Big Bear Lake

Big Bear. Sounds like a fury animal of grand proportion. It actually is. But, it is also a lovely mountain community of grand proportion. It's a great place to live and vacation. Its natural resources include beautiful pine trees, mesmerizing blue skies and wonderful fresh air, all at a 7,000-foot elevation.

Living in Big Bear is a positive option for many. It's a mere hour away from the rat race of a big city civilization. Property values in this San Bernardino mountain community have risen slowly over the past 10 years, making the entire area quite affordable. In recent years, however, cabins have increased in price by a minimum of 20 percent over the past six years. Today a three bedroom, two bath cabin in Big Bear proper could cost $350,000 as opposed to $250,000 five years ago.

The most expensive area of Big Bear is the seven-mile lakefront with homes priced between $ 900,000 and $6 million. The Big Bear City area of this beautiful mountain community is substantially more reasonable, while only a few miles away from Big Bear Lake and the ski resorts of Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Cabin prices in Big Bear City range from $ 200,000 to $ 600,000.

One of the most popular things to do in Big Bear is to rent cabins for weekends during the winter months. This is a wonderful family treat. It's always fun to ski or tobaggan in the mountains before enjoying each other's company inside the lovely cabins with a warm fire burning and a great home cooked meal.

Mark Sobczyk , owner and broker at First Team, says, "The most popular things to do in Big Bear, are skiing and snow boarding, followed by the lake activities of boating, fishing and water skiing. Winter is the busiest season of the year, even though Big Bear is a four-season resort town," he said.

While Mark feels the fall and spring months are less busy in this pristine community; he says it is always a beautiful time to visit. "I love the blue skies, and the sunshine is wonderful."

Big Bear also offers fine dining facilities such as the trendy Mandoline Bistro, and the newly opened Cafe Mambo. Breakfast diners have a number of choices including the Grizzly Manor Cafe, Stillwell's, Thelma's and the Barnstorm Cafe, where you can watch airplanes arrive and take off at the Big Bear Airport, just ask for a "window seat"!

Family life in Big Bear is very wholesome. There are numerous activities mountain biking, swimming, boating and fishing, among other fun activities. Big Bear also features a challenging, high altitude, nine hole golf course and a charming zoo filled with unique wild animals for parents and children to relish.

Speaking of children, Big Bear offers a number of very successful educational facilities for young people. No matter whether a family has an elementary, junior high, high school or continuation school student, there are schools throughout Big Bear proper to facilitate their education. In fact, it has been reported that there is a student-teacher ratio of more than 22. The graduation rate in the alpine community is over 90%, with 50%-plus students qualifying for State Universities, which is 40% higher than the California state average.

For those who enjoy shopping, there are many fascinating shops in both Big Bear Village and the Moonridge area. One can purchase just about anything, from coffee, jams and jellies to fun themed flags and great seasonal clothing. Some of the most popular shops include The Leather Depot, Wild Wings, Mill Creek Trading Company and Hunters.

Bill Yahn, Mayor of Big Bear, believes Big Bear should not to be compared to other mountain communities. "Big Bear has it's own identity. One of the most memorable things about Big Bear is its 4th of July celebration. The community reaches out to visitors and everyone has a great time."

Big Bear also maintains one community newspaper "The Grizzly" and it is available in newspaper stands throughout Big Bear The Grizzley is mailed off the hill to all those who own cabins. If someone, who doesnít own a cabin, would like to receive a copy, there is a relatively low price to have it mailed out. The great part about the Big Bear newspaper is community activities are always touted well in advance for a family to plan a trip to the mountain community and take advantage of special events, such as Oktoberfest, the wooden boat show and Cowboy Poetry. Go to www.eventsinbigbear.com to check out what is coming up before you go up to Big Bear. Youíll be glad to know if there is something you'd be interested in attending.

Big Bear also has Charter Communications as its local cable system and radio station KBHR for local news.

Yes, Big Bear is a lovely mountain community of grand proportions. It is truly unlike any other community one has ever visited. Itís a good idea to pay Big Bear a visit soon so you can measure it up for yourself. Iím sure youíll be glad you did.

For years Big Bear was mostly known for its ski resorts and its cold, snowy winters. Its convenient location made it a place where Southern Californians could get a chance to experience a white Christmas in less than a few hours from home.

It didn’t take long for people to discover that summers in Big Bear can be just as magical and exciting as winters are. And by some people’s estimations, summer is by far the best time to experience the magnificent beauty and diverse activities that our mountain valley has to offer.

