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Best Things to Do in Big Bear Lake California in Summer

Home / Vacation Ideas / Best Things to Do in Big Bear Lake California in Summer

Mimi Slawoff, Updated March 17, 2023

Paddleboarders on Big Bear Lake in summer
Boating, stand-up paddling, and fishing are among summer activities in Big Bear Lake, CA. Photo Credit: Mimi Slawoff
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Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Dive Into Big Bear Water Sports
  • Hike the Pacific Crest Trail
  • Tour Big Bear on a Segway
  • Family Fun at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
  • Ride the Scenic Chairlift & Bike Down
  • Fish in Big Bear Lake
  • Visit the Big Bear Visitors Center
  • Take a Stroll Around Big Bear
  • Where to Stay at Big Bear Lake

Although known as a popular Southern California ski resort, Big Bear Lake California is also a lot of fun to visit in summer. Nestled high in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Big Bear mountain town has a sparkling lake ideal for boating, fishing, and an array of water sports. From leisure to high energy activities, here are the best things to do in Big Bear in summer. In addition, Big Bear is very pet friendly, so feel free to bring the entire family.

No matter how many times we’ve visited Big Bear Lake, each trip is memorable. Summer is especially enjoyable with a range of activities to suit everyone’s interests.

Because we bring our dog, we opt for a pet-friendly lakeside vacation rental over a hotel. We usually book through Big Bear Vacations for both winter cabins and summer lakeside houses. But we also like the Black Forest Lodge for its proximity to the village.

Barring traffic, Big Bear is only about a two-hour drive from anywhere in Southern California. If possible, avoid driving up on a Friday afternoon. These are my family’s 8 favorite things to do in Big Bear Lake in summer.

Read More: Winter Fun at Big Bear Lake

Dive Into Big Bear Water Sports

Water sports like jet skiing are among the best things to do in Big Bear lake in summer.
Zip across the lake on a jet ski at North Shore Landing in Big Bear. Photo Credit: Mimi Slawoff.

Icy blue in winter and sparkling in summer, Big Bear Lake is lovely year-round. But in the warm summer months, we love getting on the water. At the top of our list of favorite lake activities is cruising on a canopy-covered pontoon that we rent from Holloway’s Marina. We pack snacks, bring our dog and skipper our own boat at our pace.

The lake is also where we tried jet-skiing for the first time at North Shore Landing. That was a blast! My daughter Megan took to it like a pro.

Big Bear also offers narrated boat tours, which are a good way to learn about local history dating to the 1845 gold rush. On 90-minute Miss Liberty paddlewheel boat tours, passengers cruise the lake in comfort. Departing from the Pine Knot Marina, Miss Liberty has a shaded upper deck, seating areas, and restrooms. The tour is a relaxing way for families to take a spin around the lake in comfort.

Active water sports include SUP (stand-up paddleboarding), kayaking, canoeing, and wake-boarding.  In addition, there’s the Tarzan Boat, a floating, jungle-themed waterpark with platforms, trampolines, a slide and swing at Capt. John’s Fawn Harbor Marina.

Hike the Pacific Crest Trail

Hiking the pacific crest trail is one of the best things to do in Big Bear in summer.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a great way to get away from crowds and enjoy pine smells, wildflowers and lake views. Photo Credit: Mimi Slawoff.

The Pacific Crest Trail spans 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. You can catch a portion of the trail in Big Bear. In fact, it’s one of our favorite hikes.  At certain points you can see the shimmering blue lake through the trees.

Read More: How to Get Kids off the Couch and Hiking in the Woods

We also love the family-friendly, 1.5 loop Woodland Trail in Fawnskin on the North Shore. This interpretive trail meanders through pines, and has peek-a-boo lake views. Also situated on the North Shore is the paved Alpine Pedal Path that cruises alongside the lake. It’s conducive for walks, jogs, bikes and strollers.

In addition, Big Bear has more than 100 miles of hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking trails. In spring and summer, hiking trails bloom with colorful endemic wildflowers. Though Big Bear is home to black bears, bobcats and deer, you probably won’t see them. Unless you visit the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, a rehabilitation facility for injured, orphaned and imprinted wild animals.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Read these tips from a SheBuysTravel who fights wildfires before visiting California during wildfire season.

