Local Events & Activities

Links/ Winter/ Spring through Fall/ Biking/ Hiking/ Restaurants/ Local Events

top  Links
Road Information This page of information is meant to provide the SBNFA Volunteers and any forest visitors the most current information on road conditions in the San Bernardino National Forest and the major highways leading to the forest. Conditions vary according to winter conditions, heavy wind advisories, construction and maintenance. The reports are updated 24 hours a day by the California State Department of Transportation.

Airline Information We offer Scenic Tours, On-Demand Air Charter. Since 1980, Pacific Crest Aviation has provided safe and reliable air service for thousands of passengers to and from the Big Bear Valley, California.

Chamber of Commerce You can find the most comprehensive online resources covering Big Bear Valley.

BBL Resort Association Welcome to Big Bear Lake, a four seasons resort community surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, 100 miles
northeast of Los Angeles. Many resources and links to guide you.

Local Businesses Local shopping, recreation and more.

Recreation Links Many links to Big Bear Activities.

top  Winter Activities
Switzerland Haus offers lift ticket discounts and rentals.

Snow Summit Mountain Resort (Switzerland Haus is located 200 feet from Snow Summit Mountain Resort) Southern California's Premier Resort, at 7000 foot elevation in the resort town of Big Bear Lake, is Southern California's premier ski and snowboard resort. We are only about 2 hours driving time from Los Angeles and Orange Counties and 3 hours from San Diego County. Snow Summit is a full service winter resort with all types of lodging accommodations available nearby.

Big Bear Mountain We are proud to offer almost 1700 vertical feet of beginner through expert terrain spanning 4 mountain peaks and encompassing 28 trails with up to 12 lifts operating daily. In addition, we are pleased to have 85 jumps, rails and fun boxes spread out over 10 freestyle zones available in the All-Mountain Freestyle Park.

Alpine Slide Enjoy the winter wonderland found on it's snowplay hill, the Magic Mountain Recreation Area in Big Bear Lake, home of the world-famous Alpine Slide, is a four-season family destination. Youngsters enjoy the many varied attractions at the recreation area, which also include year-round operations of the Putt 'N Around Can Am racer go-karts and 18-hole minature golf course, where breaking greens challenge even the most experienced links players. And parents appreciate Magic Mountain's commitment to safety first, as well as the reasonable prices, spacious lawn and two sundecks, where they can soak up rays-at no charge-while their kids play.

top  Spring through Fall Activities
Big Bear Mountain Golf Course Big Bear Mountain Golf Course is nestled in the serene Moonridge Meadow of Big Bear Lake at the base of Big Bear Mountain Resort. Pine trees surround the course with the cool mountain breezes as your companion. To see what its really like, check out our live web cam. The nine-hole, links style course is the only high-altitude public course in the Southland and offers challenge to all level of golfers.

Boats/Marina/Lake Recreation/Boat Tours Links for local lake recreation and activities.

Boating and Water Sports More links to paddle boating, pontoon boating, sailing or power boating... windsurfing, sailboarding, waterskiing or jet skiing - Big Bear Lake offers it all! And all boats and equipment can be rented at any one of the marinas that dot the lake's 23 miles of shoreline. Private boat permits are required and can be purchased at any marina.

Switzerland Haus offers discount tickets.
-Lake Tours
-Boat Rentals
-Canoeing
-Kayaking
-Sailing
-Parasailing
-Jet Skiing
-Swimming and sun bathing on beach
-Picnic Areas

Fishing - Have fun fishing in Big Bear Lake with friendly, licensed and professional guides.

Alpine Slide Enjoy the cool wet water slide in summer at Magic Mountain Recreation Area in Big Bear Lake, home of the world-famous Alpine Slide, this is a four-season family destination. Youngsters enjoy the many varied attractions at the recreation area, which also include year-round operations of the Putt 'N Around Can Am racer go-karts and 18-hole minature golf course, where breaking greens challenge even the most experienced links players. And parents appreciate Magic Mountain's commitment to safety first, as well as the reasonable prices, spacious lawn and two sundecks, where they can soak up rays-at no charge-while their kids play.

Discovery Center The Big Bear Discovery Center is located near Fawnskin on the North shore of Big Bear Lake. From the new building which houses exhibits on animals and plants of the forest, the Center is be a gateway to fun, adventure, discovery, and education in the Forest. They also offer.

