is Big Bears newest entertainment center, the Big Bear Fun Plex with its own lazer-tag court, alpine roller coaster and, bumper cars, pool tables, arcade games and did we mention the pizza restaurant inside?
Right accross the street and you will find the beautiful Fireside Lodge, pool and all.
If you have decided by now that you might want a place of your own in our fair valley just drive another half mile and keep a sharp eye out on the left for Exit Realty. Stop in and say hello to Dan and his very knowledgeable real estate agents and see what may be available just for you.
Just across the street on your right and you will find the newly remodeled Wolf Creek Lodge, again with a pool and tennis court.
Now just for a minute let me introduce you to our beautiful forest with over 600 miles of off road vehicle paths as well as an untold number of miles in bike paths and while we're on the subject of bike paths just a quarter of a mile on your right you will find Summit Blvd. entrance to that well known premier ski slope and right on the corner with a huge parking lot is another premier business called Chains Required that not only rents bikes in the summer but skis in the winter. What an ideal location.
By now you know that Big Bear is all about fresh air and recreation with super relaxation and for those who don't want to get up in the morning looking for a restaurant or cooking for that matter let us tell you about a bed -n-breakfast facility with accommodations and food that will knock your socks off, its called Apples and yep you guessed it is just another quarter mile on your right to Moonridge road and a quarter mile up the road toward Bear Mountain ski resort, and on your left is Apples Bed-N-Breakfast!
When you are well rested from the recreating and shopping, etc. let us introduce you to just two more places you will want to know about. Go back down Moonridge road and turn right and drive past the Stater Brothers shopping center and about a mile down the road you will find a fun place on your right called Big Bear Snow Play and of course its only open in the winter but on a very gentle hill that's just right for small children as well as the adults you might have with you.
And would you believe right across the highway is a giant of a building called The Big Bear Lake Convention Center. This building happens to house the largest Octoberfest celebration in the state of California as well as a dozen major events throughout the year. And would you believe it can hold up to 1500 people legally? For you Corporate types that are looking for a location that provides a change in atmosphere with a ton of old-world hospitality the Big Bear Lake convention center is worth a look-see. Don't worry about transportation from your accomodations the valley has been working on them for a long time.
The Big Bear Valley Historical Societies building and exhibit is just a couple more miles out to the east of here housing more mining information and such including the original settlers, the Serrano Indians.
But before you get there look on your right for Big Bear Get-Way vacation cabin rentals.
Now for those of you who insisted in driving up the mountain from Redlands or flew in from the Ontario Airport (20 minutes) or LAX (35 minutes) just reverse all of the directions in this letter and all of the rest of our recommendations will still be available to you. Thanks for visiting and welcome to Big Bear.
And to the third way up or down the mountain, hgwy 18, from Las Vegas/Barstow a left turn at "Green Way" brings you to a stop light, turn right and in about a mile you will come to the Airport and another mile you will you will find the Convention Center and right acrooss the hgwy you will find the "Snowplay" area, see its just that easy.
Big Bear Valley also includes historic Fawnskin on the other side of the lake, just a few minutes drive from here and on your way there you will pass the Discovery Center provided by the San Bernardino National Forest Association and plan spending some time, for sure!
Just in case you need some more information just cruise this directory and we'll keep a light in the window for you!
