Once a gold mining town, Southern California’s Big Bear Lake is now an all-season resort destination and an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. From skiing in the San Bernardino Mountains to snowshoeing through the hushed forest to a one-of-a-kind boating adventure on the lake, you’ll be planning your next visit before you even leave!
Day 1: Snow Sports and Wintry Adventures
Morning
Start your day with a home-style breakfast from one of the area’s favorite mom-and-pop eateries. At diner-style Teddy Bear Restaurant, you can fill up on three-egg omelets, hearty hash, and specialty pancakes with fruit, cheese, or bacon. Save room for a waffle sundae with all the toppings!
You can also tuck in to American and Mexican breakfast specialties at Blanca and Pierre’s Restaurant, just off the lake’s Boulder Bay. Warm up with steak and eggs with a side of crispy hash browns in this sunny cafe. Pick a slice of pie or a pastry from the display before you go—if you don’t want it now, you will later.
After breakfast, winter sport enthusiasts can head for Snow Summit Ski Resort. With 33 trails for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, this is an ideal family destination. Take in the spectacular views from atop the mountain at 8,200’ before you drop into the well-groomed slopes.
For a different kind of downhill adventure, climb aboard the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. First, you’ll ride a chairlift up the mountain, with panoramic views of Big Bear Lake. Then hop into your own sled, where you’ll wind your way down a ¼-mile long bobsled track.
If you prefer a slower pace, strap on a pair of snowshoes at Big Bear Discovery Center inside San Bernardino National Forest. Join a guided snowshoe tour to learn about the mountains and local wildlife. Or grab a trail map and break out on your own in the hush of the ponderosa pines and Douglas firs.
Afternoon
For an easy (and tasty) aprés ski lunch, head to Slopeside Speakeasy at Snow Summit. Warm up with a spicy bloody mary and some crowd-pleasing pub food like pepperoni pizza, chicken tenders, or a burger. The sprawling patio is a favorite on sunny days!
Craft beer devotees won’t want to miss Big Bear Lake Brewing Company. Their Bearly Legal Honey Blonde is the perfect pick-me-up after a morning in the mountains! Try the Original Avocado bomb: a beer-battered avocado stuffed with spicy ahi and crab shrimp cake with chipotle aioli.
After lunch, adventure calls again. See the snow-capped peaks and sprawling valleys with an aerial tour by Helicopter Big Bear. Choose from nine different tour options lasting up to 45 minutes, with sweeping views of Bear Valley and San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest point in Southern California.
Or how about an expedition on the “high seas?” The Big Bear Pirate Ship Cruise is a swashbuckling lake excursion aboard the Time Bandit, a ⅓-scale Spanish-style galleon. The captain will guide you along a 90-minute narrated tour with a full bar, a treasure chest surprise for the kids, and plenty of photo ops.
You can also pick up the pace with a ziplining tour through the treetops with Action Tours. First, an off-road vehicle takes you two miles deep into the forest. Then, you’ll hurtle across the canopy on nine high-speed ziplines at speeds up to 35 mph.
Evening
After your eventful day, ease into the evening with scratch-made Mexican fare at El Jacalito Grill. Share a plate of sizzling shrimp, chicken, and steak fajitas or a trio of enchiladas stuffed with meat and cheese. The covered patio (with heaters!) is great for people-watching while you eat.
Or celebrate your stay with an elegant dinner at Peppercorn Grille, with an expansive menu of American and Italian favorites. Start with their unmissable New England clam chowder, followed by decadent lobster ravioli or a peppercorn-crusted flat iron steak. Cognac on the patio is the perfect dessert.
End your day with a party at The Bowling Barn. Every night, the house lights come down, and the blacklights go up for a neon bowling extravaganza. Dance along with the music videos between frame,s and try your hand at arcade games before you go.
Day 2: Snow Tubing & Mountain Town Boutiques
Morning
Kick off your second day in Big Bear Lake with a cheddar bagel and scrambled eggs at Amangela’s Sandwich & Bagel House. Get energized with a cappuccino or a blended iced coffee, or linger at this cute, colorful cafe over Irish coffees or mimosa smoothies.
Another local favorite is the all-day breakfast at friendly diner Mountain Munchies. The oversized breakfast burrito is big enough for three, packed with eggs, hash browns, veggies, and cheese. Share a plate of light, fluffy pancakes for a little sweetness to balance your savory.
Fueled up? Good, because it’s time for the morning’s activity…snow tubing at Big Bear Snow Play. Grab an inner tube at the base of the hill and hop on the Magic Carpet, a moving walkway that will take you to the summit. Then speed down the longest tubing runs in SoCal!
Afternoon
After your morning on the slopes, treat yourself to a lunch with some international flavor. At Mexican cantina Hacienda Grill, you can savor a grilled carnitas torta or a plate of crispy fish tacos. Check out the one-of-a-kind art by Mexican painter David Silvah while you nurse a spicy jalapeño margarita.
Across the globe (but just a few blocks away), Himalayan Restaurant serves up fragrant dishes from Nepal, Tibet, and India. Start with steamed mo-mo dumplings and homemade achar sauce. Then warm up with tandoori chicken, spiced lamb curry, and a steaming cup of masala chai.
Next, explore the shops of The Village, a charming shopping district packed with small boutiques. Scoop up beeswax candles and honey-based skincare at Queen Bee. Find local souvenirs like t-shirts and snacks at Bear Essentials. And don’t miss the books, vinyl records, and quirky gifts at Upstairs Mall.
If you have animal lovers in your group, they’ll go wild for Big Bear Alpine Zoo. These friends of nature rehabilitate injured and orphaned animals to release back into the wild when possible. You may spot up to 85 different species here, like grizzly bears, mountain lions, snow leopards, and bald eagles.
Evening
Treat the family to a laid-back dinner at Saucy Mama’s Pizzeria before you leave Big Bear Lake. Feast on specialties pizzas like cheeseburger, mac & cheese, and Texas BBQ, and peruse the vinyl album covers covering the walls. Settle in with a pitcher of beer to chat over your day’s experiences.
If you don’t all want pizza, the expansive California-style menu at Oakside Restaurant & Bar has something for everyone. Dig in to loaded baked potato tater tots or a buffalo chicken flatbread while you sip one of their 150+ whiskies and spirits in this rustic-modern space.
After dinner, relax into the evening. At Barrel 33, a laid-back bar and bottle shop, you can taste the best wines, beers, and ciders that California has to offer. Enjoy a bold zinfandel and live music on the weekends under the barrel ceiling.
Or keep the energy high at Yosemite Axe Throwing. They built each of the 13 lanes with reclaimed wood and real log targets instead of thin boards for a more authentic lumberjack experience. After some quick instruction, you’ll be ready to compete with your friends for bragging rights!
