Strawberry peak fire lookout tower what a wonderful place to visit. They are open daily; keep in…read moremind no smoking and no dogs. There are a few spaces for parking and the gates were opened when I arrived. There are a few flights of stairs so I got to it and I was met upstairs by a volunteer. He gave me a run down of the history (ex: it was named after a strawberry farm owned by a man named Bart) and he even pointed out popular spots off in the distance. Impressive mountainous views on top of the 30 ft tower built in 1934. There are multiple other peak tower lookouts around and best of all it's free--donations are accepted. All in all this was a nice visit and one way to quiet all the noise in nature.

Such an incredible view and fun hike!…read more The hike itself is easy/moderate walking up the road. Definitely a hike that you can do with people of any experience level. There aren't too many cars that go by, but it is good to be mindful of cars that could be going down or driving up in the parts of the street that overlap with some of the residential houses. The hike itself is maybe a mile depending on if you start all the way at the bottom of the road or park a little bit up. When you get to the strawberry Peak fire lookout, you get to go up into the lookout tower. If you are afraid of heights or claustrophobic, this might be a little uncomfortable since you are going up into the little metal lookout and you can feel the wind move the building and see-through the metal slats to the ground. If you can handle it, the views are so worth it! You get to learn about the history of the lookout tower and you get a full 360 view around the mountain. For nature lovers this is a really cool experience. If you are with any small kids, the Rangers also give out little cards and tend to have a fun pin or something for kids. Just make sure to go during hours that they are open. If the tower is closed, you will not be able to go up in it, but you can still see some of the nice view.

Great little hike with some shade for the family. Park by the Metate Trailhead sign and cross the…read moreroad to where trail begins. According to AllTrails the hike is called Metate Trail and is approximately 2 miles of fairly flat trails. There are many different trails that links to this so you can extend your hike and go a totally different way. The Indian Rock Camp is only about 1/4 mile into the trail if you take the entrance on the left that says "interpretative." Once you get to the sign you will need to explore the hill for the Rock Camp. Our kids had a blast exploring and looking for acorns to play with. There is also a small hut for the kids to explore. Further down the trail is a small creek and lots more trail to explore. We saw signs of a large herd of deer so if you are quiet you maybe in for a surprise.

Starting at the Rock Camp Forest Service Station a very short trail (maybe a mile) winds through a…read morebeautiful grove of ponderosa pines and soon you will see a sign for the centuries (and maybe millennium) old Serrano Indian rocks that were used to grind acorns into meal for use as food. I love this place because it brings everyone back to reality, letting us know that we were not the first ones here, and we will not be the last. Its a really neat little piece of history in a secluded patch of woods. The trail head is located at 34.287955, -117.212582, just walk east and you'll run into it. I'm pretty sure there is a map and sign there as well.

I love the lake and it's great for family time and relaxing. I wish the was more things to do at…read morethe lake like jet skiing, but I haven't seen that.

What a beautiful little gem of a place far off the beaten path up in the high desert of CA…read more This is a man-made lake is located in the Mojave Desert about 1-1/2 hours drive from Los Angeles and just 40 minutes from San Bernardino, Ontario and Inland Empire areas, the Club is just a 10 minute drive from the 15 Freeway. Here's some history of the lake: Boise Cascade Corporation acquired the land and projected the layout of Spring Valley Lake, and in March 1969 the company broke ground. The Spring Valley Lake project was built upon Kalin Ranch, a former cattle ranch that was being utilized for alfalfa farming and lay serene and quiet on both sides of the Mojave River. The whole area was at one time called Rancho Verde Co., which was purchased in 1877. Lake construction began in June 1969, and was officially filled and completed in February 1970. The lake is one mile long and reaches a depth of 22 feet. The lake is surrounded by a community filled with homes with both modern, funky and vintage architecture. No two homes are alike. There are plenty of houses that I would love to call mine one day, especially those right on the lake. There is also a golf course, a country club, tennis courts and various other amenities. Its a great place to drive around to get out of the hustle and bustle of LA and get a nice cozy small town feeling.

I contacted Carissa with a very generic idea of what I wanted and she was so receptive and kind. I…read moregave her an idea of the floral design I wanted on the side of my Little Free Library and she provided a proof. She met me within my budget, did what she said she would do, and produced absolutely stunning artwork. She knew the correct products to use for this outdoor project and really cared about making sure it would last. I would recommend her over and over again! Carissa is the kind of person you WANT to work with: communicative, friendly, and incredibly talented.

We couldn't be happier with the mural painted in our hallway! From the very beginning, [Artist's…read moreName] took the time to truly understand our vision -- and then went above and beyond to bring it to life. Her creativity, attention to detail, and professionalism were exceptional every step of the way. If you're looking for someone who will not only meet your expectations but exceed them, Carrisa is the one. Her talent speaks for itself, and her passion for her craft truly shines through.

