Guidebook for Big Bear Lake
Food Scene
Great little coffee shop within walking distance from the cabin.
335 locals recommend
Moonridge Coffee Company
42646 Moonridge RdGreat little coffee shop within walking distance from the cabin.
One of our favorite spots for lunch! Live music, indoor and outdoor seating, full bar, fire pit. A must stop every time we are in town!
421 locals recommend
572 Social kitchen & lounge
572 Pine Knot AveOne of our favorite spots for lunch! Live music, indoor and outdoor seating, full bar, fire pit. A must stop every time we are in town!
Great dinner spot! The Peppercorn Grille treats diners to a beautiful dining room with several cozy and private booths, as well as tables with views of the Village. The heated patio is ever popular and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine as you watch the passers-by. The extensive menu offers items sure to please every appetite. Since its opening, the restaurant has established its reputation as being the number one choice for dining in Big Bear.
507 locals recommend
Peppercorn Grille
553 Pine Knot AveGreat dinner spot! The Peppercorn Grille treats diners to a beautiful dining room with several cozy and private booths, as well as tables with views of the Village. The heated patio is ever popular and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine as you watch the passers-by. The extensive menu offers items sure to please every appetite. Since its opening, the restaurant has established its reputation as being the number one choice for dining in Big Bear.
Very extensive menu with lots of great choices, good for families, good drinks, live music Fridays and Saturdays, happy hour during the week. Close to the house.
69 locals recommend
Black Diamond Tavern
42172 Moonridge WayVery extensive menu with lots of great choices, good for families, good drinks, live music Fridays and Saturdays, happy hour during the week. Close to the house.
About a 15 minute drive but one of our favorite breakfast spots! Thelma’s in Big Bear City specializes in home-style cooking and baked goods and is the favorite dining spot for local residents as well as Valley visitors.
81 locals recommend
Thelma's Family Restaurant
337 W Big Bear BlvdAbout a 15 minute drive but one of our favorite breakfast spots! Thelma’s in Big Bear City specializes in home-style cooking and baked goods and is the favorite dining spot for local residents as well as Valley visitors.
The best breakfast in Big Bear. Go with an empty stomach! If you go on the weekends, be prepared to wait a while for a table. It's a small joint, but worth the wait!
516 locals recommend
Grizzly Manor Cafe
41268 Big Bear BlvdThe best breakfast in Big Bear. Go with an empty stomach! If you go on the weekends, be prepared to wait a while for a table. It's a small joint, but worth the wait!
Great lunch spot within walking distance of the house. Good sandwiches that feature Boar's Head brand meats and cheeses for the very best sandwich in town. Create your own sandwich just the way you like it. Choose the meat, cheese, bread and toppings. The menu also includes top of the line burgers, hot grilled sandwiches, savory soups and a variety of deli sides and green salads. There is a fireplace to provide warmth for chilly winter days, and two patios for those lazy summer afternoons. All in all, it's a cozy, friendly spot that truly captures Big Bear's charm.
68 locals recommend
Grizzly's Bear Belly Deli
42530 Moonridge RdGreat lunch spot within walking distance of the house. Good sandwiches that feature Boar's Head brand meats and cheeses for the very best sandwich in town. Create your own sandwich just the way you like it. Choose the meat, cheese, bread and toppings. The menu also includes top of the line burgers, hot grilled sandwiches, savory soups and a variety of deli sides and green salads. There is a fireplace to provide warmth for chilly winter days, and two patios for those lazy summer afternoons. All in all, it's a cozy, friendly spot that truly captures Big Bear's charm.
Great Indian food and they deliver to the house! The restaurant serves a variety of authentic menu selections popular in Nepal, Tibet, and in northern India.
253 locals recommend
Himalayan Restaurant
672 Pine Knot AveGreat Indian food and they deliver to the house! The restaurant serves a variety of authentic menu selections popular in Nepal, Tibet, and in northern India.
Entertainment & Activities
Great selection of animals that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated. See alpine wildlife in their natural habitat - 180 animals representing 85 species plus special events and educational programs.
723 locals recommend
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
42801 Club View DrGreat selection of animals that have been rescued and are being rehabilitated. See alpine wildlife in their natural habitat - 180 animals representing 85 species plus special events and educational programs.
Big Bear has two quality inner tube snow play fun parks! Fun awaits the entire family with toboggan runs, inner tubing in the snow, and go karts!
Enjoy family fun activities year round. The Alpine Slide is Southern California's only authentic bobsled experience. Riders control their seed twisting and turning down a 1/4 mile long track. Grizzly Ridge Tubing Park is Big Bear's newest winter attraction located at Snow Summit resort.
In the winter, natural snow and snowmaking systems ensure there is always snow for tubing. The Magic Carpet ride makes it simple to get to the top with no more walking.
652 locals recommend
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose LnBig Bear has two quality inner tube snow play fun parks! Fun awaits the entire family with toboggan runs, inner tubing in the snow, and go karts!
Enjoy family fun activities year round. The Alpine Slide is Southern California's only authentic bobsled experience. Riders control their seed twisting and turning down a 1/4 mile long track. Grizzly Ridge Tubing Park is Big Bear's newest winter attraction located at Snow Summit resort.
In the winter, natural snow and snowmaking systems ensure there is always snow for tubing. The Magic Carpet ride makes it simple to get to the top with no more walking.
Fun boat tour for the family! 1 1/2 hour-long narrated tours. Historic highlights and celebrity sightings will be referenced in the narrated tour, with insight into the rich history of Big Bear Lake dating back to 1845.
