Guidebook for Big Bear
Essentials
Vons
42170 Big Bear BlvdIf you don't feel like heading to the grocery store and dealing with crowds, Community Market has a small selection of food as well as a deli. They sell firewood as well!
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Community Market
100 E Big Bear BlvdIf you don't feel like heading to the grocery store and dealing with crowds, Community Market has a small selection of food as well as a deli. They sell firewood as well!
Cheaper than VONS usually and can have shorter check-out lines during the winter months when check-out at VONS can get a little crazy
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Stater Bros. Markets
42171 Big Bear BlvdCheaper than VONS usually and can have shorter check-out lines during the winter months when check-out at VONS can get a little crazy
This is the trash site where you bring your trash and recycling at check-out. Super easy to drive in, unload, and get along your merry way.
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Clean Bear Site No. 1
41970 Garstin DrThis is the trash site where you bring your trash and recycling at check-out. Super easy to drive in, unload, and get along your merry way.
This is the trash site where you bring your trash and recycling at check-out. Super easy to drive in, unload, and get along your merry way.
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Clean Bear Site No. 1
41970 Garstin DrThis is the trash site where you bring your trash and recycling at check-out. Super easy to drive in, unload, and get along your merry way.
Dollar Tree
42168 Big Bear BlvdForget something? Get it cheap here.
Kmart
42126 Big Bear BlvdForget something? They'll probably have it here.
Food Scene
Great Himalayan / Indian food in The Village. Vegetarian and a couple vegan options.
http://www.himalayanbigbear.com/
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Himalayan Restaurant
672 Pine Knot AveGreat Himalayan / Indian food in The Village. Vegetarian and a couple vegan options.
http://www.himalayanbigbear.com/
If you're looking for Chinese food, this is where I'd recommend going.
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Dynasty
40989 Big Bear BlvdIf you're looking for Chinese food, this is where I'd recommend going.
BEST BREAKFAST PLACE. I love it here. It's so small town, the portions are huge (pancakes bigger than the plates) and the staff here is like none other and you feel like part of their family. Highly recommend coming here but be ready for a small wait because it is a very small place. There is bar seating inside.
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Grizzly Manor Cafe
41268 Big Bear BlvdBEST BREAKFAST PLACE. I love it here. It's so small town, the portions are huge (pancakes bigger than the plates) and the staff here is like none other and you feel like part of their family. Highly recommend coming here but be ready for a small wait because it is a very small place. There is bar seating inside.
Hacienda Grill
41787 Big Bear BlvdMexican food and MARGARITAS.
Good for a breakfast and coffee stop on the way to the slopes. Sometimes the breakfast orders can be a bit hectic, when I've been there they don't give order numbers or call out orders by name... and when there's only so much on the menu this can cause some confusion.
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Moonridge Coffee Company
42646 Moonridge RdGood for a breakfast and coffee stop on the way to the slopes. Sometimes the breakfast orders can be a bit hectic, when I've been there they don't give order numbers or call out orders by name... and when there's only so much on the menu this can cause some confusion.
Lumberjack Cafe
1001 W Big Bear BlvdSmall town diner with small town vibes.
When you're feeling lazy and just want delivery. A good option if you get hungry later, as many places close around 9-9:30.
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Domino's Pizza
41234 Big Bear BlvdWhen you're feeling lazy and just want delivery. A good option if you get hungry later, as many places close around 9-9:30.
Black Diamond Tavern
42172 Moonridge WayAzteca Grill Mexican Restaurant
40199 Big Bear BoulevardMexican food in Big Bear Lake
Great for a quick sandwich or other bite to eat. Outdoor seating and close to the cabin.
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Broadway Cafe
1117 W Big Bear BlvdGreat for a quick sandwich or other bite to eat. Outdoor seating and close to the cabin.
Nuevo Vallarta Grill
40949 Big Bear BlvdMore authentic Mexican food in Big Bear.
Great Indian food and one of the few places in Big Bear with truly extensive vegan options.
