Big Bear Lake · Snow Summit · Southern California
Big Bear Lake guide to Snow Summit and nearby towns
Near Big Bear is an independent guide to Big Bear Lake, Snow Summit and the mountain towns around them. Pick a place to see where to stay, where to rent skis, boards, bikes and boats, and where to eat nearby, nearest first.
The Best lists rank restaurants, pizza places, hikes and things to do with a score out of 10. The criteria and weights are printed on every list, and each list shows the date it was last checked.
- 52 Places listed
- 52 In-depth reviews
- 4 Best lists
Big Bear at a glance
Big Bear Lake is located 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, within the San Bernardino National Forest. The area's altitudes vary, ranging from 6,750 to 9,000 feet.
The valley is structured around Big Bear Lake, a man-made freshwater body that stretches 7 miles long and one-half mile wide, offering over 22 miles of shoreline. The area includes the City of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin, and parts of Moonridge. It is important to note that the City of Big Bear Lake's jurisdiction does not extend to Big Bear City, Fawnskin, or certain areas of Moonridge.
The Village serves as the main hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment within the City of Big Bear Lake. Lodging within about one-half mile of Pine Knot Avenue or Village Drive is considered walkable to these attractions. Boulder Bay is a lakeside neighborhood situated near the western edge of the city.
Fawnskin is found on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, adjacent to the San Bernardino National Forest. East of the City of Big Bear Lake lies Big Bear City, an unincorporated community managed by San Bernardino County.
The central part of the City of Big Bear Lake provides access to the lake, marinas, The Village, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, parks, and grocery stores. Lower Moonridge is an area close to Bear Mountain, the Alpine Zoo, the Bear Mountain Golf Course, businesses along Moonridge Road, and several trails.
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How we rank places
Every ranked place gets a score out of 10 from four criteria with fixed weights. For restaurants, food and drink count for 40%; value, service and setting for 20% each.
Facts come from each business's own website and OpenStreetMap. Public reviews are read for what repeats and never copied. No business pays to be listed or to move up a list. The full method is on the How we rank page.
Getting there and around
- 01
Main Roads
The three primary routes to Big Bear Lake are State Route 330 via Highland, State Route 38 via Redlands, and State Route 18 through Lucerne Valley.
- 02
Route 330
State Route 330 comes from the southwest through Running Springs and becomes State Route 18 before the Big Bear Lake Dam.
- 03
Route 38
State Route 38 approaches from the south, passing through Redlands and Mentone.
- 04
Road Safety
Caltrans uses R-1, R-2, and R-3 chain-control levels, each with increasing traction-device needs. Drivers should check Caltrans QuickMap before traveling as these can change quickly.
- 05
Local Transport
Mountain Transit offers fixed-route service in the Big Bear Valley and off-the-mountain public transportation, with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and bicycle racks.
- 06
Valley Lines
The Red Line connects The Village, Moonridge, Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Big Bear City, Sugarloaf, and Erwin Lake. The Blue Line links Boulder Bay with The Village. The Gold Line serves Mountain Meadows, The Village, Meadow Park, Big Bear City, and the north shore.
- 07
Valley to City
Mountain Transit Route 5 connects the Big Bear Valley with Running Springs and San Bernardino.
- 08
Free Ride
The free Big Bear trolley serves grocery stores, restaurants, recreation areas, ski resorts, and The Village.
- 09
Vehicle Storage
Public parking lots are found on Bartlett Road, Knickerbocker Road, and Pennsylvania Road and at the Alden Lot behind Dynasty restaurant.
Planning a trip to Big Bear
Should I stay in Big Bear Lake or Big Bear City?
Big Bear Lake is the main town on the south shore, with the Village, most of the restaurants and Snow Summit inside its limits. Big Bear City sits at the east end of the valley. Our place pages list lodging by distance from Snow Summit.
How far is Snow Summit from Big Bear Lake Village?
About 1.3 miles in a straight line. The Village is on Pine Knot Avenue, and Snow Summit's main address is 880 Summit Blvd; both are in the city of Big Bear Lake.
Is Big Bear worth a trip in summer?
Snow Summit turns into a lift-served bike park, the marinas rent boats, and trails such as Cougar Crest and the Alpine Pedal Path are open. Check each operator's own dates before you go.
Where can I eat near the slopes?
The closest restaurants on our list to Snow Summit are Hacienda Grill, about half a mile from the resort's main address, then Gaby's Latin Flavors and Captains Anchorage.