Big Bear Essentials
The Village
Pine Knot Avenue and Village Drive make up Big Bear Lake's downtown — known as The Village. Come here for lunch one day and dinner the next. And, of course, window shop for bear-themed knick-knacks. If you like people (or dog) watching, this is the place to be.
Breakfast: Teddy Bear Restaurant
Lunch: Big Bear Lake Brewing Company, 572 Social
Dinner: Peppercorn, Oakside
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Pine Knot Avenue
Pine Knot AvenuePine Knot Avenue and Village Drive make up Big Bear Lake's downtown — known as The Village. Come here for lunch one day and dinner the next. And, of course, window shop for bear-themed knick-knacks. If you like people (or dog) watching, this is the place to be.
Breakfast: Teddy Bear Restaurant
Lunch: Big Bear Lake Brewing Company, 572 Social
Dinner: Peppercorn, Oakside
Don't miss this deli
This place deserves its own entry. It's a quintessential mom and pop operation walking distance from The Village that's a must-try for lunch. Pick your preferred sausage; it'll come on a roll, sauerkraut on top, with mustard, a pickle and some great potato salad on the side.
Note: They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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The Old German Deli
40645 Village DrThis place deserves its own entry. It's a quintessential mom and pop operation walking distance from The Village that's a must-try for lunch. Pick your preferred sausage; it'll come on a roll, sauerkraut on top, with mustard, a pickle and some great potato salad on the side.
Note: They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Go + Do
Trails for summer, slopes for winter.
Looking for that special shot of the lake? The top of Castle Rock is where everyone gets it. Parking can be tricky as there is limited space on Big Bear Boulevard. Be careful crossing the street; passing cars have to navigate tight corners.
This is a very popular trail, so you'll likely have other hikers as company. It's a constant climb, steep in some spots, for over a mile. Turn around during the climb for great views.
Climbing Castle Rock itself is physically demanding; I'd only recommend it for confident climbers wearing the right footwear.
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Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardLooking for that special shot of the lake? The top of Castle Rock is where everyone gets it. Parking can be tricky as there is limited space on Big Bear Boulevard. Be careful crossing the street; passing cars have to navigate tight corners.
This is a very popular trail, so you'll likely have other hikers as company. It's a constant climb, steep in some spots, for over a mile. Turn around during the climb for great views.
Climbing Castle Rock itself is physically demanding; I'd only recommend it for confident climbers wearing the right footwear.
This is a short, easy, circular trail on the north side of the lake that begins and ends at a parking lot. This is a great path to walk after lunch — definitely dog friendly.
Note: A $5 US Forest Service parking pass is required to park in the lot, but there is free street parking along Stanfield Cutoff nearby, perfect if you also plan to fish or stroll along the lake.
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Woodland Trail 1E23
41948 North Shore DriveThis is a short, easy, circular trail on the north side of the lake that begins and ends at a parking lot. This is a great path to walk after lunch — definitely dog friendly.
Note: A $5 US Forest Service parking pass is required to park in the lot, but there is free street parking along Stanfield Cutoff nearby, perfect if you also plan to fish or stroll along the lake.
Many visitors pass Boulder Bay on their way into Big Bear. It's a nice park to visit, have a picnic and feed the ducks in summer, or have a snowball fight in winter.
Free parking; family-friendly.
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Boulder Bay Park
39080 Big Bear BlvdMany visitors pass Boulder Bay on their way into Big Bear. It's a nice park to visit, have a picnic and feed the ducks in summer, or have a snowball fight in winter.
Free parking; family-friendly.
Snow Summit is one of two ski resorts in Big Bear. Like any mountain, there are lifts for all ages and skill levels. Bear Mountain is good, too, but I prefer Snow Summit's size and amenities.
Start early if you want to find parking. During winter, thousands of visitors flowing into Big Bear are skiing and snowboarding. If you don't have your own equipment, consider renting from a shop in town instead of testing your luck with the lines here.
During summer, Snow Summit is transformed into a mountain bike park.
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Snow Summit Ski Resort
880 Summit BoulevardSnow Summit is one of two ski resorts in Big Bear. Like any mountain, there are lifts for all ages and skill levels. Bear Mountain is good, too, but I prefer Snow Summit's size and amenities.
Start early if you want to find parking. During winter, thousands of visitors flowing into Big Bear are skiing and snowboarding. If you don't have your own equipment, consider renting from a shop in town instead of testing your luck with the lines here.
During summer, Snow Summit is transformed into a mountain bike park.
Porady dla podróżnych
Zarezerwuj, zanim wyruszysz
Rent a pontoon boat
If you're looking to spend a couple of leisurely summer hours touring the lake, I recommend renting a pontoon boat at Pleasure Point Marina. Amateur boating is popular in Big Bear, so book at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Pontoons are slow, rectangular boats that are easy to operate; the marina's friendly staff will show you the ropes just before your voyage.
Pleasure Point Marina had the cheapest rates as of fall 2020. I went out with three friends in a small pontoon (max capacity of eight, but most comfortable for four-to-six) at $175 for two hours.