This place was great our host was very friendly and we had a great time. We were walking distance to the village in were we enjoying great food and ice cream. 100% recommended this place for group 30+. read more

Big Bear Adventure Hostel - This place is awesome and fun. - Hostels Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Awesome place to stay and within easy walking distance of the downtown area for great food and drinks. Would definitely stay here again.

Awesome find up at Big Bear! My partner and I stayed one night in a private basic room. It had one bunk bed that can sleep up to 3 and a desk. Very simple and gave us what we needed most; a place to sleep! We booked via their direct website. The owner Richard 'Sarge' is super cool, chill, and kind. The rules of the house are very simple and reasonable. Upon check in, you and any one else staying provide your I.D., and thats it. Sarge explains the rules, shows you around the house, and then you are free to relax. Each private room has a code lock so you can rest easy knowing your belongings are safe and secure. The main house also features a code lock so you do not need to worry about random people who aren't guests coming in the house. The yellow house features a full kitchen, three bathrooms each with a shower including a handicap accessible shower, living room with couches, and a washer and dryer. The house does have a heater that warms each room via the ceiling vents. Location was safe and right next to downtown big bear where there are tons of shops and places to eat. There is on site parking and if that ever gets full there is plenty of street parking and other lots near by. As far as towels being provided, I am not sure. I did not see any out and about but we brought our own. I think you can ask Sarge for some though. But just in case, I would suggest bringing your own towels as well as shampoo/body wash. Overall we had a great experience! Everyone in the house was respectful. We did not have any issues with noise, but Sarge lives on site and is easy to access via phone if you were to ever have a problem. People who stay in hostels are usually pretty chill though! :) I would recommend to anyone who needs a place to sleep and shower but doesn't want to pay an arm and a leg! Whether you are hitting the slopes in winter or hiking in summer, this is a great spot to stay. read more

I'm writing this review after my 2nd stay here at this hostel. Note I did say 2nd! When I first made my reservation, Michelle had picked up and sounded so bright and happy, it INSTANTLY made me feel at ease and already at home. You really can't beat the $30 a night. (it's EVEN cheaper if u have a season pass to big bear! my 2nd stay only costed me like $20 and some change!) They have a bed+lift ticket deals which are just incredible. My first night i got put into a dorm style room with 2 bunk beds. The only gripe i had about that night was my roommate was a loud snorer lol. Can't blame the hostel for that, (note to self, bring ear plugs for the snorers) As i write this review this is my 2nd stay at the hostel and the experience has been absolutely fun :) When I called to make my reservation Michelle remembered me! I'm not just a 'customer' or a 'number'! Thanks Michelle! Thanks to Grayson for setting this gem up here in Big Bear, i wont stay anywhere else! read more

If your in search of an inexpensive non luxurious place to ski, board, fish, hike, bike, or adventure in the Big Bear vicinity- THIS IS THE PLACE!! Walking distance to the village, lake, rental shops, shuttle stop nearby! Nice kitchens with all the equipment, washer, dryer, and even handicapped access to boot!! Have & definitely will be staying again!!! read more

Hi all! I was looking online for hostels in California that weren't too far away from L.A. and came upon the Big Big Adventure Hostel. I decided to give it a go since I'd never been to Big Bear before, and wanted to get away by myself for the long weekend. What a treat! I checked in on Friday night and there was a gaggle of people hanging out on the porch, relaxing and chatting. Everyone was nice, smart and interesting. What a wonderful group of people! Grayson, the owner, opened the hostel a few months ago and it is truly a class act. Rooms are clean, beds are comfy and Big Bear itself is wonderful! Kayak and bike rentals are available next door (and the hostel can help find the best deals), and the village (where all the restaurants and shops are) is only a block away. Grayson is a doll and I had such a great time staying there, meeting people and hanging out. We even had a huge, delicious BBQ on Sunday night. I recommend it fully! read more

