Big Bear Lake is a city on the south shore of the lake with the same name. The city, and (obviously) the lake, sit in the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. The city prides itself on being a four-season vacation destination. At a minimum, it is definitely great to visit in the summer for outdoors activities and winters for skiing.
Big Bear Lake has a ton of activities during the summer for outdoors enthusiasts. The lake is stocked with fish. The hiking is top-notch (we recommend Castle Rock Trail). The area has several operators that offer ATVs, stand up paddleboarding, jeep tours, and ziplining.
Big Bear is a winter playground. Big Bear Mountain Resort is one of California’s best ski areas. The resort is a true winter destination with plenty of options for lodging, entertainment, and dining.
Unlike many mountain getaways, Big Bear caters to those who want to spoil themselves with good food, shopping, and relaxation. The town has several spas, including the Mountain Mobile Massage & Spa, which will provide in-home (or in-hotel) massages.
Big Bear's high elevation and distance from the coast mean very different weather than many California cities. Winters see daily highs in the 40s with a fair amount of snow. Great for skiing, tubing, snowmobiling, and all of the other great options for winter play.
Spring is a quick warming and drying period. March is still decent for skiing, but by May temps are back close to 70.
Summers are beautiful and sunny, with daily high temps around 80 degrees. It is a major tourism season.
Fall is the inverse of spring. September is still dry with highs in the mid-70s. By November, daily highs are in the mid-50s and it starts to transition back to the wet season.