Big Bear Lake Village presents an eclectic mix of ice cream and gift shops, restaurants, the…read moretop-rated Yelp restaurant in America, nearby access to Big Bear Lake and Big Bear Mountain Resort, and boutiques! Street parking is predominantly available and a handful of businesses also offer parking lots. Visit during winter and enjoy the holiday lights on trees and lining the street... or visit during the summer months and spend even more time exploring the outdoors! *****FIVE STARS*****

Just 2 hours away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and your in a quaint mountain village…read more Small but packs a punch in the little village. It's right in the heart of town near the slopes. The village itself isn't that big. Maybe a few blocks radius. It's all walking distance from beginning to end. Depending on which end you start. There's a good amount of parking with public lots scattered around. Also street parking but those tend to go really fast. It's a lot of mom and pops shops. Basically catering to all the tourists that visits year round. You have a good amount of restaurants from traditional all around food, to the the one and only Thai restaurants in the villages. There's Italian, pizza shop, ice cream, breakfast place, Mexican, noodle place and a good amount of bars. There's also wine and beer tasting as well as a brewery. A pretty good selection of places to eat. Plus a small movie theatre right in the middle of the village. You could walk straight to the marina as the road lead you straight to the waterfront. Weekend and holidays is very lively. During the week, it's pretty quiet. Heads up, a lot of places closes early so if you're wanting a meal. Come early as majority does close by 9pm. In the morning, even at 8am, there was no one on the street. Maybe one or two coffee shop was open as most businesses don't open till later on. It's still a cute quaint town. Not only during the ski season when it does get pretty busy. Summer is beautiful here as well.

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!

wonder place.. Check out the bakery at Jensen's market. Minutes to lake arrowhead. Quite retreatread more

Blue Jay is the gateway to Lake Arrowhead located in the San Bernardino mountains. It is about a 1…read moremile stretch between Agua Fria and Arrowhead. Blue Jay Village itself is located one mile from the southwestern bank of Lake Arrowhead. There are shops , places to eat , and post office . Very cute and friendly quiet town.

I recommend Yadira at Murals a Go Go for all holiday or party needs! Yadira painted the windows at…read moremy house for my daughter's nursing school graduation and they came out great! She is so easy to work with and took all my suggestions and ideas to create the artwork I wanted, not the artwork she THOUGHT I should have. The result was awesome! Not only is Yadira talented, she is kind, conscientious, professional and responsible. She showed up on time and cleaned up all materials before leaving. I will definitely use this company again and recommend Yadira if you want to do something original for any occasion. Oh, and her price is VERY reasonable!

If you want a nice peaceful, relaxing get away you might find that this is the place for you. As…read moreoutdoorsy as it can get. Beyond the lake that has a walkway on at least one side of its perimeter for foot traffic you can head to the Village. Many ethnic eateries, a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are snowboard shops, real estate businesses, gift shops, thrift stores, massage options during off season. Doc had reserved an hour half paddle boat adventure which never materialized due to not reaching the needed 15 passengers. As long as there's shopping and a large screen tv to pass the time as the flurries scattered we were fine. A wonderful chance to take a nap in a comfy cozy bed with heat in the cabin before heading out to dinner. So much development since we came a long while back. Glad Doc rented a beautiful cabin for us to enjoy.

You bring more than 4 cars to this city to a cabin that sleeps 20 they tow the fifth car and so on…read more We blew about 7 grand in your city and this is what you look to make revenue. Pathetic! Your city needs folks like us to keep the lights on. Big bear city has lost its spark for years now and here folks down the hill talk it up... no more. We won't be back.

Great ambiance was great , the food was delicious, the service was great! We love the patio!read more

We've been coming to Barrel 33 every time we visit Big Bear for about 7 years now, and I can't…read morebelieve it's taken me this long to leave a review! This place just keeps getting better every single year. Every time we come back, they've added something new, remodeled part of the space, or made it even more inviting. You can tell they really care about creating a great experience and making the most of their space. The customer service is always amazing. Everyone is so friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy to see you. It feels like one of those places you're excited to come back to year after year. A special shout-out to Trisha, the GM. She is so friendly, welcoming, and helpful. You can tell she's doing great things for this place. Her positive attitude and attention to customers really make a difference, and I truly think she's a big part of why Barrel 33 keeps getting better. The wine is delicious, and while they originally had a smaller food menu (which made sense since they're a wine bar), they've expanded it over the years and now have even more great options. Everything we've tried has been so good! They also have beer, tasty bites, and a cute little shop that's always fun to browse. Barrel 33 has become one of our favorite Big Bear traditions. We literally make it a point to stop here every single trip because we know we're going to have great food, great wine, and a great time. If you're in Big Bear and haven't been here yet, you're missing out. We can't wait to come back again next year!