Do not book if you are not a large group! Hostel prefers large groups over individual guests and cancelled my confirmed reservation - I placed reservation for a room months in advance to plan a trip. Reservation was accepted and payment processed. I passed on another special deal due to the low price for a private room. The next day my reservation was cancelled by the hostel without discussion due to a mistake in the listing. The owner James notified me that they rather rent out the hostel to large groups in summer and therefore did not want to accept my booking. I notified the hostel that i lost another special deal which was no longer available at this point and cost me $50. James did not reply until to my initial follow up and i only heard back 3 days later. They did not offer any sort of acceptable solution other than putting me on a waiting list for summer and notify me in case they will not be booked by a larger group...needless to say that i can't wait to possibly hear from them.in summer since i made plans and need a confirmed accomodation prior to my trip. Mistakes happen, but if the hostel realizes a mistake I would expect them to honory reservation or offer any kind of acceptable solution. Very disappointing, good luck with the potential big group reservation Big Bear Hostel. If you think this was just an honest mistake of their reservation system, check out the review by kenny, exact same excuse! read more

Big Bear Adventure Hostel - Hostels Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

*HIKER, SKIER, MILITARY FRIENDLY* I had just came off trail after hiking on the PCT and starting looking for a place to stay for the night. Along the trail I had heard about this hostel so I gave them a call and they were able to accommodate me. Rich aka Sarge aka Gunny is the owner and he is extremely friendly and genuinely cares about your comfort. You can expect hot showers, laundry and full kitchen. It is also conveniently located within a stones throw of "The Village" strip so you can find every type of food and drink you can think of. Directly across the street is an ATM if you need cash and the Mountain Transit Bus goes right by the Hostel and the drivers know exactly where it is. If you are looking for a reasonably priced place to stay, then I highly recommend this place. Thanks again Gunny! read more

Sarge is the best! He checked me in at a time that was most convenient for me, regardless of the fact that it was his birthday and earlier than he typically checks in guests. Again, Sarge continued to prove what a crazy good host he is when I gave him a call after my Big Bear Kodiak Ultramarathon and asked if I could take a brief rest at the Hostel prior to driving home. He happily obliged.  Not only is Sarge awesome, but the Hostel was the perfect place for me to prep for my first ultra marathon. The kitchen was clean and fully stocked with everything I need to cook up some healthy meals. The rooms had comfortable beds and were tidy. I would highly recommend staying at the Big Bear Hostel! read more

This is my favorite hostel of all time. I've stayed here an uncountable amount of times while working on the Pacific Crest Trail, and will continue to do so. The manager of this place (Sarge) is a really fantastic human and goes out of his way to make sure you are comfortable, informed, safe, and enjoying your stay. The residence is obviously well cared for. The rooms, beds, and common areas are always spotless, and cleaned every day (as opposed to some hostels, where it might be every few days). It's a hiker hostel, so it should be noted that for a few months every year, the manager is really putting forth the effort to make sure everything is clean and comfortable for incoming guests. The general vibe of the hostel is quiet (definitely not a party hostel). and there's enough space where you'll probably have a common area to yourself if you need to get some work done. I, personally, know for a fact that a few times a year, all the bedding (and rooms) get cleaned using high temperatures to really make sure things are sterilized. That's Grade A extra effort, right there... The location is fantastic, and located right in the darling little downtown area, and close to the post office/shops/lake/etc. I would absolutely recommend staying here, and I will absolutely stay again. read more

Beyond impressed, a crew of five hit up Big Bear this weekend and lucked out with tons of snow and a great place to relax. The check in process is a little slow, but things move at a different pace here. Milton took care of us and got us to our 8 bed private room, ran us about $90 something a night including all day passes to Bear Mountain (Score!). The were in the Blue Lodge, super clean with a kitchen, laundry and nice bathrooms. This just made me feel very at home, if you come prepared you don't need to pay a cent for food while here. Plenty of parking around the area or across the street, you are walking distance to the local bars (big time score) and you get to meet some new peoople while there. Here are a few tips to help make it an easier visit.... Bring Cash, they don't always take cards, remember this place is like a time warp. Bring your own sheets, pillow etc if you are picky, otherwise you are fine. Bring quarters for the laundry, bring your own bathroom supplies including towels, bring some food, they have a full kitchen at your disposal, and get ready to never pay for a hotel or cabin again at Big Bear Lake! No five star since there isn't a hot tub, for what we paid its totally understandable but one can dream right? read more

