Thanksgiving At Big Bear Lake

Are you looking to make new family traditions during your Thanksgiving holiday?

Big Bear is the perfect place to do it!

Not only can you play in the snow together, but there are also lots of other activities to experience with the whole family.

Big Bear Turkey Trot

Taking place for the third year in a row on Thanksgiving morning at Meadow Park, the Big Bear Turkey Trot is a family friendly event.

You can participate in one of three races that are three, six, or nine miles long. And if you choose the three mile race, you will be able to participate in a yoga warm-up before the race even starts.

The first 400 people to sign up for the races will even receive a t-shirt and a medal! But, be sure to register before the day of the race in order to guarantee your spot!

There is also a pie eating contest, and a costume contest where the winners will be awarded with turkeys, cupcakes, or pies.

The proceeds from the event go to local food pantries and athletic organizations

Take advantage of Black Friday

While many people will go to the malls on Black Friday to buy their holiday gifts, doing your shopping in Big Bear village is the way to go.

You can browse the various boutiques and pick up special gifts for your family and friends; or you can go to the Mountain Christmas Boutique at the Big Bear Convention Center, which is actually a huge arts and crafts show that features more than fifty vendors offering up treats and gifts.

In addition to shopping, kids can visit Santa and make arts and crafts projects of their own.

The boutique takes on place on Friday and Saturday, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tree lighting ceremony and a visit with Santa

The tree lighting ceremony happens in Big Bear Village on Friday night.

Hosted by the Big Bear Fire Department, the event is free to attend.

The city’s tree will be unveiled, giving all attendees to enjoy the tradition of watching the lights be turned on. And once the tree is finally lit, children can go visit Santa Claus and get their Christmas lists read.

Hot cider and coffee are handed out, and you are even encouraged to bring a plate of your favorite cookies to share with everyone.

Take a tour on the Miss Liberty boat

Able to seat a maximum of 125 people, a cruise on the Miss Liberty during Thanksgiving is both fun and memorable.

For ninety minutes you will be taken around the lake in the crisp fall air, able to enjoy a narrated tour.

You will learn about the history of Big Bear as far back as 1845, as well as discover where celebrity sightings have been.

And while it may be cold outside, the lower deck of the boat is completely heated.

Eat at one of the many restaurants

There are several restaurants open on Thanksgiving day, ready to serve you a traditional feast.

But, you don’t have to wait until dinnertime to get your fill of delicious food!

Restaurants such as Stillwells serve up a Thanksgiving brunch buffet where there is a carving station, and omelet bar, a station for waffles or pasta, and lots of desserts to choose from.

Or opt for a less traditional Thanksgiving meal by going to Dynasty Restaurant, where you can choose from Peking duck or order beef and shrimp dishes.

But if you want a traditional holiday dinner, you can eat at Peppercorn Grille – where their regular dinner menu is also available.

You can’t go wrong when spending Thanksgiving in Big Bear.

Make Big Bear a part of your holiday tradition and book a cabin with us today!

Are you ready for some winter fun?

As the colder months approach and the snow starts to fall in Big Bear, there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy with your whole family.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Have you ever wanted to see bears up close?

When you visit the Big Bear Alpine Zoo during the winter, you can do just that!

The zoo is actually a rehabilitation facility for wild animals that are sick or injured and need to be nursed back to health.

Those animals whose conditions won’t allow them to be safely released back into the wild are on exhibit for you to see.

The zoo’s location is in the San Bernardino National Forest, at an elevation of 7,140 feet, and is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Snow Summit

If you enjoy skiing and snowboarding, Snow Summit is the place to be!

At an elevation of 8,200 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest, Snow Summit has 27 trails and 18 miles of skiable landscape for people of all skiing abilities, spread across 240 acres.

And if you don’t have your own skis or equipment, Snow Summit offers rentals!

When visiting this mountain, you can also enjoy the tube park or go on the climbing wall. Plus, there is night skiing available for those who like to explore after the sun has gone down.

Grizzly Ridge Tube Park

Featuring three tubing lanes that are groomed every day, part of the fun of the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park is being able to take a magic carpet to the top before stepping off to tube your way back down to the bottom.

Catering to people from age two and up, the tube park is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting in December.

And if you are traveling in a group of fifteen or more people, you can enjoy a discount on tubing tickets!

Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain is the sister mountain to Snow Summit, with the two destinations located three miles apart from each other.

Snowboarding is the big activity that people enjoy when they visit. Not only are there trails to snowboard down, but Bear Mountain is also home to the only halfpipe in Southern California.

If you are a beginner or have never skied or snowboarded before, you can sign up for lessons before hitting one the trails.

