Wow! Stopped by the Captains Anchorage for an early dinner. The place was busy with locals having cocktails and dinner. We ordered the prime rib and the orange roughy. Our dinner was fantastic!!! Cooked to perfection, tasty, and served quickly. Staff were amazing. Friendly, chatty, and helpful. They went overboard to provide excellent service. We also enjoyed reading the displays mounted on the wall featuring Andy Devine (original owner). Very charming restaurant, service and food are wonderful! read more

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What a cool spot in the heart of Big Bear! We tried to walk in a year ago but there was a 1 hour wait or longer, even at the bar. So this time we made a reservation way in advance. Turns out, this past weekend was pretty empty due to no snow. The location is super close to where we stayed, and the parking lot is a decent size. When you walk in, the ambiance is very old school with the dark wood, covered windows and candlelight/fireplaces. There's 2 sections downstairs, the left and right side, and then you go upstairs to the upper level, where there are an additional 2 sections. I love the different spaces and mix & match furniture style. We sat upstairs across from the fireplace, which wasn't on. We were approached quickly by our server, who was very nice and offered suggestions on food to order. The staff served us some bread & butter which was ok, nothing great. We started with two small cups of clam chowder, that was pretty good - super creamy and had a good amount of clam. I like that it was a smaller portion because it was very rich. We also got one prime rib with brussels sprouts and a Chilean seabass with garlic mashed potatoes. My man loved his prime rib and veggie. My seabass was buttery and delicious but the potatoes were watery and not very flavorful. We got two cocktails - the cadillac margarita and a fruit margarita. Price was very fair and the drink was tasty. We didn't have any dessert, a lot of the options came with ice cream and i'm just not a fan. We definitely would try again to order something else. read more

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Captains Anchorage is one of the more fine dining establishments in the Big Bear area featuring a rustic and cozy atmosphere. This establishment has some history dating back to 1947 under its previous name. The menu features various appetizers (crab cakes, steamed clams), some various Angus beef steaks (top sirloin, New York strip, filet mignon, standard cut), a prime rib (which seems they are famous for), a couple chicken dishes, a pork chop, a pasta, some various seafood (fish, crab, shrimp etc). A friend and I wanted some steak and dined in here for that reason; we had a nice time. We didn't have a reservation and it was a busy night. We were able to sit in the bar area however at a table and were served by a great team of staff whom were friendly and provided great service. We had skipped appetizers on this visit and went straight to drinks and entrees. Hendrinks Martini was a good pour and nicely made and my friend enjoyed some Woodford. I went with the 12oz New York Strip with a blue cheese topper and a choice of steamed vegetables. The steak was cooked to a nice medium as I wanted, tender and nicely seasoned. The blue cheese topper was nicely cooked on top and gave the whole steak another great layer of taste. Friend had the Petite Cut 6oz with a loaded baked potato. Ended the meal with some good coffee and all was well. Prices are reasonable and to the times. Parking was easy and plentiful on premises in a lot filled with tall pine trees. Looking forward to the next visit! read more

Captains Anchorage - The New York Strip 12 Oz with a blue cheese topper and steamed vegetables - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Ray and I had a wonderful dinner at Captain's Anchorage while in Big Bear, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Ray ordered the top sirloin steak, and he said it was absolutely delicious--cooked to perfection and so flavorful that you don't need steak sauce at all. His tip: order melted butter on the side and drizzle it over the steak--it takes it to the next level. He also had a baked potato with chives and sour cream and a side of sautéed mushrooms, which were phenomenal. I had the vegetable beef soup and the New England clam chowder, and both were excellent--comforting, rich, and perfect for a cold Big Bear evening. For drinks, Ray enjoyed an Irish meal, and I had a Mountain Mule--both were delicious. The atmosphere is cozy, moderately quiet, and has that classic Big Bear cabin feel, which we loved. Our waiter, Shawn, was fantastic--very knowledgeable about the restaurant's history (he's been there for 31 years!) and even shared some of the restaurant's ghostly stories, which added a fun and unique touch. This is definitely a must-go dinner spot when you're in Big Bear. We'll absolutely be back. read more

