Things to Do in Big Bear
Big Bear Lake sits at about 6,750 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, close enough to Southern California to reach in a morning and high enough to feel like somewhere else entirely. The lake runs roughly seven miles end to end, two ski mountains face each other across the valley, and the trails start where the neighbourhoods stop.
This guide is the short version of what there is to do here, organised the way a visit actually happens: time on the water, time on the trails, somewhere to take the kids, somewhere to eat afterwards. Every place below is a real pin on our interactive map — open any of them to see exactly where it sits in the valley.
On the water
The lake is the centre of a Big Bear summer: marinas for boats and watercraft, public shoreline, and fishing that runs most of the year.
Big Bear Marina
Every way to be on the lake — from one dock.
Pine Knot Marina
Where the Village meets the lake.
Holloway's Marina & RV Park
Big Bear's oldest marina — boats, RV sites, and the pirate ship.
More detail: Big Bear Lake activities.
Hiking
Short boardwalks, lakeside paths and real climbs — all of them drawn on the map as actual routes rather than dropped pins.
Cougar Crest Trail
Distance 5 mi round trip · Elevation gain ~800 ft · Difficulty Moderate · Time 2–2.5 hr · High point ~7,600 ft · Type Out-and-back
The north shore classic — and your gateway to the Pacific Crest Trail.
Alpine Pedal Path
Distance 5.3 mi round trip · Elevation gain ~300 ft · Difficulty Easy · Time 1.5–2 hr · Surface Paved · Type Out-and-back · Accessible Yes — strollers & wheelchairs
Flat, paved, and the easiest lake views in Big Bear.
Pedal Path Loop
Distance 1.3 mi loop · Elevation gain 59 ft · Difficulty Easy · Time 0.5–1 hr · Surface Paved · Type Loop · Accessible Yes — strollers & wheelchairs
The short lakeshore lap at Meadows Edge — flat, paved, everyone welcome.
Castle Rock Trail
Distance 1.6 mi round trip · Elevation gain 534 ft · Difficulty Moderate · Time 1–1.5 hr · Type Out-and-back
A short, steep climb to the best view of the lake.
All 7 mapped routes: Big Bear hiking trails.
With kids
Places we have specifically marked kid-friendly in our map data — the zoo, the shoreline parks, and the playgrounds worth the drive.
Snow Summit
Lifts run all year: powder laps in winter, bike park in summer.
Big Bear Marina
Every way to be on the lake — from one dock.
Action Zipline Tours
Nine lines, 85 feet up, 35 miles an hour.
The Village
Park once. Walk everywhere.
The Village Sweet Shoppe
The Village's candy store since 1987.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Not a zoo, exactly. A second chance.
The full list: Big Bear with kids.
Attractions
The places people come to Big Bear specifically to visit — the zoo, the Village, and the two mountains that define the skyline.
Snow Summit
Lifts run all year: powder laps in winter, bike park in summer.
The Village
Park once. Walk everywhere.
Bear Mountain
SoCal's park mountain — and the highest lift-served peak.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Not a zoo, exactly. A second chance.
Barrel 33
Wine, craft beer, and shareable plates.
Peppercorn Grille
Fine dining in the heart of the Village.
Adventure
Guided thrills and off-road country, plus a golf course at 6,700 feet where the ball genuinely goes further.
Action Zipline Tours
Nine lines, 85 feet up, 35 miles an hour.
Yosemite Axe Throwing
Thirteen lanes, real log targets, ages 8 and up.
The Bowling Barn
Sixteen lanes, nightly Glow Bowling, arcade and VR.
Bear Mountain Golf Course
Your ball flies farther at 7,000 feet.
Where to eat
Most of Big Bear's dining is walkable once you park in the Village — these are the places on our map, with their own descriptions.
Tropicali
Poke · Tropical Flavors
Poke bowls behind a shark-jaw door.
Barrel 33
Wine Bar · Small Plates
Wine, craft beer, and shareable plates.
Peppercorn Grille
Italian · Steak & Seafood
Fine dining in the heart of the Village.
Himalayan Restaurant
Nepalese · Tibetan · Indian
Flavors of Nepal, Tibet, and northern India.
Amangela's Sandwich & Bagel House
Sandwiches · Bagels
Sandwiches, bagels, and cappuccinos.
Fire Rock Burgers & Brews
Burgers · Craft Beer
Hand-crafted burgers and rotating brews.
572 Social Kitchen & Lounge
Cocktails · Burgers · Poke
Cocktails, 24 taps, and patio nights.
Oakside Restaurant & Bar
California Comfort Food
California comfort food, live music, 17 taps.
By season
Big Bear is genuinely two destinations. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain run the winter; from late spring the same mountains turn into bike parks and scenic lifts while the lake takes over.
Snow Summit
Lifts run all year: powder laps in winter, bike park in summer.
Bear Mountain
SoCal's park mountain — and the highest lift-served peak.
Conditions, opening dates and lift status change constantly — always check the resort directly before you drive up.
What is on
Events we hold confirmed dates for. Always reconfirm times with the organiser.
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Select days, September 12 – November 8, 2026
Celebrate fall in Big Bear with authentic German food, live entertainment, family fun, and Oktoberfest traditions at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center.
WON Big Bear Troutfest
September 26–27, 2026
Western Outdoor News' two-day trout tournament on Big Bear Lake — lines in from 7 AM, the weigh station at Big Bear Marina, and trophies for adults and kids.
Big Bear Yoga Festival
October 2–4, 2026
Three days of yoga, meditation, hikes, music and vendors, centred on the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center.
Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB
October 9–10, 2026
Big Bear's UTMB World Series trail-running weekend — 100-mile, 100K, 50K, 21K and 10K races that start and finish in The Village, with a festival, local food and a finish-line parade.
Everything on the calendar: Big Bear events.
Scenic stops
Where to pull over. Our own picks for a view worth the stop, both easy to reach.
Bald Eagle Watch Area
Where to watch for bald eagles over the north shore.
Boulder Bay Park
Big Bear's most photographed shoreline.
Keep exploring
Big Bear Lake Activities
What to do on Big Bear Lake — marinas, boat rentals, fishing and shoreline parks, mapped by the local team behind The Big Bear Experience.
Big Bear Hiking Trails
Hiking and walking trails around Big Bear Lake — distances, trailheads and what each route is actually like, with every trail drawn on our interactive map.
Big Bear with Kids
Family-friendly things to do in Big Bear Lake — the zoo, the lake, parks and playgrounds, each one marked kid-friendly in our own interactive map data.
Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Big Bear
Where you can actually bring a dog in Big Bear Lake — dog parks, dog-friendly stops and shoreline, based on policies we record per place rather than assume.
Big Bear Events
Events happening in Big Bear Lake — festivals, tournaments and seasonal happenings with confirmed dates, plotted on our interactive Big Bear map.
The Big Bear Experience by Big Bear Vacations. Every place on this page is one we map ourselves. Details change — check hours, prices and closures with the business before you travel. Read more on the interactive map.