I was up fishing in the lake the Saturday morning a few weeks ago when it snowed really well…read more Around 10am we decided it was too cold and windy, not to mention it was snowing like crazy, so we stopped fishing and decided to start drinking. Or actually to continue drinking but someplace warmer. So I called the Legion and was told that they had opened early, since the bartender was worried if she waited till later she would be unable to get there because of the rapidly accumulating snow. Wow! Awesome attitude, one of the reasons why the Legion is so the best place to hang out with the best people in America. We packed up and made our way around the lake and had a great time before heading back down the hill.

Not clean, not a friendly place . People there are not truthful. Sad that this is suppose to be a…read moresafe place but I never felt safe there. Some people are allowed to get away with whatever they say or do. One of the legion members was allowed to come in and to yell at the Auxiliary meeting. Wasn't kicked out, the commander did nothing, the bar manager did nothing . It's taken me months to talk about this. It was actually scary. I wanted to dial 911. I could go on but who got the blame . You guessed it because I wanted to make a report. Next day I got an email.

Very nice location. Close to shopping, food, trails and activities. Needs desperate renovations…read more Pool table and hair hockey table are surviving barely with tape. Stairs falling apart. Bring lots of blankets and pillows because mattress are old and thin. Kitchen dishwasher not working well either.

Camp Whittle is owned and operated by the Los Angeles YMCA and has an excellent sleep away summer…read moreand winter camp program for kids of all ages in Big Bear Lake! My child has gone for years and has enjoyed learning so much from so many incredible staff!! I highly recommend camp whittle for children of all ages even teenagers looking to learn how to be a camp counselor!! Camp whittle gets kids away from iPhones and into the forest where they have fun and make friends!!!!

It was my son's first 7 day away from home camp and he absolutely LOVED it! The camp director and…read morestaff were amazing! The program is well organized and filled with fun and exciting activities, My 12 year old had a wonderful time and is looking forward to participating again next summer!

It's now our go to place ..Great food , great service ... we've had Lauren every time we've been as…read moreour server and she's the best ever. Such an awesome person !! And can't forget the bartender Libni. Great people. Thanks will be back real soon

Valentine's Day Disaster -- Avoid…read more Made a reservation for the Valentine's Day special. After over an HOUR of waiting, still no food -- and no indication it was coming anytime soon. We eventually gave up and left. If you can't handle reservations on a holiday, don't take them. Complete waste of a special evening. Save yourself the frustration and go literally anywhere else in Big Bear.

Can't believe there aren't reviews for the best and hardest working Chamber of Commerce! As a…read morebusiness owner and Chamber represented business, I feel good in the future of doing business here in town. Great staff and fun events. Free Networking opportunities. Well represented in local politics. Great resource for visitors and locals.

Active participants in the effort to make Big Bear GREAT. Elegant, honest, hardworking group of…read morewomen and men. Inspiring to say the least. Leaders among their peers. Our town is Lucky to have them. Also the mixers are a real pleasure if you have never been. If you haven't yet ...give them a call.

Camping in the summertime is absolutely a must! And with Alpine Meadows Retreat Center in Angelus…read moreOaks, California near the city of Big Bear Lake it's a place I trust! Alpine Meadows Retreat Center which borders Camp Mountain Chai (pronounced Hi) is a larger spacious multi-level and terrain center as well as site has several bunk cabins, buildings and a main lodge center with tons of ammentinities including soccer field, basketball court, fire circles, mini amphitheater, ropes courses, swimming pool, gathering spot cabin filled with board games, sound system, tv monitors, snacks, popcorn machine, etc. There's a main theater for announcements, shows, classes, etc which is connected to the kitchen and dinning areas not to mention several other facilities. Water areas for refilling bottles or jugs and usually cold water and beverages filled by staff daily. Vending machines with mainly soft drinks only. Plenty of restrooms throughout the entire space in cabins or various rooms and buildings. I was able to attend 9 day event for 4 days with an organization that rented out the area for the duration of 10 days (including set-up and clean-up/breakdown) with the Community of Men enjoying Naturism group and had probably the best vacation getaway gathering retreat camp experience ever especially as an adult lol The group organized some many great events, contest, activities (both in and outdoors), daily hikes, sporting, classes (including zumba and hip hop line dancing - I did both!) and much much more. The meals were amazing including the vegan and vegetarian options that were made available. Tons of BYOB/D made for a huge supply for any and all during social hours and throughout the evening. Everyone at Alpine Meadows, Camp Mt Chai and the C.M.E.N. group did such an amazing job accommodating and providing services through the duration that I can't thank every enough. I'm pretty sure I attended this site in my early teens for a youth leadership and development camp with the Red Cross of America back in 2001/2002 as I had such a sense of nostalgia the entire time including climbing up those massive steps on both the "treacherous" O.O and not so treacherous inclines from the bunk level up to the recreation and rope course areas. Unloading and loading vehicles can be easy as the paths and roads are wide enough for most vehicles to maneuver around, just try not to block the main road for the parking area so vehicles can pass going in or out simultaneously. Enjoy this retreat experience with your group to the fullest, soak of the stars, memories, human interactions and connections and cherish you semi-vacay. Looking up at the stars, spotting beautiful blue jays and breathing in fresh mountain air... It's easy for me to say... 7000+ ft up and away is the way!