It all starts in May when daytime temperatures shed the sweater weather chill and tempt us daily towards our short sleeve wardrobe. But as any experienced Big Bearian will tell you, don’t ever be fooled by mother nature in May. Big Bear locals will eagerly tell you about several Mothers’ Days in the recent past on which we experienced a late season snow storm.

As we move through the month, temperatures usually trend into the 70’s, making it a perfect time to hike, fish, and mountain bike. One yearly indication that summer is right around the corner is when you start to see a lycra-clad cycling crowd circling Big Bear Lake in hopes of shedding a few of those extra winter pounds.

Another annual May benchmark that let’s us know summer is fast approaching is the opening of the golf course at Bear Mountain Resort. It’s never too early to take advantage of the extra distance one’s golf ball gets at our higher altitudes, making those lengthy par 5’s a little more manageable.

If you are one who enjoys a less crowded atmosphere, May and early June are great times to visit the Big Bear Valley. The ski crowd is gone and the summer family vacationers have yet to arrive. Restaurants and lodges are taking a break after the hectic winter season and are preparing for the summer rush which will soon arrive. The more popular hiking and mountain biking trails are less frequented, allowing for a more serene, private, and laid-back mountain experience.

Come the end of June, lake temperatures creep into the high 60’s, sometimes languishing into the low 70’s. The water’s warmth brings more activity as the lake comes to life for the summer months.

Mornings are not only for the fishermen anymore. You will hear the hum of outboard motors at dawn’s break as the waterskiing and wakeboarding enthusiasts take advantage of the glassy flat morning waters. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, a lake breeze picks up, and you’ll see sailboats, jet skis, and a variety of other recreational water toys populate the lake.

But don’t be fooled by the buzz of activity - the lake is not only for the active. There are plenty of people simply sitting and relaxing on their boats, floating about aimlessly, soaking in the powerfully soothing Big Bear sun. Some of the more adventurous types will cruise on over to the China Islands. Located towards the south west corner of Big Bear Lake, a leap off the island’s rocky cliffs into the welcoming water below is not only a way to get one’s adrenaline running, but also a unique way to cool down after a few hours in the sun.

In late June, as the school year ends throughout the Southland, Big Bear springs to life, accommodating its annual influx of family vacationers. Perhaps the busiest holiday of the year in Big Bear is 4th of July! The town is full of revelers looking to celebrate our nation’s birthday mountain-style. For the fireworks show, the valley offers two unique perspectives; the lake fills with boats allowing for a close-up view of the explosions directly above them, while others take the opposite approach, hiking or driving a few miles up into the surrounding mountains to watch the performance from a faraway mountainside.

Either way, there is something for everyone that holiday weekend. The social types will find the village area plenty exciting with thousands of vacationers celebrating in the local taverns and restaurants. Those looking for a more relaxed, mountain experience should be able to find seclusion amongst the thousands of acres of forest land accessed by endless automobile, biking and hiking trails. And no matter how crowded it gets, with almost twenty miles of lakeside shoreline, there will always be a secluded place by the water where one can find the solitude they are looking for.

By the end of July and into August, we see summer peak with temperatures occasionally rising into the 80's. As a relief from the heat waves at lower altitudes, we begin to see vacationers looking to escape the scorching heat of Southern California in exchange for the warm, dry days and cool evenings up here in the mountains. Last year in particular, it seemed we had more people than usual frequenting Big Bear’s alpine climate as a respite from the hot, humid, dog-days of summer down below.

The last big holiday of the summer, Labor Day, reminds visitors to
Big Bear that yet another change of season is right around the corner. Most of the ski shops lining Big Bear Boulevard will have their annual Labor Day Sale, all but giving away last year’s left over stock of skis, boots, boards, apparel and accessories. It is not unusual to find less than half price items, as shop owners try to make way for the incoming new products for the upcoming ski season. If you need ski or snowboard gear, I highly suggest visiting Big Bear on Labor Day weekend to take advantage of amazing bargains that are offered.

It is impossible to fit in everything that happens during a Big Bear summer. There are literally hundreds of events, happenings, and gatherings that would be impossible to fit into such a short description. Regardless, I hope this overview gets you excited for the months to come and encourages you to visit our valley during what many consider its nicest and most overlooked season.

If you would like more information about any aspect of Big Bear summers, please don't hesitate to contact us at the First Team Real Estate office here in Big Bear. We choose to live here for a reason and would be thrilled to share our experience, knowledge, and love of our valley with you.