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10 Interesting things to do in Big Bear, California

Big Bear City[1] is a beautiful little city in California state sitting along the eastern shore of Big Bear Lake and surrounded by the magnanimous San Bernardino National Forest[2]. It is about 27 miles north of the city of San Bernardino and takes about an hour to drive from there.

1. Enjoy skiing along the shore of Big Bear Lake[3]. Especially if you visit during winter and a fan of skiing, this could be one of the best ways you could spend your time in Big Bear.


The lake has over 22 miles of serene and picturesque shoreline, and boasts of a whopping 1,000 skiing acres during winter.

2. Say Hi to fellow sentient beings at Big Bear Alpine Zoo[4]. This amazing facility is not only one of the biggest homes for our fellow four legged friends, its also a great learning center that educates visitors to help sustain the earth's flora and fauna!

Not just that, their rehabilitation facility also offers injured, orphaned and imprinted wildlife a safe haven. A must visit for those interested in wildlife or even looking for a casual zoo trip.

3. Enjoy boating at Pleasure Point Marina[5]. Pleasure Point is a great destination, especially for visiting with families. They rent all kinds of boats here like Pontoon boats, Kayaks, Fishing boats, stand up paddle boards, 8 person SUP & Jet Skis.


They also boast a full service repair center, gasoline facility and snacks & fishing supplies.

4. Enjoy fishing and water sport adventure at Big Bear Marina[6]. This is an alternative to PPM (or maybe you can even visit both and compare if you are very keen on water sports!).


They rent jet skis for cruising, pontoon boats for enjoying comfy rides and fishing boats if you're interested in fishing.

5. Play a game of golf at Bear Mountain Golf Course[7]. This golf course offers a great experience to golf players of all skill levels. The course is open to the public from May to October and serves as a high-altitude oasis for visitors looking to escape Southern California's sweltering summers before giving way to picturesque autumnal foliage in September and October[7]. Advanced booking, though not required, is highly recommended as tee times fill up quickly during peak hours.

6. Visit the Yarn Designers Boutique to do your shopping[8]. This craft supply store houses the best of the newest crafts and projects ranging from yarn, knitting and crocheting supplies to sewing, felting and cross stitch kits. Their Diamond Dotz (available for both kids and adults) is also highly recommended. Orders are also accepted online through their website.

7. Enjoy a chopper ride in Helicopter Big Bear[9]. They offer a variety of tour options with ten different suggested flights ranging from seven to forty-five minutes of flying fun[9]. Their routes include several important landmarks such as the picturesque forest scenery inside Big Bear valley, mountain lake areas, Mojave desert, Santa Ana canyon, etc. Cameras are allowed aboard the flights so you can capture those wonderful moments and store with you!

Pricing starts from $35 per passenger, group and family discounts are available. For more information, visit their website or email them.

8. Dine at the Himalayan Restaurant[10]. Its the only restaurant featuring Indian and Nepalese food in the Big Bear area. They use fresh ingredients, herbs, and spices to prepare healthy and delicious meals, served in a pleasant, relaxing setting. Their amenities include a bar, take away, patio/outer seating and delivery (within village area). Its a vegetarian restaurant.

9. Eat out at Stillwells Restaurant[11]. If you don't like Indian food for some reason or you just need another option, this American cuisine restaurant is for you. From USDA Prime steaks to the freshest seafood in the valley, their menu is rife with tongue-pleasing tastes for any table[11].

If you are looking for just a cool drink, you can visit the Stillwells Lounge for an extensive selection of beer, wine, spirits and signature cocktails. For more information, check out their website.

10. Admire souvenirs at Big Bear Lake Museum[12]. This museum houses well over 1 million artifacts and nine restored buildings across two acres filled with pure fun and historical significance! They have various plans which allow you to take souvenirs home if you want to collect them as memoirs. An admission fee of $14 is charged from everyone above the age of 14.


  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bear_City,_California
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino_National_Forest
  3. https://www.bigbear.com/things-to-do/
  4. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/big-bear-alpine-zoo/
  5. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/pleasure-point-marina-llc/
  6. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/big-bear-marina/
  7. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/bear-mountain-golf-course/
  8. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/yarn-designers-boutique/
  9. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/helicopter-big-bear/
  10. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/himalayan-restaurant/
  11. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/stillwells-restaurant/
  12. https://www.bigbear.com/directory/big-bear-lake-historical-society/

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