Nestled in the mountains, this is a decent retreat center…read more There are a lot of cabins and meeting halls to accommodate multiple groups. The cabins can sleep up to 20 people, but it's not the most comfortable. It's very bare bones and feels old, but everything works. All the beds are bunk beds with a basic sleeping pad; make sure you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. The bathrooms run on a septic system, so be judicious about what you flush. All the cabins are left unlocked for the duration of your stay, and that's a bit unsettling. We spent 2 nights here, with 30 people across 3 cabins, and didn't have any issues with theft. The meeting rooms come with coffee machines, a giant cooler of water, a fridge, a microwave, and as many chairs as you'll need. There's also a projector, speakers, and a control panel to hook up instruments and microphones. Microphones and accessories are provided by the staff. A wide range of activities are available to help with team building or alleviate cabin fever. There's a basketball court with a bunch of balls, but a vast majority of them are deflated and/or have no grip left. Tackle the rock-climbing wall or the ropes course to overcome your fear of heights. Work on your aim and hunting skills in the archery range, or run around the synthetic turf ball field to improve your conditioning. There's also a pool, some swings, a small jungle gym, and a life-sized foosball table. Meals are buffet style and offered 3 times a day. Breakfast has a cereal bar, instant oatmeal, packaged yogurts, and fresh fruits. The kitchen whips up some scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, soy based sausage, and potatoes. Lunch has some pasta, salad, and veggies. Dinner was roast beef and mashed potatoes one night, and rotisserie chicken with rice the other. A full salad bar is offered during lunch and dinner. The food is decent, and I appreciate the effort the staff puts into it, but it's not going to win any cooking awards. Out of everything I ate, the chicken was easily the best. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. A walkie-talkie is provided to your group leader for communication with the staff, and there's someone available at all times. Basic first aid is offered, but anything more serious is 45 minutes away, or 75 minutes to the nearest emergency room. The grounds and facilities are well maintained, but the facilities are in major need of a renovation. The location has very little, if any, cellular service, so communication with friends and loved ones who aren't on site with you can be challenging.

Had the best time when I was a kid!!!! I Made great friends, an experience I'll never forget.read more

I was a camper for seven years and have just recently completed my second year of being on staff. I…read morefully plan on being a part of this beautiful camp family forever, this place has truly changed my life for the better. I was diagnosed when I was 12 and had no previous knowledge of diabetes. I felt alone and confused in it because no one I knew understood how it felt. This diabetes camp completely changed my perspective and point of view, and though you only see the friends you've made there usually once a year, the bond you all have with each other never fades. I've gone every year since I was diagnosed and I plan to continue to go for as long as they'll let me. Thank you so much to all of the wonderful campers and staff.

BEST WEDDING VENUE EVER!…read more My husband and I dreamed of a wedding where everyone could stay together onsite, immersed in nature, with no worries about driving after a night of fun, and Camp Osito Rancho made that dream a reality. Our families stayed in the health center, lodge, and electrified cabins, while our friends embraced the adventure of summer cabins and tents. The venue offers so many stunning spaces, from the spacious dining hall for meals to the stage/amphitheater with fire pits--perfect for s'mores and late-night stories. We exchanged vows at the top of a hill near the outdoor pavilion, with a gorgeous backdrop of pine trees and a view of Big Bear Lake in the distance. We were able to offer our guests camp activities like archery and a pool day, as well as had room to setup other activities like craft tables and lawn games. The biggest perk was the complete freedom to choose our own vendors, allowing us to create a truly personalized experience (huge shoutout to Scratch Kitchen for catering--our guests still rave about the food). We spent a year making signs, collecting décor, buying solar lights, and crafting to transform this Girl Scout camp into a full-blown wedding festival. If you're up for planning the details, this venue is the ultimate blank canvas. Last but not least, the Camp Osito Rancho team is absolutely amazing. A huge thanks to Angel for her help throughout the year, Ryan for his help throughout the weekend, and to Gerardo for the tour that sold us from the start. For a wedding that feels like an unforgettable getaway, this place is pure magic

Amazing camp!! Came with sweet elite Girl Scouts 2020. My daughter canoed, rode horses, zip lined,…read morelearned archery. So many activities. Well worth the work. Beautiful campsite.