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Aerial Photo
Big Bear Travel Story

Best Western Big Bear Lake Chateau
Big Bear Discovery Center

Big Bear Dam

Big Bear Historical Museum
Big Bear Farmers Mkt
Biking
Hummer, Trolley, Carriage Rides
Lake Activities
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Moonridge Animal Park - Zoo
Oktoberfest
Serenity Place Gallery
Serrano Indian Ceremonial Site
Skiing
Wedding elopement Stargazers Inn

Big Bear Lake Events
Oktoberfest
Old Miners Days

 

BIG BEAR LAKE HOTELS

 


 




 

 

 

Big Bear Lake Mountain Resort Getaway - Big Bear

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Mountain Resorts
Moonridge Zoo
Big Bear Lake
Oktoberfest
Big Bear Lake
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Mountain Resort
 

You Deserve a Big Bear Break Travel Story and Photos About a Southern California Mountain Resort

 

 

 

Escape the frantic pace & pressures of urban life for a relaxing & romantic getaway with the “bears” at Big Bear Lake. Once you leave Orange County to climb the San Bernardino Mountains and enter the village of Big Bear Lake, the only things you need to watch for are “bears.” You can’t avoid them. Wherever you look, you’ll see “bears,” not the grizzlies that once made Big Bear famous (they’re gone), but Teddy Bear Pantry, Big Bear Candy, Super Bear Arcade, Brown Bear Gifts, Bear Factory Clothing, Big Bear Threads, Bear Skins, Boo Bears Den, Beary Special Gifts…And these are just some of the “bears” in the village.

 

There’s so much to discover in Big Bear that your head will spin:

―You can see and learn about bears and many other animals at the famous Moonridge Zoo (near Bear Mountain; it’s open year-round) and the Big Bear Museum (open from Memorial Day through the second Sunday in October, off Greenway Drive by the Airport), and the close-by Discovery Center.

 

―You’ll learn more about bears, the beautiful lake, celebrities and movies filmed in the area by taking a boat tour. One of the neatest trips is aboard “The Pirate Ship,” which has been featured in films, including “Time Bandits.” The 43-foot long, 1/3-scale galleon “sails” by famed Cartoon Voice Noel (son of Mel) Blanc’s home (He shouted out “What’s up, Doc?” when we went by). Capt. Pyle and Pirate Don showed us the mountain retreats for Olivia Newton-John, Michael Judge (creator of “King of the Hill”), Richard Karnes (“Home Improvement”), Woody Harrelson, Shirley Jones and many more as well as where movies were filmed like “War Games,” “Frankenstein” and “Shane.” They also give excited fishermen aboard tips on where to catch Trout, Bass and Catfish. Check with the Visitors Center for various lake tours and times: 1-800-4-BIGBEAR.

 

―One of the most incredible things you can do in Big Bear (or anywhere else for that matter) is to learn about the universe from NASA & other scientists, then view the planets (like Mars) through Doreen Wiggins’ sensational telescope in her Stargazer’s Observatory (717 Jeffries Road). Located outside her terrific Stargazers Inn Bed and Breakfast, her observatory will create memories that will last a lifetime. To find out about her next Star Party & inn, call 866-482-7827. The very friendly lady holds regular Star Parties at her inn, which also features an indoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzis in every room.

―A nearby Bed & Breakfast also invites romancers and relaxers. The Alpenhorn Bed & Breakfast, a four diamond award-winner, features two acres of secluded Alpine forest and incredible cooking from innkeepers Robbie & Chuck Slemaker. The immaculate facility at 601 Knight Ave., which even has an alpenhorn, was created to be “the type of place we’d like to visit,” said Chuck, a former corporate executive who flew over 135,000 miles a year.
 

―On around the lake in Big Bear City is another tremendous Bed and Breakfast—Gold Mountain Manor, 1117 Anita Ave. Built in 1928, the historic log mansion has been enjoyed by several Hollywood stars, whose autographed photos testify to fondness for the manor and its hosts. There’s even a Clark Gable Room, in honor of the Academy Award-winning Actor and his bride, Carole Lombard, who honeymooned in a nearby cabin after their 1939 wedding. The stove from that cabin is in the beautifully-decorated room. Vivacious Manor Owner Cathy Weil, an avid outdoors lover, shows guests where to hike, fish, bike, ski and loads more activities.

 

―Big Bear features outdoor adventures for all ages all four seasons, including skiing and snowboarding at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, golfing at Bear Mountain Golf Course, Off-Road Excursion Trips to see Gold Mining (which got its start in the mid-1800s), Hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail, Water & Jet Skiing—to name a few.

 

―One of the favorite things visitors to Big Bear like to do is Eat. If you’re there in the Fall you might think you’re in Europe since the fabulous Oktoberfest (which just celebrated its 35th year by the lake) offers log cutting, beer stein carrying and a lot of other types of fun contests to go along with the German-style food and drink. You can also relish great German food as well as wonderful Bar-B-Q ribs and chicken at the Old Country Inn, 41126 Big Bear Blvd. If it’s cowboy food, music and atmosphere that you’re after, Cowboy Express, 40433 Lakeview Drive is a proven winner. There are a whole lot of other delicious destinations for whatever your food & drink desires are. Ask a local for their favorite.

 

―If Art is your passion, there are some interesting spots, including Timothy Wolcott Gallery featuring fine art photography at 40700 Village Drive in Big Bear Lake and Serenity Place, a fine arts and craft destination at 1028 West Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear City. Owners Cindy Jones and Louis Weiner feature new artists in exhibits that change monthly.

―No matter what it is you’re looking for, the experts to ask are the really friendly team at the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center & Big Bear Lake Resort Association, 630 Bartlett Road. The Business Office and Visitors Center are open from 8am-5pm PST Monday-Friday, and from 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. You won’t find any nicer, caring people anywhere. They’ll ensure you’ll have the time of your life and find just what you’re looking for. They all consider strangers friends they haven’t met yet. Give them a call 1-800-4-BIGBEAR or pop in for a visit .It “bears” checking out.

 

 

Debbie Stock and Craig MacDonald are travel journalists whose work has appeared in Sunset Magazine, Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange Country Register and numerous other publications. You can contact Stock through this web site. MacDonald can be reached through Sierra Heritage magazine where his book, California Gold Rush Glimpses, is sold.

 

Have you been to Big Bear Lake lately? In the winter the mountain resort provides snowboarding, snow skiing and tons of cold-weather fun while in the autumn, the crisp, cool air offers opportunities to experience colorful leaves turning to gold and nights where you can actually wear a coat outdoors!

 

Big Bear Lake has changed! Not only are there a host of upscale Bed & Breakfast resorts, there are also activities throughout the year such as Oktoberfest, horseback riding, mountain biking, boating, shopping at Farmer's Market, art galleries, dining and even wedding elopement in the very romantic pine-scented wonderland. Big Bear Lake is a destination to explore—the rising star of the mountain resorts.

 

 

 

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