From the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce (MAP):

We have two zipline companies which can take you zipping through the trees, enjoying beautiful views along the way, Call ahead. One takes you to the Johnson Valley, and the other is up at the Cedar Lake Camp area.

We have a company that can take you off-roading in their own vehicle, which will save the wear and tear on yours? Just throw your sandwiches and drinks in the cooler , and they can take you where you want to go. There are set tours, but they can be tailored to suit you, and they are very reasonable. This company takes the studios out to search out movie locations for future films.

If you want to do your own off-roading (

MAP for Moonridge to Sugarloaf), pick up a trail map and have fun! And don’t forget to pick up an Adventure Pass, which permits you to stop on Forest roads.

If you brought your own guns, you can try out the Shooting Range at the weekend.

Scenic Flights of the Valley and mountains are available for you to get a bird’s eye view.

Take the family bowling any time! Glow bowling at night, pool table, arcade games and great French fries. There is a full bar and a 105” tv. Don’t worry if you can’t bowl well, just push a button and the bumpers come up on the lanes.

We have a rescue animal park. The zoo (MAP) has been responsible for returning over 8,000 animals back into the wild! They have all kinds of animals you would expect to see in the mountains and desert areas, such as grizzly bear, black bear, wolves, mountain lions, owls & eagles! On the way there, stop at some great shops along Moonridge Rd., and check out the golf course next door. Did you know that your ball goes further because the air is thinner?

There is a petting zoo and horse riding stables at the east end of the valley. Go for a gentle walk, for the time span you choose. Open year round.

Go up to Snow Summit for a ski lift (YouTube Video)  chair ride to the top and hop off and hike around, hop back on to come down. or if you hooked your mountain bike on, on the way up, you can bike down. They have their barbecue going at the top, so it is easy to stick around to enjoy the views.

Stop at the bike rental stores for loads of info. And if you prefer street biking, they can help guide you there also. You can even rent the baby trailers to hook on the back of your bike.

If you like light walking along the shore to vigorous hiking amongst the rocks and trees, we have a trail for you.
The Forest Service runs the Discovery Center over on the North Shore. They run all sorts of activities: canoeing, kayaking, animal tracking, and have a display with animal fur you can touch, a gift shop filled with educational toys and books, and a café that has some outdoor seating with terrific views. People love to go and have their picture taken outside by the huge bronze bear. They run a summer concert series in their outdoor amphitheater and hold stargazing evenings, story-telling, and more……

Water activities include some great charter fishing companies with lake tours, several tour boats (Pine Knot Landing

MAP), parasailing, jet skis, jet boat tours, all kinds of boat rentals, from peddle boats, electric fun boats, to kayaks & canoes, fishing boats and pontoon boats. There are six areas around the lake for various watercraft rentals.

Go for a swim at Swim Beach, cleared of weed, lifeguard on duty, inflatable slide and trampoline in the water, or go to the water slide at Alpine Slide and try the toboggan slide, the go carts, mini golf and arcade games. Meadow park also has a large jungle gym to help the kids burn off some energy.

Be sure to check out our Museum. They have real old cabins, a schoolhouse and even a teepee! All are staged so you can see how it really was.

Our restaurants are all pretty top notch. From special occasion dining to steaks, seafood, bbq, ethnic food and fast food, there is sure to be something for every palette. Only one restaurant on the lake, but several with a view of it. Let’s face it, how could there not be a view of something wonderful in Big Bear?

Shop all around our beautiful valley, from west to east, and don’t forget to enjoy Friday Nights in the Village (

MAP). Family fun with activities, extra vendors, and free entertainment, and Wyatt’s Saloon at the Convention Center for family fun, really good food, and line dancing.

Pick up our information to see what is going on while you are here, and for when you come back!

More Resources;

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Big Bear, deep in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains offers incredible opportunities for off road driving (4×4). From simple drive through Holcomb Valley to Gold Mountain where a spotter is your new best friend!

