It may be snowing right now, but the seasons are changing and soon our wintry weather will soon give way to a glorious Big Bear Valley in Spring! With that in mind, I think it might be good for us to start getting ready for it!
Springtime is an incredible time of year to visit our valley. When our winter snow is gone, green forests, wildflowers, and crystal-clear lakes are almost magically revealed. You'll breathe in cold, fresh, clean air, making it the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy everything Big Bear has to offer.
Here are some ideas for things to do in Big Bear Valley this spring.
1. Take A Hike
Within Big Bear Valley, you'll find over 100 miles of hiking trails. Along those trails, you'll find beautiful views of our local mountains, lakes, and forests. Some popular trails include Castle Rock Trail and Pine Knot Trail on the South side of the lake, and Cougar Crest Trail on the North. Springtime brings everything to life, and it's the perfect time to get out and explore all of Big Bear's amazing flora and fauna.
2. Take A Scenic Drive Around
If you'd rather enjoy Big Bear from the comfort of your car, just take a drive around the valley! There are plenty of really scenic drives you'll enjoy. You could drive up to the summit of Highway 38 and then explore the San Gorgonio area, which is incredibly beautiful. If you want to stay within the valley itself, you can simply drive all around Big Bear Lake and Baldwin Lake using Highway 18 and Big Bear Boulevard. There's lots to see on that drive. If you're more ambitious, take the drive out to Holcomb Valley and see some of the old mining areas, just be sure to take a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there's any mud still on the roads. You can find good maps for that area, and usually some good updates on the road conditions here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/holcomb-valley-road
3. Anglers Can Go Fishing
Big Bear Lake is well-known for its large fish populations. There are rainbow trout, catfish, and some huge bass. You can fish in Big Bear Lake year-round, and springtime is a great time to be out on the lake. You do need to know the spots and the tackle to use, and you can find some great information to help guide you right here: https://outdoorsman.guide/big-bear-lake-fishing-guide/
4. Get Back To Nature and Camp Out
There's no better time than springtime to grab your tent and sleeping bags and get back to nature with a good camping trip or a stay at a rustic cabin. There are plenty of cabins for rent that are of the rustic type in great settings, and there are also some wonderful campgrounds in the area that range from the more comfortable RV-style camping to primitive campsites in the woods. Camping out in Big Bear is a wonderful experience as you can still take advantage of all the valley activities when you're camping. You can fish, go horseback riding, and just gaze at the stars in the clear night skies.
If you're looking to rent a rustic cabin, you can contact our rental service here:
http://bearvacationrentals.com/
And here is a website that will show you the location of all the campgrounds in the Big Bear area:
http://www.californiasbestcamping.com/big_bear/big_bear_lake_map.html
5. Go Shopping and Dining in the Village
The Village in Big Bear is a wonderful experience in springtime. The weather is perfect for strolling the quaint streets among the dining spots, galleries, and boutique shops. You can stroll through and explore the shops, art exhibits, and studios and just have a lovely experience of our little mountain town.
6. Rent a Boat
Hey! It's called Big Bear Lake! And, there's a reason for that! Right in the middle of our valley, there's a gorgeous lake that's about 6 miles long and 1 mile wide! You can't find a better way to enjoy Big Bear than by renting a boat and spending a day just cruising around. Boating on the lake is very popular in Spring when the water is still cool and clear. You'll find many different places to rent boats of all types in the area.
Photo By: Kerry Vale
6. Rent a Boat
Hey! It's called Big Bear Lake! And, there's a reason for that! Right in the middle of our valley, there's a gorgeous lake that's about 6 miles long and 1 mile wide! You can't find a better way to enjoy Big Bear than by renting a boat and spending a day just cruising around. Boating on the lake is very popular in Spring when the water is still cool and clear. You'll find many different places to rent boats of all types in the area.
7. Hop On a Bike
Another very popular way to explore Big Bear is by bicycle! There are more than 100 miles of great biking trails in Big Bear valley, and there are trails for every skill level of rider. If you're looking for a leisurely ride to enjoy the sights, or you want to do something more adventurous like take the Sky Chair at Snow Summit and do some serious downhill mountain biking, there's something here for everyone to enjoy. There are plenty of places to rent bikes of all kinds in Big Bear.
8. Go Ahead and Jump in the Water
For those who love adventure, the cool springtime temperatures on the lake make it a fantastic time to try water sports, such as paddleboarding, kayaking or jet skiing. Rentals and lessons are readily available in the area.
The bottom line is this:
Big Bear is the perfect place to enjoy Spring in our Southern California mountains. With the endless supply of activities and the incredible beauty of the area itself, there is really no better place to be at this time of year. Whether it's hiking, camping, scenic drives, or water sports, you'll find it all right here in Southern California's backyard.
So, go ahead and give us a visit! And when you do, stop in and say "Hi"!