Tour Big Bear on a Segway

Family on segways at Big Bear Lake CA in summer
On guided Segway tours visitors learn about Big Bear’s history while cruising in and around town. Photo Courtesy: Mimi Slawoff.

Action Tours offers several adventure tours to see Big Bear from different angles. Segways are a cool way to explore the town. Friendly guides share fun facts and point out landmarks, such as Big Bear’s first post office. The log house is where President Richard Nixon and his family stayed on vacation. Action tours also offers zip lining, fly boarding and tree rope climbing.

Family Fun at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

Dad and son on the alpine slide, one of the best things to do in Big Bear in the summer.
User-operated bobsleds are a main attraction at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. Photo Credit: Big Bear Visitors Bureau.

The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain offers family fun year-round. Summer activities include user-operated bobsleds, a double water slide, an 18-hole miniature golf course, and go-karts. In fact, the bobsleds alone are reason to visit. A chairlift brings riders to the top of the hill. From there, each rider controls his or her own bobsled down tracks with banks and straightaways. Control your speed with the handbrake.

Ride the Scenic Chairlift & Bike Down

Mountain biking is among 7 things to do in Big Bear in summer
What goes up must come down. After riding the Scenic Sky Chair up Snow Summit, you can ride back down on the chair or hike or bike your way to the bottom. Photo Credit: Dan McKernan

For amazing views of Big Bear Lake, ride the Scenic Chair Lift to the top of Snow Summit. Walk around, admire forest and lake views, and have lunch at the Skyline Taphouse (check hours in advance). You can ride the chair lift back down. Or hike or mountain bike to the bottom. Mountain bikers can rent bikes in Big Bear Lake Village. Although my kids did fine riding down, I was white-knuckling it. But I made it without any falls.

Fish in Big Bear Lake

Things to do in Big Bear Lake
Fishing is a popular lake activity from April to October. Photo Credit: Dan McKernan/Big Bear Guide

Whether from shore or on a boat, Big Bear Lake is a great place for fishing.

And while rainbow trout are most common, you might catch bass, channel catfish and other species. Cantrell Guide Service offers fishing excursions for those who need a little help in catching the big one. In addition, Big Bear hosts fishing tournaments and derbies.

Read More: Best Beaches in Southern California

Visit the Big Bear Visitors Center

things to do in Big Bear in the summer pin
Big Bear bursts with land and water activities in summer. Photo Credit: Mimi Slawoff.

Located in the village, the Big Bear California Visitors Center is a one-stop shop for information about activities and events. You can buy an Adventure Pass, and lift tickets, and rent skis and bikes. In addition, a calendar events kiosk provides info about local festivals, concerts, and other happenings.

Note that while the Big Bear Discovery Center on the North Shore is closed for renovation, the visitors center fills in the gap with information about nature hikes and area history.

Take a Stroll Around Big Bear

7 things to do in Big Bear in summer include spending time in the village.
The village is a gathering place for dining, shopping and relaxing with family and friends. Photo Credit: Mimi Slawoff.

After a day of summer activities on the water or on trails, we like to take a stroll through the village. It’s a casual gathering place with sitting areas, locally-owned shops and a good selection of restaurants. These include international cuisine as well as comfort food, and sweet shops. The North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream shop is among our favorites. The village is also a good place to find locally made crafts and unique gifts. They make perfect souvenirs of our Big Bear Lake family vacation.

Where to Stay at Big Bear Lake

Big Bear is one of the best camping spots in California. But there are plenty of other options too. Whether you’re passing through or looking to spend some time at Big Bear Lake, you can use this interactive map to find local hotels and available Airbnbs.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Big Bear in the summer? Tell us about it in the comments and we might add it to our list!

Filed Under: Vacation Ideas, Vacation Ideas California, Vacation Ideas Out West

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Camilla Hamilton says

    April 11, 2022 at 8:03 am

    Thanks so much for this article. It’s really helped me with my holiday research.

    Reply
  2. Christine Tibbetts says

    August 28, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Nice you balance all the active ideas with a “stroll” in the village! The Tarzan boat sounds like fun, and a new feature for anywhere. I haven’t seen one yet.

    Reply
  3. Nancy says

    August 23, 2017 at 12:45 pm

    Thank you for all the detail. As a mom who has been busy working and trying to plan a last minute trip before the kids head to college and grade school it’s been EXTREMELY helpful! Thank you!

    Reply

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