39 locals recommend
Miss Liberty
439 Pine Knot AveFun boat tour for the family! 1 1/2 hour-long narrated tours. Historic highlights and celebrity sightings will be referenced in the narrated tour, with insight into the rich history of Big Bear Lake dating back to 1845.
From May to October, guests take a narrated 90 min. tour aboard the 1/3 scale replica of a 16th Century Spanish Galleon. A full bar on board with water and soda are offered on both daily tours and private parties.
64 locals recommend
Big Bear Pirate Ship
398 Edgemoor RdFrom May to October, guests take a narrated 90 min. tour aboard the 1/3 scale replica of a 16th Century Spanish Galleon. A full bar on board with water and soda are offered on both daily tours and private parties.
Big Bear Snow Play, once a ski hill known as Rebel Ridge, sports the longest runs in the Southern California, serviced by a Magic Carpet uphill lift that eliminates the tiring uphill struggle through snow.
489 locals recommend
Big Bear Snow Play
42825 Big Bear BlvdBig Bear Snow Play, once a ski hill known as Rebel Ridge, sports the longest runs in the Southern California, serviced by a Magic Carpet uphill lift that eliminates the tiring uphill struggle through snow.
Here you can rent pontoon boats, go fishing, rent fishing equipment, take wakeboard and waterski rides, rent kayaks and canoes, ride the pirate ship, and much more!
103 locals recommend
Holloway's Marina & RV Park
398 Edgemoor RdHere you can rent pontoon boats, go fishing, rent fishing equipment, take wakeboard and waterski rides, rent kayaks and canoes, ride the pirate ship, and much more!
Big Bear Discovery Center offers Big Bear tours in the summer and provides a self-guided goldmining site brochure for folks who want to venture-out on their own. Visitors will see actual remnants of the gold mines and learn about several sites of interest, such as Metzger Mine, Lucky Baldwin Mine, Two Gun Bill’s Saloon, Hangman’s Tree, and Wilbur’s Grave.
488 locals recommend
Big Bear Discovery Center
Big Bear Discovery Center offers Big Bear tours in the summer and provides a self-guided goldmining site brochure for folks who want to venture-out on their own. Visitors will see actual remnants of the gold mines and learn about several sites of interest, such as Metzger Mine, Lucky Baldwin Mine, Two Gun Bill’s Saloon, Hangman’s Tree, and Wilbur’s Grave.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great place to sit outdoors on the lakefront with a nice cocktail. Must love dogs though because there are bound to be some off leash running around. Live music, pool tables, etc. We are not a fan of the bar food, but we do enjoy sitting outside with a nice drink taking in the views!
8 locals recommend
The Boathouse Lakeside Tavern
370 Alden RoadGreat place to sit outdoors on the lakefront with a nice cocktail. Must love dogs though because there are bound to be some off leash running around. Live music, pool tables, etc. We are not a fan of the bar food, but we do enjoy sitting outside with a nice drink taking in the views!
Essentials
Great local massage spot. Chelsea, the owner, has magical hands! Beautiful couples massage room.
22 locals recommend
Altitudes Massage
42184 Moonridge RoadGreat local massage spot. Chelsea, the owner, has magical hands! Beautiful couples massage room.
Parks & Nature
An asphalt path that wanders along the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Easily accessible for hikers, bikers, skaters, joggers, strollers and wheelchairs. It starts at Stanfield Cutoff and ends at the Solar Observatory. One of our favorite spots for walking or biking with our son.
194 locals recommend
Alpine Pedal Path Trail 1E50
740 Stanfield CutoffAn asphalt path that wanders along the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Easily accessible for hikers, bikers, skaters, joggers, strollers and wheelchairs. It starts at Stanfield Cutoff and ends at the Solar Observatory. One of our favorite spots for walking or biking with our son.
Castle Rock Trail is one of Big Bear's most popular trails. The trail begins 1 mile east of Big Bear Dam on Hwy 18. On the south side of Hwy 18 is a small brown sign that marks the trailhead. Park at the turnout along Hwy 18. The elevation gain is 500', making it a steep climb for the first .5 miles. The well-marked trail levels out for another .7 miles. At the top is an impressive granite rock outcropping providing 360° panoramic views.
474 locals recommend
Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardCastle Rock Trail is one of Big Bear's most popular trails. The trail begins 1 mile east of Big Bear Dam on Hwy 18. On the south side of Hwy 18 is a small brown sign that marks the trailhead. Park at the turnout along Hwy 18. The elevation gain is 500', making it a steep climb for the first .5 miles. The well-marked trail levels out for another .7 miles. At the top is an impressive granite rock outcropping providing 360° panoramic views.
This is a great park with lots of attractions and facilities including a large bandstand, restrooms, huge dock for fishing or gazing and the view is spectacular. There are several islands made entirely of boulders in the Bay and these are great fun if you are canoeing or kayaking. The dock and picnic tables are popular with families who come to hang out and enjoy the Park.
234 locals recommend
Boulder Bay Park
39080 Big Bear BlvdThis is a great park with lots of attractions and facilities including a large bandstand, restrooms, huge dock for fishing or gazing and the view is spectacular. There are several islands made entirely of boulders in the Bay and these are great fun if you are canoeing or kayaking. The dock and picnic tables are popular with families who come to hang out and enjoy the Park.
Shopping
Great local village with lots of cute shops and good dining spots.
21 locals recommend
Pine Knot Avenue
Pine Knot AvenueGreat local village with lots of cute shops and good dining spots.
Great local village to walk around for shopping and dining.
166 locals recommend
The VILLAGE SHOPS AND COURTYARD
652 Pine Knot AveGreat local village to walk around for shopping and dining.