Big Bear Lake travel guide
Big Bear Lake Tourism | Big Bear Lake Guide
You're Going to Love Big Bear Lake
With a population of 5,019, Big Bear Lake is a must-see destination in California, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Consider staying at least one whole day in Big Bear Lake to see all of its attractions.
Activities & attractions in Big Bear Lake
Where to Eat in Big Bear Lake
If you’re looking for affordable options, The Bone Yard Bar and Grill (560 Pine Knot Ave) and Sweet Basil Bistro (40629 Big Bear Lake Blvd) are great picks.
When to visit Big Bear Lake
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Big Bear Lake in July, when the average temperature is 64.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 80.6 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 19.4 °F, with an average temperature of 33.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 4.6″. In contrast, June is usually the driest month of the year in Big Bear Lake, with an average rainfall of 0.2″.
How to Get to Big Bear Lake
Plane
Although Big Bear Lake doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Ontario Airport (ONT), which is located 41 miles from Big Bear Lake. Los Angeles Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Air France, Aeromexico and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Big Bear Lake departs from Las Vegas and takes around 1h 12m.
Train
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Big Bear Lake. The train journey from Big Bear Lake to Burbank takes 0h 28m and costs around $11 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Fullerton, expect to pay about $14 for a 0h 36m trip.
Car
Another option to get to Big Bear Lake is to pick up a car rental from Los Angeles, which is about 81 miles from Big Bear Lake. You’ll find branches of Ace and Turo, among others, in Los Angeles.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Big Bear Lake, including FlixBus, Busbud and Greyhound. From Ontario, the bus ride to Big Bear Lake takes 40 miles and will cost you around $24. From Santa Barbara, the ticket costs about $64 for a journey of 120 miles.
Airlines serving Big Bear Lake
Where to stay in Big Bear Lake
Average rates range from around $236 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $233 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Fireside Lodge and Big Bear Lakefront Lodge.
Where to stay in popular areas of Big Bear Lake
Most booked hotels in Big Bear Lake
Renting a car in Big Bear Lake
Renting a car in Big Bear Lake costs $31 per day, on average.
It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 65% cheaper than airport locations in Big Bear Lake.
Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Big Bear Lake (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Big Bear Lake is Full-size (GMC Yukon or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Hyundai Elantra or similar) are, on average, 40% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.