Put simply, Big Bear has it all, from snowboarding during the winter to dirt bike racing during the summer. Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead for Vacation Rental? Given the choice, I'd take Big Bear any day. For many buyers this isn't important, but for others it . Ive never seen one up here! - Big Bear Lake housing costs are 4.3% more expensive than Lake Arrowhead housing costs. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Googleprivacy policy& terms of service. I drive up to Lake Arrowhead once a week. That route crosses Onyx Summit, which at 8400 feet is the highest highway mountain pass in California outside the Sierra Nevada. Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are only about 15 miles apart as the crow flies, and about a 45-minute drive. Took us only 90 minutes door to door from Sherman Oaks. I do not want to lug my groceries up stairs nor do I want a cabin on stilts. Hope to hear some of your feedbacks. 5 Distinct Differences 1. Im so happy to have read the comments because Im currently trying to decide which area would be best for me to buy a 2nd home. Archive - I did that circle route and stayed in San Bernardino the night before. Lake Arrowhead is widely considered to be an upscale retreat, with more private residences than resorts and far fewer visitors each year. (425 reviews) "The property is right next to the village with all the restaurants and shops, and a short walk from the marina. I'll help make your next vacation awesome with first-hand guides and essential travel tips. This was when N'Sync was big. This flashlight will help you illuminate dark paths and places. Which has better fishing Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? People here have been so nice. For more information on where to eat, sleep and play in both Big Bear and Idyllwild checkout hotmamatravel.com. The airport runway is 6,800 ft. long and can accommodate all types of aircraft including small jets and military aircraft. A common question that we get asked by clients and visitors to Big Bear is, How is Big Bear Lake different from Lake Arrowhead?. Quickly match with an investor-friendly agent who can help you find, analyze, and close your next deal. Lol scaredy-cat. There arent any fine dining or foodies restaurants but the point is to get away after all so that means home cooked meals and wine by the fire. Its a stereotypical resort town (meaning real estate price is high) and most of the residents are part-timers, with the medium threat of fires in the area. - The Median Age is 0.7 years younger in Big Bear Lake. On average, Mammoth receives an estimate of 400 inches of snow whereas other local resorts like Big Bear only receive about 100 to 200 inches. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. 25 Best Things to Do in Lake Arrowhead In less than 2 hours, you'll find yourself surrounded by the tall trees of the San Bernardino mountains taking in views of a sparkling blue lake. And Big Bear is only a 20 minute drive to the east. It is possible to live in LA AND appreciate nature. Throughout the year Big Bear hosts a number of events and holiday festivities, often drawing huge crowds. A small roadside inn within walking distance to the lake. And not just because of Germanic family heritage from the 1800s. Four seasons in Big Bear allow for lakerecreation in the warmer months, and snow play in the winter. You could dine lakeside at the Lake Arrowhead Resort. Do we want sports or culture? Both are mountain lake resort communities located in the San Bernardino Mountains. I will always remember about the boy who was in the rear passenger seat and a rockslide killed him. The City of Big Bear Lakeis an incorporated city in San Bernardino County with its own local governing body. There are many reasons to visit Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. View detailed information about property including listing details, property photos, open house information, school and . Yes we probably have a very low percentage oh high brows be other than their always vacant, endlessly for sale mega mansions youd never know they were here. 17 Best Things to Do in Lake Arrowhead, CA Top Activities & Places to Go! Big Bear is a better place to go snowboarding. 27176 Peninsula Dr. Heaps Peak Arboretum. I ride my bike around the lake everyday, and its easy to bring the kayak to the lake. There's snow parks and ski resorts up there, it seems more geared towards that. Velvet robes??? What will you choose? 1 mountain, 7,841 ft at peak. Lake Arrowhead is an artificial lake located in the San Bernardino Mountains on Little Bear Creek, a tributary of Deep Creek and the Mojave River. If your older (over 50 lets say) or you just want somewhere quieter, Lake Arrowhead is great, especially the Lake Arrowhead Resort. any advice for the place you stayed at Arrowhead ? Nice place to eat in Lake Arrowheadno kids weekend 1st time to lake arrowhead?which is best spot for family? Arrowhead Lake is 2.2 miles long. Weve seen a steady decline and for the first time in history we went from full to 15 down, and that was the five years after 2012, says Mike Stephenson, from the Big Bear Municipal Water District. plus many residents seem to want to ban STR. Just hoping to walk 2 or 3 miles and enjoy the changing leaves. It is usually where we choose to go when traveling with extended family, because there is so much to do for all ages. At least past by Lake Arrowhead on the way, and stop at the village, or the Lake Arrowhead Resort for a drink and take in the nice views, it's only about 30 minutes away from Big Bear and a nice drive. Is your style more about outdoor activities or enjoying local food and art? I think a very nice drive from Palm Springs to Anaheim would be to go south from Palm Springs to Palm Desert, then take Highway 74 (called the "Palms to Pines Highway") which winds slowly up from the desert to Mt. Well, MTV is off the mountain and I am no longer a teenager daydreaming about Timberlake swooning over my killer snowboarding skills. However without lake rights, is it even worth it purchasing there? Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Get road conditions and chain restriction updates in real-time. Considering traffic on a busy day can take 2 to 3 hours from Lake Arrowhead. There are also numerous hiking and biking trails to explore. I'm considering making it an overnight trip. To each his own. Which is better for wildlife watching Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? The people who live on the lake are pretty snobby though. I give Pacaso permission to contact me & agree to the terms. Does Big Bear have that problem driving the 38? should we even consider the area then? However, the lake is not 'public' in the sense that there is no general public access. Thanks again. Please DO NOT include links, URLs or HTML in your comments - they will be automated deleted and you will waste your time. West Los Angeles, California. I know my family needs a little of both in our lives, making it a fun weekend rotation, yielding many, many posts on my blog. You have a larger selection of single story homes. Lake Tahoe is much bigger than Big Bear in terms of area. $100 isn't out of line for a night in a cozy cabin mid-week in Big Bear Lake. Two favorite mountain escapes for my family are Big Bear and Idyllwild. Although Big Bear sits high atop the San Bernardino Mountains, it is far from isolated. All of our Cabins are located 5 min from the Big Bear Resort and walking distance to Mountain transit. Perhaps the biggest difference between Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead is that Big Bear has two ski resorts, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, whereas Lake Arrowhead has no such services. Thats terrible and bad for business I would think. Big Bear sits at an elevation of roughly 7,000 feet 2,000 feet higher than Lake Arrowhead and averages 50-plus inches of snow a year, compared to 37 inches in Lake Arrowhead.. With our hectic lives, Idyllwild allows us to slow down, relax and enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. Also, there's not as much to do in Arrowhead as it's a smaller area. Required fields are marked *. Lake Arrowhead is for poseurs who wish to bring their velvet rope city attitudes to nature. Related: Best Things to Do in Big Bear. Get answers to your questions about Lake Arrowhead. I'm not sure about seeing changing leaves. If Big Bear brings the cool, then Idyllwild offers romance. The west end of the mountains (which includes Hwy 330 that goes by Lake Arrowhead) does get fog in the winters. Other winter activities include sledding and cross-country skiing. The real estate in Lake Arrowhead, from the lake to the village, is really high end. Big Bear does have more hiking and lake access. Big Bear Lake is much bigger in surface area but much more shallow than Lake Arrowhead. Usually all these elements can be found together in the many fantastic restaurants that not only serve up amazing cuisine, but also display local artists work and have live music daily. It is backed against the National Forest with easy access to many hiking areas along Keller Peak . All the young kids were shredding snow on snowboards! Thank you all SO much for the very helpful responses. Any advice is welcome. any other activities to do during mid December? 12 years ago Save My husband and I are planning a 3-5 day trip up to this area the week before Christmas (December 18-24) with our 2.5 and 5 year old kids. Located in the heart of Southern California - and an easy drive from Phoenix and Las Vegas - Big Bear Lake is the jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest and known for excellent fishing, snowboarding and skiing, hiking, mountain biking and so much more! Cabin in Big Bear. So if you are planning a trip to one of Southern Californias mountain getaways here is what you need to know about what makes each town unique. Which is a better place to go snowboarding Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? (sorry for the previous typo) It is the quicker drive into Big Bear. In the summer the focus shifts to the lake with activities like boating fishing wakeboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. Another important difference is the altitude. The Mountain History Museum. Tourism is the primary economic generator for both communities, and both host millions of visitors annually. Sorry. View 50 photos of this 5 bed, 3 bath, 2062 sqft. What Our Clients Are Saying. However, the lake is not 'public' in the sense that there is no general public access. Both are great destinations for a variety of activities. Its been snowing lately and what a treat. Big Bear is at least an hour away from Lake Arrowhead. H: 50.0 / L: 43.0. As for real people