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This is the best surf and turf steakhouse in big bear. Their staff is amazing and super helpful. And the food is always so perfectly done! It's a treat to eat here. read more

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I really enjoyed this cozy restaurant. It is the kind of place where you'd take someone on a nice date or celebrating something special like an anniversary. Since we came on a weeknight, it wasn't too busy, but I'd imagine it would be packed over a weekend. I had the 12 oz prime rib which was way too much food for me, but it was sure delicious with the included clam chowder and the yummy baked potato. Lessons learned for next time is that I don't need to order such a large portion of prime rib as the small portion is ample. read more

Captains Anchorage - New England style clam chowder Cup - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Captains Anchorage was a great restaurant. It's probably going to be the best food you will get in big bear. I enjoyed the prime rib. The service was good and the ambiance was a little loud but it was not too bad read more

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The food in the service were top-notch, I really mean that. Worth every penny. We went on a Wednesday and there was still a pretty good crowd. I love that they had a real steak on the kids menu. Our nine-year-old can eat. read more

Captains Anchorage - Porterhouse in all its glory - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I'm more than happy to post yet another update to my review - as comments made on THIS post from Carlos were incorrect AND not directed to my review mostly. Carlos should not have responded to two separate reviews with one response here - as they are not indicative to my review. I do take pride in being honest in my reviews -AND I do not like being commented on with response to any other review other then my specific comments - nothing that anyone else with me comments separately. Please see my initial review, i DID CLAIM that MY FILET order was fine and cooked perfectly - I had my sauce, and my salad was fine. References in Carlos responses here - comments that are about and referencing a TOTALLY SEPARATE ACCOUNT and review/ APP should NOT be referenced in a response to ME on my Review. So the comments made here - regarding Jeremie's review - should NOT be referenced here. You should remove them and post on his review alone. Do not lump a single response together for separate reviews. read more

The food was wonderful as was the service! Ambiance was perfect and we have already been back! Nicest restaurant we have been to in Big Bear! read more

Got a recommendation of this place from some other visitors during brunch. Checked it out on Yelp and the menus looked quite nice. Plus I've been craving prime rib lately... We arrived for dinner Sunday night around 7:45 during sunset. Inside it was quite dark and moody with lighting and very rustic vibes. Fits perfectly with the town. The host asked if we would like inside or outside. Outside preferably with a heater was our request and it was met. We got seated next to the fire pit which was perfect. There was a party of about 8/10 and a couple that was already seated in the patio area. It was quite nice with the outdoor lights and water feature. And the perfect fire pit. Besides that, it was empty. First thing I notice were the metal chairs. With shorts on, it wasn't going to be nice during dinner. But one of the ladies actually offered a seat cushion for us as well as blankets. The perfect duo for dinner. That was a plus in service. Jennifer was our waitress. First off, she's amazing. The service was excellent and she was outstanding and friendly. Not only her but another one of the lady that was outside with her was great as well. Both took very good care of us and made us feel so comfortable throughout dinner. Amazing service from both of them. It's an impressive menu with pretty much all amazing dish. But found out that they had ran out of the prime rib which I was looking forward to. That was bummer. Drink wise, we had the espresso martini and a margarita. Drinks were good which was a nice start to the meal. Full bar offered. Food wise, we started off with the clams in the wine broth. Came out pipping hot and some sourdough bread for dipping. Both was a great start to dinner. Broth was quite tasty and flavorful. Nice chunks of clams added. Entrees, the top sirloin with veggies and Chilean sea bass with a bake potato and all the trimmings. Was sold on that as it was fresh and not frozen. Also had clam chowder to start as it was part of dinner. Chowder was quite nice and thick. Very flavorful and served with oyster crackers. Steak came out nice with chunks of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. Both steak and sea bass were very good. Fish was a good meaty portion and very flavorful without a fishy taste. We were pretty full after that meal. Overall, the food was quite nice. Everything we had was excellent. A little disappointing when I found out that they had ran out of prime rib but it was fine. Service was amazing with Jennifer and the other lady. Ambiance outside was perfect with the fire pit, lights and blankets. Would definitely be back for another meal. read more

Great food and service.. we went on the low season, it was less crowded just like how we like it.

