Going to Big Bear Lake for the first time

[Beaverhausen]

Geez I've only lived in Los Angeles 20 years...anyway, anyone have tips for good places to go and things to see?

Hiking is a must but easy to moderate only

restaurants but not too pricey

I just want to enjoy some nature and big trees.

thanks

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Beaverhausen!

Heh, I've lived here longer, and I've never been either!

So I don't have any good suggestion.........except to have a great time!

It should be beautiful up there.

[AZ Mike]

2. I just moved to LA last week....

....but, I'd sure be interested in seeing any recs on this request.

[antiquie]

4. Welcome to Southern California.

[antiquie]

3. I haven't been in 30 years,

but back then, I spent a lot of summertime in Crestline/Big Bear/Arrowhead. I'll bet hiking, biking and hanging out at the lake are as much fun now as then. I want to go again, now.

This is their visitor website.

[Journeyman]

5. Go to Fawnskin, across the lake from Big Bear. . .

On the main road coming into town (Hwy 18), at the dam you'll take the right fork across the dam and into Big Bear. Take the left fork instead, and it'll take you towards Fawnskin.

About three or four miles in, you'll come to Grout Bay Picnic Area. This is in the middle of a Bald Eagle Nesting area (you'll see signs), but it should be open this time of year. Park in the lot on the left side of the road, away from the lake. You'll find a trailhead there that'll take you up about 5 miles through the woods. You'll have great views of the lake for the first half, and at the top of the trail head, there's another parking lot so, if someone doesn't want to make the round trip hike, they can wait there for you to drive back up or someone else can meet them there. (Sorry, don't have the name of the top lot -- I went up and back in a day.)

There's a great restaurant in Fawnskin, the North Shore Cafe. Open for breakfast and lunch, and weekends for dinner.

Hope this helps.

[Beaverhausen]

6. thanks! that sounds great.

[Beaverhausen]

9. Apparantly there is some crazy park in Fawnskin that was created by Shirley Jones and Marty Ingles

who have a home in Fawnskin. It's right across the street from north shore cafe so I'm sure we will go there.

[Journeyman]

10. Yeah, it was truly weird. . .

We visited a friend in Fawnskin a few months back and took in the park at that time. The park is dedicated to the September 11 victims. There are statues of various people there: firefighters & police, but there are also statues of a pirate (your traditional Jolly Roger with a hook), and a baseball player, and cowboy. There's also a statue of George W, in his flyboy costume, but the codpiece is downplayed. A weird park.

For restaurants, I'd go into Big Bear. There's a lot more choices in an area there called "The Village."

Have a great time, Beaverhausen.

[msongs]

7. go up the "back" way thru redlands on hiway 38...

its a longer drive with far less traffic and spectacular views. more trees and nature than going up hiway 18. also the road peaks at
onyx summit at 8440 feet elevation with excellent views out over the low desert. watch out for afternoon thunderstorms

[Beaverhausen]

8. Ok that sounds like a plan

thanks!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

11. Welcome to California, Beaverhausen

I've lived here 25 years and only went to Big Bear once - in the wintertime. Never again. It was one scary ride since there was snow on the ground, and I couldn't wait to get back down. But summertime should be pretty spectacular. Have a great time, OK?