Big Bear Lake, California
Big Bear Lake: stays, food, rentals and things to do
Big Bear Lake is both the lake and the main town on its south shore, with the Village at its center.
This page gathers boat rentals, things to do around the lake, restaurants and places to stay, for summer and winter trips.
On this page
- Boat rentals
- Things to do
- Food
- Stays
- Bike rentals
Boat rentals on the lake
| Name | Town | Season | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Marina | Big Bear Lake | Weather permitting | Renting a boat |
| Pine Knot Marina | Big Bear Lake | Boats near the Village |
Things to do around the lake
| Name | Type | Season | Best for | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Discovery Center | Visitor and nature center | Year-round | Free first stop before a hike | 8.2 |
| Time Bandit Pirate Ship | Lake boat tour | Check the operator's dates | Families on the lake | 8 |
| Big Bear Alpine Zoo | Zoo and wildlife rehabilitation | Year-round | Families with young kids | 8 |
| Big Bear Solar Observatory | Solar observatory tours | Summer tours only | Science fans in summer | 7.8 |
| Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain | Alpine slide and family rides | Year-round | Kids over 36 inches | 7 |
| Snow Summit | Ski resort and bike park | Winter skiing, summer biking | Skiing and snowboarding | 6.8 |
| Big Bear Marina | Marina and boat rentals | Weather permitting | Renting a boat | 6.8 |
| Bear Mountain | Ski resort and golf course | Winter skiing, summer golf | A second mountain | 6.6 |
Where to eat in Big Bear Lake
| Name | Cuisine | Town | Best for | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tropicali | Hawaiian and poke | Big Bear Lake | Quick lunch | 8.3 |
| Peppercorn Grille | Californian | Big Bear Lake | Polished dinner | 8.1 |
| Sweet Basil Bistro | Italian | Big Bear Lake | Date night | 7.9 |
| Captains Anchorage | Steak and seafood | Big Bear Lake | Special-occasion dinner | 7.8 |
| The Pines Lakefront | Steak and seafood | Big Bear Lake | Lake view | 7.6 |
| Oakside | Steak and seafood | Big Bear Lake | Upscale dinner | 7.6 |
| Grizzly Manor Cafe | American breakfast | Big Bear Lake | Big breakfast | 7.5 |
| Hacienda Grill | Mexican | Big Bear Lake | Family dinner | 7.5 |
| 572 Social Kitchen & Lounge | New American | Big Bear Lake | Live music | 7.5 |
| Azteca Grill | Baja-style Mexican | Big Bear Lake | Happy hour | 7.4 |
Where to stay
| Name | Type | Town | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow Lake Lodge | Condo-style lodge | Big Bear Lake | Families near Snow Summit |
| The Burgundy (formerly Black Forest Lodge) | Lodge | Big Bear Lake | Pet-friendly stay near the Village |
| Big Bear Hostel | Hostel | Big Bear Lake | Budget stays near the Village |
Bike rentals
- Name
- Bear Valley Bikes
- Town
- Big Bear Lake
- Best for
- Mountain bike fitting
Own a rental in Big Bear Lake?
Renting it out on Airbnb or VRBO means listings, guest messages, cleanings and pricing. A property manager can run all of it while you are away.
Big Bear Lake questions
Where can I rent a boat on Big Bear Lake?
Big Bear Marina rents pontoon and fishing boats and waverunners; Pine Knot Marina, near the Village, rents boats, jet skis and kayaks. Big Bear Marina asks pontoon and fishing boat renters to be 18 with a valid driver's license, and waverunner renters to be 21.
Where can I eat by the water?
The Pines Lakefront is the lakefront restaurant on our list, and its dining room looks over the lake.
What else is there to do on the lake?
The Time Bandit, a narrated sightseeing cruise on a replica galleon, leaves from Holloway's Marina, and the paved Alpine Pedal Path runs along the north shore for walking and biking.
Is the Village walkable?
Yes. Shops, restaurants and galleries sit close together around Village Drive and Pine Knot Avenue.