Nestled in the center of Southern California, encompassed by the San Bernardino National Forest and its vast network of mountain trails, Big Bear is an ideal destination for avid adventurers!
This is a place where people can come year-round for all sorts of escapades. The wintertime is prime time for skiers and snowboarders coming in to enjoy the resorts and the stunning scenery.
In addition to that, there are also miscellaneous sites for you to complete your holidays like restaurants, gift shops, and the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Plan your trip to visit Big Bear today, and don’t miss out on such a memorable experience!
Read on to discover our list of the best and most fun things to do in Big Bear, California.
The 70 Most Popular Things To Do In Big Bear, California
70. Cougar Crest Trail
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Person-with-No Name, License, Flickr
69. Grout Bay Picnic Area
5.0 (2 reviews)
Credit: Grout Bay Picnic Area, Google Maps
Location: 39028 N Shore Dr Fawnskin CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
68. Gilner Point
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: Cecilia Tellez, Google Maps
67. Grays Peak Trail
4.3 (3 reviews)
66. Castle Rock Trail
4.8 (4 reviews)
65. Bluff Lake
4.8 (5 reviews)
Credit: John Game, License, Wikimedia commons
64. Eagle Point
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Kim Duyen Bui, Google Maps
63. Cedar Lake
4.5 (6 reviews)
Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons
62. Crafts Peak
4.9 (7 reviews)
61. Santa Ana River Trail 2E03
4.9 (9 reviews)
Credit: Santa Ana River Trail 2E03, Google Maps
Location: 43730 44598 CA 38 Angelus Oaks CA
Tel: 909 382 2882
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
60. Bear Creek
5.0 (10 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
59. Jenks Lake Trail
4.5 (10 reviews)
Credit: Alison Carter, Google Maps
Location: 42045 CA 38 Angelus Oaks CA
58. Veteran’s Park
4.5 (13 reviews)
Credit: SallyRichards, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 40870 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Web Address: http://bigbearlake.net/lakes-trails-parks/Parks/Veterans-Park
57. Grand View Point
4.8 (13 reviews)
Credit: Mike Steuben, Google Maps
56. Baldwin Lake
4.2 (13 reviews)
55. Butler Peak Fire Lookout
4.9 (15 reviews)
Credit: Butler Peak Fire Lookout, Google Maps
Location: 39607 2N13C Fawnskin CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/outdoorlearning/recarea/
54. Visit Big Bear
3.9 (18 reviews)
Location: 40824 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 800 424 4232
Web Address: http://bigbear.com/
53. Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve
4.2 (20 reviews)
Credit: John Marquis, License, Flickr
Location: 44865 44999 N Shore Dr Big Bear CA
Tel: 760 872 1171
Web Address: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Baldwin-Lake-ER
52. Holcomb Valley Pinnacles
4.4 (23 reviews)
Credit: ericfoltz, License, Flickr
Location: Valley Pinnacles SOUTH parking lot Holcomb
51. Sugarloaf Mountain
4.6 (23 reviews)
Credit: Don Barrett, License, Flickr
50. Camp Creek National Recreation Trail 1W09
4.6 (24 reviews)
Credit: alberto gonzalez, Google Maps
Location: 36807 CA 18 Green Valley Lake CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/
49. Bluff Lake Reserve
4.8 (26 reviews)
Credit: Von Witttz, Google Maps
48. Pebble Plains
4.6 (28 reviews)
Credit: Pacific Southwest Region, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 165 Dixie Lee Ln Big Bear CA
47. Champion Lodgepole Pine
4.6 (29 reviews)
Credit: John Marquis, License, Flickr
Location: Bluff Lake Road Angelus Oaks CA
Web Address: https://hmdb.org/m.asp
46. Grizzly Ridge Tube Park
3.4 (32 reviews)
Credit: Grizzly Ridge Tube Park, Google Maps
Location: 880 Summit Blvd Streete 1170 Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 5766
Web Address: https://bigbearmountainresort.com/things-to-do/activities/grizzly-ridge-tube-park
45. Snow Summit parking lot
4.4 (33 reviews)
Credit: Mark Mosher, Google Maps
Location: 761 Thrush Dr Big Bear Lake CA