I have heard mixed reviews about this place but we decided to check it out yesterday and I'm so glad we did! The ambiance was great, vintage steakhouse with fabulous music. Great wine list... I had a glass of Austin Hope Cab. We started with an artichoke. Then got a prime rib and bison short ribs. To finish, since we were stuffed, we got a butter toffee cake to take home. Everything was fabulous! And the service was great too. read more

Captains Anchorage - Prime rib dinner - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Excellent choice for dinner, date night or to celebrate a special occasion. The next table celebrated a youngster named Eli who got a candled dessert and a happy birthday serenade. The atmosphere is romantic with low lighting, strung lights, and relaxing music of the past by crooners and even Chain Gang. Hubs had their pork chop and he demolished everything on his plate. Doc had an 8 oz medium prime rib while I had a medium well end cut. Mine was tender, Juicy and perfectly seasoned. We both had take home boxes. Their bread was soft and the loaded baked potato was delicious. You are treated like valued customers cuz at least 2 people came around to ask how everything was. I believe the woman was the owner and the gentleman was the manager. I would definitely return for the food, courteous service and the ambiance. read more

Captains Anchorage - End cut, Loaded Baked Potato - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Still one of our favorite Big Bear restaurants and one we visit on every trip to Big Bear. Definitely make reservations in advance, as it is extremely popular. We came tonight with six of us and each got the prime rib with salad and baked potato. One also got the clam chowder which she said was delicious. Always friendly service. We were visited twice by the owner, Patty, and also by the general manager. Great experience and totally recommend! read more

Captains Anchorage - 16 ounce prime rib with baked potato with all the fixings and salad with blue cheese dressing - delicious! - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Came up here for the weekend with my fiancée and we knew we had to try this spot. I'm so glad we did! The food, the atmosphere, the history, the haunted nature, it's all perfect. Started off with some sautéed garlic mushrooms and wow, I never thought I could enjoy mushrooms by themselves this much! Ended up saving some for the steaks. Also got the diablo shrimp app, they are the perfect way to start a meal; bacon wrapped, a little heat from the jalapeño, a bit of sweet from the bbq sauce. Chef's kiss! We both got clam chowder and it was very tasty. Hard to go wrong with it honestly! For dinner she got the teriyaki top sirloin, I got the prime rib. The teriyaki top sirloin was cooked to perfection and very tender. It had a couple slices of pineapple on top and a side of teriyaki sauce for dipping and it was delicious! Also got a side of herb garlic butter, do yourself a favor and get this to add to a steak, veggies, or a baked potato (trust me). When I ordered my prime rib our server asked if I wanted it flip flopped. I asked her what that was and she said it's when the chef finishes it on the grill. I've never had it that way so I said let's do it! Totally worth it, it changed the flavor in such a great way. Gave it that little charbroil taste on the outside and still had that excellent pink color throughout. Super tender and flavorful! We both got the steamed veggies on the side and there was nothing to complain about, but definitely get that butter to add to the flavor. We heard the stories about the building being haunted so we asked if we could see upstairs and they were kind enough to give us a quick tour. Overall the staff was so nice and accommodating, the food was excellent, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want from an old school establishment such as this. If you find yourself in Big Bear put Captain's Anchorage on your list! read more

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This was a very cute spot for me and my fiancee to have dinner for my bday. It had vibes of a cool old school date spot in the heart of big bear. We were sat upstairs in a cute corner where we could sit side by side. Our waitress Jennifer (Jessica? Sorry I forgot!) was phenomenal and provided us with the special & other delicious options. She was extremely attentive and just gave amazing service. We ordered the bourbon bacon jam, the he special which was a surf and turf, and the prime rib. Everything was so delicious and we were stuffed to the brim! It was funny that the bourbon bacon jam crumbs were dropping on other parts of my food and it was still an amazing combo. Cucumbers? Baked potato? Brussel sprouts? YES it ALL worked haha Overall, when we are back in town we will 100% come back! read more

