Joel's Big Bear Guidebook
Outdoor Adventures
Family owned. The BEST service and prices in town for winter and summer rentals or purchases.
56 locals recommend
Goldsmith's Sports
42071 Big Bear BlvdFamily owned. The BEST service and prices in town for winter and summer rentals or purchases.
Good parking. Extremely friendly staff. Wide selection of water rentals.
37 locals recommend
Big Bear Marina
500 Paine CourtGood parking. Extremely friendly staff. Wide selection of water rentals.
The most kid friendly zoo ever. Entirely walkable for young ones, plus a playground at the halfway point.
723 locals recommend
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
42801 Club View DrThe most kid friendly zoo ever. Entirely walkable for young ones, plus a playground at the halfway point.
Pine Oak Lane South Beach
Great spot to swim, fish, kayak, SUP, or just relax.
A local favorite. Moderately challenging with incredible views.
474 locals recommend
Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardA local favorite. Moderately challenging with incredible views.
Snow Summit
880 Summit BlvdYear round mountain fun.
Skyline Trail
Skyline TrailIncredible vistas, breathtaking at many points.
A great entertainment and education spot for kids, families, and solo travelers.
488 locals recommend
Big Bear Discovery Center
A great entertainment and education spot for kids, families, and solo travelers.
Has it all - open spaces, BBQs, sports fields, dog park, and kids playgrounds.
85 locals recommend
Ski Beach Park
41216 Park AveHas it all - open spaces, BBQs, sports fields, dog park, and kids playgrounds.
Bristlecone Trail
42789 Willow AveAccess this right out the back door!
An absolutely incredible place for kids to go and enjoy the mountain - winter or summer!
Adventure Academy - Snow Summit
880 Summit BlvdAn absolutely incredible place for kids to go and enjoy the mountain - winter or summer!
Year round fun here, for basically any age! It's a ten minute drive from our home.
652 locals recommend
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose LnYear round fun here, for basically any age! It's a ten minute drive from our home.
Drinks
Absolutely rowdy place full of locals and karaoke. Great drink prices.
411 locals recommend
Murray's Saloon & Eatery
672 Cottage LnAbsolutely rowdy place full of locals and karaoke. Great drink prices.
Award winning brewery with great burgers and sandwhices with a cozy mountain feel.
92 locals recommend
Big Bear Mountain Brewery
40260 Big Bear BlvdAward winning brewery with great burgers and sandwhices with a cozy mountain feel.
Great drinks and food, awesome patio, frequent live music, and incredibly friendly owner (Carlos)
421 locals recommend
572 Social kitchen & lounge
572 Pine Knot AveGreat drinks and food, awesome patio, frequent live music, and incredibly friendly owner (Carlos)
Food Scene
Great food. Walk from The Cabin at Chair 4. Indoor and outdoor options
387 locals recommend
Hacienda Grill
41787 Big Bear BlvdGreat food. Walk from The Cabin at Chair 4. Indoor and outdoor options
Easily the best and nicest dinner spot in town. Highly popular - expect to shop around The Village while you wait.
307 locals recommend
Oakside
40701 Village DrEasily the best and nicest dinner spot in town. Highly popular - expect to shop around The Village while you wait.
Incredible lake views. The ribs are some of the best ever.
39 locals recommend
The Pines Tavern On The Lake
330 Alden RdIncredible lake views. The ribs are some of the best ever.
Saucy Mama's Pizzeria
618 Pine Knot AveTruly the best - and most busy - pizza shop in town.
Royal Thai Café
40766 Village DrGood Thai food with normally fast delivery to the cabin.
Masala Craft Indian Cuisine
40760 Village DrGreat for takeout or dining in.
A great family owned burrito or taco stop in between adventures. Very affordable.
9 locals recommend
909 taqueria
41819 Big Bear BlvdA great family owned burrito or taco stop in between adventures. Very affordable.
Sightseeing
Dam Keepers House
Great views and history.
Most would say this is the cultural and economic hub of our mountain town. A must visit, year-round.
166 locals recommend
The VILLAGE SHOPS AND COURTYARD
652 Pine Knot AveMost would say this is the cultural and economic hub of our mountain town. A must visit, year-round.
Essentials
Vons
42170 Big Bear BlvdBest selection and quality of groceries in town.
Laundromat
Big Bear BoulevardFor extended stays, do some laundry while you eat at Maggio's or grocery shop nextdoor.
Petco
42150 Big Bear BlvdFor the furry ones.
City advice
Ways to save
Discounts to military/EMS/healthcare workers
The town is very patriotic and honors service to community and country. Most establishments (retail, rentals, shops, restaurants, services) offer a 10-15% discount to military, vets, police, and healthcare workers. Don't hesitate to ask if you qualify!
Getting around
No rideshare services available
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc) is basically non-existent in Big Bear. Many places offer food delivery, although it's it as common as a major city.
Getting around
Big Bear Trolley
Big Bear Trolley provides a great, affordable way to bounce around between many of the most popular destinations in town.