Big Bear Lake Travel Guide

Plan your trip with local tips on things to do, restaurants, where to stay, seasonal activities, wildlife, scenic drives, and more.

Plan Your Big Bear Lake Trip

Whether you are visiting for a weekend getaway, family vacation, snow trip, or summer lake day, Big Bear Lake offers something in every season. Use the guides below to explore activities, restaurants, places to stay, and local tips before you arrive.

Where to Stay

Compare cabins, hotels, lakefront rentals, pet-friendly lodging, and the best neighborhoods to stay in depending on the type of trip you are planning.

Explore Places to Stay

Things to Do

Big Bear Lake offers a mix of outdoor activities, scenic drives, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, family attractions, snow play, boating, shopping, and local events throughout the year.

Explore Things to Do

Restaurants

Find breakfast spots, coffee shops, pizza places, patios, fine dining restaurants, family-friendly restaurants, and local favorites throughout Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin, and the Village.

Explore Restaurants

Where to Stay

Compare cabins, hotels, lakefront rentals, pet-friendly lodging, and the best neighborhoods to stay in depending on the type of trip you are planning.

Explore Places to Stay

Things to Do

Big Bear Lake offers a mix of outdoor activities, scenic drives, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, family attractions, snow play, boating, shopping, and local events throughout the year.

Explore Things to Do

Popular Big Bear Guides

These are some of the most popular guides for visitors planning a trip to Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Bald Eagles

Follow Jackie and Shadow, watch the live cam, and learn where to spot bald eagles around Big Bear Lake.

Scenic Drive Around Big Bear Lake

Explore lake views, picnic areas, marinas, parks, and some of the best places to stop around Big Bear.

Big Bear Discovery Center

Learn about local wildlife, nearby trails, maps, events, and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Farmers Markets in Big Bear Lake

Find local produce, baked goods, seasonal vendors, and farmers market information around Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Bald Eagles

Follow Jackie and Shadow, watch the live cam, and learn where to spot bald eagles around Big Bear Lake.

Scenic Drive Around Big Bear Lake

Explore lake views, picnic areas, marinas, parks, and some of the best places to stop around Big Bear.

Big Bear Discovery Center

Learn about local wildlife, nearby trails, maps, events, and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Big Bear Bald Eagles

Follow Jackie and Shadow, watch the live cam, and learn where to spot bald eagles around Big Bear Lake.

Scenic Drive Around Big Bear Lake

Explore lake views, picnic areas, marinas, parks, and some of the best places to stop around Big Bear.

Big Bear Discovery Center

Learn about local wildlife, nearby trails, maps, events, and the San Bernardino National Forest.

Farmers Markets in Big Bear Lake

Find local produce, baked goods, seasonal vendors, and farmers market information around Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear Bald Eagles

Follow Jackie and Shadow, watch the live cam, and learn where to spot bald eagles around Big Bear Lake.

Local Favorites and Insider Tips

Local knowledge can make a trip to Big Bear Lake much easier. These are a few favorite spots and practical tips visitors may not know before they arrive.

Quiet Morning Walks

Explore quieter places to walk, including the Alpine Pedal Path and Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk.

Wildlife & Nature

Learn more about bald eagles, local wildlife, and places to explore nature around Big Bear Lake.

Dog-Friendly

Find dog-friendly trails, restaurants, cabins, and outdoor spots around Big Bear Lake.

Explore the Village

Explore the Village for shopping, local restaurant and one of the busiest areas in Big Bear Lake.

Quiet Morning Walks

Explore quieter places to walk, including the Alpine Pedal Path and Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk.

Wildlife & Nature

Learn more about bald eagles, local wildlife, and places to explore nature around Big Bear Lake.

Dog-Friendly

Find dog-friendly trails, restaurants, cabins, and outdoor spots around Big Bear Lake.

Quiet Morning Walks

Explore quieter places to walk, including the Alpine Pedal Path and Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk.

Wildlife & Nature

Learn more about bald eagles, local wildlife, and places to explore nature around Big Bear Lake.

Dog-Friendly

Find dog-friendly trails, restaurants, cabins, and outdoor spots around Big Bear Lake.

Explore the Village

Explore the Village for shopping, local restaurant and one of the busiest areas in Big Bear Lake.

Quiet Morning Walks

Explore quieter places to walk, including the Alpine Pedal Path and Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk.

Current Big Bear Updates

Stay up to date with current wildlife activity, seasonal changes, road conditions, weather, snow, local events, and recent news from around Big Bear Lake.

Two bald eagles perched on a tree branch with green and yellow leaves, against a blue sky.

Jackie and Shadow: Big Bear’s Bald Eagle Pair

By Discover Big Bear Lake • April 22, 2026
Meet Jackie and Shadow, Big Bear Lake’s famous bald eagle pair. Learn their story, nesting habits, and how to watch them live.
Big Bear Lake surrounded by green pine trees and forest, viewed from rocky area on a sunny day.

Where to See Bald Eagles in Big Bear Lake

By Discover Big Bear Lake • April 22, 2026
Find out where to see bald eagles in Big Bear Lake. Learn the best locations, when to go, and what to expect when spotting eagles in person.
Person fitting snow chains on a car tire in a snowy environment.

Big Bear Chain Requirements & Road Conditions

By Discover Big Bear Lake • February 11, 2026
Snow chains required in Big Bear? Learn chain rules, R1-R3 levels, road conditions, Highway 38 updates, and winter driving tips before you go.