Bears play a pivotal role in my life: they are one of my spirit animals, my name means "Little…read moreBear" in Latin which is also a pet name moniker, I have a tattoo with a bear and another of the Ursa Minor constellation, my deceased father was obsessed with bears, etc. When I was a teenager before evening living in the state of California (which obviously has its own bear connection); I was obsessed with MTV just like every other hot-blooded teenage girl. One year, MTV production went to Big Bear for a winter skiing getaway. I was instantly drawn to Big Bear per the name and somehow felt my soul tugged (the same as to the entire state which is why I moved here nearly two decades ago). I vowed to someday visit Big Bear. I am also one of the proud members of the 'Eagle Fam' who is faithfully devoted to the world-famous bald eagle couple Jackie & Shadow watching their nest cam every day. My adult vow, added to the teen one regarding visiting, was to see Jackie and Shadow's nest in real life sans camera. Well, the day has come and Little Bear has finally visited Big Bear! If those of us living in Los Angeles aren't spoiled enough; we have the amazing San Bernadino Mountain range village of Big Bear just a two-hour drive away where we can escape the hustle-bustle of stressful LA and enjoy the alpine splendor that is Big Bear. Big Bear is known for its skiing season but is also a summer retreat with cabin life, hiking, boating, fishing, zip lines, shopping, etc; 7000+ feet above sea level surrounded by pine trees and mountains that kiss the sky. Even the drive to Big Bear is glorious on the winding road up the mountain that famously reveals Big Bear and its centerpiece model the lake in the distance glittering blue surrounded by mountains. Big Bear is breath-taking even before you formally arrive. As an Angelino, the energy and vibe of Big Bear can't be ignored. Not only is the air clean and devoid of smog, but it is peaceful, slow-paced and calming: a genuine retreat that feels worlds away from the LA proper. At the center of it all is the main showpiece: Big Bear Lake, itself. The lake is 7 miles in circumference but manages to appear sweepingly larger and is surrounded by cabins, boat docks, shopping, skiing, hiking trails, Big Bear Village (the central mountain tourist-y district) and the commercialized village center with everything from Vons, Starbucks, Dollar Tree, Marshalls and Grocery Bargain Outlet to nearby Big Bear Courthouse, post office and library. The lake is the prom queen of Big Bear. If you're thinking that it is probably just any old lake; you are sorely mistaken as it is a thing of beauty. As a Jackie and Shadow fan club member; I went to the Captain John's Marina/Dana Point Park shoreline Fawnskin section of Big Bear Lake which is the official, legal viewing point of the bald eagle nest (the land directly surrounding the nest and their famous roost trees is federally protected especially during nesting season and is a criminal act to trespass). Bring binoculars because looking up from the ground is further optically then from the nest cam in reverse. While I was there, Jackie was on the nest with the two babies but I was hoping to catch Shadow, the King of Big Bear either fishing or flying-in. I had waited and just when I literally verbally stated, "Shadow show yourself!"; I kid you not that he flew right over from the other side of the lake and soared above in circles only approximately 60 feet above for a minute in duration. I cried and this was one of the most magical moments of my life and a true spiritual encounter with the celebrity Shad Daddy. Big Bear is also magical in that even in the skiing off-season of April when I visited; a snowstorm hit and the pine trees and lake turned into a Christmas Card. Even I, this Los Angeles sun girl who loves heat and hates the cold; had snowflakes in my eyes and felt like a child surrounded by magic dust has I haven't truly been in snowfall in 17 years. A very dire and controversial topic effecting Big Bear at the time of this review is the fight against land developers who purchased the 'Moon Camp' parcel of land very close to the nest and want to bulldoze over 2k trees, create 50 boat slips and luxury housing even though there is NO housing shortage in Big Bear. The developers have agreed to sell Moon Camp to the Friends of Big Bear nonprofit/San Bernadino Trust for the hefty sum of $10 mil by July 31st to save Moon Camp and forever protect Jackie and Shadow's home area. The cause has gone worldwide viral and at the time of this review is up to $3 mil in donations (failure is not an option and financing will be the next step is $10 mil isn't reached). Big Bear Lake and the entire mountainous retreat city now hold a piece of my heart and I am chomping at the bit to return. This peaceful and heavenly mountaintop lake and city is the must-see of all Angelinos whether for skiing, boating or visiting the King and Queen, Jackie and Shadow.