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If you like dark restaurants with great steak, this is your place. My neighbor recommended this spot for our anniversary dinner. I wasn't super impressed with the wait time being that we made a reservation, but the food made up for the wait. Prices are reasonable and the service was pleasant. The clam chowder is great. I got the prime rid and it was absolutely delicious. Overall, a nice romantic spot in Big Bear to celebrate or just enjoy a great steak. read more

First time here and the service and food was amazing! Very welcoming as you walk in and friendly staff. Our server Val went over the menu in details with us and answered all our questions and her food recommendation hit the bullseye! Shrimp dilabo, clam chowder, Steak, lobster, garlic mashed potatoes, and crispy brussels sprouts. I added a Long Island iced tea, AMAZING read more

Captains Anchorage - Lobster, crispy Brussels sprouts and Long Island iced tea - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Unassuming from the outside, but once you step inside you're immediately transported -- classic, old-school charm in the best possible way. The kind of place that feels like it has stories. My grandparents used to frequent this spot back in the day so I was excited to give it a go. The service was attentive without being overbearing, and the cocktails were spot-on -- we went with martinis and an old fashioned, both executed perfectly. For food: clams to start (don't skip them), clam chowder (amazing) and side salad, Steak Diane and a seafood boil for mains, and the Shipwreck for dessert. Every single course delivered. This isn't a "maybe we'll go back" place -- it's a "we're already planning the next visit and ordering the exact same thing" place. Leave the kids home-perf date night spot. read more

Very beautiful restaurant. It's like an old wooden ship inside with all the wonderful wood and decorations. Very large stone fireplace in the dining room and very comfortable red naugahyde booths. Nice large outdoor patio as well. I started with the fuzzy bear specialty cocktail for $11. It was delicious. Then I had the artichoke appetizer which was a nice size with butter and mayonnaise and a grilled lemon. Then I had a side salad with Caesar dressing and for the main course I enjoyed a nice 12 ounce lobster tail and a side of steak fries. Everything was delicious and my server was fantastic. All the staff were very friendly and attentive. Cleared away my plates very quickly and asked if I needed anything. I recommend this restaurant. read more

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Escaped the Vegas heat and landed in Big Bear where the air actually feels like air and not a hair dryer on high. First stop? Captain's Anchorage and let me tell you, they set the bar higher than the elevation. Live music in the background, perfect weather outside, and a menu full of solid dinner options. I went with the seared ahi tuna, because if you're going to eat fish this far up in the mountains, you want it to be done right. The staff? Friendly and welcoming, like they've been waiting for me to finally leave Vegas and show up. Between the atmosphere, the food, and the service, Captain's Anchorage nailed the trifecta. If it's your first time in Big Bear, skip the guessing game, just start here. You'll thank me when you're sitting there with a full belly, good tunes, and a smile on your face. read more

I have to admit, I was hesitant about coming back to the restaurant. But my heart always wants to give good people a second chance, especially when there is sincerity and a genuine apology. When we sat down and saw the envelope waiting for us, with such a heartfelt note inside, there was no way I could not accept it. The letter was beautifully written, honest, and full of meaning. I truly appreciated it and felt its sincerity. Dinner was amazing, even better than ever. And no, I still did not order the soup haha, our little inside joke. Carlos, the manager, kindly asked us to reach out to him, and dinner was on them, which we truly appreciated. Jessica, thank you for your letter. I received it with love, care, and an open heart. Yuri was our waitress, and she did not know anything about the situation, yet her service was absolutely impeccable. Thank you to the chefs and to everyone who made the evening so special. Your care, kindness, and apology meant so much to me. It was deeply appreciated from the bottom of my heart. We will absolutely be coming back because we truly love your food, your service, and your hospitality. Thank you again, MJ and David. You made our dinner memorable read more

