Things to Do Around Big Bear Lake

Big Bear offers one of the most accessible four-season mountain recreation menus in Southern California, spanning real downhill skiing, an extensive hiking and biking trail network, and a genuine warm-weather lake scene, all within about two hours of Los Angeles.

Zip Lines and Adventure Parks Add a Modern Thrill Option

Newer zip line courses and adventure parks around the area give thrill-seeking visitors and residents an additional modern option beyond traditional hiking and skiing, appealing especially to families with older kids or teenagers looking for something a bit more adrenaline-driven during their visit.

Bear Mountain and Snow Summit Anchor the Ski Season

Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, the area's two main ski resorts, give residents and visitors real downhill skiing and snowboarding terrain without needing to drive all the way to the Sierra Nevada, making winter recreation accessible for Southern California residents.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo Offers a Family-Friendly Year-Round Attraction

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo, located in the Moonridge area, gives families a year-round attraction focused on native and rescued wildlife, offering a worthwhile activity even on a day when weather keeps visitors off the water or the slopes.

An Extensive Hiking Trail Network Rivals the Skiing in Popularity

The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest offers an extensive hiking trail network ranging from easy lakeside walks to serious high-country routes, giving outdoor enthusiasts of every skill level a worthwhile option throughout the warmer months.

Mountain Biking Draws Riders From Across Southern California

Big Bear draws mountain bikers from across the region, with resort-operated bike parks converting ski lifts to summer lift-served riding, giving both beginners and advanced riders a serious trail network to explore.

The Golf Course Near Moonridge Rounds Out the Warm-Weather Recreation Menu

A golf course near the Moonridge area gives warm-weather visitors and residents another recreation option beyond hiking and biking, with striking mountain views many golfers consider memorable.

Aerial Tramway and Overlook Points Offer Sweeping Mountain Views

Several overlook points and, at times, aerial tram or chairlift rides operating in summer mode offer sweeping views across the lake and surrounding mountains, giving visitors a worthwhile scenic option even without hiking to a remote backcountry vantage point themselves.

The Village Anchors Shopping and Casual Entertainment

The Village, Big Bear Lake's walkable downtown core, anchors shopping, casual dining, and entertainment for both residents and visitors, giving the area a real town-center focal point beyond the lake and the ski resorts themselves.

Snow Play Areas Give Non-Skiers a Winter Option

Dedicated snow play areas give families who don't ski or snowboard a real winter recreation option, including sledding and tubing, making winter visits worthwhile even for visitors without ski equipment or lessons.

Scenic Drives Showcase the Surrounding Mountain Terrain

The Rim of the World Scenic Byway and other mountain routes showcase dramatic views of the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains, giving visitors a worthwhile scenic drive option beyond the immediate lake area itself.

Fishing and Boating Round Out the Warm-Season Lake Activities

Beyond the broader mountain recreation, the lake itself offers real fishing and boating opportunities throughout the warmer months, giving visitors and residents a worthwhile reason to get out on the water itself, not just around it.

Local Museums and Historic Sites Add Depth Beyond the Outdoor Recreation

Beyond the outdoor recreation this area is famous for, a handful of local museums and historic sites give visitors and residents a deeper sense of Big Bear's history, including its origins as a gold rush and logging community long before it became a recreation destination.

Farmers Markets and Community Events Fill the Summer Calendar

Summer brings a regular calendar of farmers markets and community events to the area, giving residents and visitors a reliable weekly rhythm of local activity beyond the bigger-ticket recreation attractions.

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing Extend Winter Recreation Beyond the Resorts

Residents and visitors who don't ski downhill still have real winter recreation options, since snowshoeing and cross-country trails wind through much of the surrounding national forest, giving a quieter, slower-paced alternative to the busier downhill resorts.

Visit During Shoulder Season for a Quieter Experience

Visitors seeking a quieter experience should consider the shoulder seasons in late spring and early fall, after ski season winds down and before summer crowds ramp up, when visitor traffic thins out considerably compared to the two peak seasons.

Cruises and Scenic Tours Offer an Easy Way to See the Lake

Visitors without their own boat have access to scenic tour operators around the lake, giving them an easy, low-effort way to see the shoreline and surrounding mountain scenery from the water without needing to own or rent a full boat of their own.

Things to do around Big Bear Lake reward visitors and residents willing to explore well beyond the lake itself, from real downhill skiing to an extensive hiking and biking trail network, making this one of the more recreation-rich, accessible mountain lake destinations covered anywhere on this entire site.