who actually want to escape to nature, I suggest we all leave our attitudes behind. I posted this question in 2007 when we actually did the trip. McKenzies WaterSki School. Big Bear Lake is a man-made lake 7 miles long with several marinas. Not to be confused with Big Bear City, which is immediately east of Big Bear Lake, the City of Big Bear Lake is comprised of the geographic area along the south shore of Big Bear Lake. This is a great question since Big Bear and Arrowhead have many similarities. Taking this tour up Mt. Berlin struck a chord with me. Places like China Peak & Kirkwood are Real Outdoorsman places for people who love winter sports. By definition, that implies Lake Arrowhead ranks as the #1,359 most expensive place in the Golden State. I would have to get a new company to insure Lake Arrowhead and from the one quote I got, it was more expensive. Road Conditions. From what you've shared I'm thinking it will be better to postpone this trip until next time - when I can book an overnight trip -- and not spend the bulk of my day off driving. It will be a long day coming from Venice, but doable. After driving up a few times, Im not worried about the drive up to Arrowhead now. This is a great question since Big Bear and Arrowhead have many similarities. My main concern is roads. Perhaps the most popular event is the, Which destination is easier to get to? Actually, in Lake Arrowhead, we have a movie theatre, lots of shopping, great restaurants and a good library. The ski resorts are in big bear except or Snow Valley which is halfway between Arrowhead and Big Bear. Swimming within the means of participating in water sports is also permitted with a life vest!. We hiked around the lake and hung out on the hotel's 'beach'. Big Bear does have more hiking and lake access. San Bernadino is not a nice area imo as well. OUR MISSION: Making Spirits Bright. They are both man-made lakes, with the dam that formed Big Bear Lake . Los Angeles proper has become congested, filthy, frustrating in every way. Cookie Policy - 9.6/10 Exceptional! San Jacinto, you pass by Lake Hemet, and when you get to Mountain Center, turn right on the 243 to go into Idylwild. Accessible by land or air, Big Bear is popular destination for travelers of all kinds. - People are 12.8% less likely to be married in Big Bear Lake. 29453 Pineridge Dr. Lollipop Park. These marinas offer boat rentals, jet ski, kayaks, and pontoon boats for rent by the hour or the day. Okay so some people wouldn't stay in San Bernardino, but I had a perfectly clean and safe motel and had some excellent Mexican food. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-9133247', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Big Bear Lake from the car.while Lake Arrowhead you have to get out to see it. Try the . but there have been multiple bidding wars going on in snatching almost every property lisitngs within the hour. Your email address will not be published. If you love race car driving, this is not the moment to try out your Daytona . Your email address will not be published. Does it snow more in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? Answering questions about the Los Angeles area. With the advancement of technology and the increased accessibility of remote work,, Boat trips can be a fun and rewarding experience, but packing for them can be a hassle. Thats so funny you have replied now. Are short term rentals allowed in Lake Arrowhead? Lake Arrowhead is substantially closer to L.A. IMHO, Arrowhead is prettier. Once Im at the bottom of the hill Im fine. Welcome anyone wishing to leave it all behind. M-F All Day* $74 (9 am - 4pm) M-F Half Day $64 (9 am - 1 pm or 12 pm - 4 pm) M-F Night $35 (3pm - 8 pm) In addition, several areas in the San Bernardino Mountains have recorded over 80 . Good place for a weekend trip with a dog? There really is no wAy to compare the two lakes except that they are on the same mountain. My aunt and uncle had their second home there for years in the 50s 60s, and my aunt taught the locals how to water ski, including, believe it or not Natalie Wood which is not a well known thing since she was deathly afraid of water. Lake Arrowhead Queen. Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead? People can picnic lakeside and enjoy the iconic rock formations at Boulder Bay Park. #Whatimlooking for. If you want more snow (probably more) make the drive to mammoth. There is substantial (and objective!) How is the road to Lake Arrowhead? California Real Estate Q&A Discussion Forum, Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements, Home Owner Association (HOA) Issues & Problems, Real Estate Technology, Social Media, and Blogging, BRRRR - Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat, Real Estate Development & New Home Construction, Real Estate Wholesaling Questions & Answers, Rent to Own a.k.a. Explore the charming city of Big Bear Lake in SoCal. Hope to meet like minded people and maybe join a club. There are few better ways to escape California's long, dry summers than lounging by a cool, clear lake. Arrowhead town is cute for a day half day visit but stay in big bear. I personally think that would be a semi-difficult day trip - especially on a weekday. Wildhaven Ranch. January 23, 2015 by Big Bear Real Estate 40 Comments. There is also a sofa bed for our guests to use. 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