Big Bear Lake: Escape to the Mountains in Southern California

Begin your day at Big Bear Discovery Center, full of information about the area: trail maps, camping reservations, educational displays and much more.

From here, walk .8 kilometers on Highway 38 to the Cougar Crest Trail. This moderate, 7.7-kilometer hike (round trip) affords beautiful views of Big Bear Lake and connects to the Pacific Crest Trail, a dramatic pathway from Mexico to Canada.

Next, trade in your hiking boots for a big ole badge of courage because you’re going to try the Big Bear Jeep Experience. You’ll explore mountain terrain, from kid-friendly to Black Diamond, in an off-road Jeep with you as the driver!

End your day at the newly renovated Big Bear Village. Browse the shops and relax with a hot meal and a cold beer from Big Bear Lake Brewing Company.

The fishing at Big Bear Lake is phenomenal: catfish, blue gill, bass and especially rainbow trout. Get straight to the catch by booking a half-day fishing charter for the morning. They will provide everything you need for care-free fun on the water.

For the second half of your day, you’re going zip lining! Action Zipline Tours takes you into the San Bernardino Mountains for a high-speed adventure on nine zip lines.

There’s always something fun going on in the evenings: Live music, theater, sports and family events fill the calendar.

Take the Scenic Sky Chair at Snow Summit, a 1.6-kilometer lift up to 2500 meters altitude. If you’re a mountain biker, aspiring or experienced, spend a few hours at the Snow Summit Bike Park. The park offers lessons, a training park, cross-country and downhill biking. Refuel with lunch at Skyline Taphouse.

Cool off in the afternoon with water sports at the lake. Canoeing and kayaking, paddleboarding, Jet skiing, wake boarding or parasailing will round out your Big Bear adventure. Choose from many professional outfitters offering equipment and lessons for anything you choose.

For your final evening, catch a colorful sunset at Stanfield Cutoff at the lake. Don’t forget your camera!

Ontario (ONT), Los Angeles (LAX) and Palm Springs (PSP) are the closest international gateways to Big Bear Lake, California. Airports in these cities are within a 1.5- to 2.5-hour drive from Big Bear and offer numerous direct flights from international destinations.