Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake stands at nearly 7,000 feet, with an average annual snowfall of 66 inches. Every year thousands of Californians converge on this small mountain town to board and ski the trails combined 42 trails in the two nearby resorts, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. February is Big Bear’s highest snowfall month with an average of 18 inches per year and an average high temperature of 47°F.

If warm summer recreation suits you better, the average July high is a balmy 81°F. During the warmer months, Big Bear Lakes recreational offerings include kayaking, wakeboarding, fishing, jet skiing, and just about anything fun that you could want to do on Southern California’s largest recreation lake. Off the water, you’ll find thrills on the Action zipline, lush green fairways on the Bear Mountain Golf Course, and Scenic Vistas on Baldwin Lake Stables’ horse rides. If you prefer an even higher view of the area, Helicopter Big Bear offers rides that range from seven to 45 minutes, high above it all for an unequaled perspective on this spectacular expanse of California.

For the history buffs and Big Bear Lake is an essential part of cinematic history: Gone With the Wind, Old Yeller, War Games, and Better Off Dead are some of the more recent movies Hollywood has filmed there, but crews have been filming in Big Bear Like since 1911! You can learn about Big Bear’s natural history at the Big Bear Discovery Center.

With Big Bear’s year-round recreation, shopping, and opportunities for adventure, it is the perfect Southern California destination for a restorative getaway from daily life.