Page 116 - 2019 Travel Guide to California

BIG BEAR LAKE
Southern California’s primo mountain escape
»HIKE, PADDLE,
SKI, RIDE
Big Bear Lake Visitor
Information
bigbear.com
MOUNTAIN BIKERS take in the view,
above; the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
is open year round, below.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS LONG
been famous for its golden beaches and
glittery Hollywood movies and TV shows.
Less renowned but equally vibrant are the
places SoCal residents and visitors in the
know go to find outdoor fun. From fishing
and swimming to skiing and snow-
boarding, the mountains of San Bernardino
County, especially in and around Big Bear
Lake, offer year-round alpine action.
Nestled in the San Bernardino Moun-
tains 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles
and 150 miles northeast of San Diego, the
Big Bear Lake area is easily reached by three
different roads. Once visitors arrive they
find a fine place to unwind, thanks to the
clean mountain air, 300 days of sunshine a
year, gorgeous reservoir lake and abundant
scenic views.
Summer Fun
Summertime is prime time to enjoy miles
of hiking trails around manmade, seven-
mile-long Big Bear Lake reservoir or rent a
boat, waterski, hire a Jeep for off-road
driving, go paddle boarding, kayaking, para-
sailing and fish for rainbow trout. You can
take off-road Segway tours and helicopter
tours. Fourth of July features spectacular
fireworks above the lake. There’s family fun
at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, where 85 species
of injured or orphaned wildlife are rehabil-
itated before release; it’s one of only two
American alpine zoos. If all this tuckers you
114 2019 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA
B Y D A V I D A R M S T R O N G
out, take the Scenic Sky Chair at Big Bear
Mountain Resort to 8,200-foot Snow
Summit, kick back at the Skyline Taphouse
and drink it all in.
Fall Colors
In autumn, crisp, comfortably cool air blan-
kets the area and brings out the fall colors.
From mid-September through October,
locals and visitors alike flock to Oktoberfest,
held in the spacious Big Bear Lake Conven-
tion Center. German food is served, German
bands play oompah tunes (think tubas) and
German beer is on tap.
Winter Snowplay
Skiing and snowboarding rule in winter. Ele-
vations range from 6,700 feet to 10,000 feet
and the region clocks a yearly average of 100
inches of snow at Big Bear Mountain Resort
and aptly named Snow Summit. Alpine
Slide, in the Magic Mountain Recreation
Area, offers a quarter-mile long concrete
bobsled experience.
Spring Adventure Season
Warming springtime temperatures bring a
profusion of delicate wildflowers and the
lake opens up for excellent fishing. Popular
outdoor activities such as hiking, rock
climbing, zip-lining and mountain biking
return after winter’s hibernation. It’s also a
good time to go off-roading via jeep
through Holcomb Valley.
BIG BEAR LAKE