Guide to Big Bear
RESTAURANTS
TROPICALI
40616 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
You MUST check this place out. Ranked one of the 15 best restaurants in America. If you're looking for something fresh to eat with some island flavors, this place always leaves us satisfied. The staff is genuinely as fantastic as the food. The environment/decor transports you to Hawaii. :)
https://www.osotropicali.com/
40616 Village Dr
40616 Village DriveTROPICALI
40616 Village Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
You MUST check this place out. Ranked one of the 15 best restaurants in America. If you're looking for something fresh to eat with some island flavors, this place always leaves us satisfied. The staff is genuinely as fantastic as the food. The environment/decor transports you to Hawaii. :)
https://www.osotropicali.com/
Great spot to grab a sweet or savory crepe. Authentic and super fresh! Excellent coffee. Really kind staff.
https://cafecrepebigbear.com/
86 locals recommend
Cafe Crepe
41003 Big Bear BlvdGreat spot to grab a sweet or savory crepe. Authentic and super fresh! Excellent coffee. Really kind staff.
https://cafecrepebigbear.com/
Best breakfast in town, hands down. Top notch diner-style food, fresh bread/baked goods from their bakery...definitely worth the wait time.
248 locals recommend
Teddy Bear Restaurant
583 Pine Knot AveBest breakfast in town, hands down. Top notch diner-style food, fresh bread/baked goods from their bakery...definitely worth the wait time.
Family-run Mexican eatery serving delicious classic dishes & margaritas in a relaxed, cheery space. Great prices and attentive staff.
129 locals recommend
El Jacalito Grill
535 Pine Knot AveFamily-run Mexican eatery serving delicious classic dishes & margaritas in a relaxed, cheery space. Great prices and attentive staff.
Fresh donuts super close to our cabin! Caitlin recommends their cronut - sells out fast. Ben's favorite is the blueberry donut. Get there early if you're going on the weekend!
Gluten-free and vegan options available as well.
https://www.dankdonuts.com/
169 locals recommend
Dank Donuts
42612 Moonridge RdFresh donuts super close to our cabin! Caitlin recommends their cronut - sells out fast. Ben's favorite is the blueberry donut. Get there early if you're going on the weekend!
Gluten-free and vegan options available as well.
https://www.dankdonuts.com/
Oakside
40701 Village DrVersatile menu - everyone will be able to find something to order!
Broadway Cafe
1117 W Big Bear BlvdA quick drive from our cabin - great stop for breakfast or lunch.
A quick drive from our cabin - great stop for breakfast or lunch.
276 locals recommend
Lumberjack Cafe
1001 W Big Bear BlvdA quick drive from our cabin - great stop for breakfast or lunch.
The biggest pancakes we've ever witnessed. Awesome diner-style breakfast.
516 locals recommend
Grizzly Manor Cafe
41268 Big Bear BlvdThe biggest pancakes we've ever witnessed. Awesome diner-style breakfast.
572 Social kitchen & lounge
572 Pine Knot AveTasty bar eats with outdoor music in the summertime!
Great spot to check out if you're seeking that "fancy coffee" fix. Dietary restriction friendly menu as well.
300 locals recommend
The Copper Q
645 Pine Knot AveGreat spot to check out if you're seeking that "fancy coffee" fix. Dietary restriction friendly menu as well.
GROCERY & PHARMACY
Convenience store walking distance from our cabin. Good spot to grab basics. Great spot to buy firewood in the fall/winter.
60 locals recommend
Community Market
100 E Big Bear BlvdConvenience store walking distance from our cabin. Good spot to grab basics. Great spot to buy firewood in the fall/winter.
VONS is the main-stream grocery store in Big Bear.
***PRO TIP: if you're looking to get some Starbucks, go to the one in here instead of the standalone store across the lot.
446 locals recommend
Vons
42170 Big Bear BlvdVONS is the main-stream grocery store in Big Bear.
***PRO TIP: if you're looking to get some Starbucks, go to the one in here instead of the standalone store across the lot.