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Masala Craft Indian Cuisine
40760 Village DrGreat Indian food and one of the few places in Big Bear with truly extensive vegan options.
While Grizzly Manor Cafe is my favorite diner in the area, Mountain Munchies is an easy backup if they're too busy or you're just looking to get in and out of there. Standard diner fare.
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Mountain Munchies
42171 Big Bear BlvdWhile Grizzly Manor Cafe is my favorite diner in the area, Mountain Munchies is an easy backup if they're too busy or you're just looking to get in and out of there. Standard diner fare.
Local Tropicali (not sure why it comes up with their old name, Big Bear Local) is my favorite food spot on the mountain. They are heavy on the tropical island vibes and they serve up some incredible rice/poke bowls along with great beverages. This family-owned spot has the BEST crew on the mountain and coming here is an experience. They are vegetarian and vegan friendly, with most of their sauces being dairy free.
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Big Bear Local
40616 Village DrLocal Tropicali (not sure why it comes up with their old name, Big Bear Local) is my favorite food spot on the mountain. They are heavy on the tropical island vibes and they serve up some incredible rice/poke bowls along with great beverages. This family-owned spot has the BEST crew on the mountain and coming here is an experience. They are vegetarian and vegan friendly, with most of their sauces being dairy free.
Great spot with something for everyone. Good food and some really great beers on tap. Vegetarian and vegan options as well.
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Oakside
40701 Village DrGreat spot with something for everyone. Good food and some really great beers on tap. Vegetarian and vegan options as well.
It's half cafe, part cooking school, and part store. The food is great and it's a great spot to get a latte or cappuccino.
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The Copper Q
645 Pine Knot AveIt's half cafe, part cooking school, and part store. The food is great and it's a great spot to get a latte or cappuccino.
Dank Donuts has become my go-to breakfast spot when I'm headed to the slopes or looking for a quick bite before doing some work at the cabin. Seriously awesome donuts and they have nitro cold brew and kombucha on tap. They have a whole set of vegan options – Try the vegan crumb cake doughnut, you won't be disappointed!
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Dank Donuts
42612 Moonridge RdDank Donuts has become my go-to breakfast spot when I'm headed to the slopes or looking for a quick bite before doing some work at the cabin. Seriously awesome donuts and they have nitro cold brew and kombucha on tap. They have a whole set of vegan options – Try the vegan crumb cake doughnut, you won't be disappointed!
Sightseeing
Boulder Bay is a beautiful little spot right off of Big Bear Blvd – you can kayak/canoe out of here (you can also swim as well) or you can just take in the sights.
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Boulder Bay
Boulder Bay is a beautiful little spot right off of Big Bear Blvd – you can kayak/canoe out of here (you can also swim as well) or you can just take in the sights.
Drinks & Nightlife
The live music venue in town. They do lots of classic cover bands as well as the occasional rock star from back in the day coming through town. See their lineup: http://thecavebigbear.com
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The Cave
40789 Village DrThe live music venue in town. They do lots of classic cover bands as well as the occasional rock star from back in the day coming through town. See their lineup: http://thecavebigbear.com
Looking to get wild? Murray's is your spot. My first time here a fight broke out between two people in cowboy hats over karaoke as I was walking in the door. We sat at a table with a local and shared a pitcher of beer. I couldn't have asked for a better night. It's a big time spot for locals and is always guaranteed to be a good time.
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Murray's Saloon & Eatery
672 Cottage LnLooking to get wild? Murray's is your spot. My first time here a fight broke out between two people in cowboy hats over karaoke as I was walking in the door. We sat at a table with a local and shared a pitcher of beer. I couldn't have asked for a better night. It's a big time spot for locals and is always guaranteed to be a good time.
Parks & Nature
Behind the cabin are the miles and miles of National Forest that is part of Sawmill Canyon. Home to one of the best examples of a "Pebble Plain" in the world! Pebble plains are a combination of rare miniature plants and heavy clay soils
loaded with quartzite pebbles --a unique habitat that exists only in Big Bear and nowhere else in the world.