44. Little Green Valley Trail 3W10
4.8 (35 reviews)
Location: Green Valley Lake Road Green Valley Lake CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/
43. Butler Peak
4.9 (38 reviews)
Credit: jcookfisher, License, Wikimedia commons
42. Rim Nordic Ski Area
4.6 (44 reviews)
Credit: Christine E Gabrielse Lin, Google Maps
Location: 35050 CA 18 Running Springs CA
Tel: 909 867 2600
Web Address: http://rimnordic.com/
41. Bertha Peak
4.7 (50 reviews)
Credit: Hannah Sentenac, Google Maps
40. Barton Flats Recreation Area
4.8 (62 reviews)
Credit: The Sloans, Google Maps
Location: Angelus Oaks CA
Web Address: https://recreation.gov/camping/barton-flats/r/campgroundDetails.do
39. Bristlecone Trail
4.7 (68 reviews)
Location: 42789 Willow Ave Big Bear Lake CA
38. Grays Peak Trailhead
4.7 (69 reviews)
Credit: Simoney718, Google Maps
Location: Grays Peak Trail Fawnskin CA
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
37. South Fork Trail 1E04
4.8 (70 reviews)
Credit: South Fork Trail 1E04, Google Maps
Location: 40800 40894 Jenks Lake Road W Angelus Oaks CA
Tel: 909 382 2882
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
36. Hot Shot Miniature Golf
4.5 (73 reviews)
Location: 42143 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 492 0488
Web Address: http://facebook.com/Hot-Shot-Miniature-Golf-196071233786427/
35. Dam Keepers House
4.7 (77 reviews)
Credit: Maria Sotomayor, Google Maps
Location: Fawnskin CA
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
34. Bluff Lake Reserve
4.8 (82 reviews)
Credit: Ron Vazquez, Google Maps
Location: Mill Creek Road Angelus Oaks CA
Tel: 909 790 3698
Web Address: https://wildlandsconservancy.org/preserves/blufflake
33. Meadows Edge Picnic Area
4.6 (121 reviews)
Credit: David Cruz, Google Maps
Location: 40751 N Shore Ln Fawnskin CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/fishing/recarea/
32. Sugarloaf Park
4.6 (124 reviews)
Credit: Eduard Karapetyan, Google Maps
Location: 44866 Baldwin Ln Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 866 9700
Web Address: http://bigbearparks.com/
31. Bear Mountain Golf Course
4.1 (130 reviews)
Credit: Bear Mountain Golf Course, Google Maps
Location: 43092 Goldmine Dr Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 585 8002
Web Address: https://bigbearmountainresort.com/Golf
30. Jenks Lake
4.6 (135 reviews)
29. Big Bear Solar Observatory
4.5 (170 reviews)
Credit: Don Barrett, License, Flickr
Location: 40386 N Shore Ln Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 866 5791
Web Address: http://bbso.njit.edu/
28. Big Bear Valley Historical Museum
4.7 (171 reviews)
Location: 800 B Greenway Dr Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 585 8100
Web Address: https://bigbearhistory.org/
27. Action Tours California
4.6 (185 reviews)
Location: 40957 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 0390
Web Address: http://actiontourscalifornia.com/
26. Baldwin Lake Stables
4.3 (194 reviews)
Location: 46475 Pioneer Town Road Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 585 6482
Web Address: http://baldwinlakestables.com/
25. Treasure Island-Garstin Island
4.6 (220 reviews)
Credit: Don Barrett, License, Flickr
Location: Fawnskin CA
Web Address: http://cityconcierge.com/big-bear/recreation/points-of-interest
24. Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures
4.0 (279 reviews)
Credit: Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures, Google Maps
Location: 40016 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 5678
Web Address: http://goldrushminingco.com/
23. Pineknot Trail 1E01
4.7 (291 reviews)
Credit: Edgar Urena, Google Maps
Location: Mill Creek Road Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/
22. Cougar Crest Trailhead (parking fee area)
4.8 (297 reviews)
Credit: Cougar Crest Trailhead, Google Maps
Location: Cougar Crest Trail Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/
21. Juniper Point Picnic Area
4.7 (302 reviews)
Credit: Tango Charlie, Google Maps
Location: 41365 N Shore Dr Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
20. Bear Valley Dam
