The biggest small town in the world.
Southern California's premier mountain escape — skiing, trails, lake life, and unforgettable views all year round.
Check the weather, roads, snow, and webcams before you head up the hill.
Everything you need for the perfect mountain getaway
Bear Mountain & Snow Summit — world-class slopes, fresh powder, and night skiing
Every restaurant, bar, and café in the valley
100+ miles of alpine trails and scenic views
Boating, kayaking, fishing, and waterfront fun
Routes, chains, and mountain driving tips
7+ campgrounds around the lake from $33/night
Alpine Zoo, bald eagles, and nature tours
Explore the entire valley with our 3D map
Fresh webcam snapshots from around Big Bear — auto-refresh every 60 seconds
Big Bear is a true four-season destination
Bear Mountain (198 acres, 26 runs) & Snow Summit (~240 acres, 33 runs). Lift tickets $105–$169. Night skiing until 8:30 PM.
Snow tubing at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain ($39/90 min). Snowshoeing, snow play areas, and winter nature walks.
Dec–Mar: Bald eagles winter at Big Bear Lake. Guided tours from Discovery Center (909-382-2790). Annual count in January.
Cabins from $100/night. Hot tubs, fireplaces, mountain views. Walk to the Village for dining and shopping.
Meadows bloom with lupine, paintbrush, and dozens of species. Peak viewing April–June along forest trails.
11+ trails from easy (Alpine Pedal Path 3.4 mi) to epic (San Bernardino Peak 16 mi). Adventure Pass: $5/day.
Big Bear Lake is stocked with trout. License: $21.09/day. Trout limit: 5/day. No live bait allowed.
Annual spring BBQ cook-off in April/May at the Village. Live music, craft beer, food vendors, and community fun.
Pontoon boats $130–180/hr, jet skis $165/hr, kayaks $25–45/hr. Pirate Ship cruises $44 adult. 5 marinas.
Snow Summit Bike Park: $55–75/day, 35+ trails. XC trails through the national forest. Rentals from $75/day.
7+ campgrounds around the lake. Serrano (109 sites, $33–36/night), Pine Knot, Hanna Flat. Reserve at Recreation.gov.
4th of July fireworks, Tour de Big Bear cycling, Concerts in the Village, Big Bear Triathlon. Something every weekend!
Peak foliage mid-October. Golden aspens and oaks along Alpine Pedal Path, Stanfield Marsh, and the Rim of the World.
Sept–Nov, every weekend at the Convention Center. $10–45 tickets. Live bands, beer, brats, log sawing, stein hoisting!
October. Multiple distances (5K to 100K) through the San Bernardino National Forest. One of SoCal's top trail races.
Golden hour through the pines, misty mornings on the lake, fall colors. Best spots: dam overlook, Castle Rock, Stanfield Marsh.
Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains at 6,752 feet, Big Bear Lake is Southern California's premier four-season mountain resort community. Just a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles, this alpine paradise offers world-class skiing, pristine lake activities, hundreds of miles of trails, and a charming mountain village.
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Big Bear combines the best of mountain living with reliable weather — from fresh powder to lakeside summers.
Essential resources for your mountain trip
Live highway status, chain requirements, and alternate routes
Current conditions, 7-day forecast, and mountain weather alerts
Directions from LA, San Diego, and desert cities with drive times
Complete listing of shops, services, and local businesses
Everything first-time visitors need to know before heading up
Build your perfect itinerary with our interactive planning tool