Traveling to Big Bear California is something that many of us think of during the “winter” months here in California; it is perfect for skiing with fresh snow.  Summer is also a beautiful time to experience the area; after returning from our trip I can honestly say that the favorite for our entire family was the time spent on the water.

Traveling to Big Bear California? Here is your summer travel guide to help you make the most of the next trip and any other trip in the works. Our Trip to Big Bear California was so therapeutic and just what our family needed to reconnect and refuel after a long school year.

As we were preparing for our trip we had a lot of questions about what to pack and wanted to share my resources here with you in this summer travel guide. But knowing how to prepare for Big Bear California is one thing, knowing what to do when you get there is another. 

Wondering what to pack for your summer road trip to Big Bear Lake? I pulled together a list of your must-have items over at SheBuysCars that will ensure everyone in the family is covered – without over packing. {Surf’s up! If you live in California or are planning a visit, get our popular Best Surf Spots in Orange County ebook for only $5.99! This comprehensive list is perfect for surfers and beach lovers alike.}

Big Bear California Summer Activities for All Ages

We recommend taking a tour of Big Bear Lake aboard Miss Liberty at the start of your trip to Big Bear.  It is the perfect way to learn about the area and give everyone a deeper appreciation of their surroundings during your trip.

Plus – you get to see all of the celebrity homes on Big Bear Lake so they can escape the hustle and bustle of life just like you and me!

Scenic Sky Chair

When traveling to Big Bear Lake in summer, there are so many fun activities to do both on and off the water. The Scenic Sky Chair is usually meant for transporting skiers and snowboarders up the mountain during the winter months.

But during the summer, the Snow Summit is a beautiful sight that can best be seen from the sky chairs. You will need to sign a waiver though and a good tip is to get this done before you head out to Big Bear California.

Get Out on the Water

Big Bear Lake is such a beautiful scene all day long and the best way to experience Big bear Lake is from the water. We rented paddleboards and kayaks from Paddles and Pedals and headed out on the water in the morning.

During the morning, the water is calm and peaceful and filled our trip with a sense of tranquility we’re not familiar within Orange County.  Of course, tranquility isn’t all the lake has to offer. You can find wave runners at North Shore Landing that will add a level of thrill to your lake experience that you’ll love.

Go Fishing

Life on the water can be both tranquil and exciting but below the surface is another reward. Going fishing is a nice way to spend the morning. Cantrell Guide Service is a service at Big Bear that offers fishing tours for all ages.

We had the best tour guide, Jack Cantrell, yes, THE Cantrell. Jack’s knowledge of fishing on Big Bear Lake made it so much better for everyone. In fact, both Ava and Cal caught a fish with some help from Jack and they loved every second of it.

Dine out in Big Bear California

After a day filled with water sports and tours, hunger starts to set in. The Cowboy Express Steakhouse is one of many different restaurants you will find in Big Bear California. When you come to The Cowboy Express Steakhouse you will want to wait for a seat on the patio.

There is nothing like eating with the family, under the tall trees and with a perfect view of the lake. If you go for dinner, bring a sweater just in case things start to get a little too cool.

FunPlex and Magic Mountain

Kids will love the fun they can have at Funplex and Magic Mountain. Funplex is an arcade, laser tag arena, miniature golf, ice skating rink hidden inside a building that looks like a barn. While there are many different activities at Funplex, the area is small which makes parenting easy.

Magic Mountain is a completely different experience. Magic Mountain is an outdoor park with water slides, go-karts, and golf. One of the best slides we rode down was the Alpine Slide. After taking a chairlift up to the top of the mountain, you hop on a little cart that lets you slide down.

The whole experience is as close as we can get to a bobsledding ride without all of the danger. And we captured a ton of photos in Big Bear California, too!  Be sure to check them out.

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