Captains Anchorage - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Very cool lodgey type restaurant... kitschy and just a little creepy because of the ghost stories you might have heard. All that aside, service is great and so were the steaks! The manhattan was also perfect! read more

Captain's Anchorage is a Big Bear gem! Our server Yuri was wonderful, and Carlos made the night unforgettable with his ghost stories. The prime rib, filet mignon, lobster tails, and dessert were all cooked perfectly--fantastic staff, amazing food, and a memorable. The outdoor seating with enough heat lamps made the evening comfortable. read more

Captains Anchorage - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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Great Ambiance. Felt like we were transported to a candlelit tavern. 16 oz Prime Rib was good, the server was so kind to help us share the meal, and the Captain's Shrimp Platter was good too. But better value in the Prime Rib. read more

Service was excellent. Would rate the food as a D-. My wife's Chicken dinner was inedible and my fillet mignon - ordered medium rare- was served medium well done. Owner removed the chicken from our bill and gave me a free dessert. We will not return read more

Can we just give a huge shoutout to Lorraine?! She was AMAZING! Service was top notch as we came in for a night cap at the bar. It was chilly outside so my Bailey's and coffee did the trick while the hubby had a delicious smoked old fashioned. We scoped this place out because hello... how many times do you get to visit a haunted restaurant? George was on his best behavior but I will say before we left, we took a tour and that hallway gave me a chill and made me feel like someone was behind me. You can definitely feel something is there! We appreciated this visit as we were celebrating our anniversary! Great time. read more

Captains Anchorage - Bailey's and coffee - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Made a reservation for New Year's Eve, food and drinks were great and the service was perfect. read more

Captains Anchorage - Dinner and drinks. - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Once again Captains Anchorage did not disappoint. Last night was a wonderful anniversary dinner. Prime rib is always the best, my wife had the scallops and absolutely loved it. Tonight we went back for appetizers and cocktails. The clams were amazing as usual, and the shrimp Diablo are the best ever. Service is always so wonderful and the staff is the best. We would highly recommend Captains Anchorage to anyone looking for a wonderful experience. read more

4* is about right for our first visit to Captains Anchorage. I ordered the 12oz prime rib and my wife ordered the teriyaki shrimp. My prime rib was okay but they put too much au jus on the plate plus a sprig of rosemary. I would order it again but ask for the au jus on the side and no rosemary. My wife enjoyed her shrimp but thought the portion was a little small. Service was great. We would definitely return and recommend, especially if you like an "old school " steakhouse. read more

Captains Anchorage - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Came here wanting to check out their happy hour and it did not disappoint...the drinks are extremely fair priced as well as some of the bites. I got a lemon drop martini to start and hub got his n/a beer...he opted for the prime rib sandwich and I got the steak bites with mushrooms...both were really good....we decided to hang around for a second drink. Music is great in here and the bartender is clearly loved by her regulars and I can see why...personable, sweet, efficient and able to handle large crowds....when in town this is a must return for us.... read more

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We were on the road for a long day and this place was serving food until 10pm. The decor is cool, rustic and tells the story of the place. You could tell locals frequent it. The service was friendly, helpful and attentive. We arrived 30 minutes before closing and weren't rushed and they definitely tried to get the food out quickly. Prime rib was good, pretty run of the mill. The artichoke presentation was pretty. It's served with Mayo and drawn butter. There's no pretense, the menu literally says mayonnaise. The shrimp was not good, and our waiter took it without problem and said she would inform the management. No complaints about the salads. The bread and butter were tasty. Overall food was just ok. They have a good wine and cocktail selection. It's cozy. read more

