Village Reservation Service Recommends:
Things to Do:
Looking for some fun ways to spend your Big Bear vacation? Not sure where to go or what options are available while you are here? We’re happy to help.
Winter Activities:
Two of the top winter activities in Big Bear are skiing and snowboarding. Big Bear Mountain Resorts have everything you need to fulfill your fun in the snow this winter; whether it’s your first time getting on skis or a snowboard, or if you are an advanced downhill expert or skilled jibber. Snow Summit is even offering an option for inner tubing for anyone that doesn’t feel quite up to skiing and snowboarding. You’ll find many of our homes are located within just minutes of the slopes which makes your trip to the mountain, that much easier.
Big Bear has two quality inner tube snow play fun parks The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, just west of Big Bear Village, and Big Bear Snow Play, which is located on the east end of Big Bear Blvd. Each inner tube snow play park has covered Magic Carpet rides with clear Plexiglas tunnels. Big Bear’s inner tube parks are the only facilities in Southern California that have Magic Carpet uphill lifts that transport riders to the top of the mountain.
Action Snowshoe Tours is fun for ages 10 and older and all ability levels. They provide your equipment (snowshoes and poles) and training with experienced guides. Enjoy the beauty of the winter solitude amongst the Jeffrey and Ponderosa pine trees surrounded by snowcapped mountains. These multi-terrain tours are customized to each group so you can choose to go easy, go hard or any combination during your tour. Snowshoeing allows you to enjoy many trails that are not accessible via snowboarding or skiing.
Summer Activities:
Spending time on the lake is one of the favorite activities of many visitors to Big Bear Lake. Weather you want to spend your morning fishing or your afternoon parasailing on the lake, or something in between, we have a variety of marinas, fishing tours and water sports companies in Big Bear to help you enjoy our beautiful lake. Visit BigBear.com for information on each of our marinas and what they have to offer.
Hiking is another summertime favorite for visitors to the valley. Our mountain offers a variety of trails and walking paths to suit every ability level. Click here for a list of trails and a map or come by our office and ask about our favorite trails.
The Alpine Slide offers family fun activities year round. In the summer, it’s Southern California’s only authentic bobsled experience. Riders control their seed twisting and turning down a 1/4 mile long track. There’s also a double water slide to cool off. Go karts and an 18-hole miniature golf course make this a popular year-round family fun destination.
Mountain biking has become one of the activities that Big Bear is known for. We’ve hosted a variety of races and events, but there are plenty of ways our guests and get in on the action. Here is a list of rental shops, tours and places to ride!
Everything In Between:
The Big Bear Discovery Center is a great place for visitors to learn about forest stewardship through interpretive displays, classes and our new Nature Discovery Zone, an outdoor adventure space designed for children 2-7 years old and their families to explore and reconnect to nature. The Discovery Center also serves as host to several concerts throughout the year. Visitors are able to participate in numerous guided tours of the National Forest, included guided canoe and kayak tours of Big Bear Lake. Additionally, The National Recreation Reservation Service handles reservations for most campgrounds, a select few are first-come, first-served. The Big Bear Discovery Center is co-managed by the non-profit Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Entrance is free and the facility is pet friendly.
Helicopter Big Bear offers a variety of tour options with ten different suggested flights ranging from seven to forty-five minutes of flying fun. Get a new perspective of Big Bear by taking a scenic aerial adventure above the mountain resort from the vantage point of a helicopter cockpit.
The Bowling Barn offers year round entertainment with 16 bowling lanes open to the public daily. They do bumper bowling for the youngsters and glow bowling every night. There is a great little snack bar, and arcade and a full bar inside as well to keep everyone fed and entertained.
The Big Bear Funplex is Indoor fun for the whole family! Activities include lazertag, arcade and indoor ice skating. When the family needs fuel for all the fun they will have, eat at Noble Roman’s Pizza conveniently located inside.
The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest runs from late September through the end of October and has become world renown for its own traditions and old-world ambience, celebrating friends, family and good times. A festival like no other, guests are treated to authentic German entertainment; feast on Brats and Knockwursts direct from the German butcher; and enjoy the very same beers poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest for more than 150 years!
Shopping:
The Big Bear Lake Village, which our office sits right in the heart of, is packed with a variety of shops for you to browse through and find just the right items to take back home. From clothing, souvenirs, home goods and specialty items. The Village offers a little bit of everything for you and your group.
Places to Eat:
In a resort town like ours, you’ll find a variety of places to enjoy a nice sit down meal or just grab something on the go! Here are some of our favorites:
Sit Down Meal:
There are a variety of restaurants in the valley for you to enjoy a meal with your family and friends. From the west end of town with Azteca and the Brewery all the way to the east end of town with the brand new restaurant Kallans and all along the way, there is something for everyone. The Village features the Peppercorn Grille, moving along the boulevard, you’ll find Old Country Inn and Sonora Cantina.
Deli’s and Diners:
Want a great sandwich or a quick burger, try Amangelas or Teddy Bear in the Village. BLT’s is centrally located on Big Bear Blvd and Mountain Munchies is in the Stater Bros parking lot. All feature a variety of sandwiches and other tasty meals for you and your guests.
Fast Food & Quick Grabs:
Whether you want to order to go or just hit the drive-thru we have many options for you to grab a quick bite. From east to west, we have a Subway, Wabo’s Tacos, Carl’s jr., Mc Donald’s, El Pollo Loco, Taco Bell and Jack in the Box. If you want to grab something to go, most of our restaurants are happy to set aside a to-go order for you to pick up and a few even deliver.