At the base of the mountain you will find plenty of places to grab a bite to eat, in addition to many retail stores where you can buy ski clothing and equipment or souvenirs to commemorate your trip.

Hiking Around Big Bear Lake

Breathtaking views await when you visit Big Bear Lake.

Take in the snow covered mountains, breathe in the crisp cool air, or take a nature hike on one of the many trails around the lake.

Build a snowman, make snow angels, or stop at the Discover Center to get an adventure pass or to find out where the best off-road vehicle trails are located.

Take A Helicopter Ride

Have you ever wondered what snow covered mountains look like from the viewpoint of a helicopter?

Visit the Big Bear City Airport for your flight, which will not only take you over the mountains and Big Bear Valley but you will also get to see various landmarks and real estate.

While in flight, you will have a headset on that allows you to communicate with the other passengers as well as with the pilot – making it a completely interactive experience.

Choose from ten different flights that range in time from seven minutes to forty-five minutes, with prices starting at $35 per person.

During the winter months, Big Bear offers much more than just skiing and fun in the snow! Book a cabin with us today and make a Big Bear vacation a new winter tradition.

It is the fourth week of September, and Oktoberfest is well under way in Munich, Germany. Lasting for between sixteen and eighteen days, the festival sees more than six million people worldwide who attend. If you can’t make it to Germany, Oktoberfest 2019 in Big Bear is full of fun as well.

What is the history behind this popular festival?

On October 12^th, 1810, Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen in the German state of Bavaria. On October 17^th, the marriage was celebrated with a festival in front of one of the gates that led to the city of Munich.

Several different types of events were a part of the festival. For example, in 1811 an agricultural fair became a part of it and in 1818 beer pubs were included in the celebration.

Horse races were included in the list of activities until 1938, and beginning in 1935 festival goers were able to enjoy a parade. As time went on, Oktoberfest brought in many tourists and gave them the opportunity to learn about the people from Bavaria.

Today, Oktoberfest is able to boast the distinction of being the largest beer festival in the world.

Even if you can’t make it to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the festival in California – especially if you are visiting the Big Bear area.

Big Bear holds its Oktoberfest 2019 festival until November 2^nd, so there is still plenty of time to partake in all of the activities!

Taking place in the Big Bear Convention Center, there are all kinds of contests to participate in, from The Safe Slam Beer Drinking Contest to the Beer Pong Contest – both on Saturday evenings for the duration of the festival.

You can try your hand at the Log Sawing Contest, or even compete in the Stein Holding Contest.

Plus, contests meant especially for children are held every Sunday afternoon.

In addition to the various contests, there are game booths, vendors, and exhibitors on both Saturdays and Sundays. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase items such as beads, hats, glasses, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and souvenir beer steins.

This year during Big Bear Oktoberfest, reserve your tickets for October 18^thto enjoy “Unplugged” – which is an event where you can partake in German dining along with being able to sample various German beers and spirits. And, you will also be able to learn about the history of Oktoberfest, watch live entertainment, and take home a commemorative one liter stein.

While there are plenty of specialty German food items to enjoy such as brats, strudel, and even pickled pig’s feet, those who want more Americanized fare can choose from flatbread pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs, French fries, tacos, kettle corn, funnel cakes, and cotton candy.

One of the best ways to top off the Oktoberfest experience is to rent a luxury cabin for the weekend.

The cabins at WOWRentals range in size from three bedrooms to nine bedrooms. Some cabins are even located right on the lake with a boat dock so you can enjoy boating or riding on a jet ski!

Enjoy amenities such as free Wi-Fi, a hot tub, chef’s kitchen, spa quality towels, high thread count sheets, cable television, and spectacular views.

When reserving a cabin there are no damage deposits, and you can choose optional travel insurance to protect your loved ones.

A luxury cabin plus the fun of Oktoberfest 2019 makes for an unforgettable vacation experience!

Get tickets to Big Bear’s Oktoberfest here

There’s no doubt that Big Bear Lake is a great place to visit on vacation. The views alone make it worth the trip, but the activities are what set this place apart from anywhere else. So what is the best time of the year to visit Big Bear Lake? When can you find everything you want available in one fun-packed weekend?

Spring

Springtime in Big Bear is the best of both worlds. If you’re lucky enough, there might still be a chance for a later snowfall in March or April. This means if you plan your trip accordingly, you may get to experience Big bear lake snow and the other things to do in Big Bear in spring.

Fishing season opens up on April 1st, which paves the road for boating and other fun water activities on the lake.