Found this place off Airbnb (guess this shows how much of a Yelper I am, shouldn't I just be reviewing this on Airbnb? anyway), and check-in was a little bit of a hassle, in large part because there was no one at the front desk when I first got there. It was a bit of a wait, but it's okay, because it's a hostel. Other than the wait, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The private room I got was clean and exactly what I expected. The communal areas are clean and the bathrooms are well-kept. This hostel is located right next to Big Bear Village, so there's a lot within walking distance, including Taco Bell, McDonalds, 7/11, Denny's, and everything within the village itself, as well as the lake and local parks. Overall, I had a great weekend here - wonderful place to stay. read more

I've stayed in Hostels in multiple countries and this (might) be my favorite so far. Very large, inviting, clean living area. Bedrooms also clean and a nice set up. The people that run the place are fantastic, very friendly, and nice to hang with. I've been there twice, and always had a great time chatting with the people the work and run the place, along with the people who stay there. The kitchen has plenty of room for your food and to prepare it. The location is fantastic! You can walk right into town and the slopes are a short ride away. I'm trying to think of negatives, but I don't think I ran into any during my two stays. I will say that both times, it wasn't too crowded...so I'm not sure what its like with big parties occupying all the rooms. But from my time spent there, I was beyond happy, even more so, considering the price and location. read more

I can't say enough about how pleased I was with the Big Bear Hostel. Being a single woman, traveling alone, I was apprehensive at 1st, but "Sarge", the manager, made me feel at ease & safe. I arrived at night & he actually met me outside, so I'd know where to park. The front door & every individual room has its own key code, that changes daily. Also, he honored my request for a female only room. The yellow house, which I was in, has a huge living room with 2 huge couches, dining table & Smart TV, huge kitchen with all dishes, pots, fridge, etc., washer & dryer at no charge & 3 very clean bathrooms. I loved how the house was for single travelers & couples & the blue house is mostly for families. You can't beat the price & it's literally 1 block from The Village & down the street from Big Bear & Summit Valley snow resorts. I'll definitely be back. read more

Sarge is the man! He runs this place so well, as long as people know how to respect and follow hostel rules, you should have a great time staying here. As a first time PCT thru hiker, we experienced the wonderful hospitality when we arrived April 2nd. Perfect timing for us as they were beginning to host PCT hikers. Rates were affordable, community-like common areas, full kitchen access and laundry area, $1/towel, key access codes into main hostel facility and personal rooms, Netflix, and even VHS movies! A good place to stay if don't mind sharing the space! -"Baby Steps & Wake n'Bake" read more

Just came from here and big props to the owner. 6 of us stayed in a room and enjoyed having our own beds and a place to rest and hang out when not playing the snow. Not a fancy cabin but top tier in the world of hostels. I've already told a few people about this place. Thanks so much for making Big Bear affordable. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. One BIG suggestion: get rid of the bathroom floor rugs. They are super gross and make the place stink. Washable towels would be much better. To other hostelers: come on, help the owner keep the place nice and stop being so gross. Don't hang your underwear in the bathtub, wipe yourself off before stepping on the bathroom floor (so you don't wet the place), and don't leave your leg shaving razors in the tub. read more

-My first time at a Hostel, and it was a good experience. As other reviews have pointed out; it's clean, has nice very nice communal areas, and the staff is very laid back. My friend and I showed up way before check in time, but they still let us set up our room regardless. I wish I had brought food to cook, as the kitchen has tons of room to cook, though a very cool Indian couple brought a whole feast to share. -Location is great too, as it's within walking distance of the village downtown. Roamed around the bars after a day of hiking. The staff know most of the trails too if you need directions. -And if you're a veteran, the manager is a 90's Marine. He's got just the right mix of salty but not scary. We talked about the old corps for hours. -The guests were mostly cool. One couple spent the whole day drinking too much getting cross-faded on weed, but the staff made sure they kept quiet during the assigned sleep time. Bty, who drives up to Big Bear just to smoke out and get drunk? You could do that at Motel 6! read more

