Big Bear Lodging

How do you find a place to stay in Big Bear? The Resort Association is a great place to begin. This organization can help you find the type of lodging you're looking for and help you make sure it meets your needs and is in your budget. Call them at 1-800-424-4232 and they will be happy to help you find a place to stay. The local telephone directory has listings in addition to those hosted by the Resort Association, so pick up a telephone book at the Chamber of Commerce on Bartlett Road in the Village.

If you are looking for luxury in a relaxing home environment, local bed & breakfast establishments may be the place for you. Big Bear boasts more than a dozen B&B's, each one unique. Just as Big Bear has many different natural experiences available, the B&B's each offer something different. What remains constant is the friendly service, great food and homey environment.

One of the most unusual B&B's may be Stargazers Inn & Observatory (909/878-4496). Located on Jeffries Road in Big Bear Lake, this bed and breakfast offers an opportunity to look at the stars. With the altitude, over 300 days of sunshine a year and clean air, Big Bear is one of the best places in Southern California to view the night sky. Decorated with photos from the Hubble Space Telescope and featuring an 11 inch telescope in a dome, Stargazers Inn presents a night sky slideshow, has binoculars available and has 'star guides' on hand to help visitors find what they are looking for. Stargazers has 5 deluxe rooms with queen-size beds, in-room fireplaces and Jacuzzis and many other extras. "I've always been into astronomy," said owner Doreen Wiggins, "but I'm a workaholic and don't have time for hobbies. Opening this bed and breakfast gives me an opportunity to work and have a hobby at the same time." Remember, the Persied meteor shower is coming later this summer and on August 27th, Mars is going to be closer to Earth than it has been in 60,000 years.

Gold Mountain Manor Historic Bed & Breakfast (909/585-6997) run by Trish & Jim Gordon is a place for a romantic getaway. Built in 1928, this historic log mansion exudes the elegance of the time. The house, with its wraparound veranda and huge quartz fireplace, is located on quiet North Shore Drive and is decorated with period antiques and reproductions. The owner/operators are knowledgeable, friendly, answer the phone themselves and make you feel at home. Another plus is that Jim is a chef and Trish is a food editor, so the food is enough reason in itself to choose Gold Mountain Manor for your stay. A full gourmet breakfast is served, with wine and hors d'oeuvres in the afternoon.

The Knickerbocker Mansion Bed & Breakfast provides another opportunity to experience historic Big Bear. Built by Big Bear's first dam keeper in 1920, this is the largest vertical log house still standing in the United States. "Knickerbocker was the Paul Bunyon of Big Bear," said Stan Miller, owner. "He chopped down the logs for this house himself." With 11 guest rooms, this is the only bed & breakfast in the area that is open for dinner on Saturday nights courtesy of chef Thomas Bicanic, co-owner. And although it brings a lot of history with it, the Knickerbocker Mansion has telephones in each room and is equipped with high speed internet service and considers itself the 'high-tech' B & B of the area.

Each bed & breakfast in the area has something unique to offer. Personal service is what makes staying in a B & B enjoyable, so call several of these establishments yourself and talk to the owners to get a perfect fit. Other options are (alphabetically): Alpenhorn Bed & Breakfast (909/866-5700); Apples B & B & Retreat Center (909/866-0903); Carolyns's Cottage ( 909/584-2467); Eagles Nest B & B & Lodge (909/866-6465); Goldilocks Cottage (909/866-6923); Switzerland Haus (909/866-3729); The Inn at Fawnskin (909/866-3200); Truffles (909/585-2772); and Windy Point Inn Lakefront (909/866-2746).

Families coming to the mountains may want to enhance the effect of being in the forest by staying in a more rustic environment. Choosing a cabin for your vacation gives the feeling of stepping back to a time when life was more relaxed and simple. Most cabins in Big Bear are affordable and quaint, yet they have all the necessities to make your stay easy and fun. While the children may enjoy staying in a 'real log cabin', having a microwave and full kitchen makes it a vacation for Mom and Dad, too. Most cabins are in a more woodsy setting than a hotel, so that children can step out the door and their adventure begins.

If you are interested in staying in a cabin, first decide what type of vacation you want to experience. Is playing on the lake a priority? Do you want to be located near the ski areas? Is quiet an important part of your visit? Would you enjoy having the national forest in your back yard? Is shopping a priority? With over 40 cabin rental businesses in the area, you can find exactly what you need if you take the time to inquire. The local telephone directory has listings in addition to those available through the Resort Association.

Oak Knoll Lodge (909/866-2773) is one of the oldest cabin rentals in the valley. First purchased in 1927, the Lawrence family recently celebrated 75 years in the business. Located on 3 acres up against the national forest, this off-the-highway, quiet and woodsy establishment is heaven for children. Featuring a swimming pool, play area, swing set, sandbox and monkey bars, families with children may never get to see the rest of the valley if they rent a cabin here. Although the setting is rustic, cabins are fully furnished. Bring your food and make yourself at home.

