In the first half-mile alone, you’re meant to gain 500 feet of elevation! It’s a relatively short path with just 1.3 miles of length to its name, but it is rather challenging thanks to the steepness and rocky terrain underfoot. Hike to the top of California’s Castle Rock Trail – one of the most beautiful places to visit in the US! Want a gorgeous view of Big Bear Lake from above? If you love animals, visiting the zoo for a docent-led tour is one of the great ways to spend time in Big Bear Lake, California.Īddress: 747 Club View Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, United States 2. However, zookeepers bring an animal to the amphitheater every day for a presentation. Many of these animals are temporary residents and will move back to the wild eventually, and their only direct human interaction is with their keepers. You’ll find American badgers, arctic foxes, owls, black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, coyotes, gray wolves, bobcats, snow leopards, golden eagles, flying squirrels, and more. More than 180 animals across 85 different species live at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. It is dedicated to reducing and rehabilitating wildlife and reintroducing them to the wild if possible – and if not, they have a permanent home in the zoo, which is one of today’s most loved Big Bear Lake attractions. It isn’t a typical zoo by any means it only hosts wounded or orphaned animals, as well as other animals that are unable to live in their natural habitat for any reason. Big Bear Alpine Zooīig Bear Alpine Zoo was first set up in the year 1959 as a rehabilitation center for injured animals following a forest fire, opening as the Moonridge Animal Park before changing its name years later. Here are our picks for the 20 best things to do in Big Bear Lake, California. So, which of them should you check out first? There are activities of all kinds, and many promise to be educational, with even the most exciting tours providing information about the region’s history, ecosystem, and wildlife. Some are focused on the luscious verdancy of the environment, others concentrate on the crystalline waters of the lake itself, and many more highlight the fun of winter sports. The new bus line meant what was once a village could grow even further, and it wasn’t long before the lake became SoCal’s first mountainous recreational location.įamous for skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, and biking opportunities, this serene getaway is packed with places to visit. It is also here that the second bus line in the world was created, running from Big Bear Valley to San Bernardino to circumvent the two-day trip that would take via horse-drawn coach. It grew to new heights during the gold rush of 1861, which lasted until 1912. Interestingly, it earned its name thanks to its early population indigenous people of the Serrano tribe were here first, and when they lived here, they only had the grizzly bears for company!īig Bear Lake was first put on the map after Benjamin Wilson and his party explored it. It is encompassed by the San Bernardino National Forest and is a small, down-to-earth, laid-back city. It is surprisingly near to active hotspots like Las Vegas and Phoenix and offers a nature-field break in a perfectly tranquil space. The Big Bear City Airport is open 24/7 and is equipped for night landings.It is a mountain lake retreat away from the hustle and bustle of towns and cities, available in all four seasons in the heart of SoCal. A 9-hole golf course, 7 public campgrounds, great restaurants, entertainment, and shopping offer an experience for everyone to enjoy. Big Bear is home to one of the nation's few solar observatories and alpine zoos for injured wildlife.īig Bear specializes in outdoor recreation like fishing, water sports, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and winter sports. Maximum depth reaches 72 feet and the shoreline spans over 22 miles. Big Bear Lake is a manmade, fresh-water lake 7 miles long and a 1/2 mile wide. The area is home to bald eagles, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and more plus about 29 species of protected rare plants, some indigenous to the area. Wildlife flourishes in Big Bear's alpine environment. Winter brings beautiful snowfall with temps in the low 40s during the day and mid-20s at night. Summer temps average 80 degrees during the day and 45 at night. Altitudes range from 6,750 to 9,000 feet and the valley enjoys 300+ days of sunshine each year. Big Bear Lake sits 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest.
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