|
Bear Valley thrives on visitors. The local economy consists in the main of utilities, visitor
related business, and real estate. The population expands sometimes to 100,000 during holidays, but shrinks to
just a few thousand during the "off season".
The "locals" you will encounter are mostly friendly and helpful. The "weekenders", occasional
residents, are not quite so friendly, but most everyone who comes up here does so to have time off, so spirits
are usually good and the atmosphere casual.
This can be a good thing -- for example, almost all the Eating Places in Big Bear are pretty good. They have to
survive in the "off season", and won't if the locals stay away. The markets that locals frequent are
friendly, well managed, and surprisingly inexpensive -- money is hard to come by, up here. You will also find good
prices for outdoor gear, almost all of which is really good stuff. Many times we have found it to make more sense
to pick up a snowboard or gloves up here, rather than paw through the sale junk down the hill to find the few items
which are "bargains".
Most businesses go the extra mile to satisfy, because it is so hard to survive.
The speed limit is Big Bear is 25 MPH. Watch out for children, pets and burros!
Quick Tour
Big Bear Lake was at one time the largest lake behind a dam. The dam
has been strengthened against earthquakes, and the lake is full.
The two cities on the South side of the lake are Big Bear Lake, called the "village", and Big Bear City.
This is the shady side of the valley which sports the two remaining ski/bike areas: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain.
Summit, which has two hi-speed quads, is a little lower, but keeps snow better. Bear, which also has a hi-speed
quad, is a little more exposed, but has more vertical.
Fawnskin and Holcomb Valley (and the gold mines) are on the North, or sunny side of the lake. Also there are many
campsites, old mining equipment, old ranch stuff, lots of 4-wheel roads, a firing range, and the "solar observatory"
(open one weekend a month for tours).
There are only three roads into Big Bear, the "front", "back", and "Victorville".
.
The front way, from the San Bernardino Freeway (Interstate 10) in Redlands,
take 30 to 330 to 18, past Running Springs and Snow Valley, around "Artic Circle" to the Dam.
To the left of the lake is Holcomb, the sunny side of the valley.
Continuing to the right at the dam, the road is narrow and curvy, past some fishing spots, lots of local cabins,
and "treasure island", about 5 houses on a small island in the lake. Down the line, to the right is the
new Performing Arts Center, home of some surprisingly good plays, etc.
Further on you will see the Alpine Slide. They work very hard in the winter to keep artificial snow on the hill,
and in the summer it becomes a water slide. Kids seem to love it. Nearby there is a local stable for horse riding
in the warm season.
The road jogs to the left in the middle of the City of Big Bear Lake (the Village). You will see the world-famous
Chad's Saloon, the authentic 1950's Amusement Arcade, lots of Eating Places and businesses. The Village is a picturesque
treat to walk around in.
Continuing on the main drag, to the left on the lakeside there are many good
rental cabins, parks, swimming beaches, and at least two Marinas where you can rent small water craft.
There is a big fishing contest held every year, for which the lake is specially stocked. Belotti's famous bakery
is on the left side, a great place to treat yourself. Also on the left side, right across from Carl Junior's, Andy
Acosta firewood offers good wood at a better price than the markets.
Snow Summit ski/bike resort is up Summit Blvd. In the summer, you can ride up the Express with your mountain
bike, and ride down many known and unknown trails. From the back side of Summit, you can walk down "town trail",
a one-mile tree-lined path skirting the City, and turn left up "N06" to the network of old logging roads.
This is quite a feat to ascend in a mountain bike -- most beginners have to dismount and walk their bikes up this
steep, sandy grade! In the other direction you pass the US
Marines Camp Ground and the National Forest, eventually you can walk to Bear Mountain.
Between the two ski resorts is Goldsmith's Board House, the only place to get equipped. They have been the
pioneer Snowboard shop in Big Bear.
Bear Mountain Ski Resort is up Moonridge Blvd. to the right. Both resorts have parking areas and shuttles
when things get really crowded. This does not occur in Summer, at which time you could also make use of the Bear
Mountain Golf Course, also up Moonridge Blvd.
