While Big Bear Lake is most notably recognized for all things winter and snow, it may surprise you to know that the small ski town is also bustling throughout the Summer months. Southern Californians regularly drive up the mountain to enjoy a break from the scorching heat in the valley below.
Visitors and their families come with boats, mountain bikes, golf clubs, and much more in tow as they plan to take advantage of the many summer activities available in Big Bear.
As you start planning your adventure in Big Bear Lake, take a look at these 12 Great Things to Do in Big Bear, Where to Stay in Big Bear Lake, and our guide to some of the best Big Bear campgrounds. Want to know a little more about Big Bear? Here are some interesting facts.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
How to Get to Big Bear
Big Bear is located about 2 hours east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest, and it’s the perfect escape from the city, with fresh air, mountains, and forests surrounding you, and over 300 days of sunshine every year.
Because of the alpine freshness and sunshine, Big Bear Lake is a year-round vacation destination that can be enjoyed in all seasons.
You can reach Big Bear from Los Angeles on CA-201, onto CA-330 and CA-18. It’s about 97 miles and takes 2 hours (in good traffic). From San Diego, it’s a 3-hour drive along I-15 and I-215, up to CA-330 and CA-18.
Our Recommended Big Bear Hotel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elmwood Place – Vacation Rental
✔️ Great location near the lake
✔️ Great for groups
✔️ Game room, hot tub, firepit, etc
Big Bear Lake Summer Activities To Enjoy
1. Water Ski or Wakeboard
Water sports on the lake are by far the most popular summer activities in Big Bear. Locals regularly come from Southern California to spend the weekend on their boats in the sun, wakeboarding, water skiing, and tubing.
Plenty of equipment rentals can be found around the lake if you do not have your own gear. Pleasure Point Marina is a good place to start. You can rent boats by the hour and they have lots of different options, from pontoon boats to fishing boats, peddle boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.
The lake can become very crowded with boats and those being towed behind them, so be sure to brush up on the safety rules of boating and your lake etiquette before heading out. Holiday weekends are the busiest by far, so consider planning around them if you want to avoid crowds.
2. The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain is a small amusement park found in the town of Big Bear. If you are looking for a day’s worth of activities to entertain the family, the park offers multiple attractions, including alpine slides, go-karts, a small rollercoaster, waterslides, and more.
The Alpine Slide is one of my favorites. It’s like a mix between bobsled and luge. You take a chairlift ride up the mountain, then get in a sled and barrel down a quarter-mile cement track filled with high-banked turns and long straightaway. You can go as fast or slow as you want, because you’re in control of the brakes and the steering.
The water slides is another excellent option for cooling off on warm summer days. It’s not a full waterpark, but there are two slides you can ride down.
3. Mountain Biking
When the snow is gone, the Snow Summit ski area becomes a sought-after destination for mountain bikers. If you love downhill courses, you are in luck because Snow Summit Bike Park hosts many national downhill races throughout the year. Watching visitors ride up the ski lift with their bikes can be a bizarre sight to those who have never experienced it before.
Aside from the Snow Summit courses, over 100 miles of trails are available for mountain biking throughout Big Bear. One great perk of this is that you can always avoid crowds. Of course, you need to be experienced in mountain biking to do most of these trails.
You can rent gear though, if you didn’t bring your own. A good place to do so is Potter’s Mountain Sports Bike Tours and Rentals.
4. Hike Castle Rock Trail
Big Bear boasts hundreds of miles of beautiful hiking trails, including a portion of the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail. There are trail options for every level of hiker, and most local trailheads are easy to access and provide plenty of parking.
Castle Rock Trail is a popular local 2.7-mile out-and-back hike generally considered moderately challenging. On average, this hike takes visitors a little under two hours to complete. As you ascend, you’ll get some magical views of Big Bear Lake from above. Dogs are also allowed on this trail, which is a huge draw for many.
» Find the perfect hiking clothes. I love these weather resistant, breathable shorts by Arcteryx (for women | for men) paired with a light performance shirt (for women | for men).
5. Enjoy Games and a BBQ at Boulder Bay Park
Boulder Bay Park is a main attraction for Big Bear residents and visitors throughout the summer. It is a lakefront park known for its famous rock formations scattered on land and throughout the water. Visitors can rent kayaks, fish off the docks, or just lay out to enjoy the warmth.
One great way to take advantage of Boulder Bay Park during the summer is by setting up your favorite games and having an afternoon barbecue while playing some games. One of our favorite games to take with us is called Kubb. You can play it on any open area, including the grass or sand.
The park is an excellent option for families with children as there are vast expanses and lots of grass for playing games and keeping an eye on kids while they explore.
6. Bear Mountain Golf Course
A great benefit of the summer months in Big Bear is that the Bear Mountain Golf Course opens back up for the season. The course opens from mid-May to October and is a great way to escape the sometimes sweltering heat under the Ponderosa pines as you play a round of golf.
The course provides an almost unbeatable backdrop of the San Bernadino Mountains and becomes rather busy, so it is recommended to book reservations in advance, though it’s not required.
Next time you’re in town, take advantage of this beautiful attraction by planning a day teaching your kids to golf or maybe even escaping them for a few peaceful hours.
7. Visit the Zoo
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is well known for its rescue and rehabilitation of injured, orphaned, and imprinted wild animals. It was originally founded in 1959 in order to rescue local wildlife from a wildfire that destroyed much of the San Bernadino National Forest.
Even today, the zoo returns 80% of its inhabitants back into the wild. Around 160 animals are currently housed at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, between those being rehabilitated and those who have found a permanent home there.
The zoo is constantly offering special events for locals and visitors, so it is worth keeping up with their website. On warm Summer days, you can often find animal residents basking in the sun. Some of the zoo’s inhabitants include wolves, grizzly bears, arctic foxes, and rigtailed cats.
8. Enjoy Ice Cream in the Village
Suppose you’re looking for a sweet way to cool down; head to the Big Bear Village to grab a scoop of ice cream. The Village Sweet Shoppe is everyone’s favorite with it’s vintage candy store feel. Fill a bag with your favorite goodies, grab a scoop of gelato or ice cream, and stroll through the village.
The streets are lined with plenty of souvenirs and local shops for a day’s worth of browsing. Some other local ice cream spots include the North Pole Fudge and Ice Cream Co., as well as the An Ran Ju Gelato and Teahouse.
9. Try Your Hand at Rock Climbing
Rock climbing can be a great way to enjoy the warmth of the summer months in Big Bear, especially if you are lucky enough to find a climbing spot in the shade. Big Bear’s many unique rock formations and its proximity to climbing mecca, Joshua Tree, make it a popular place for rock climbing enthusiasts from far and wide.
If you are considering rock climbing but never have before, it is always wise to practice at indoor rock climbing gyms first. Once you do take on the more natural terrain, be sure to go along with an experienced climber and never climb alone.
10. Rent a Pontoon Boat
Renting pontoon boats to take out on the lake is a popular pastime throughout the warm months. Boat rentals are widely available around the lake and are very reasonably priced. Pontoon boats are a great option for birthday parties or family events, as a typical boat can hold up to 10 people.
Bring all your own food, drinks, music, and decorations aboard to celebrate however you’d like. Just be sure to bring trash bags, as you are expected to leave with everything you brought onto the boat.
Pontoon boats are easy to drive, hardy, and relatively slow-moving, so they are also a low-stress option. Big Bear Marina and Halloway’s Marina are two popular and trustworthy boat rental options for those interested. Booking in advance is recommended throughout the summer.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.