Year round fun and beauty - not just the winter! Big Bear offers so many different activities that…read moreis sure to please. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, someone who enjoys shopping, eating, or enjoying a slower pace vacation with your family pet, Big Bear offers it. Some activities our family makes sure to enjoy for our Big Bear visits have been: Holloway's Marina to rent a dog friendly pontoon boat to enjoy lunch on the lake (they also offer Pirate Ship Charters), popping over to The Village to stroll with our dog and do a little shopping and eat some good foods (there's also many good food places outside of The Village - like the Grizzly Manor Cafe and Blanca and Pierres!), visiting the Big Bear Discovery Center, strolling along the Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk, and horseback riding at Baldwin Lake Stables. In July, Big Bear puts on their "Fireworks Spectacular" which explodes over Big Bear Lake every July 4th and is FREE to spectators. A helpful tip: always check for road closures and road conditions before visiting/leaving and on the day of your travels. CalTrans has not been reliable, but Big Bear's website (Big Bear Mountain Resort dot com) has been. Just click on the "Road Conditions" tab and it'll take you to a page listing real time road updates and conditions. Enjoy beautiful Big Bear!

Boulder Bay Park is one of Big Bear Lake's most picturesque (and busy) spots, offering stunning…read moreviews of the lake, towering boulders, and plenty of open space for you and your dog to enjoy. Located on the western side of Big Bear Lake, this park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, particularly those looking to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely walk with their pets, a picnic, or just some quiet time by the water. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. If the lot is full, there is additional street parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild, and the lake is at its most beautiful.

We visited Boulder Bay Park on a Sunday mid-morning, arriving just a few hours before the peak…read morelunch-hour rush. It's a gorgeous location, and arriving early definitely gave us a head start before the heavier crowds rolled in. The Setup & Vibe * Shade & Seating: There's a large shaded gazebo as well as smaller shaded patches scattered around the grassy area. We were able to lay out on the lawn very comfortably! * Pro Tip for Next Time: Lots of visitors brought Pop-up Ez-Ups or shade tents--we'll definitely be bringing ours on our next visit. Kid & Family Friendliness * Toddler Haven: The park is super toddler-friendly. The local vibe was so welcoming--we even met another sweet family who shared their beach toys with my son! He had an absolute blast. * Water Access: Water entry is located right at the far end by the large gazebo. * Safe & Mindful: Even with paddleboarders going in and out of the water near the entry point, everyone was very careful and mindful of the young kids nearby, which gave great peace of mind. Parking Strategy & Warning * Parking can be tricky! The main parking lot is quite small with a tight single-lane, one-way setup. If you drive in hoping for a spot, you risk getting stuck in a bottleneck behind people idling and waiting. * Best Approach: We chose to park a bit further away and walk over, which saved us a huge headache. Highly recommend walking in if the main lot looks busy! Overall: A fantastic, scenic park with great water access and a wonderful family environment. We'll definitely be back (with our shade tent next time)!

There are a few picnic tables under some large trees, the bike path runs through, the shoreline is…read morewalkable and you can sit and picnic. Very nice spot to relax!

This is a great spot to see the lake and relax. There are trails to walk as well. There is limited…read moreparking but plenty when I came on a weekday.

The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk is an easy-to-navigate trail located on the east end of Big Bear…read moreLake. This boardwalk stretches across a protected wetland area, providing a unique opportunity to experience the region's diverse flora and fauna up close. The boardwalk is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels and it's dog friendly. Just be aware of bikers. The boardwalk is open from dawn to dusk and offers ample time to explore at your own pace. Parking is available nearby, and there are several access points to the boardwalk. We parked for free in a lot at the west end of the boardwalk.