If the lake is your focus, North Shore Cabins (909/866-0874) might be what you are looking for. Located across from the lake in Fawnskin, seven rustic cabins are available for family rentals. Located on a forested lot, each cabin has a wood-burning fireplace and antique kitchen stoves.

Although you can get your cabins rustic, modern cabins are possible in Big Bear, too. Pine Knot Guest Ranch (90/-866-6500) has newly built cabins in a wooded area within walking distance to the Village. These cabins have an in-room Jacuzzi, fireplace, TV/VCR and charcoals grills. The 2-acre property has lawn chairs and picnic tables, a bluff-top walking trail with a view of the lake, a barn with bunnies and llamas and a fire pit for enjoying the night sky.

These are just a few samples of what is available in the way of cabin rentals in Big Bear Valley. Make some inquiries and find the place that perfectly meets your needs.

Luxury hotels are another option in Big Bear. Holiday Inn Big Bear Chateau (909/866-6666) is located on Moonridge Road not far from Bear Mountain Ski Area. This hotel offers everything you would expect from a luxury hotel including a restaurant, a swimming pool and service. Tucked into the forest and designed with beautiful European elegance, this hotel is far enough away from it all to be quiet, yet is closed to all that Big Bear has to offer.

Northwoods Resort (909-866-3121) is another luxury hotel. Located in the Village, this is a 'walk to the shops, walk to the lake' location. Northwoods is a thoroughly modern hotel with beautiful rustic mountain themed decor. The hotel has resurrected a local landmark in their restaurant, Stillwells. This quiet and elegant restaurant and bar features outdoor patio dining and a fabulous Sunday brunch. Northwoods can accommodate families or conventions.

Big Bear has a lot to offer if you are looking for meeting or conference facilities. The Convention Center at Big Bear Lake (909/585-3000) is designed for conferences. Located at the east end of Big Bear Lake, this unusually designed building is one enormous room that has the capability to be divided into smaller areas as needed. Plenty of parking is available. This is conference space only, there is no lodging on site. Several of the B & B's have conference capabilities, including Apples Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center (909/866-0903), Gold Mountain Manor Historic Bed & Breakfast (909/585-6997) and the Knickerbocker Mansion Bed & Breakfast (909/878-9190). Both the Holiday Inn Big Bear Chateau and the Northwoods Resort can accommodate large groups and meetings. In the Village, Thundercloud Resort (909/866-7594) and Robinhood Resort (909/866-4643) can accommodate families or groups.

A most unusual conference space is Inn Der Bach (909/585-3702). Located on several acres in Big Bear City, Inn Der Bach is available for conferences or social events such as weddings. With lilac bushes, Jeffrey Pines and open meadows, this Bavarian themed facility has a relaxing ambiance in a most beautiful setting.

If you're looking for luxury, but want more privacy than a hotel has to offer, try renting a condominium or townhouse. Many of the condominiums are located near Snow Summit Ski Area, which is a beautiful location in winter or summer. Some condominiums individually owned and some are time-share accommodations with pools, spas and workout rooms on the grounds. Rates vary depending on the time of year and availability, so call and inquire about the details. Lagonita Lodge Resort (909/866-653) offers full kitchens, housekeeping service, satellite TV and personal voice-mail service. Call any of the following for more information: Boulder Creek Resort (909/866-2665), Forest Shores Inn (909/866-6551), Mountain Vista Resort (909/585-7855), Snow Lake Lodge (909/866-8881), Snow Summit Townhouse Rentals (909/866-2223), Summit Ski Haus (909/866-3690) or Worldmark The Club (909/878-4227.

You don't have to be rich to find lodging in Big Bear, however. You can bring your RV or tent and camp at any of several campgrounds in the area. Contact the Big Bear Discovery Center (909/866-3437) for campground information. To camp in the national forest, contact the US Forest Service (877/444-6777) and to park your RV on the lake try Holloway's Marina & RV Park (800/448-5335).

Lodging can be had reasonably at Motel 6 on Big Bear Boulevard across from the Convention Center at the East end of Big Bear Lake. Motel 6 has simple, clean accommodations and if you're going to be busy playing all day this may be all you need. Big Bear even has a hostel, the Big Bear Lake Mountain Resort Hostel (866/866-5255). Hostels are establishments that were originally established in Europe to provide low-cost accommodation for traveling youth. No longer restricted to the young, hostels are now open to all ages and aim to provide, "shelter, showers and security." This means dormitory-style beds and shared kitchen, lounge, game room and bathroom. Located in the Village area, the Mountain Resort Hostel provides sheets and blankets, but you need to bring your own towel. Rates can be as low as $20 a night. International travelers have priority, and this hostel can easily be full during the ski season, so call ahead for more information.

When looking for lodging in the Big Bear area, keep in mind that almost all establishments run special deals and have off-season rates. If you can, coordinate your visit to take advantage of these offers. Above all, ask questions and make sure to get what you want so that you enjoy your visit.