Moonridge Animal Park-Zoo Moonridge Animal Park is home to wildlife that has been injured, abandoned, or is an endangered. And don't miss our Special Events, including the celebrity events, the Zoocassion, the Ice Cream Safari, Music in the Zoo and Flashlight Safaris.

Solar Observatory The Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) located in Big Bear Lake, Ca. is operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Our main interest is the physics of the Sun and we observe solar phenomena every day with our dedicated telescopes and instruments. The observatory is open to the public on Saturdays in July and August from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Skateboard Park We are located high up in Big Bear Lake, California. Our address is 42118 Big Bear Blvd. next to the Big K-Mart Center. So come skate up here where the air is clean and the trees are green.

Swimming Located on Big Bear Lake, Meadow Park provides shaded picnic areas, barbecues, horseshoe pits, tennis courts, playground equipment, softball fields, a sand volleyball court, and a swim beach area.

Horseback Riding Enjoy Big Bear year-round with hourly, half-day, sunset and overnight rides and tours through National Forest areas. Pony rides are also available.

Tours Get to know Big Bear Valley on a guided or narrated tour from almost any vantage point; on a boat, in an off-road vehicle, on horseback, on a mountain bike, or on foot.

top  Biking
Switzerland Haus has bike racing events directly in our backyard at Snow Summit Mountain Resort. Norba bike racing events are in our backyard. We offer the following;
-Facilities to store your bikes and equipment in our large garage.
-Free parking. No need to pack up your equipment and load your vehicle.
Novice Alert- Snow Summit lifts can take you and your bike to the top for mountain bike riding.

Team Big Bear Check out Team Big Bears exclusive, comprehensive Big Bear Ride Guide, find out about Big Bear mountain biking services, see where to buy trail maps, and learn the trail rules.

Bicycle Rentals Bicycle rentals and mountain bike rentals and repairs.

Biking in Big Bear Mountain biking at its best. Ride the Sky Chair to the top and then travel the scenic bike trails, or ride the gentle North Shore bike path. See "Just A Walk In The Woods" for more complete information on mountain-biking trails. Bike rentals for all levels of riders are available from many of Big Bear's fine sport shops.

top  Hiking
Switzerland Haus staff can provide you with trail knowledge and off road hiking experience. Passes are available. Let Snow Summit Mountain Resort lifts take you to the top for hiking, a beautiful view and lunch.

Camping and Hiking resources The Big Bear Valley area offers 4 fantastic seasons for camping and hiking. From desert-like conditions to high alpine peaks, the views are endless. We are blessed to receive more than 310 days of sunshine a year.

Four Wheel Drive Tours Big Bear Off-Road Adventures. Take advantage of our fully convertible Chevy Blazers to explore the ridges, canyons, meadows, streams & rivers of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains!

top  Local Restaurant Guide
Food and restaurant critic recommends Switzerland Haus 6 years in a row.

Elmerdill.com Highly respected and former CIA career officer and now restaurant critic and travel writer. Elmer Dills has been writing restaurant and travel articles for the Pennysaver /Shoppers for almost a decade now. He appears on ABC 7 Eyewitness News every Sunday Morning on the 9am news. Elmer hosts a restaurant and travel show every Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5pm and Sunday mid-mornings 10am to noon on KRLA 870 AM where you'll hear reviews of interesting, unusual, and mostly inexpensive restaurant discoveries in the LA, South Bay, Orange County, Inland Empire, the Palm Springs & Palm Desert and the Tri-County areas.

Restaurants

More Restaurants

top  Local Events
Big Bear offers many events year round. Below you will find a small sampling of activities you will experience in Big Bear.

-Big Bear City Renaissance Faire
-Beautiful Perfoming Arts Theatre (PAC) in Big Bear (See Schedule for     professional perfomances)
-Chili Cook off
-Antique Car Show
-Fourth of July, fireworks over the lake
-Mardi Gra
-New Years, Snow Summit ski torch run and fireworks (when weather permits)
-Bird Watching (See Schedule)
-Bald Eagles November through April (See Schedule)

Please click on the links below to see local Event Calendars

Big Bear Chamber Calendar of events

Big Bear Arts & Entertainment

Big Bear Information Calendar of events

Entertainment From celebrations in the sun to the nightlife after sunset... entertainment in Big Bear includes something for everyone... from a tempting variety of live music and dancing to Broadway plays, matinees and more!