There’s even zip line tours, snowshoe tours, helicopter rides, nature trails and segway rides. By the time you finish your vacation at Big Bear Lake, you’ll be so exhausted you’ll need a staycation to catch up on your sleep and rest.

Summer

Finding things to do in Big Bear during summer is pretty easy. While you may not get to enjoy the snowfall from the previous winter, you can enjoy a ton of other great activities. The hardest part is choosing which ones to do! 

The weather is great for spending all day on the lake. Here you can enjoy some fishing, boating, swimming or water skiing. Or you can remain on land and enjoy the local tourism, eateries, and scenic drives.

Fall

With the weather cooling down and the leaves changing colors, you can bet that the views at Big Bear Lake just become more amazing. So many people come to take photos of the beautiful leaves as they change colors in the fall. The beautiful trees just add romance and a fall feel to any nature walk or horseback riding experience. 

Speaking of activities, there are a lot of different things to do at Big Big in the fall including old fashioned hay rides, mountain biking, and Oktoberfest.

To celebrate Halloween, the scary and spooky attractions come alive. Haunted hayrides, farms, or houses are just a few of the festive attractions. Others can include a Boo at the Zoo and trick or treating as a family in the village.

Winter

With the snowfall happening around winter (or as early as October) renting a cabin or Airbnb at Big Bear lake can be a great way to experience the things to do in winter. With a fresh powdered layer of snow and the bright blue skies above, you can easily think that you’re in an enchanted winter wonderland.

If you’re a fun-loving adventurer and looking for some sporting activities in the snow, Big Bear has all sorts of activities for you to pick from. Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are a few of the fun things you can choose from. There are even resorts, lessons and gear shops to help you build your winter skills and prepare your activity of choice.

If you’re just looking for romantic things to do in Big Bear, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa by the cuddled up by the outdoor fire pits or inside the ski lodge can be a great way to make some fun winter memories with your loved one.

What is the best time of year to visit Big Bear Lake?

As you can see, there is no “perfect time” to visit Big Bear Lake, because this place is perfect all year round. With an average of 300 sunny days per year, you can have the perfect vacation whenever it works best for you, just simply decide what you want to experience while you’re here and book your trip during a time of year when you can enjoy the most!  

Cycling enthusiasts take note! Next month is the tenth annual Tour de Big Bear. This cycling extravaganza is Southern California’s most picturesque race event, and this year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary Tour. Bring the family and enjoy the race itself plus an activity-packed schedule of events. Register now! 

Race options for every level of rider

The Tour de Big Bear offers a range of race distance options to cater to every level of rider. Race distances start at 10k, with increasingly tough 25, 50, 70, 106 and 109 mile options. There are timed stages, and prizes for other categories such as youngest rider, course marshal’s pick, and ‘most liked’ social media post about the event. Prizes include cash, jerseys, gift certificates, and free entry to the 2020 race. Not only that, but completion of the 2019 Tour de Big Bear is necessary to complete the 2019 California Pass Challenge, which also requires participation in the Mammoth Gran Fondo in September.

Events and activities all weekend

This weekend is all about cycling, but you don’t need to be a pro to join in. The fun kicks off on Thursday night with the night time Glow Ride – grab your glow sticks and take the disco to the streets! Costumes are encouraged, and there are even prizes for the best bike.

Friday night offers an evening Poker Ride – collect the best hand to win a prize! A cycling expo is held all day Friday and Saturday, and the Sierra Nevada Beer Garden is ready and waiting when you need to recharge your batteries.

Saturday is the big day, with the award ceremony held in the afternoon. And on Sunday, a recovery ride to wrap up the excitement.

Can’t make the Tour but still want to cycle Big Bear Lake?

Big Bear Lake is known as the cycling capital of Southern California. Even if you can’t make it to this year’s Tour, Big Bear Lake holds many attractions for the cycling enthusiast. The Big Bear Cycling Association holds weekly group rides from April through October, for road bikes or mountain bikes. Favorite routes range from the mostly flat 18 mile Lake Circle to the more challenging 38 mile North Shore route, or even the 16 mile Onyx Summit climb. Whichever route you choose, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenery.

Big Bear Lake offers an abundance of activities, so non-cycling family members will find plenty of ways to amuse themselves while you scale your mountains. This is one destination you don’t want to miss.

Book today at WowRentals and experience the 10th Anniversary of Tour de Big Bear!

Come attend the biggest 4th of July fireworks display in Southern California on Thursday July 4th.  The fireworks are shot off from a barge on the Lake directly off of Pine Knot Landing.  Fireworks begin between 8:45-9:15pm. Viewable from any of our public parks or the best spot, from a boat on the Lake. Make sure to bring a jacket or blanket because it can get cold.