I enjoy this trail! It's a flat walk along the lake with beautiful views, especially when the…read moreweather is nice! There is a parking lot here but it can get full, so many cars are usually park along the street. What I like about this place in particular is that all ages can do it & you can walk as far or little as you'd like. Great little treasure in Big Bear!

Jenks Lake,located in the scenic San Bernardino National Forrest is a terrific getaway for the…read moreentire family! Conveniently located just 40 minutes from downtown Redlands,California and nearby I-10 freeway- Jenks Lake offers beautiful mountain vistas,a clear lake view and trails,piknik areas and is the entrance to back country travels and hiking! They also stock the lake with trout if you enjoy casting a fishing line! Highly recommended for a family day of relaxing, mountain and lake adventures!

First time at Jenks was last year, 2025, been here twice this year. We bring the whole family out,…read moreand have a fun time. My 4year old has a great time catching fish off the pier. The atmosphere is nice and calm, restrooms are for the most part clean, for a park, the picnic area is a plus. There's an older gentleman by the name of Hugh, who patrols the park, cool guy to spark up a conversation with, Drives around in a golf cart, patrols the park, lets you know an hour before closing, helpful when you're not staring at your phone/watch. Jenks lake is becoming our regular escape from the city.

Nice view Easy parking…read more Quiet Lots of space for a grassy picnic Good playground for the kids

Least enjoyable experience. Very strict on every aspect of being here and talked to each other…read moreabout the people present the entire time. At one point a lifeguard went up to a group and was eagle watching them waiting for them to do something wrong. Such a shame because this area of the lake is beautiful.

Sly & Deven were very friendly & helpful. They helped us decide which of their locations best fit…read moreour group. Sly helped us revise our reservation to the shop near Boulder Bay Park. Deven gives great instructions & advice regarding the lake.

We rent from here every time we make our snowboarding trip to Big Bear. Easy to use website to…read morereserve from home. Quick and easy pick up process. And all their workers are so friendly, always making small talk with you and helping you get to know your board and equipments. This year we need to extend our rental an extra day and that was painless as well. When you come back to return, just drop off outside and show them your paperwork, it's a very quick process. Just a tip, there are 2 locations pretty close to each other so remember which one you rented from. :)

End of April 2025 we spent a relaxful get away celebrating Grandpup's 8 th birthday. T Bebe's mom,…read moreDoc, rented a spacious, beautifully decorated and furnished 3 bedroom deluxe cabin from Cool Cabins. Don't be fooled as it gets chilly and we saw lovely flurries the day before we left and a light snowfall overnight. There was a squirrel that greeted us when we first arrived pulling into the driveway. Never saw or heard anyone in the neighborhood. Easy Market was down the street for some canned Starbucks coffee and Iced Tea. We didn't cook our meals but ate out except for one lunch when we brought home pot pies from Pickles that took 90 minutes in the oven. We had a really good breakfast(pizza size pancakes) and dinner(prime rib) which we found on Yelp. The other meals were fine as it was hit or miss in a new place. We came decades ago and the development is amazing. Be sure to drive to the Village beyond Marshall's as there are more shops. We entered a pet store where I bought their version of nose and paw butter for my own fur Bebe. Found some gifts to bring home for the grand kiddies. We even went grocery shopping for ice cream for the pie slices from a bakery. The only let down was our reservations for a one and a half hour paddle boat tour was cancelled cuz they didn't reach their 15 passenger requirement. Not all the shops were open or even the donut place but we did see some wild donkeys. No other critters. Probably we came off peak season but thanks to Netflix and the big screen tv it was all good.

Big bear is often the place where SoCal locals go to experience snow for the first time:…read more Winter Season: 1. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, tubing. Spring and Summer: 1. Rock climbing 2. Off-roading 3. Camping 4. Fireworks in 4th of July 5. Lake activities Fall: 1. The same as Spring and Summer except enjoy the village and the gelato+teahouse in town! Highly recommend coming up