Big Bear Lake Travel Guide | California Travel Tips

California travel expert Veronica Hill tours Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City in this episode of "California Travel Tips."

This Big Bear Lake Travel Guide highlights Big Bear hotels and Big Bear restaurants like Sweet Basil Bistro and Evergreen restaurant and Big Bear activities including the Pirate Ship tour, which takes you on a 1 1/2 hour tour around the lake, passing the Big Bear house of cartoonist Mike Judge, historic Big Bear cabins near Garstin Island, and the Big Bear lodge used in the movie "War Games."

At the Big Bear Discovery Center, you can go gold panning, join a kayak or canoe tour, or hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Alpine Slide Big Bear offers cool bobsled rides, miniature golf and go-kart racing. And at the Snow Summit Big Bear Sky Chair, you can ride a ski lift 8,200 feet to the top for a scenic picnic or mountain bike ride down Big Bear mountain. Pedestrians can take the chair round-trip, or also hike down the trails. The Big Bear restaurant, View Haus, offers barbecue-style dishes during the summer.

After a long day on the mountain, rest your tired bones at the Big Bear spa, Elevations, which offers massages, facials, body scrubs and other spa services.

Big Bear weather averages about 300 days of sunshine per year, though you should bring a light jacket, even in the summer. At higher elevations, it can still get chilly. During the winter, Big Bear snow can come unexpectedly, so always be prepared with snow chains and four-wheel drive if possible. The narrow roads to Big Bear resort can be quite dangerous during inclement weather.

Big Bear cabin rentals are available year-round, or if you prefer there are some beautiful Big Bear bed and breakfasts, such as the Windy Point Inn and Inn at Fawnskin.

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