We decided to walk around the Village on Monday. The skies were blue and the temperatures were wonderful. We stopped in to Himalayan Restaurant and enjoyed three different entrees. Their prices are reasonable.
After lunch we stolled around looking for chocolate. Instead, we discovered Der Weihnacht’s Markt. They are located on Pine Knot, in the heart of Big Bear Lake Village. Here is the video we shot of their fabulous Christmas displays.
White snow fills the Valley and reflects the beauty of the rainbow. Our skies are clear blue and the air is fresh.
Ring in the Holiday season with Christmas Carols in the Big Bear Lake Village. Join Santa as he lights our Christmas tree and celebrate the holiday season. We suggest you arrive early and park in the Visitor Center parking lot (MAP).
The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is a great place for people who want to play in the snow, but don’t board or ski. Rent an inner tube for a half day or full day and play on the hill. Both kids and adults will be tired after a day of sliding down the mountain. Big Bear Snow Play, across from the Convention Center, is run by the same people and can be less crowded.
In the east valley, Baldwin Lake Stables offers horseback riding all year round. Group rides are hourly. Hire a guide and go into the back country. Enjoy panoramic views of the Big Bear Valley.
You can take you family to breakfast with Santa at the International House of Pancakes. Santa will be there Saturday morning from 7:45 AM to 8:30 AM. If you want breakfast in a quieter atmosphere, try the Barnstorm Café in Big Bear City. They have a great breakfast menu and you can enjoy watching the planes land at the airport.
The Big Bear Lake Arts Council will present a “Holiday Follies” at the Performing Arts Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at 7:30 PM (MAP). The “Holiday Follies” is an eclectic mix of talented artists, including piano duets, cellist Sharon Rizzo and the Orpheus String Ensemble. Guest vocalist, Elaine Fitzpatrick will also visit from Las Vegas and perform. Reserve tickets at the Arts Council of Big Bear Valley, 909-585-5916.
A White Christmas is just around the corner. Reserve a Cabin today!
Check out this restaurant list
Halloween Pumpkins
Big Bear Lake CA -Arrive early afternoon on Sunday and park in the public parking lot on Bartlett. You’ll be able to make use of the Visitor’s Center. Take advantage of the free parking and public bathrooms. You can get your questions answered inside the Center and you’ll find maps, local newspapers and brochures.
Looking to eat and party? Check out these restaurants in the Village.
Desi’s –great food, great prices, parking limited to the street. We suggest parking at the Bartlett Street lot and walking over. It’s really close by. (MAP)
Nottingham’s –Always a party! Limited parking, use Bartlett St. parking and walk.
Northwoods –nice menu from family to fine dining. Easy parking.
Village Pizza –family style with limited parking.
El Jacalito –good Mexican food, limited street parking.
Paolis –Italian food, limited parking. Great place to sit and watch Halloween in the Village.
Starbucks –COFFEE…COFFEE…COFFEE
Halloween in the Village is a co-operative effort supported by local Village businesses. Thousands of children put on costumes and enjoy this holiday treat every year.
Whether you’re looking to experience extreme mountain pleasures or enjoy a cozy cabin campfire, Big Bear Lake California is your perfect, nearby, weekend getaway.
Visiting Big Bear Lake
Oktoberfest Big Bear Lake CA
Friday Nights in the Village
September 17, 2010 – 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Come to the Village in Big Bear every Friday night to enjoy family entertainment, great shopping, restaurants, arts and crafts fair, live music and more in the Village of Big Bear Lake.
Event Website: Village
Google Map: Big Bear Lake Village
Cooking Demonstrations
Saturday, 09/18/2010
10:30 am – 11:00 am
The Copper Q provides a totally unique shopping and entertainment experience. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, join us for cooking techniques and demonstrations. FREE! Thursdays and Fridays at 12 noon and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (909) 522-TheQ
Event Website: Copper Q
Google Map: CopperQ
40th Annual Oktoberfest
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs for seven consecutive weekends, September 18 through October 30 at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, located at 42900 Big Bear Boulevard in Big Bear Lake. The times are Saturdays 12 noon to 12 midnight and Sundays 12 noon to 5:30 p.m. Book your ticket online for $1.00 OFF! For more information call 909-585-3000 or visit www.bigbearevents.com
Google Map: Oktoberfest
More Information
Hot Dawgs and Hand Rails
Bear Mountain esort Presents Hot Dawgz and Hand Rails at Bear Mountain Resort Saturday September 18th, 2010 from 2pm til dark. The Pro Invitational Rail Jam offers up $15,000 in cash prizes. Admission for public is FREE! We’ll have a full bar (21 & up), music, vendor booth city, pro autograph signings, games, giveaways and of course weenie roasting. For more information (909)585-2519 or www.bearmountain.com
Google Map: Bear Mountain
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
This year’s Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will take place on September 16-19th at the PAC and Village Theatres. More details to be announced in early 2010. The BBLIFF is a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the emerging talent of screenwriters and independent filmmakers within the idyllic setting of Big Bear Lake. Our goal is to nurture a festival, which is highly creative, filmmaker friendly and which provides an educational experience for those people interested in all aspects of the film industry. For all details please visit www.bigbearfilmfestival.com or call (909) 866-3433.
Google Map: Performing Arts Center
Aaron’s Fall Big Bass Tournament
Aaron’s Fall Big Bear Lake Big Bass Tournament, sponsored by Holloway’s Marina and Big Bear Cool Cabins. 90% of entry fee goes towards cash prizes, 10% of entry fee goes to Bass stocking in Big Bear Lake. All Bass stocked are 3 lbs and up. $200 per two person team, plus $25 to enter into the “Big Fish prize”. Weigh in at Holloway’s Marina. For more information, rules and regulations call Big Bear Charter Fishing (909) 866-2240 or (800) 475-3166
Farmer’s Market every Tuesday from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Fresh farm produce, sterling silver jewelry, tacos and burritos.
Google Map: Farmer’s Market
National Forest Weekly Events
Event Website: Big Bear Lake Discovery Center
Google Map: Big Bear Lake Discovery Center
Kayak Tour
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Reservations required, for more information visit our tour page.
Fee: $35 per person, ages 10 & up.
Gold Panning
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Come learn how to pan for gold! Children will learn the process of gold panning, using real panning equipment. The “gold” is pyrite, and children can take home their findings along with an informational handout and a certificate!
Fee: $3
Map & Compass
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
You won’t get lost in the woods with these skills! You will have the opportunity to walk a course to test the skills you have learned.
FREE ~ Donations appreciated.
Kayak Tour
12:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Reservations required, for more information visit our tour page.
Fee: $35 per person, ages 10 & up.
Nature Walks
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Free 30-minute guided walks.
High Flying Rockets
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Get a chance to build your own rocket from recycled materials then see how high it flies. Class limited to 12, sign-up at the front desk.
FREE ~ Donations appreciated.
Nature Walks
2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Free 30-minute guided walks.
Kayak Tour
3:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Reservations required, for more information visit our tour page.
Fee: $35 per person, ages 10 & up.
Campfire Talks
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Big Bear Discovery Center is committed to providing educational and entertaining evening programs to teach visitors about the San Bernardino National Forest. Sponsored by California Land Management.
Fee: $5, children 5 & under and Serrano campers Free! Start times vary between 7pm & 8pm, call for details.
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!
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