The rental area known as Moonridge, as well as the Big Bear Zoo, is also up this road. There are many
good classic rental cabins within walking distance to Bear Mountain. Between the two resorts, there are
some nice cozy rentals next to the National Forest. Some of these lots back
right up to the wilderness, and you can hike up through the trees.
Continuing on the main drag, you will find the Kronk Camp, where prominent boxers have worked out. Big Bear usually
has the clearest, purest air, great for training. K-Mart is on the left, Stater Bros. market is on the right in
the "Interlaken" shopping center, where there is a laundromat.
Beyond is the Stansfield Reservoir, where the Eagles do visit and are protected. There is an Eagle count each year.
Further on is Big Bear City, and the area known as "Sugarloaf" is off to the right. There is an airport
off to the left, and some good Eating Places in here. You will encounter to the right the "back road",
route 38 to Redlands, which comes out very close to the 10 freeway. It is a prettier ride, although about 10 miles
longer.
Turning left, you can go around Big Bear Lake, or continue and go around the (dry) "Baldwin Lake" area,
and eventually down the Victorville Road (18). If you have time and inclination, you can drive right around Big
Bear Lake on the North Shore, past the old "Lucky Baldwin" Gold Mine, Gold Mountain, the old quarry,
the Forest Service Discovery Center, the North Shore Beaches, Fawnskin, and many roads which lead up into the hills.
There are many old gold mine works, the tiny cabin, the hanging tree, etc., up in them thar hills.
The Back Road (38), get off the San Bernardino (Interstate 10)
at Orange, proceed North to Lugonia (SR38). Go East toward the mountain, past the Ranger Station (can buy maps),
past "Seven Oaks" (pretty good restaurant), past some camping grounds, up over Onyx Summit (8400 ft.)
and down into the valley. The road dead-ends at route 18, turn left, continuing through Big Bear City to Bear Mountain
and Summit ski restorts, the lakeside beaches, and the village, in the reverse order from the front way.
The road is gentle and affords some spectacular views of open face thrust zones eroded by prehistoric water flow
and great mountain rises. This is the old road, built on an old Indian path and at one time used for logging.
There is a beautiful waterfall down the steep grade which you can visit from the Forest Falls area of the foothills.
During the last earthquake, one side of this valley shook a lot, and the other side moved hardly at all, seeming
to indicate that this is the boundary of the great North American and Pacific Tectonic Plates. The little market
here has a small, private "zoo", and friendly people.
Victorville Road from Bear Valley cutoff, follow Route 18 up the mountain.
A steep road, but almost always clear of snow except at the top. Take the Bear Valley Cutoff.
|
|
Village (City of Big Bear Lake)
Prospector's Steak House, a famous place.
Iron Squirrel, fine French cooking.
Boo Bear's Den, a hangout for locals. 572 Pine Knot, 909-866-2162
Queen of Siam a good Thai Restaurant 909-866-1863
Belotti's Bakery between village and snow summit 41248 Big Bear Blvd. 909-866-9686
Chad's Place has good live rock music, typical bar atmosphere, pool, and friendly people.
Ski Resort Area
Dongio's Pizza is close to Summit, and really good for sit-down dinners.
Southwest Station has good Mexican Cuisine close to Summit.
Pong's eclectic oriental cuisine, between the two ski resorts.
Pong's new place is very nice, and the food is great. No reservations. 42104 Big Bear Blvd., 909-866-4400
Ichiban Sushi, which we haven't tried yet, occupies Pong's old building.
42151 Big Bear Blvd., 909-866-6413
Bear City Area (Big Bear City)
The Blue Whale another famous landmark.
Lumber Jack Cafe hearty meals, if you still eat red meat.
Blue Ox ditto
Thelma's Famous with the locals 337 W. Big Bear Blvd., 909-585-7005
Northshore (Fawnskin, etc.)
Frog's Eatery 39127 North Shore Dr. 909-866-5049
Online Resources
BigBear.com Big Bear Online, Claims to be the "official"
Big Bear site, not 2 cool but they have a directory of most of the good (and other) accomodations in Big Bear plus
hooks to the locals.
BigBearLake.com Also leads to Big Bear Online. A big site.
BigBear.net Virtual Big Bear, good bear roar sound effects. Similar
and other cabins. Search function, mail list, local classifieds. Smaller site.
|