Sawmill Canyon
Behind the cabin are the miles and miles of National Forest that is part of Sawmill Canyon. Home to one of the best examples of a "Pebble Plain" in the world! Pebble plains are a combination of rare miniature plants and heavy clay soils
loaded with quartzite pebbles --a unique habitat that exists only in Big Bear and nowhere else in the world.
A classic Big Bear hike... A must-do with amazing views. Can be easy to miss the trail that goes off to the right to climb up to Castle Rock. You can take this trail further to the BEAUTIFUL Bluff Lake Reserve. Parking can be tough if you get there later in the day but there's usually something if you don't mind walking a bit.
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Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardA classic Big Bear hike... A must-do with amazing views. Can be easy to miss the trail that goes off to the right to climb up to Castle Rock. You can take this trail further to the BEAUTIFUL Bluff Lake Reserve. Parking can be tough if you get there later in the day but there's usually something if you don't mind walking a bit.
A really beautiful meadow and high-altitude lake to hike to. Great for a picnic. Can be accessed by hiking the Castle Rock Trail or during the summer and fall months on a dirt road that most cars should be capable of driving.
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Bluff Lake Reserve
Mill Creek RoadA really beautiful meadow and high-altitude lake to hike to. Great for a picnic. Can be accessed by hiking the Castle Rock Trail or during the summer and fall months on a dirt road that most cars should be capable of driving.
7.1 Miles out and back with 1272 feet of elevation gain. It is accessible March through September. The trail can be a little rocky, but it is rated as an easier to moderate difficulty hike. This trail meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,659 mile trail that goes all the way from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada.
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Cougar Crest Trailhead
Cougar Crest Trail7.1 Miles out and back with 1272 feet of elevation gain. It is accessible March through September. The trail can be a little rocky, but it is rated as an easier to moderate difficulty hike. This trail meets up with the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,659 mile trail that goes all the way from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada.
Go here to find more info on hiking trails as well as pick up an adventure pass when they are needed to park in certain areas.
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Big Bear Discovery Center
Go here to find more info on hiking trails as well as pick up an adventure pass when they are needed to park in certain areas.
7 miles out and back with about 1200' of elevation gain. A great trail on the other side of the lake.
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Grays Peak Trail 1W06
Grays Peak Trail7 miles out and back with about 1200' of elevation gain. A great trail on the other side of the lake.
Entertainment & Activities
Home to Big Bear Oktoberfest and many other conventions and events!
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Big Bear Lake Convention Center
42900 Big Bear BlvdHome to Big Bear Oktoberfest and many other conventions and events!
Snow Summit
880 Summit BlvdHit the slopes!
Skigebiet Bear Mountain
43101 Goldmine DrHit the slopes!
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
42801 Club View DrGreat place to take the kids or family.
Great place to go at night whether you're on a date or with the family. Nights are black light bowling with music. They have food and a full bar!
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Big Bear Bowling Barn Inc.
40625 Big Bear BlvdGreat place to go at night whether you're on a date or with the family. Nights are black light bowling with music. They have food and a full bar!
Rainy day? Need to keep the kids entertained? Catch a movie here.
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Village Theaters North
602 Pine Knot AveRainy day? Need to keep the kids entertained? Catch a movie here.
The Alpine slide is open year round (kind of like a luge). In the winter there is sledding / snow play here and during the warmer months there are go karts and mini golf!
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Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose LnThe Alpine slide is open year round (kind of like a luge). In the winter there is sledding / snow play here and during the warmer months there are go karts and mini golf!
Looking to rent a kayak, boat, or hey, even a jet ski? Here's the place for you! Prices are reasonable too!
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Pleasure Point Marina
603 Landlock LandingLooking to rent a kayak, boat, or hey, even a jet ski? Here's the place for you! Prices are reasonable too!
Shopping
Consignment-style thrift store that can have some gems if you're lucky!
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Fox Farm Antique Mall
42146 Fox Farm RdConsignment-style thrift store that can have some gems if you're lucky!