Romantic Valentines

Big Bear’s Sweet-Heart Deals add Extra Spark to Romantic Getaway

Big Bear Lake, Calif./January 25, 2012 – Big Bear Lake serves the ideal setting for a romantic winter getaway with two top-notch ski resorts, candlelight dining, comfy accommodations with wood-burning fireplaces, and a variety of “sweet-heart” specials to woo that special someone. Big Bear’s temperatures might be in the 20s or 30s on this special occasion, but the mountain resort sizzles with red-hot passion.

Action Tours (Action Zipline Tours and Action Segway Tours) have special discounts called “Get Some Action on Valentine’s.” Action Zipline Tours’ special whisks lovers off their feet (literally). Couples fly through the trees and over the snow on ziplines, and save $40 off regular rates per couple. Action Segway Tours offers a unique way to explore Big Bear on an electrical two-wheeled chariot. This invigorating outing for couples also discounts $40 per couple. Both offers are good for February 11 – 14, 2012. Rates are limited to the first five couples per day that the special is valid (Feb. 11-14), and must mention “Get Some Action on Valentines” at the time of booking to receive the discount. For zipline tour reservations call 909-866-0390. For Segway tour reservations call 909-366-0890.

Helicopter Big Bear offers a treat for love birds who want to fly together. Enjoy a 20-minute sightseeing flight from the vantage point of a helicopter cockpit to witness beautiful scenic aerial views. Longer tours are also available. The intimate flight includes a linen-lined picnic basket complete with champagne or Perrier sparkling water, a box of fine chocolate, a stuffed teddy bear, and a single rose. It’s a Valentine’s Day treat that will be remembered for a lifetime. Helicopter Big Bear’s Valentine’s Day special offer is good from February 11 – 18, 2012. Reservations are required. To book the Helicopter Sightseeing Flight for Love Birds call 909-585-1200.

Couples who opt to go skiing or snowboarding for the Valentine’s Day holiday might consider Goldsmith’s Boardshop for “Couples Rentals,” rent one rental set, and get the second rental set of equal or lesser value for free. “Couples Rentals” are valid February 10 – 15, 2012. For more details contact Goldsmith’s Boardshop at 909-866-2728.

After a day of playing in the snow together, finish your day of romance at your private accommodations. Choices range from full service hotels to charming bed & breakfasts, private homes and rustic cabins. Whether it is lakefront, in the village, or countryside, every lodge in Big Bear creates a romantic atmosphere. Some Valentine’s Day specials for lodging accommodations to consider are Windy Point Inn, Castlewood Cottages and Blue Horizon Lodge.

Windy Point Inn is the quintessential getaway for lovers. The beautiful contemporary Bed and Breakfast Inn is right on the lake. This Valentine’s Day Holiday the inn offers $100 off a two-night stay in a lakefront suite, which includes a whirlpool tub, wood-burning fireplace and a full breakfast. Rates are good for February 10 – 15, 2012. To book a romantic getaway to Windy Point Inn, call 909-866-2746 or visit www.windypointinn.com.

Castlewood Cottages offers an “out-of-the-ordinary” romantic hideaway. Here, each of the 11 “couples only” cottages offers their individual themes in furnishings, artwork and ambiance. Even the visiting couples “live” the experience wearing the costumes they receive to match their chosen cottage. They relive historic and ancient worlds at “Robin & Marion’s,” “King Arthur’s,” “Enchanted Forest” or “Antony & Cleopatra.” They enjoy chance meetings at the “Captain’s Quarters” or portray demure princess and elegant prince in “Castle Garden.” For the more adventurous, exciting experiences in “Enchanted Forest,” “Crystal Cave” or “Woodland Treehouse” create unforgettable memories. Other romantics choose lovely “Kate’s Garden” or dramatic “Gone With the Wind!” These delightful cottages, just a short walk from Big Bear Village, are charming, private and romantic, just the right choice for a unique Valentine’s Day getaway. Book an overnight stay at Castlewood Cottages from February 11 – 14, 2012 and receive 20 percent off regular rates. For reservations call 909-866-2720 or visit www.castlewoodcottages.com.

Blue Horizon Lodge helps spark an evening of romance with a free bundle of firewood for couples who book a two-night stay during Valentine’s week February 10 – 15, 2012. In addition to the free bundle of firewood, couples will save 20 percent off regular rates on a two-night stay. Guests must mention the Valentine’s Day special at the time of booking to receive discount. For reservations call 909-366-0089 or visit www.newbluehorizonlodge.com.

