The Real Big Bear Winter Guide: What Hallmark Movies Won’t Tell You

Ah, Big Bear Lake—picturesque mountain town, home to towering Jeffrey Pines, pristine snowshoe trails, and two bald eagles who are more famous than half the cast of The Bachelor. With three million visitors descending on this tiny alpine village every year—most of them in winter—you might be wondering: Is it even possible to enjoy Big Bear without being stuck behind a two-wheel drive Honda Civic spun out in two inches of snow on Highway 330 for six hours? You may need some Big Bear travel tips.

Visiting Big Bear in Winter? Read This Before You Sit in Six Hours of Tesla Traffic

As a lifelong mountain resident and someone who works in tourism (and has the emotional scars to prove it), allow me to guide you through the madness with these Big Bear travel tips.

Everything You Need to Know About Big Bear in Winter… That No One Else Will Tell You

Highway 38 washed out this summer and won’t reopen until we’re all a year older and several holidays crankier. That leaves two roads into Big Bear:
Highway 330, which will be backed up from here to Los Angeles, not joking, and Highway 18—less crowded, more scenic, and only convenient if you happen to be coming from Arizona or Las Vegas.

Just last week, I got stuck in a twenty-mile delay on Highway 330 and it’s not even tourist season yet. So yes, traffic will be “character-building.”

Accept That Nothing Says Christmas Magic Like a Three-Hour Wait for a Steak

Visiting Big Bear during the holidays is basically starring in your own Hallmark movie—if the plot included gridlock, five-hundred-dollar parking tickets, and collectively losing your will to live while waiting for a table at Peppercorn Grill.

If you want great food without a soul-crushing wait:

• Sweet Basil – By far, the best Italian in town. They do take reservations (praise be).
• Himalayan Restaurant – Why wait two hours for a table? Order spicy Goan Vindaloo or Lamb Biryani and pick it up. Indian food travels like a dream.
• Thelma’s – A local favourite. Biscuits and Gravy that could solve world peace.
• Lumberjack Café – Sourdough waffles worth waking up early for.
• Dank Donuts – Best sandwiches and salads. Grab a donut. Then grab two more. You have to try the crab cake stuffed Lockness Munster Sandwich. This is my favourite sandwich in all of Big Bear. It’s worth the carbs after a day spent snowshoeing. 
• Moonridge Coffee – Because life is too short for bad espresso.
• Barry’s Dynasty Chinese – The Honey Walnut Shrimp + Barry’s spicy pickle = life-changing. I truly don’t know how Barry does it. When he has a delivery driver available, if they say they will be at my cabin with my Honey Walnut Shrimp in an hour, they show up in an hour. Local tip: Ask for some of Barry’s signature spicy pickle. This is the secret ingredient you have to throw into that Honey Walnut Shrimp. Even when you dine in and order the most delicious Spare Rib appetiser ever, even on a Saturday evening, they get you seated right away. The food comes out way quicker than any other restaurant in town. This Hong Kong-style Chinese is similar to dishes at Panda Express. It’s not boujie Chinese fusion like you would find in the city.
• Steinerhaus at The Q – The new barbecue joint in town. They are famous in the Temecula location for their smoked brisket and amazing Mac N cheese with candied jalapenos. This is the newest spot to go to in Big Bear Lake if you like barbecue. It is in The Village, so yes, it is madness on weekends.
• Taco Tao (Big Bear City) – Birria tacos that could make a grown man weep and the best breakfast burritos in town. The breakfast burritos are part of their secret menu, so you have to ask and give them a wink.
• The Cookshak – Best breakfast burritos in town that are also filled with just smoked brisket.
• The Lobster Roll Truck – Random? Yes. Delicious? Also yes. Find this hot pink Lobsta-filled truck on a side street in Big Bear City, mostly on weekends.

Book Your Lodging Smart

Do not book 45 minutes away from Big Bear Lake and then complain about traffic. I beg of you.

Avoid:
• Running Springs – Cute but clogged with ski traffic. I had a client recently who had booked a rustic boutique trailer at The Hideaway in Running Springs. The Hideaway is an adorable little area to stay that is dog-friendly, for one or two people. But suppose you want to stay in Running Springs and drive to Big Bear to go on a snowshoe tour with Big Bear Lake’s premier snowshoe guide. In that case, you will be sitting in ski traffic for hours between Running Springs and Big Bear Lake in an area called the Arctic Circle, because it’s extremely cold and snowy there in the winter months. This is Big Bear Lake’s version of Donner Pass.
• Crestline or Lake Gregory – Cheaper for a reason; you’re 1.5 hours away and it rarely snows at this low elevation.

Book instead:
• Lower Moonridge – Central, flatter, safer in snow, walking distance to everything, including a close shuttle stop.
• Upper Moonridge – Great for big groups, but icy roads and steep driveways make it a demolition derby in storms. Expect your Tesla to slide out of that steep driveway on a snowy night. True story.
• Big Bear City – Affordable, flatter, easier driving, great hikes, and Wyatt’s cowboy bar for line dancing.

Stop Paying $50 for a Plastic Sled Like a Rookie

News flash: you can’t park on city streets from November–April unless you enjoy being towed faster than Kamala Harris can pounce on a bag of Doritos.

If you want snow play without the chaos, book a Snow Play Experience with a local guide. Ahem, Hungry Mountaineer Guided Hikes includes snow toys, snowball makers, Baileys and coffee for adults, and your dog can go off-leash. Yes, we know where the snow hides even during dry winters. Yes, we’re awesome.

Need cheap gear? Go to Mulligan’s Used Sporting Goods. I love to shop small and spend my hard-earned cash at small family-owned businesses rather than the big box chains like Big Five.

Try Something Besides Skiing

• Snowshoe Hiking Tours – Book early; I sell out faster than Taylor Swift vinyl.
• Eagle Viewing – No, I won’t take you to Jackie and Shadow’s nest. But go to the north side of the lake at sunrise for the best chance of seeing our 15 bald eagles.
• Big Bear Alpine Zoo – The animals are way more active in winter. Plus, yes, you’ll see a bald eagle.
• Jeep Tours – See the wilderness without hiking yourself into oxygen deprivation. Jeep tours are awesome for those who want to see the wilderness of Big Bear without hiking all those high-elevation trails. Book a jeep tour today through Hungry Mountaineer Jeep Tours!
• Tourzilla – Monster truck tours for large groups. Bundle up unless frostbite is your aesthetic.

For the love of Sanity, avoid Christmas Week

Big Bear during Christmas is magical—if your idea of magic involves overcrowding, panicked parents, and lines longer than Disneyland on a free churro day. If you can plan to visit Big Bear mid-week and not in the midst of the holiday season, that is the way to go! We normally get snow from December through March. March is a great time to visit, as we usually have snow yet the roads are not that bad for driving. Also, try and avoid holiday weekends.

When planning your trip to Big Bear Lake, California, just remember;

The holiday lights and decorations stay up until February.
Come in January or February to avoid those Hallmark moment-seeking Christmas crowds.
Book a cabin midweek if you can.
Call it a “mental health day.” Your kids’ school will understand (probably).

With a few of these easy Big Bear travel tips, you, your furry friends and your family can make the best memories in Big Bear Lake, California this winter season.