This place was awesome! Rich lays it all on the table with house rules and makes sure everything is secured. He helped me out last minute too. Due to the ice, it wasn't safe for me to drive on highway 18. I was so lucky he had an extra bed!! It's an awesome location too! .2 miles from the hip town. Dinner, dancing and shopping. Thanks, Rich! I will likely stay here again and bring friends. I will also recommend it to my friends. read more

Had a great time staying in this hostel!! Was there for only 1 night but made tons of friends and my room rates was inexpensive. I had a two bed private room that was super clean, fresh towels, strong internet and a comfy bed. Great place! read more

This place was great. For a last minute trip to big bear your choices are limited, but I would have enjoyed it even with more choices . It was clean, provided a place to store my mountain bikes, and was right next to lots but of bars and restaurants. Only thing is the walls are a little thin, and conversing in your room after quiet hours is hard. read more

stay away from this place. this owner is very irresponsible and unprofessional. i booked two beds a month ago, but he has not confirmed my reservation so far. he told that he will cancel my reservation if there is any group coming to this place. he does not care about individual travelers. he will cancel your reservation anytime he wants to maximize his money. read more

Terrible and unreliable customer service!! I am writing a short review because maybe others thinking about reserving a room here should know beforehand. Location is good, you like that cheap overnight rate, but should you rely on their service?? From my experience, answer is big "NO" We called in about two weeks before the event to find a place to stay overnight that day. Once confirmed that there are few spots left, we reserved a private room online for two of us and received a confirmation mail. Everything went okay until.... About TWO days before the bike race event, ($80worth) they did not even gave us a notice call and just left us a excuse by email saying that the reservation had CANCELLED because the manager had forgotten that there were previous reservation by group of 50 people. Hello?! Aren't we your customers too? Aren't we as valuable as them? So I called them. Receptionist/manager, Richard, refused to help anyway. Saying just "sorry" does not help at all and we did not want to spend over $100 for just one night! Luckily, we found a place nearby at Knights Inn Big Bear. At same rate (about $50 for 3) you get better service and NO public shower. They even allowed us free parking and a quick shower after check-out time without any additional charge. I could have regret so much if i did stayed at the BIg Bear Hostel. Bottom line, I know that This it won't happen to everybody. Maybe i got unlucky. But why risk when there are better places like ITH big bear and Knights Inn?? Hope you don't end up like me. read more

Four of my friends and I got stranded in Big Bear after our car broke down going down the mountain. Grayson and Sarge saved us from being homeless in the snow. Everyone at this hostel was gracious and generous enough to help the five of us out of an otherwise completely crappy situation. We stayed in a spacious private room with six beds and fresh sheets. The room had a TV, a fridge, and round table. The whole complex had the cleanest kitchens and bathrooms that I have ever seen in a hostel. If you are looking for a fun, reliable, and well-priced place in Big Bear, look no further. This hostel has everything you need and friendly hosts who will take care of you. read more

Clean facilities, mostly comfortable (pillows not so much) basic hostel with an excellent location. Very affordable-- especially when visiting Big Bear during those crazy holidays. The staff was very friendly. All of the bars, restaurants etc are close by-- making everything walkable. Tip: Carry yr own towel and toiletries; pay in cash to avoid a convenience fee, if you are a little finicky about cleanliness; carry your own bedding. Overall a pleasant experience. read more

We had a great experience. Needed something affordable for a day of sledding. Late in the season so no crowds at the hostel. Booked online. Sarge set us up in a nice room with a bunk and full so 2 kids and 2 adults could get a night of rest before the drive back to San Diego. Bring your own towels/toiletries and you are good to go! Enjoyed having use of a kitchen and some kid toys in living area. Beds slept fine...nothing luxurious, but quiet hours really were quiet. We would definitely stay here again! read more

