Major city · United States
Big Bear Lake
Give it 2 nights if you ski or hike, 1 if you just want the lake: it sits at 2,058 m, 2.5–3 h by car from Los Angeles.
Big Bear Lake is a small mountain town in the San Bernardino National Forest, about 2.5–3 h by car from Los Angeles and 1.5 h from San Bernardino. Two ski resorts, an 11 km lake and a walkable Village make it a weekend base. Winter means snow and chains; summer means heat at lower elevations and cool air up here. A car is close to essential.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the lake and trails; Dec–Mar for snow
- avoid Jul–Aug weekends (crowds and heat at the base of the mountain); winter storm days if you lack chains
- Airports
- ONT · PSP · RBF
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Big Bear Lake911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Big Bear Lake, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime resort town; the real risks are mountain driving in snow, altitude, and wildfire season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportONT LA/Ontario International (Nearest large airport; about 1.5–2 h by car via Hwy 330 or 38.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the Village, both ski resorts and the trailheads are 5–20 min apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main, sit-down$18–35
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate$12–20
- BeerDraught beer$7–10
- Budget bedVacation cabin (up to 6), a night, per roomUS$250
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$190
- High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$350
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ONT LA/Ontario International (Nearest large airport; about 1.5–2 h by car via Hwy 330 or 38.) · PSP Palm Springs International (About 2–2.5 h by car via Hwy 247 and Hwy 18.) · RBF Big Bear City Airport (General aviation only, on the east end of the lake; car rentals available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Care
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Jun, Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Big Bear Lake: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
5 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
2 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
2 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
3 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the Village, both ski resorts and the trailheads are 5–20 min apart. Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (MARTA) runs local buses plus off-the-mountain services; check current routes and times. Parking inside city limits needs no permit; parking in surrounding national forest land needs an Adventure Pass, sold at the Big Bear Discovery Center and sporting-goods stores in town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Arrowhead
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Hwy 18 down the mountain, about 45 min
Smaller lake village; pair it with a stop in Running Springs.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Hwy 330 or Hwy 18 down, about 1 h
Mostly a supply and rail stop; the drive down is the point.
Door to door: About 1.75 h
Hwy 18 north via Lucerne Valley, then I-15, about 1.5 h
Route 66 stopover; limited services on Hwy 247.
Upland
skipDoor to door: About 1.75 h
Hwy 330 to Hwy 210 west, about 1.5 h
Suburban Inland Empire; no reason to day-trip from the mountain.
Baker, California
skipDoor to door: About 2.75 h
Hwy 18 to I-15 north, about 2.5 h
Too far for a day; only useful on a desert route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Big Bear Village
Walkable restaurants and shops; Holiday Inn Resort and lodges at the edge of the Village. Best without a car in the evening.
Moonridge
Closest to Bear Mountain; Best Western Chateau and cabins. Quiet, needs a car.
Big Bear Blvd (Hwy 18) corridor
Motels, board shops and rentals along the main road; cheapest beds, drive to everything.
Fawnskin / North Shore
Cabins and the Discovery Center side; quieter, 15–20 min drive from the Village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$190 | US$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Adventure Pass, one vehicle, one day1 × US$5 | US$5 |
| Lift ticket, one day2 × US$130 · Book online ahead. | US$260 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$138 |
| Trip total≈ US$378 per person per day, bed included | US$1,513 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Breakfast plate | $12–20 |
| Pizza, one large | $20–30 |
| Dinner main, sit-down | $18–35 |
| Draught beer | $7–10 |
| Gas, per gallon (mountain stations run high) | $4.50–6.00 |
| Adventure Pass, one vehicle, one day | $5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter storms: carry chains and check road conditions before climbing from the valley; do not attempt the drive in heavy snow without them.
- Altitude: the town sits near 2,058 m. Drink water, take the first day easy, and watch for headaches.
- Wildfire risk is real in dry summer and autumn months; check fire restrictions and evacuation notices.
- Forest parking without an Adventure Pass can be ticketed.
- Weekend holiday traffic on Hwy 330 and Hwy 18 backs up; leave early or late.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Big Bear LakeBig Bear Lake
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in town; nearest consulates-general are in Los Angeles. US visitors: your embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ONT airport → Big Bear Lake by car: about 1.5–2 h, 110 km (68 mi)about 1.5–2 h, 68 mi (110 km)
- MARTA local bus, single ride: check current fare and routes
- Adventure Pass, one vehicle, one day: $5
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Do I need chains today? — Do I need chains today?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Ski and snow-play rentals are cheaper in town than at the resorts.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Big Bear Lake. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the lake and trails; Dec–Mar for snow · avoid Jul–Aug weekends (crowds and heat at the base of the mountain); winter storm days if you lack chains · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ONT and PSP: rental-car pickup hours, last realistic mountain arrival, chain-rental fallback.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: the Village, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, North Shore and the Discovery Center.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Discovery Center, Alpine Slide, both resorts) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and wildfire fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialBig Bear Visitors Center
- officialCity of Big Bear Lake
- officialBig Bear Mountain Resort
- officialBig Bear Discovery Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Big Bear Lake, revision 5243749 (CC BY-SA 4.0)