Big Bear Lake Resort Association offers a wide range of romantic packages that combines a room with choice of a couples massages, day spa service or romantic room customizing with roses, candles, and rose pedals placed in the room. Book Romantic Getaway Packages at www.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232.

Photo Courtesy of Bear Mountain Resorts

Big Bear Lake, CA – Today, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux updated the Board of Supervisors regarding Supervisor Neil Derry’s proposal to ease the stringent county parking codes for mountain area businesses.

The county currently employs a universal, “one-size fits all” parking standard for all businesses mandating a certain number of parking stalls based on a variety of criteria. These criteria include features such as square footage and type of business, among others.

“The current requirements are too onerous for mountain businesses where space is limited and it is negatively impacting the local economy,” Supervisor Derry said. “Residents and patrons do not want a concrete jungle in their beautiful forest and want access to a variety of businesses and service providers for their unique lifestyle.”

One proposed change would reduce the 10 parking space minimum requirement for restaurant uses to a four space minimum.

The parking study must go before the county planning commission for review before it can be brought back to the board. It is anticipated that the board will receive the proposal in the Spring of 2012.

Mountain Driving;

• Winter Driving Tips from a Lake Tahoe Local: Driving in the Snow … – Jan 29, 2011 … Winter Mountain Driving: How to Drive in the Snow. As a South Lake Tahoe local,
• South Lake Tahoe in Winter: Buy tire chains for your car and drive … – … OR A LIST OF ITEMS TO HAVE IN YOUR CAR FOR A DRIVE IN THE

Big Bear Lake and Big bear City have had snow showers all morning. They received four inches of snow overnight with another in accumulating today. Road conditions are R2, no chains on four wheel drive vehicles. The roads are slushy today, but that will freeze up as temperatures dip to around sixteen degrees tonight. Please drive cautiously. Here’s a map of road conditions. Once it loads from Google, click on the icons to see conditions as of 11:30 AM today.

Roads Conditions Map

Shane Cabin

Many people know that Big Bear Lake has been host to countless movie productions. From Roy Rogers, to Dr. Dolittle, Big Bear has been the optimum place for filming outdoor movies.

Big Bear hosted one movie production that hasn’t been forgotten, “Shane”. Starring Alan Ladd and Jeanne Arthur, “Shane” is the story of a gunfighter who wants to settle down and homestead. Circumstances prove otherwise.

“Come back, Shane.” is one of the most remembered phrases in moviedom. Brandon De Wilde played the part of an 8 year old enamored with Shane. Watch the movie for the rest of the story!

At the time, the Shane house was built in a less developed area of Big Bear, known as “Shay Meadows”. The building is still there. Although surrounded by more modern buildings, the Shane cabin still commands the space. Though it looks like a liveable home, the cabin is actually papier-mache inside. It was a movie set, not a real house. Needless to say the outside, though weathered, still looks pretty good!

Movie buffs can find the cabin in the Eastern part of the Big Bear Valley. Take Big Bear Blvd. as if you were leaving town. Just past the Sugarloaf traffic light, most traffic heads to the right and up the hill. Stop at the sign and proceed across the 38 into the residential area. Continue around onto Shay Road and look to your right through the fence, just after the curve. None of the other buildings in the area can match the old construction of that cabin. With a little bit of fancy photography, you can get the house without the surrounding modern buildings.

The Shane cabin is on private property, but it is very easy to get some good pictures. Turn around on Shay Road and head back around the corner. Make a left on Midway. Proceed around the curve. Inn Der Bach is a wedding and conference center, with the cabin on their property. You’ll see the cabin off to the right of the property, “Inn Der Bach”.

Please respect the property. The cabin is not open or even habitable, and it is on private land. With today’s cameras, you should have no trouble zooming in and capturing this historic building.

Big Bear City and Movie Films;

• Tour of the San Bernardino Mountains: Rim of the World Highway -  The San Bernardino Mountains are a beautiful place to visit year around. This tour was during the fall around Thanksgiving just after a rain storm. There were many beautiful clouds in the sky, which made for some beautiful photographers coming up Highway 18. Several movies have been filmed on Highway 18…
• Big Bear, CA: Something for everyone – Big Bear California is a quaint mountain community, situated along the shores of Big Bear Lake. Locates 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, and with altitude ranges from 6,7500 to 9,000 feet, there are over 300 days of sunshine each year…
• A Mysterious Lake By a Miner’s Grave: Photo Journey, Big Bear … –  Big Bear City, California has a rich history in the Mining Tradition: tales, fables, murders and mayhem typical of this period in time. The Holcombe Valley has a series of wonderful mining cabins you can visit on their guided trail, complete with gems and stories.