I've been to lots of hostels over the years and this is one of the best, spacious main areas, perfect location for big bear lake and the village, very affordable and spotlessly clean throughout. Richard goes out of his way to make you feel welcome and at home. read more

I stayed here in 2007 when it was being run as a vacation rental, and I understand it's been renovated and re-opened now as a regular hostel. Have stayed at a number of other hostels in different places, and IMO, based on friendliness alone, this is one of the best. The owner has a great personality, and is genuinely eager to make sure you have a good time and can find all the fun things to do at Big Bear. If you are looking for a cushy hotel experience, this isn't gonna do it for you. But for a cheap place to stay, in a friendly atmosphere, it can't be beat. It's right next to "The Village", has a view of the lake, and just down the street from the ski resorts. I plan to go back at least once this winter, and have recommended it to friends! Updated to Add: I've been back since the renovation and wow, what a difference. Almost all the bathrooms are new, many of the rooms are brand new too, common areas were very clean, and still the same cool friendly people around. Highly recommend for safe, clean low-budget accommodation. read more

First, Grayson THANKS SO MUCH!!! I just lead a 51 person ski trip to Big Bear and we stayed at the hostel over MLK weekend. It was an awesome experience, the place was perfect for big groups. There are two house and we filled both of them. We even cooked at the house for everyone, between the two kitchens they have almost everything a big group would need, with a little improvisation. Grayson worked so well with us and was always happy to talk to me all the times I called with an extra person. It was way clean and really homey. All our trip loved it and made comments about how awesome of a place it was. I've only hosteled in south america, but in comparison this is the best hostel I've ever been too. For a group it was better than any home you could rent in big bear and I it was way cheaper too!!! GO try it out yourself! It's awesome. Will read more

Hiking the PCT is an arduous journey with many ups and downs (literally and figuratively). A stop at this Hostel is restorative mentally and physically. Sarge is terrific, always looking out for his guests, providing information about where to eat, services and anything else you need. Your PCT hike is incomplete without a stop here. read more

Stayed here a few times, nice experience and the best hostel in Big Bear! Joking, it's the only hostel in BB! Great location, ammenities, views, rates and the place is clean as a whistle. Owner is a stand up guy and the rooms are well done. Note, I've only stayed at one other hostel, in Mammoth, but compared to spending twice more at a hotel it's worth it. The grounds are great....horseshoes, pickleball court, garden and bikes to borrow. I've heard the ski/stay packages in winter are the best too. read more

For a first-time hosteler, I was quite amazed at how comforting and quiet my stay was at this place. This place consists of two warm houses with several bedrooms in each house. There are a few amenities available too, such as free Wi-Fi, a computer, several kitchens, and cable TV. I believe they even offer discount packages for the ski resorts. Finally, the owner is a very friendly guy who wants to make sure you are fully satisfied with your stay at the hostel as well as your adventure in Big Bear! read more

I've been coming to this hostel for many years and it just keeps getting better. I wish they had some sort of secure bike storage, but at least they let you take bikes inside for a little more security than just leaving them on your car. You never know who you're going to run into in a place like this, and I think that adds some fun to the experience - meeting new people from all over the world. The only time I have rented hostels instead of this hostel was when hostel was fully booked. read more

Loved staying here! The place is close to everything, affordable, clean, and has great amenities. Sarge, the onsite host, is genuinely friendly and professional. If I ever return to Big Bear Lake, I will for sure stay here. read more

Easily the nicest hostel and staff I have stayed at. Super responsive owner who took time to get to know people staying here, abundant food for people passing through, loaner clothes for when you're doin the laundry, great showers, a fire pit, grilling equipment, lots of movies and books. Beds were clean and comfortable, staff were helpful and friendly, other people staying here were great too. A must-stay-at place if you're a PCT hiker, skier, or in the area for exploring! read more

