How Near Big Bear ranks places using published criteria
Every Best list on Near Big Bear ranks places by our score out of 10. This page sets out the criteria and their weights for each kind of place, where the facts come from, and what we do not do.
How a place gets its score
- 01
Find the places.
The list of places and the distances come from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line miles from Snow Summit's main address.
- 02
Check the facts.
What a business offers, its address and its menu or hours pages come from its own website. Trail facts come from the US Forest Service.
- 03
Read what repeats.
Public reviews on Google, Yelp and Tripadvisor are read for what comes up again and again. They are never copied, and their ratings are not printed.
- 04
Score it out of 10.
Each list scores places on its own criteria, and the weights are printed on the list.
- 05
Date it.
Every list shows the day it was last checked. A list is rechecked when a business changes or closes, or when a reader reports an error.
Where the facts come from
The list of places and the distances come from OpenStreetMap; distances are straight-line miles from Snow Summit's main address at 880 Summit Blvd.
What a business offers, its address, phone number and menu or hours pages come from its own website. Trail lengths, elevation gain, closures and parking passes come from the US Forest Service where it publishes them. Every list shows the date it was last checked.
Restaurants
Restaurants and pizza places are scored on four criteria:
- Food and drink — 40%
- Value — 20%
- Service and wait — 20%
- Setting — 20%
Things to do
Attractions and activities are scored on four criteria:
- The experience itself — 40%
- Value — 20%
- Crowds and wait — 20%
- Setting and access — 20%
Hikes
Trails are scored on four criteria:
- Views and payoff — 40%
- Trail quality — 20%
- Access and parking — 20%
- Crowds — 20%
Stays and rental shops
Places to stay and gear rental shops are scored on four criteria each:
- Stays: rooms and comfort — 40%, value — 20%, service — 20%, location — 20%
- Rental shops: gear and range — 40%, value — 20%, service and fitting — 20%, location — 20%
The total is the weighted sum, rounded to one decimal.
How We Rank Places
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Score Basis
Each score is determined on a scale of 0 to 10.
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Scoring Criteria
Every kind of place is evaluated using four specific aspects.
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Weighting System
The initial aspect accounts for 40% of the total score, with the remaining three aspects each contributing 20%.
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Criterion Scoring
Each aspect is scored from 0 to 10, with the final score being a weighted sum rounded to one decimal place.
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Opinion Source
Scores reflect the views of our local guides based on defined aspects, not customer feedback.
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Listing Integrity
No business pays for placement on a list or for a specific score.
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Last Checked
Every list and review displays the date it was last updated.
How public reviews are used
We read public reviews on Google, Yelp and Tripadvisor to see what repeats: long weekend waits, large portions, a lake view, slow service. We do not copy reviews and do not print other sites' ratings. The score on every list is ours.
What we do not do
No business pays for a place on a list or for a score, and we do not accept free meals, stays or tickets in exchange for coverage.
We have not eaten, stayed or played at every place we list. Each entry is built from the business's own information and public reviews, and says so.
When we recheck
A list is rechecked when a business changes what it offers, closes or changes its name, or when a reader reports an error through the contact page. The date on each list is the date of the last check.
What a score cannot tell you
Our scores are the result of our editors' opinions, based on the criteria we share on this page. They are not a collection of customer ratings.
How we gather information
The editors have not personally experienced every location listed. Instead, each entry is developed using information provided by the businesses themselves and details from public reviews. We make this clear on each listing.
We read public reviews to identify recurring themes, such as wait times during busy periods, portion sizes, views of the lake, or service speed. These observations inform our understanding, but we do not copy reviews directly or print their associated ratings.
Understanding the data
Information such as opening hours, prices, availability, and trail conditions can change frequently. We advise checking directly with the business or the relevant land manager before you plan your visit. The date shown on each list is the date of the last check.
A list undergoes rechecking if a business modifies its offerings, ceases operations, or changes its name. We also update entries when a reader reports an error through our contact page.
Questions About Our Scores
How do you determine a place's score?
We assign scores out of 10 for every place listed on Near Big Bear. The criteria and their weights are printed on each 'Best' page. This provides a clear understanding of how each location is evaluated.
Where do the facts for your rankings come from?
Our information comes from each business's own website, OpenStreetMap, and the US Forest Service. Distances are calculated as straight-line miles from Snow Summit's main address at 880 Summit Blvd.
Do businesses pay to be featured or ranked?
No business pays for a listing, review, or ranking on our site. We do not accept free meals, stays, or tickets in exchange for coverage. Our editorial independence is key to how we rank places.
How do you use public reviews?
We read public reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Tripadvisor to identify recurring themes. We note what people mention repeatedly, such as long waits or specific amenities, but we do not print their ratings or copy their text.
When do you update your lists?
A list is rechecked when a business changes its offerings, closes, or changes its name. We also update when a reader reports an error through our contact page. The date on each list indicates the last time it was checked.
Who does the work
Jenna Whitcomb
Local guide editor
Jenna Whitcomb edits Near Big Bear. She checks each listing against the business's own website and OpenStreetMap before it goes into a guide or a ranking.