Rediscover Big Bear Lake, where outdoor adventure, wellness, and culture await those brave enough to look
Summer in SoCal is a time of excitement and possibility. The sun beckons us to get out and explore, to find the euphoria in discovery. True adventurers know that we can find comfort by venturing outside of our comfort zones and opening ourselves to new environments. And those undiscovered experiences are often hiding all around us — even right outside of L.A., San Diego, and Palm Springs.
Nestled in the heart of Southern California, Big Bear Lake is famous as a wintertime wonderland of skiing, snowboarding, and snow-capped splendor. But few are privy to Big Bear's 60+ summer events, lodging packages, and off peak adventure deals that make it an all-season destination. You may have heard of the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, Tour de Big Bear, and Labor Day Weekend Boat Parade of Lights and Drone Show, but those just scratch the surface of what this year-round destination offers. There are sides to Big Bear that only the bold and brave seek out, which makes it a less-crowded, better-value substitute for pricier outdoor getaways. Big Bear has year-round physical trials for athletes and outdoors enthusiasts, but there are also ways to stimulate the mind and spirit with wellness, art, and culture excursions. And if you’re simply looking for relaxation vibes, Big Bear has your whole day covered from bottomless mimosa brunches to private mountain-air cabin balconies to family activities to a hot-tub soak beneath the star-strewn night sky.
Most importantly, Big Bear is still raw and wild. There are no bumpers at the bowling alley or brakes on this mountain coaster — just you and the adventure you choose to create. Offering a refreshing break from all the "don't touch that" signs coddled cities overuse, Big Bear is a wilderness, both physically and mentally. Breathe in the overall sense of adventure and natural awe as you let your imagination run uninhibited, and let Big Bear's rough edges empower you to challenge yourself right in cushy L.A.'s backyard. Whether off-roading or hiking past trail’s end, Big Bear puts you in the driver’s seat.
Think you know Big Bear Lake? We dare you to rethink your assumptions and preconceived notions and rediscover this all-season destination — at your own risk.
Outdoor Adventure
Wellness & Relaxation
Big Bear Lake is also a place to test your mental and spiritual wellbeing.
With Big Bear's proximity to L.A., San Diego, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and the San Bernardino Airport, visitors come by car or plane to experience this rejuvinating oasis. The mere journey to the lake, along the winding wood-lined roads that open to panoramic mountain vistas, slows the heart rate and clears the mind. Once you’ve arrived, there is a variety of Wilderness Wellness experiences to choose from. There’s Big Bear Hiking Adventures and YogaWild Big Bear in a transcendent exploration of the forest — and yourself — through a Wilderness Wellness Hike. Book a private Sound Bath meditation and feel your worries melt away. Schedule a two-hour Wilderness Reboot with Elevations Day Spa that includes a cold plunge, infrared sauna, lavender-and-cedarwood sugar body scrub, and LED red light therapy for skin rejuvenation. The Wellness Package at Sessions Retreat and Hotel includes a two-hour e-bike rental (or a three-hour traditional bike) followed by a cold plunge with UV sanitation lights and a sit in the infrared sauna.
Or you can just grab a mat and breathe in the crisp mountain air for outdoor yoga, Pilates, or CrossFit with a local studio. YogaWild also offers paddleboard yoga on the water. Work up a cleansing high-altitude sweat at the gym and then hit a spa, like Elevations Wellness Center, for a massage or body treatment.
After you’re done working on your inner self, touch up your outer appearance at a salon like Juniper Hair Lounge or Anne’s Salon. You can also pamper yourself with a stay at N&P: Boutique Lodge, which features cedar hot tubs, a game room, and bicycles.
And what better way to unwind than with a glass of wine? Father’s Day weekend brings the Big Bear Village Wine Walk, where participating stores welcome customers with delicious wine and snacks to enjoy while shopping.
Arts and Culture
Big Bear Lake isn’t just for nourishing the body, mind, and spirit — it can also enrich the soul and inspire the imagination. The Big Bear Performing Arts & Theatre hosts unforgettable live stage and music performances. Of course, movies are also a treasured medium at Big Bear, an enthusiasm and reverence encapsulated by the annual Big Bear International Film Festival (Sept. 6-8).
If a good story is what you yearn for, learn the real history of Big Bear Lake and the surrounding area. The Big Bear Visitor Center is a great place to start for some general information. Learn the human history of this place, along with fascinating natural history that dates even further back, at the Bear Valley Historical Museum.
For hands-on historical experiences, nearby Plimoth Patuxet Museum transports families to a fully functioning 17th-century English village, where blacksmiths forge tools, bread bakes in colonial ovens, and kids can test their skills at games that entertained children centuries ago.
