We enjoyed the Cruzer tour. It was an educational history of Big Bear…read more Captain Traci answered all our questions. the boat tour is kid friendly.

Very organized and well maintained Staff is always…read morefriendly! Love having our boat there and getting top notch service!

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!

Boulder Bay Park is one of Big Bear Lake's most picturesque (and busy) spots, offering stunning…read moreviews of the lake, towering boulders, and plenty of open space for you and your dog to enjoy. Located on the western side of Big Bear Lake, this park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, particularly those looking to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely walk with their pets, a picnic, or just some quiet time by the water. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. If the lot is full, there is additional street parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild, and the lake is at its most beautiful.

This is a PACKED and very busy Park that attracts people coming into Big Bear Lake or leaving Big…read moreBear. We came in at night, so we hit this park leaving Big Bear Lake. Many people taking pictures or selfies, some people fishing off the small pier, while others were walking their dogs. It was very clean, there is restrooms available (yes there was a line) and plenty of parking, although you may need to wait for a spot. It is a cool park to check out, I've seen pictures of people kayaking, however there are signs that say to stay on the path and not cross over the railing. A nice picnic place perhaps or family photos with the bear. The boulders in the area/park make it a cool photographic area.

There are a few picnic tables under some large trees, the bike path runs through, the shoreline is…read morewalkable and you can sit and picnic. Very nice spot to relax!

This is a great spot to see the lake and relax. There are trails to walk as well. There is limited…read moreparking but plenty when I came on a weekday.

I enjoy this trail! It's a flat walk along the lake with beautiful views, especially when the…read moreweather is nice! There is a parking lot here but it can get full, so many cars are usually park along the street. What I like about this place in particular is that all ages can do it & you can walk as far or little as you'd like. Great little treasure in Big Bear!

The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk is an easy-to-navigate trail located on the east end of Big Bear…read moreLake. This boardwalk stretches across a protected wetland area, providing a unique opportunity to experience the region's diverse flora and fauna up close. The boardwalk is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels and it's dog friendly. Just be aware of bikers. The boardwalk is open from dawn to dusk and offers ample time to explore at your own pace. Parking is available nearby, and there are several access points to the boardwalk. We parked for free in a lot at the west end of the boardwalk.

Great Fishing Spot Near Barton Flats This lake is just a…read morequick 5-minute drive from Barton Flats, making it super convenient if you're camping nearby. While there aren't any shaded areas, my husband absolutely loved this location for fishing. Using PowerBait, he was able to catch two trout early in our trip. Then, on our last day of camp, the lake was restocked--and he ended up catching and releasing 11 more! It was such a fun and rewarding experience for him. If you're looking for an easy-to-access fishing spot with a good chance of catching trout, this lake is definitely worth checking out. Just bring sun protection if you're planning to stay a while!

I've been to this lake twice and both times the attendant working there had a very bad attitude. He…read moresmelled like marijuana and he treated us as if we invaded his private space. I'm never going back there again.

Nice view Easy parking…read more Quiet Lots of space for a grassy picnic Good playground for the kids

Beautiful. Clean. Gorgeous view of lake and surrounding mountains. Sufficient amenities such as…read morebenches and trash cans. Adjacent dog park and kayak rentals. Very nice family water and rec area.

We rent from here every time we make our snowboarding trip to Big Bear. Easy to use website to…read morereserve from home. Quick and easy pick up process. And all their workers are so friendly, always making small talk with you and helping you get to know your board and equipments. This year we need to extend our rental an extra day and that was painless as well. When you come back to return, just drop off outside and show them your paperwork, it's a very quick process. Just a tip, there are 2 locations pretty close to each other so remember which one you rented from. :)

My boyfriend and I rented a kayak from this place on July 26 around 3pm. We didn't have a…read morereservation but they were able to squeeze us in, but if I were coming back on the weekends or a busier time I think I would try to make a reservation because they seemed busy. We got a tandem kayak and it was so convenient to just be able to walk over to Boulder Bay Park and start kayaking. The woman who helped us rent them at the front desk also kindly reminded us to bring sunscreen and water, and even refilled my water bottle for me. Thanks a ton for a great time! It was my first time kayaking and it was a very pleasant beginner-friendly experience.

End of April 2025 we spent a relaxful get away celebrating Grandpup's 8 th birthday. T Bebe's mom,…read moreDoc, rented a spacious, beautifully decorated and furnished 3 bedroom deluxe cabin from Cool Cabins. Don't be fooled as it gets chilly and we saw lovely flurries the day before we left and a light snowfall overnight. There was a squirrel that greeted us when we first arrived pulling into the driveway. Never saw or heard anyone in the neighborhood. Easy Market was down the street for some canned Starbucks coffee and Iced Tea. We didn't cook our meals but ate out except for one lunch when we brought home pot pies from Pickles that took 90 minutes in the oven. We had a really good breakfast(pizza size pancakes) and dinner(prime rib) which we found on Yelp. The other meals were fine as it was hit or miss in a new place. We came decades ago and the development is amazing. Be sure to drive to the Village beyond Marshall's as there are more shops. We entered a pet store where I bought their version of nose and paw butter for my own fur Bebe. Found some gifts to bring home for the grand kiddies. We even went grocery shopping for ice cream for the pie slices from a bakery. The only let down was our reservations for a one and a half hour paddle boat tour was cancelled cuz they didn't reach their 15 passenger requirement. Not all the shops were open or even the donut place but we did see some wild donkeys. No other critters. Probably we came off peak season but thanks to Netflix and the big screen tv it was all good.

Big bear is often the place where SoCal locals go to experience snow for the first time:…read more Winter Season: 1. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, tubing. Spring and Summer: 1. Rock climbing 2. Off-roading 3. Camping 4. Fireworks in 4th of July 5. Lake activities Fall: 1. The same as Spring and Summer except enjoy the village and the gelato+teahouse in town! Highly recommend coming up

Very terrible rental company. I tried calling numerous times and there was no one available to…read moreanswer my call. Then after many hours passed, I had completely lost the desire to even rent a boat I get a text with a link to the pricing and inventory page. Is this a joke? These guys apparently are getting a quick return on their investment, because $9,000 for a days rental for a Mid-Level Mastercraft is absolutely insane! Might as well use that for a deposit on purchasing one yourself.

Went here to rent a boat on the whim, got a fishing boat for 2 hours shortly after for $105 otd!…read more The crew is very nice and helpful! Would definitely come back and utilize their rentals again!