Introducing Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake (elevation 6750ft) is a family-friendly four-season playground, drawing ski bums and boarders in winter and hikers, mountain-bikers and water-sports enthusiasts the rest of the year. About 110 miles northeast of LA, it’s a quick and popular getaway not only for Angelenos but also for people from other Southland cities and even Las Vegas.

Big Bear is on the scenic Rim of the World Drive (Hwys 18 and 38), a panorama-filled road that climbs, curves and meanders through the San Bernardino National Forest for about 87 miles from the town of San Bernardino. Past Big Bear it plunges back down through canyons and chaparral to Redlands. Views are spectacular on clear days and downright depressing on smoggy ones. The forest is hugely popular with weekend warriors, but from Monday to Thursday you’ll often have trails and facilities to yourself and can also benefit from lower accommodation prices.