The journey through time continues at Pilgrim Hall Museum, home to actual Mayflower artifacts. Just a half mile away, the impressive 81-foot National Monument to the Forefathers offers a stunning backdrop for family photos, checking both “educational content” and “impressive vacation pics” boxes on parents' summer goals list.
And of course, Big Bear Lake is a hot spot for people looking to glimpse a much larger story — that of our universe. When the sun sets, there is no better place to stargaze and contemplate our place in the cosmos. The Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society (BBVAS) leads star-spotting parties, or you can just find a quiet spot and pack your binoculars to take in a meteor shower, survey a celestial object, or just marvel at the star-strewn firmament above. Together, the Big Bear Valley Astronomical Society (BBVAS) and Care for Big Bear will launch SkyFest in 2025.
So, if you dare to challenge yourself — and have a lot of fun — register for an event, book your stay, or just stop by to explore Big Bear Lake’s wild side this summer at www.bigbear.com.
SPONSORED BY
By Monica Vanover on April 24, 2025
Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s top destination for outdoor recreation — every month of the year.
The lake sits within the San Bernardino National Forest and provides access to over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. Pack your boots or mountain bikes, for more rugged high-altitude terrain (Olympians train here) or rent an e-bike for smoother paved trails that give you unfettered access to this natural playground. The valley is a masterpiece of scenery, including dense pine forest, lush green meadows, and pristine high-desert vistas. It’s home to menagerie of wildlife and an Eden of native plants. You can rest your feet at Midnight Moon Cabins, a dog-friendly overnight with arcade tables, fenced yards, and EV chargers.
Big Bear Lake itself is a hotspot of activity. Cast a line and go fishing from the shore or on a boat or even enter a contest like the Fishin’ for $50K Big Bear Trout Fishing Tournament (June 7-8). You can put-in your canoe or kayak and float the pristine waters. There are also marinas, like Captain John’s Fawn Harbor & Marina, Pleasure Point, Paddles and Pedals, Big Bear Marina, Pine Knot, Holloway’s, and North Shore Landing, that rent all manner of watercraft, from pontoon boats to jet skis to stand-up paddleboards. Some of these also offer lessons in wakeboarding and waterskiing. And you can stay at the Hotel Marina Riviera, a reimagined 1968 lodge with retro-chic charm that will soon feature a private beach, sauna, and outdoor firepits.
In the summer, Big Bear is also a must for off-roaders of all types. The area features 4X4 trails for four-wheelers, Jeeps, dirt bikes, and just about anything else with a motor and wheels that will excite drivers of all skill levels from beginners (Gold Fever Trail or Polique Canyon Rd) to avoid hobbyists (John Bull Trail). Just make sure your vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive: You don’t want to get stuck.
Outdoor Adventure
By Monica Vanover on April 24, 2025
Arts and Culture
Wellness & Relaxation
SPONSORED BY
Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s top destination for outdoor recreation — every month of the year.
The lake sits within the San Bernardino National Forest and provides access to over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails. Pack your boots or mountain bikes, for more rugged high-altitude terrain (Olympians train here) or rent an e-bike for smoother paved trails that give you unfettered access to this natural playground. The valley is a masterpiece of scenery, including dense pine forest, lush green meadows, and pristine high-desert vistas. It’s home to menagerie of wildlife and an Eden of native plants. You can rest your feet at Midnight Moon Cabins, a dog-friendly overnight with arcade tables, fenced yards, and EV chargers.
Big Bear Lake itself is a hotspot of activity. Cast a line and go fishing from the shore or on a boat or even enter a contest like the Fishin’ for $50K Big Bear Trout Fishing Tournament (June 7-8). You can put-in your canoe or kayak and float the pristine waters. There are also marinas, like Captain John’s Fawn Harbor & Marina, Pleasure Point, Paddles and Pedals, Big Bear Marina, Pine Knot, Holloway’s, and North Shore Landing, that rent all manner of watercraft, from pontoon boats to jet skis to stand-up paddleboards. Some of these also offer lessons in wakeboarding and waterskiing. And you can stay at the Hotel Marina Riviera, a reimagined 1968 lodge with retro-chic charm that will soon feature a private beach, sauna, and outdoor firepits.
In the summer, Big Bear is also a must for off-roaders of all types. The area features 4X4 trails for four-wheelers, Jeeps, dirt bikes, and just about anything else with a motor and wheels that will excite drivers of all skill levels from beginners (Gold Fever Trail or Polique Canyon Rd) to avoid hobbyists (John Bull Trail). Just make sure your vehicle is equipped with all-wheel drive: You don’t want to get stuck.