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70 Best and Fun Things To Do In Big Bear, California


TouristWire Editors

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)

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Credit: Person-with-No Name, License, Flickr

69. Grout Bay Picnic Area

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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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)

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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)

493px-trifolium longipes subsp. atrorubens %28longstalk clover%29 %287178307295%29

Credit: John Game, License, Wikimedia commons

64. Eagle Point

4.7 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

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Credit: Kim Duyen Bui, Google Maps

63. Cedar Lake

4.5 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

800px-twin cedars court %2881872%29

Credit: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, License, Wikimedia commons

62. Crafts Peak

4.9 ★★★★★ (7 reviews)

61. Santa Ana River Trail 2E03

4.9 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

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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)

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Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

59. Jenks Lake Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ (10 reviews)

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Credit: Alison Carter, Google Maps

Location: 42045 CA 38 Angelus Oaks CA

58. Veteran’s Park

4.5 ★★★★★ (13 reviews)

448px-grand canyon pioneer cemetery

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)

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Credit: Mike Steuben, Google Maps

56. Baldwin Lake

4.2 ★★★★☆ (13 reviews)

55. Butler Peak Fire Lookout

4.9 ★★★★★ (15 reviews)

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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)

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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)

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Credit: ericfoltz, License, Flickr

Location: Valley Pinnacles SOUTH parking lot Holcomb

51. Sugarloaf Mountain

4.6 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

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Credit: Don Barrett, License, Flickr

50. Camp Creek National Recreation Trail 1W09

4.6 ★★★★★ (24 reviews)

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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)

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Credit: Von Witttz, Google Maps

48. Pebble Plains

4.6 ★★★★★ (28 reviews)

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Credit: Pacific Southwest Region, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 165 Dixie Lee Ln Big Bear CA

47. Champion Lodgepole Pine

4.6 ★★★★★ (29 reviews)

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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)

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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)

Af1qippv pkavmye1bihffzjx0nxfwp2vvj9owosqfz4=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Mark Mosher, Google Maps

Location: 761 Thrush Dr Big Bear Lake CA

44. Little Green Valley Trail 3W10

4.8 ★★★★★ (35 reviews)

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Credit: jacob, Google Maps

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)

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Credit: jcookfisher, License, Wikimedia commons

42. Rim Nordic Ski Area

4.6 ★★★★★ (44 reviews)

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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)

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Credit: Hannah Sentenac, Google Maps

40. Barton Flats Recreation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ (62 reviews)

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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)

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Credit: Yoni S, Google Maps

Location: 42789 Willow Ave Big Bear Lake CA

38. Grays Peak Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ (69 reviews)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

51503036824 0e70dc5492 h

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)

Af1qipp0jdz4hlp07ui7k64yvntqy1mvg6ub801xvasd=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qipmxd9vfitbacgyp4kgak6dgnu8dd8fsji3nbepr=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qipoo-he1x3w7ol-ryck6ny8qus8aynigqhrxqhur=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qippicdw2nxiqgi9wl2ykrfk wco1pcamo56sg2yu=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qipoh5eu-esqzzetodrv5yylt690ss hfhfsn597u=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qipojbiv5-kaoazcidkt5eplbhrqm-s0tvknyainf=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qippyaikhcifm4tzcgogjvaqaob72lx6xfhcpqymf=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

Af1qipmsfoux9yrmt5nnpdj2qka1 lrp-spy3jqy-rsx=w296-h202-n-k-no

Credit: Rick M, Google Maps

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)

Af1qipoc0sdqj-sgzsqp8qzdh1ii2fvwtol6lavq6bft=w296-h202-n-k-no

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)

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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)

800px-bear mountain%2c big bear lake

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)

800px-big bear lake%2c california %28cabin deck%29 - panoramio

Credit: Steve Hedin, License, Wikimedia commons

8. Big Bear Mountain Resort

4.4 ★★★★☆ (582 reviews)

800px-bear mountain%2c big bear lake

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)

525px-biden%2c democrats%2c republicans%2c and the us judiciary are one big collective abomination %2851190510761%29

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)

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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)

800px-another timber wolf at the moonridge zoo %288673087318%29

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)

800px-bear mountain%2c big bear lake

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)

800px-big bear lake2

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)

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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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