Walgreens
42107 Big Bear BlvdExcellent selection re: toiletries. Lower prices than CVS.
For any fans of craft beer, this bottle shop is worth checking out.
http://www.homeofthehangover.com/
13 locals recommend
Home Of The Hangover
42074 Big Bear BlvdFor any fans of craft beer, this bottle shop is worth checking out.
http://www.homeofthehangover.com/
Stater Bros. Markets
42171 Big Bear BlvdRecently renovated. Alternate grocery option to Von's.
ACTIVITIES
Stop by the lake at some point during your trip. There's a lovely walking path and some water-side parks that are easily accessible.
603 locals recommend
Big Bear Lake
Stop by the lake at some point during your trip. There's a lovely walking path and some water-side parks that are easily accessible.
THE VILLAGE SHOPS - souvenirs and gifts, cute local boutiques, coffee shops, people watching...
652 Pine Knot Ave
652 Pine Knot AvenueTHE VILLAGE SHOPS - souvenirs and gifts, cute local boutiques, coffee shops, people watching...
Great for families! Snow tubing in the winter, go-carts in the summer.
489 locals recommend
Big Bear Snow Play
42825 Big Bear BlvdGreat for families! Snow tubing in the winter, go-carts in the summer.
Boarding/Skiing in the winter. Adventure activities in the summer.
Make sure to get passes ahead of time.
https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/
14 locals recommend
Snow Summit station
Boarding/Skiing in the winter. Adventure activities in the summer.
Make sure to get passes ahead of time.
https://www.bigbearmountainresort.com/
Make sure to get passes ahead of time.
https://www.bcmountainresort.com/
870 locals recommend
Bear Mountain Ski Resort
43101 Goldmine DrMake sure to get passes ahead of time.
https://www.bcmountainresort.com/
Big Bear Bowling Barn Inc.
40625 Big Bear BlvdVillage Theaters North
602 Pine Knot AveNATURE
Walking/biking trail on the north side of the lake.
Sweet parks for hanging out along the water.
Definitely check out the sunset if you get a chance!
194 locals recommend
Alpine Pedal Path Trail 1E50
740 Stanfield CutoffWalking/biking trail on the north side of the lake.
Sweet parks for hanging out along the water.
Definitely check out the sunset if you get a chance!
It's straight out of a dream when you see it for the first time. These boulders are massive, so perfectly placed...
26 locals recommend
Boulder Bay
It's straight out of a dream when you see it for the first time. These boulders are massive, so perfectly placed...
Pier-style, easy walk over the marshland. Recommend in the early morning or as the sun is setting.
31 locals recommend
Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk
Stanfield Marsh BoardwalkPier-style, easy walk over the marshland. Recommend in the early morning or as the sun is setting.
Beautiful valley view by Baldwin Lake. Great place for relaxation / meditation.
23 locals recommend
Eye Of God
Quartz LaneBeautiful valley view by Baldwin Lake. Great place for relaxation / meditation.
Spend some time out on the water! Rent a boat, kayak or paddle board.
Make sure to book in advance!
https://www.pleasurepointmarina.net/
75 locals recommend
Pleasure Point Marina
603 Landlock LandingSpend some time out on the water! Rent a boat, kayak or paddle board.
Make sure to book in advance!
https://www.pleasurepointmarina.net/
Parking is the only tough part as people line up the sides of the street. The very beginning and very top of the hike are the most challenging/steep. Beautiful views of the lake at the top!
474 locals recommend
Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardParking is the only tough part as people line up the sides of the street. The very beginning and very top of the hike are the most challenging/steep. Beautiful views of the lake at the top!
DAY TRIPS
Big Bear Lake
Activity on both land and water. Parks and trails galore.
On the other side of the lake. Classic mountain town feel with a lot of great spots for a picnic!
27 locals recommend
Fawnskin
On the other side of the lake. Classic mountain town feel with a lot of great spots for a picnic!
About 1hr 30m from our cabin. The drive is absolutely stunning - seeing the terrain and plant life transition from mountain to desert is surreal.
334 locals recommend
Joshua Tree
About 1hr 30m from our cabin. The drive is absolutely stunning - seeing the terrain and plant life transition from mountain to desert is surreal.
30-40 min drive from Big Bear. Beautiful nature preserve with tranquility inspiring plant life. Trails that are great for all fitness levels.
33 locals recommend
Bluff Lake Reserve
Mill Creek Road30-40 min drive from Big Bear. Beautiful nature preserve with tranquility inspiring plant life. Trails that are great for all fitness levels.