Ah, Big Bear Lake—picturesque mountain town, home to towering Jeffrey Pine
s, 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.
Big Bear Winter Travel Tips FAQ
What are the best routes to drive to Big Bear Lake in winter?
With Highway 38 undergoing major repairs, your entry points are narrowed down to two choices:
- Highway 330: The most direct route for visitors coming from LA or Orange County, but it gets intensely backed up with heavy tourist and ski traffic.
- Highway 18: A scenic, much less congested route that climbs up the back of the mountain. It is incredibly convenient if you are driving in from the desert, Arizona, or Las Vegas.
Where should I book a cabin to avoid winter traffic in Big Bear?
Smart lodging placement is key to keeping your sanity. Lower Moonridge is highly recommended because it is centrally located, flat, safer during winter snowstorms, and sits within easy walking distance to a resort shuttle stop. Big Bear City is another great option that offers flat, stress-free driving and affordable cabin rates. Try to avoid staying down in Running Springs if you plan to visit Big Bear daily; you will find yourself trapped for hours in the ‘Arctic Circle’ gridlock with ski resort traffic.
What are the winter parking rules and regulations in Big Bear?
Do not make the rookie mistake of parking on the side of the road. From November through April, street parking on all city streets is completely banned to keep pathways clear for emergency snowplows. The city will tow your car immediately, and fines can quickly skyrocket up to $500. Make sure your vacation rental has adequate driveway space, or utilize official paid resort and public parking lots.
Where can I eat in Big Bear in winter to avoid long restaurant waits?
Holiday and weekend dining lines in the Village can be soul-crushing. To eat like a pro, call ahead for takeout from Himalayan Restaurant—their spicy Goan Vindaloo travels perfectly. For an incredibly fast dine-in experience or prompt cabin delivery, Barry’s Dynasty Chinese is legendary among locals for getting hot food out instantly (pro tip: ask for Barry’s signature spicy pickle to mix into your Honey Walnut Shrimp!). For breakfast, grab a secret-menu breakfast burrito from Taco Tao in Big Bear City, or hit up Lumberjack Café early for sourdough waffles.
What are the best winter activities in Big Bear besides skiing?
You don’t have to hit the ski slopes to experience winter magic. Book an uncrowded, private Snowshoe Hiking Tour with a local guide to trek through pristine powder, or take an off-road Hungry Mountaineer Jeep Tour to see breathtaking alpine vistas without facing high-altitude physical exhaustion. Families love visiting the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, where mountain lions, bears, and bobcats are highly active in the snow. You can also head over to the north shore of the lake at sunrise to catch a glimpse of our famous local population of 15 wild bald eagles fishing.
When is the best time to visit Big Bear Lake to avoid crowds?
If you want to dodge the chaotic holiday traffic, book a midweek trip in January, February, or March. The festive village holiday lights stay fully decorated until February, so you won’t miss out on any seasonal charm. March is a highly kept secret among locals: the mountain typically has massive snow bases from winter storms, but the daytime temperatures are more comfortable and the mountain roads are significantly safer and clearer for driving.
Comments
This is great: great info and tricks that if I ever am that way this time of the year (it sure looks beautiful), I will have to come back to!
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