Awesome place. $30/night per person. VERY CLEAN house. VERY NICE people in charge. Perfect for a small group of 5 or less. (Though they take groups of 70+ at times!!!!) Wife and I stayed here somewhat reluctantly for our Anniversary Weekend (community on Anniversary...?) Fortunately we were nearly the only ones there (Summertime is slow up there). There during world cup 2010 weekend. Grayson is owner, very nice, lives off-site. Milton runs the place, very nice, lives on-site. Everything was WAY better than expected from cleanliness, to privacy, to friendliness. Nothing seedy at all about this place. Definitely returning. God Love em! read more

Great place to stay on the mountain, can't beat the price for a bunk in a house with full living room & kitchen. Richard always goes the extra mile to make you feel comfortable and at home. Discovered it while doing Ski Patrol a couple years ago. You can get private rooms too. read more

I have been there with my friends on the last winter. It was the girls trip and we stayed at this hostel. There is no entrance to the hostel like stairs or some pedestrians path! So you have to walk through the ramp which is the entrance of parking lots. That night we were coming back to the hostel and the road was so slippy! And I fell down on my right shoulder directly through the asphalt on the ramp! And I broke my shoulder! The bad thing is they didn't have any sign that says It is gonna be slippy the road or they didn't clean their entrance to protect their guests health! And after this happened I called them to say that this happened and its their fault! But unfortunately they said this is not their responsibility and they didn't even care! So I am not recommending you to go this careless place! read more

What an unbelievable find. This place is the best value is Big Bear, and more likely the best value of any California ski and snowboard location. While looking for a midweek snowboarding getaway from nearby San Diego, my friend and I were about ready to rent a small cabin for the two of us when I came across Big Bear Adventure Hostel and was directed to their website. We were first time hostel users and were a little unsure about what to expect with that environment but the value of the stay was enough for us to give it a try. For LESS THAN the cost of a small 2 person cabin for two nights, we were able to get 2 nights stay as well as heavily discounted lift tickets for 2 days each. With value like that expectations can be set pretty low but throughout our experience we received nothing but top notch, excellent, and responsive customer service. Sarge, the hostel manager, was readily available to answer questions and remedy any issues that may arise. Having such a relatable host made our stay relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable. To summarize, the hostel is a very well maintained multi-room facility with dorm style accommodations. While during our stay we had a private room I'm sure, as with any hostel, room sharing is a possibility and if it's an issue be sure to bring it up at booking and Hostel management will do their best to accommodate. The house is very secure with keypad locks on exterior doors as well as personalized codes for the bedroom doors. Bathrooms were very well maintained and there is coin laundry onsite as well as a full kitchen to cook if you'd prefer homemade meals to eating out. Also, the site is located close to the heart of the Big Bear Village so nightlife and a variety of restaurants are only a short walk away. My highest recommendation and I will definitely be returning. It was above and beyond my expectations and encourage any first time hostel users to give this place a shot. read more

First hostel experience and it was great! Richard is an excellent manager - that's what makes it great.. responsible person holding down the fort. Cassie was so nice too. Of course the location is impressive. Would have given 5 stars, but the mattresses were quite hard. Still, the management was so nice, and the price was good. Clean sheets, clean house.. well done! read more

I was hard up for a bed that nite. I would have slept in my van, but the wife wanted better. Hard as hell to book over the internet. I had never stayed in a hostel before. Never will again. Should have broken in to an empty cabin. Some great thinker put combination locks on everything. No towels in bathroom. Crap like this should not exist. No heat in the room, WTF! Left as soon as we woke up. Paid about $5 per hour for the bed. You don't have to screw people to make money, just helps here I guess. I was introduced to this establishment through AirBNB on line. Then the host trys to get you to book over the phone, avoiding AirBNB fees? Cut throat world got another reminder to watch your ass. If you must use this facility, make sure your firearm is in working order. ive read other reviews, I must have been in a different place. If this is a great hostel, id hate to see the others. read more