Captains Anchorage - Artichoke appetizer Steamed Artichoke - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Est. 1947- Does a ghost named George, haunt the Captains Anchorage? Well I didn't see him, but I did enjoy an evening, in one of the oldest restaurants in all of Big Bear Valley. Originally named, 'The Sportsman Tavern', the restaurant was the idea of Andy Devine, a Western character actor of the 1930's and 40's. The Captains is an old school Seafood and Steak House, complete with red leather booths, a comfortable bar, and a large stone fireplace. The menu is what one would expect - Seafood and Steaks. The standard offerings are all here: Lobster, Crab Legs, Seabass, Salmon, Top Sirloin, New York Strip, Filet Mignon and Prime Rib. My party tried a variety of dishes, all of which were good. I had the Sautéed Fresh Mushrooms (nice) and the 12oz Prime Rib, medium Rare. Unfortunately it was under cooked, and a bit lacking in flavor. They took it back and cooked it some more. Not the best piece of meat I've had, but they did what they could. Regardless, I will come back next time I'm in town. Big Bear has a limited supply of good restaurants and the decor and service were good enough for me to return. Hopefully the steak will be cooked just right, and delicious. The prices are reasonable, and Lorraine and Carlos do their best to take care of everyone; not just their regulars. Plus, it's been here for almost 80 years . . . and they have a ghost! read more

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LOVED our waiter, who had a frantic but delightful personality and was able to find adequate gluten free menu options. decor was adorable (especially with Christmas vibes in full swing--we went the Saturday after). read more

We went to the Captain's Anchorage for Labor Day weekend, and it wasn't up to par. Before I dive in, I do want to say that the food wasn't bad. We ordered, prime rib, fontina cheese dip, and clam chowder. Everything was well seasoned and was tasty, BUT there was a lack of quality control. First, we ordered the fontina cheese dip for our appetizer and the cheese itself was amazing, however, the toasted sourdough slices that it came with it tasted stale. Almost as if it tasted like it was frozen or in the fridge for a while. We had to ask for more bread. That was an easy fix, but more inconvenient than anything. Moving onto the prime rib. Four out of five of us ordered the prime rib. Three of us ordered the 8oz and one ordered the 12oz. The inconsistencies were frustrating. The 12oz looked like an 8oz and was not cooked at the requested medium temperature. When asked to cook it a little longer the prime rib came back looking like a charred steak and was overly salted. The person in our party couldn't even eat it. Next, one of the 8oz prime ribs was so full of fat that there was hardly any meat on it. When discussing with the waiters about this issue, one man was really condescending with us and said, "well you did order the 8oz, right?" after we complained about how small it was. The manager came over to talk to us about the fatty prime rib and she tried to school us about how prime rib is supposed to be a fatty cut. We are well aware that it is a fattier cut of beef, however, this cut that our party member received looked completely different next to my 8oz cut. There was so much fat surrounding the red meat itself that it became inedible and it was cooked more to be rare rather than to medium rare. In the end, two party members did not eat their food after returning it. We were comped for the meals that were not eaten, and it's greatly appreciated. Going out to a nice restaurant is not easy to do these days, and we paid good money for prime rib. Is it too much to ask to get an edible cut of meat, have fresh bread, and not have condescending service? read more

This restaurant exceeded expectations! The service was wonderful and the food was very very good. we had the surf and turf special along with the Anchor. the lobster was very tender and the crab was very flavorful, paired with steak was wonderful. Jen was our server and she was very pleasant and informative, ryan the busser was very attentive and Kent the MAGICIAN was so fun and wonderful! a great way to spend our anniversary! thank you! read more

This place never disappoints. Great service, amazing food, and brilliant cocktails. Not to miss when in Big Bear.

Shawn was an amazing server with excellent, quick service and great suggestions. Made our dinner experience excellent. Food was also great I got the jumbo shrimp scampi, didn't disappoint but I'll be trying the bass next time for sure! My partner got the top sirloin that in both our opinions was cooked to perfection and with that garlic herb butter topping it was absolutely 10/10. read more

I took my mom out for an early birthday celebration and tried the Orange Roughy Ensenada and Captain Sampler. The Orange Roughy was flaky and flavorful, and the Captain Sampler offered a delicious mix of seafood. We left satisfied and had a great time celebrating! read more

Captains Anchorage - Ensenada - Seafood Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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