The video below is of a Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Saturday was beautiful. The temperatures were in the mid-fifties and the sky was a deep bright blue. We wanted to go out and take some pictures so we thought we would head up behind Bear Mountain. We drove around past the Zoo and the crowded Resort, but the back road was blocked with snow.

We then drove past the Village and took a left on Mill Creek Road. There were a lot of kids sliding in the snow off the side of the forest road. The back road into Cedar Lake was snowy and gated.

We continued past the Dam around the lake, when we reached Fawnskin, we turned north and headed into Holcomb Valley. We drove out less than a couple of miles, to Yellow Post Camp site #33 and parked.

Yellow Post Camp Site #33

We hiked out from the campsite, heading down the road and into the hills. We found the snow line, enjoyed the views of Mount Blady and Lake Arrowhead, and then returned after three hours. At the picnic table we dined on burritos and sodas.

We left as soon as the sun began to set. The temperatures dropped dramatically and it was time to return to our warm cabin in Big Bear.

Spring feels like it is getting closer. The mountains are still covered in snow and the Resorts are full of boarders and skiers. But the daytime temperatures are in the mid-fifties. The weather is beautiful!

We saw a hummingbird looking for food yesterday. It’s still a bit early for them. We probably still have a few more snowstorms and some more cold temperatures to get through.

Women’s Edventures will be at Bear Mountain this weekend. They are offering all levels of clinics for snowboarding and skiing. These clinics are taught by professional instructors. It’s a great opportunity to sharpen your skills.

The back roads are still pretty wet. Some of the snow has melted creating large tracks of mud. If there is no more precipitation this week, things might dry out enough to have some fun out there.

Hiking is starting to improve. The best spots are in the east Valley where the temperatures are warmer and a good portion of the snow has melted. Other areas will still have snow in north facing areas.

The Village Theater is showing Slum Dog Millionaire, Doubt, and Defiance will strat this weekend.

Saturday night, at the Inn at Fawnskin, Nancy Walker is hosting a party to celebrate the release of her CD. All proceeds will go to benefit the Moonridge Zoo.

Helmet Cam Test

Big Bear Solar Observatory

If you are coming to Big Bear this weekend, check your route before heading up. Highway 18 is closed from Running Springs to the Big Bear Dam. Alternate routes are Highway 38 from Redlands or Highway 18 from Victorville through Lucerne Valley. They are hoping to re-open Highway 18 sometime late today (Friday). Hopefully the warmer weather and beautiful sunshine will make their job easier.

The weather for today and Saturday will be mostly sunny, the weekend high temperatures are expected to hover in the mid-fifties. Bring your sun screen!

With high temperatures in the mid-fifities, the best time to hit the slopes is in the early morning. With over night temperatures expected to be around freezing, the morning snow is firm and deep. Once the sun starts to drop in the afternoon, the snow sets up nicely.

Not interested in snowboarding or skiing? The Discovery Center sponsors snowshoe tours on Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $35 adults and $25 ages 8-16, which includes snowshoes, pole, water and snacks. Reservations are recommended.

We’ve received over a hundred inches of snow this year (about 30% above average). Driving off-road is sketchy unless you are prepared. Carry chains, a tow rope, warm clothes, a cell phone and food. There will be ice, snow and large drifts. Last time we went out in conditions like this, we encountered people stuck in the snow without 4 wheel drive.

Hiking will be best off a dirt road right now. The temperatures are starting to rise and melt some of the snow we’ve received in the last few weeks. For a quick walk, try the Alpine Pedal Path at Stanfield Cutoff and the North Shore.

Hiking on a trail will be difficult. Although the wind has blow the snow around, we have an average coverage of two feet on the ground with drifts of several feet. Be sure to have tall boots, waterproof pants, water, a cell phone and sun screen –at 7,000 feet the sun and wind conditions will affect your skin quicker.

If you’re not the outdoor type, head into the Village and check out the shopping. Mill Creek Trading Company carries Pendleton, Ugg and Carhartt. They’ve been a Village fixture for years, will an experience staff and a great selection of women’s and men’s clothing. There are a couple of art galleries and Village Theaters has five screens in the Village.

Snowy Conditions