Location: Big Bear Lake at Pine Knot Landing

WowRentals is offering last minute discounts for 4th of July!!! 

No snow? No problem. Although it’s popular amongst skiers, there are also plenty of summer activities at Big Bear Lake. Its beautiful scenery, ideal location, and unlimited ways to stay entertained make it the perfect spot to vacation (or staycation) all year round.

Here are five activities to kick off your summer stay’s list of things to do:

Jetskiing

Turn up the throttle at any of the four locations available to ride a jet ski or WaveRunner. If you have never ridden one before, don’t worry! There is a school that has reputable instructors willing to show you the ropes on jet skis or the other watersport adventures that are offered!

Jeep Experience

No need to hike through trails to see the mesmerizing landscapes, drive around in a Jeep. These vehicles are engineered and modified for everything the terrain will throw at you while you explore the trail. From family-friendly to advanced trails, there something for every level. And the best part? You get to drive. No tour guides here.

Stroll through the Village

With plenty of places to shop and eat at, the Village is the place to see what’s happening in town. Like their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on their slew of events such as a wine walk, brew festival, and bird watching walks. In addition, if you don’t feel like walking, there is even a trolly that can take you around the Village.

Swim in the Lake

Since the ice has melted, enjoy jumping in, splashing around, and relaxing about Big Bear Lake. There are plenty of swim spots including Meadow Park which has lifeguards on site, a floating dock, a snack bar, and public restrooms. If you’d like a swimming spot more suited for photos, Garstin Island has rocks that you can climb and jump off of.

Visit the Animals

From artic foxes to actual big bears, Big Bear Alpine Zoo has a variety of animals to observe and learn about. Opening their doors in the 1950s, this zoo has the experience and reputation of not just caring for animals, but also releasing them back into the wild. Above all, after the season is over, the zoo will release almost all of the animals you will see this summer back to their natural habitat.

Looking for more summer activities in Big Bear to fill your day? Check out our Activities Page for ideas and contact info!

Book now! Big Bear Cabins

Save 10% on bookings through Spring with promo code SPRING10 (Can not be combined with any other discounts)

Located right on Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Escape Room provides a unique and exciting problem solving experience for all ages. With 2 adventures to choose from and 1 coming soon, they will keep you coming back for more.

What is an Escape Room?

WowRentals would like to inform you about the Spartan Race!!

The Spartan Race Returns to Big Bear Lake on May 18-19, 2019 with a Beast and Sprint Weekend   This is a Spartan United States National Series Event  and a Spartan Mountain Series Event both which  will be broadcast worldwide. New for 2019 is the Spartan Big Bear 10K Trail Run on Sunday May 19th.

Taking place on Snow Summit  Resort the race can access elevations as high as 8,200 ft and take you back down 1,200 ft of vertical drop

Come stay with WowRentals and we will include a 35% off discount.

(Just let us know you are coming for the Spartan Race, vaild through May 19 2019). 

Location: Snow Summit Resort at 880 Summit Blvd

Hosted at Snow Summit Resort, Spartan Race returns to Big Bear Lake, CA on May 18-19, 2019 with a Beast and Sprint Weekend. This Spartan is a United States National Series Event and a Spartan Mountain Series event. Both of which will be broadcast worldwide!

Spartan Beast – Registration/More Info

If you’re looking to unleash your inner beast, the Spartan Beast is perfect for you. With 13 miles and 30 obstacles between you and the finish line, the Spartan Beast will test everything you’re made of: your strength, your endurance, your resolve. The unpredictable terrain and Spartan Obstacles are masterfully designed to push you deep into your discomfort zone, and well past those self-imposed obstacles you once considered your limits. Beast mode: on.

Spartan Sprint – Registration/More Info

The Sprint may be our shortest distance race, but it’s still a favorite amongst both new and returning racers. It’s the perfect distance for those looking to start their Spartan journey. The Sprint also allows returning racers a manageable distance to see how far they can push themselves. Delivering 20 obstacles over 3 mi / 5 km, you’ll never run the same race twice. Once you complete the sprint you are 1/3 on your Spartan TRIFECTA: The ultimate Spartan achievement.

If the Spartan Race is too intense for you, no worries because Big Bear has plenty of outdoor activities for anyone to get out and enjoy the weather. Visit our Activities pages for ideas and vendor contact info.

Spartan racer or not, you’ll need a comfortable place to rest. WOW Rentals has you covered!

Book now! Big Bear Cabins

Save 10% on bookings through Spring with promo code SPRING10 (Can not be combined with any other discounts)