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. We recommend you stay at least 10 days in order to fully appreciate everything Big Bear Lake has to offer.

What to do in Big Bear Lake

Top activities & attractions in Big Bear Lake

When to visit Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake in November
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel
Big Bear Lake in November
Estimated hotel price
$124
1 night at 3-star hotel

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″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Average
Fahrenheit (°F)
Data provided by weatherbase

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, Azul, Alaska Airlines and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Big Bear Lake departs from Oakland and takes around 1h 23m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Big Bear Lake. The train journey from Big Bear Lake to Fullerton takes 0h 39m and costs around $14 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Woodland Hills, expect to pay about $14 for a 0h 43m 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 Kyte and Hertz, among others, in Los Angeles.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Big Bear Lake, including FlixBus, Greyhound and Amtrak. From Long Beach, the bus ride to Big Bear Lake takes 35 miles and will cost you around $11. From Ontario, the ticket costs about $20 for a journey of 40 miles.

Airports near Big Bear Lake

Airlines serving Big Bear Lake

Lufthansa
Good (2,569 reviews)
KLM
Good (395 reviews)
British Airways
Good (1,740 reviews)
SWISS
Good (533 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (3,366 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (1,500 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,033 reviews)
Air France
Good (494 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (305 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (3,193 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (1,439 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (1,272 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (2,025 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (131 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (668 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (491 reviews)
Finnair
Good (780 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (477 reviews)
LOT
Good (400 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (3,056 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Big Bear Lake

Average rates range from around $263 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $453 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Big Bear Lakefront Lodge and Honey Bear Lodge & Cabins.

Where to stay in popular areas of Big Bear Lake

Most booked hotels in Big Bear Lake

Lagonita Lodge
Excellent (8.7, 321 reviews)
$97+
Castle Wood Theme Cottages- Couples Only
Excellent (8.5, 177 reviews)
$211+
Robinhood Resort
Excellent (8.2, 731 reviews)
$139+
Gold Mountain Manor
Excellent (9.5, 8 reviews)
$238+
Best Western Big Bear Chateau
Excellent (8.1, 943 reviews)
$135+
Cathy's Cottages
Excellent (8.1, 165 reviews)
$81+
See all hotels

Renting a car in Big Bear Lake

Renting a car in Big Bear Lake costs $63 per day, on average, or $630 if you want to rent if for 10 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 17% more expensive than at Los Angeles.

Expect to pay $3.79 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 $45.42 and $60.57. 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 Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 66% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.