BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, USA -- Everyone hears the stories about Southern California - you can ski or snowboard in the morning and surf in the afternoon. It's true that on the right winter's day you can certainly indulge in both sports here.

For the skiing and snowboarding portion of the activities you'll want to head to Big Bear, an alpine resort just 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. After hitting the slopes, you can be surfing the beaches off San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles in just a couple of hours. But before you head down the mountain you might want to stay a bit longer, for this alpine resort has a lot more to offer visitors than fabulous winter skiing and snowboarding.

Big Bear is, in fact, Southern California's only four season alpine resort. Surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, the mountain community sits at elevations between 6,750 to 9,000 feet. Seven mile long Big Bear Lake and its 22 miles of shoreline offer spring, summer and autumn visitors tons of recreational activities including fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking and canoeing. The surrounding mountains and oak and pine forests provide wonderful hiking, mountain biking, and off road vehicle opportunities. In spring brilliantly colored wildflowers dot the mountains and meadows -- there are over 20 indigenous wildflowers in Big Bear Valley.

With sunny days, a clear lake, and a pristine mountain setting Big Bear makes an ideal summer vacation getaway.

From mid October to early November nature paints Bear Valley in fiery crimsons, ambers, and golds, making Big Bear one of only a few in Southern California to experience the colorful splendor of a true autumn.

In winter the shores surrounding Big Bear Lake become a natural habitat for wintering bald eagles and winter sports enthusiasts flock to the ski slopes and the freestyle parks while families delight in tubing and sledding.

Summer temperatures average approximately 72° during the day and 45° at night. There are generally over 300 days of sunshine each year, making Big Bear the third sunniest place on earth (which is why the New Jersey Institute of Technology houses the world's largest solar observatory on the north shore of Big Bear Lake).

Winter brings about 120 inches of snowfall and temperatures in the low 40s during the day and mid 20s at night.

The links below will give you more detailed reports about the diverse things to see and do in Big Bear. Winter in Big Bear:

• Big Bear -- Southern California's Only 4 Season Alpine Resort
• The Big Bear Discovery Center - Gateway to Mountain Adventures
• Fun on Big Bear Lake
  
• Discovering Bear Valley History with Big Bear Off Road Adventures
• The Moonridge Animal Park -- A Zoo with a Difference and a Really Big Heart
• Golfing in Big Bear
• Hiking In Big Bear
• Fishing Big Bear Lake
• Mountain Biking in Big Bear
• Strange Happenings at the Captain's Anchorage
• Where to Eat in Big Bear
• Where to Stay in Big Bear
• Camping & RVing in Big Bear

Big Bear Insider's Tip - Be sure to tune in to local radio station KBHR (93.3 FM) when in town. This is one of the best and most enjoyable local radio stations we've ever encountered (and we here at FabulousTravel.com are road trip junkies who have traversed the country countless times). There's always a unique creative and eclectic music mix along with useful local news and info (like the latest road and weather restrictions and conditions), mixed in with a heaping helping of small town local mountain flavor from shows such as Fowler's Fish Tales that give locals the inside dirt on where the biggest fish are biting at any given time; the Ski and Board Report with the latest news on Bear Mountain Resorts' best runs; and the Big Bear Motor Sports Show covering Big Bear's racing community - from boats to motorcycles, to several different types of auto racing, including circle track, road racing and off road. KBHR radio station also streams live on the internet, visit their website at www.kbhr933.com.

Practicalities

For more information about Big Bear, to book accommodations, or to request a Visitors Guide, visit the Big Bear Resort Association's website at www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR.

Vehicles parked on National Forest land for recreational purposes must display an Adventure Pass. These areas include dispersed land, trailheads, roads, highways and turnouts. The pass is $5 for the day or $30 for an annual pass (as of this writing in 2008).

Driving to Big Bear
During the winter, snow chains are recommended in all vehicles, except those equipped with 4-wheel drive and snow tires. For road conditions, call 1-800-427-ROAD. Road conditions can also be found at the KBHR radio station website at www.bigbear.com.

From Los Angeles, Orange County, or Palm Springs there are two choices:

Via Route 38 - Take I-10 to Route 38 in Redlands and head up the mountain towards Angeles Oaks and Big Bear. Route 38 eventually intersects with Big Bear Boulevard where you will make a left turn to go into Big Bear City and then Big Bear Lake. Route 38, while about 10 miles longer than Highway 330 (below), is less windy overall and has generally more rolling climbs rather than extreme steep ones. These are mountain roads, so of course it has some windy steep portions, but less so than 330. If you are towing a boat or RV this route is preferable (although plenty of people do tow on 330). In icy or winter conditions route 38 is also preferable. Traffic also tends to less on Route 38 during busy weekends. The road winds through beautiful lush green pine forests and along rocky cliffs with breathtaking panoramic views stretching out for miles.

Via Route 330 - Part of Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Take I-10 to the Running Springs Highway 30 exit in Redlands. Follow Highway 30 and exit onto Highway 330 heading towards Big Bear Lake. Follow Highway 330 up the mountain, then switch on to Highway 18 until you reach the Big Bear Dam. Turn Right across the dam, following the signs to Big Bear Lake. Expect spectacular panoramic views on this route, with lots of turnoffs to stop and take advantage of them. While driving, keep your eyes on the road! From San Diego County Go North on I-15 to 215 North. Follow the 215 through Riverside until it meets up with Interstate 10, go east to the Running Springs Highway 30 exit in Redlands. Follow Highway 30 and exit onto Highway 330 heading towards Big Bear Lake. Follow Highway 330 up the mountain, then switch on to Highway 18 until you reach the Big Bear Dam. Turn Right across the dam, following the signs to Big Bear Lake.

From Las Vegas or the California High Desert

Take Interstate 15 South into Barstow. Take the 247/ Big Bear Exit to Lucerne Valley. Turn left onto Highway 18 and take it to Big Bear Lake. This route gets less snowfall during storms and has the least amount of mountain driving, although there is a short but very steep stretch.