Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is a manmade, fresh-water reservoir that sits at 6,800 feet above sea level. In 1884 a damn was installed on the western edge of a valley to hold back water flowing down from the surrounding Santa Barbara Mountains. The lake is 7 miles long and a 1/2 mile wide. Lake depth changes seasonally with the snow melt and rains. Maximum depth is approximately 72 feet and the lake shoreline spans over 22 miles.  The indigenous Serrano, "People of the Pines, " have been living in the Big Bear Lake area for over 2000 years until the area was explored by Benjamin Wilson  an appointed Justice of the Peace of the Inland Territory in 1845. Wilson was tasked to pursue a group of Native American Raiders who had been stealing numerous horses form local ranchers in the valley and drove the horses up tot he high desert near the town of Lucerne. During their pursuit of the horse raiders Wilson's group of men were able to collect 22 bear pelts and so he named the area Big Bear. 

In the last 30 years the population of Big Bear has tripled and there has been a construction boom going on for years for luxury lake side homes and short term cabin rental properties. Big Bear's close proximity to Los Angeles and Las Vegas means that multi seasonal sport fans can easily get from sandy beach to snow covered runs in the winter and hike alpine trails in the summer months. 

Big Bear continues to adjust its marketing and appeal to entice new visitors to check out their growing amenities and culinary options. New bus routes running through Big Bear have been introduced to help deal with the limited parking in the downtown area. Expect high volumes of visitors on weekends with fair weather during winter and summer months. 

Things to do in Big Bear 

Big Bear Zoo

Big Bear Discovery Center