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.
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.
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Big Bear Lake in July, when the average temperature is 18 °C, and the highest can go up to 27 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -7 °C, with an average temperature of 1 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 118 mm. In contrast, June is usually the driest month of the year in Big Bear Lake, with an average rainfall of 4 mm.
Although Big Bear Lake doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Ontario Airport (ONT), which is located 66 km from Big Bear Lake. Los Angeles Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from Delta, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and other airlines departing from New Zealand. The shortest flight to Big Bear Lake from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 12h.
Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Big Bear Lake. The train journey from Big Bear Lake to Woodland Hills takes 0h 43m and costs around $23 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Santa Barbara, expect to pay about $42 for a 2h 02m trip.
Another option to get to Big Bear Lake is to pick up a car hire from Los Angeles, which is about 131 km from Big Bear Lake. You’ll find branches of Thrifty and Dollar, among others, in Los Angeles.
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Big Bear Lake, including Bus, FlixBus and Busbud. From Ontario, the bus ride to Big Bear Lake takes 64 km and will cost you around $40. From Santa Barbara, the ticket costs about $53 for a journey of 193 km.
Average rates range from around $383 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $350 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Ith Big Bear Lake Hostel & Retreat Center and Fireside Lodge.
Expect to pay $1.74 per litre in Big Bear Lake (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $20.78 and $27.70. 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 Compact car hire (Ford Focus or similar) is, on average, 51% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.