4.7 (318 reviews)
Location: 66 Big Bear Blvd Fawnskin CA
Tel: 909 866 5796
19. Alpine Pedal Path Trail 1E50
4.7 (344 reviews)
Location: 740 Streetanfield Cutoff Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/
18. Rotary Pine Knot Park
4.6 (427 reviews)
Credit: Dolly Howard, Google Maps
Location: 481 Bartlett Road Big Bear Lake CA
Web Address: https://citybigbearlake.com/index.php/services-main/city-parks-and-city-trails
17. Whiskey Dave’s
4.0 (448 reviews)
Credit: Whiskey Dave’s, Google Maps
Location: 40740 Village Dr Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 3283
Web Address: http://whiskeydaves.com/
16. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve
4.6 (579 reviews)
Credit: Carlos Tovar, Google Maps
Location: 42300 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear CA
15. Woodland Trail 1E23
4.7 (622 reviews)
Location: 41948 N Shore Dr Big Bear CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recarea/
14. Big Bear Bowling Barn
4.2 (623 reviews)
Location: 40625 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 878 2695
Web Address: http://bowlingbarn.com/
13. Castle Rock Trail 1W03
4.7 (644 reviews)
Location: Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/
12. Ski Beach Park
4.5 (1,091 reviews)
Credit: Warren Demers, Google Maps
Location: 41220 Park Ave Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 9700
Web Address: http://bigbearparks.com/Parks_%26_Facilities/Pages/Meadow_Park.html
11. Snow Valley Mountain Resort
4.5 (2,561 reviews)
Credit: ChrisGoldNY, License, Flickr
Location: 35100 CA 18 Running Springs CA
Tel: 909 867 2751
Web Address: http://snow-valley.com/
10. Bear Mountain Ski Resort
4.5 (2,862 reviews)
Credit: http://www.bearmountain.com/snowboard/mountain-info/mountain-facts/, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 43101 Goldmine Dr Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 844 462 2327
Web Address: https://bigbearmountainresort.com/
Our Top picks
9. Big Bear Lake
4.7 (132 reviews)
Credit: Steve Hedin, License, Wikimedia commons
8. Big Bear Mountain Resort
4.4 (582 reviews)
Credit: http://www.bearmountain.com/snowboard/mountain-info/mountain-facts/, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 880 Summit Blvd Suite A Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 844 462 2327
Web Address: https://bigbearmountainresort.com/
7. Big Bear Discovery Center
4.6 (1,074 reviews)
Location: 40971 North Shore Drive Hwy 38 Fawnskin CA
Tel: 909 382 2790
Web Address: http://mountainsfoundation.org/big-bear-discovery-center
6. Big Bear Vacations
4.4 (1,217 reviews)
Credit: khteWisconsin, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 41693 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 877 417 6504
Web Address: https://bigbearvacations.com/
5. Big Bear Snow Play
4.0 (1,652 reviews)
Credit: Pedro Ribeiro Simões, License, Flickr
Location: 42825 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 585 0075
Web Address: https://bigbearsnowplay.com/
4. Big Bear Alpine Zoo
4.6 (2,425 reviews)
Credit: Karon Elliott Edleson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 747 Club View Dr Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 584 1299
Web Address: http://bigbearzoo.org/
3. Snow Summit Ski Resort
4.5 (2,752 reviews)
Credit: http://www.bearmountain.com/snowboard/mountain-info/mountain-facts/, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 880 Summit Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 844 462 2327
Web Address: https://bigbearmountainresort.com/
2. Boulder Bay Park
4.7 (3,178 reviews)
Credit: Hgjudd, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 39080 Big Bear Blvd Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 5831
1. Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
4.3 (3,688 reviews)
Credit: Marylin Guerrero, Google Maps
Location: 800 Wildrose Ln Big Bear Lake CA
Tel: 909 866 4626
Web Address: http://alpineslidebigbear.com/
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Big Bear, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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