How to Visit Big Bear: Driving, Visiting and Vibing - Like a Local

Ah, Big Bear Lake – the ultimate escape from city chaos, where you can pretend to be off-grid for a few days and check “spend time in nature” off your bucket list. For those who like to travel and visit “like a local”, we have here a few tips to get you started.

Driving – Like a Boss

Big Bear’s winding roads can be unsettling for some travelers, understandably so. But among all the twisting and turning is a built-in helping hand, the turnout.

If the speed limit - or even other drivers make you feel uneasy – the turnouts are there for you to pull over and take a breather, and view the beautiful mountain vistas. Using turnouts also helps maintain the flow of traffic, and let’s face it, nobody likes being stuck in traffic. If you can ease traffic in California, you’ll be a hero. Ever see those double blinkers as drivers pass you by? It’s a big THANK YOU!

All three highways – SR 330, SR 38 and SR 18 – offer multiple turnouts; and in winter this is where you should install tire chains or cables when required. But do – please – remain inside the turnout for this as the middle of the road is very dangerous...and causes traffic jams.

Staying - Like a Good Neighbor

Most Big Bear locals were regular visitors at one point. You are our people! So we’re happy to share our community, our stories, our experiences, and our top suggestions. With that said, most locals are busy little worker bees headed to work and to school, often early in the morning. While you’re here, please be mindful of the neighborhood and keep music, parties and other volumes to a respectful level. Big Bear-ians are protective of their beauty rest.

Big Bear-ians are also protective of their wildlife, which they consider neighbors – just with bigger teeth. Yes! Big Bear is home to bears, plus coyotes, bobcats, burros and the occasional mountain lion. These creatures are not your friends! Please do not attempt to feed, approach or take a selfie with them. These wild animals prefer their privacy, and for their home to be respected.

Please leave no trace remember to Care For Big Bear when enjoying time in the forest, along the trails and on the water. Litter is hazardous to wildlife and you wouldn’t leave trash in your own home either – we'd hope.

Vibing – Like a Local

Big Bear’s local hot spots are always open to newcomers, so come hang with us! Some of our top picks include:

• Wyatt’s at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center
• Barrel 33 in The Village
• Murray’s in The Village
• Kallan’s in Sugarloaf

Locals also love a quiet night in. So, if you’re looking to chill in the comfort of your cabin – or hotel room – grab some grub to go from:

• No Name Pizza
• Mountain Munchies
• Big Bear Take-Out
• Laguna Grill

Pop Quiz – Answer the FAQ!

So, there you have it, a formal invite into local-dom in Big Bear. There’s just one last thing. To earn true local status, you must correctly answer the following frequently asked question:

What do you do with all the snow during the summer?