Big Bear Lake vs. Lake Arrowhead: Which Mountain Town is Right for You?
Here are 5 Key Differences for Buyers and Visitors to Consider:
When considering a mountain getaway or investment property in Southern California, Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are two popular destinations. While both offer scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which locale suits your needs best.
1. Lake Access: Public vs. Private
Big Bear Lake is a public lake, granting visitors and residents unrestricted access to boating, fishing, and water sports. Multiple marinas and public launch points make it ideal for recreational activities.
Conversely, Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, accessible only to property owners with deeded lake rights. This exclusivity limits public access, making spontaneous lake activities more challenging for non-residents.
2. Amenities and Year-Round Attractions
Big Bear Lake offers a vibrant, walkable village packed with restaurants, coffee shops, boutique stores, and seasonal events. Whether you’re craving craft beer after a day on the slopes or hunting for souvenirs in local shops, The Village is a lively hub for both residents and tourists. Plus, with a movie theater, bowling alley, and family-friendly festivals year-round, Big Bear Lake caters to a broader range of interests and age groups.
Lake Arrowhead, while charming, has a more limited commercial district centered around Lake Arrowhead Village. It offers a quaint, upscale shopping and dining experience with fewer options overall. The focus here is more on quiet leisure—wine bars, lakeside cafés, and curated retail—perfect for those seeking a peaceful escape rather than a bustling tourist scene.
3. Winter Activities and Snowfall
At an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet, Big Bear Lake receives significant snowfall, supporting two ski resorts: Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. These facilities offer skiing, snowboarding, and snow play areas, making Big Bear a winter sports hub.
Lake Arrowhead, situated at a lower elevation, experiences less snowfall and lacks its own ski resorts. Residents and visitors often travel to nearby Snow Valley for winter sports.
4. Real Estate and Investment Potential
Big Bear Lake’s public amenities and year-round attractions make it a favorable location for vacation rentals and investment properties. The area is known for its rental-friendly policies and robust tourism industry.
Lake Arrowhead’s private lake and restrictive access can limit rental potential. However, its exclusivity appeals to those seeking a more secluded, upscale residential experience.
5. Local Events and Festivals
Big Bear Lake is known for its vibrant calendar of year-round events, making it a bustling destination for locals and visitors alike. From the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest to the annual car shows and music festivals, there’s always something happening. These events not only bring the community together but also attract tourists, contributing to the area’s lively atmosphere and appeal to seasonal visitors.
Lake Arrowhead, on the other hand, is known for more exclusive events, such as private wine tastings, intimate holiday parties, and the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival. These events, while fewer, offer a more refined, low-key experience, catering to those who prefer a quieter, less crowded environment.
Final Thoughts: Which Mountain Town Is Right for You?
Whether you’re seeking thrilling ski slopes, public lake access, or a peaceful retreat with an exclusive feel, both Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead offer unique advantages.
Big Bear Lake is ideal for outdoor lovers, short-term rental investors, and families wanting year-round fun with more public access and recreational options.
Lake Arrowhead appeals to those desiring privacy, exclusivity, and a quieter, upscale atmosphere.
No matter your lifestyle or goals, understanding these differences helps you make an informed decision when buying a cabin or vacation home in the San Bernardino Mountains.
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Originally published in 2015. Last updated May 2025 to reflect new insights on local real estate and amenities in Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead.
Big Bear is great for real outdoorsman, people who actually want to enjoy winter sports. Lake Arrowhead is for poseurs who wish to bring their velvet rope city attitudes to nature. What’s the point of escaping to nature, if you’re going to bring all of your pretentious restrictions and exclusivity with you?
I think the people in Lake Arrowhead area have more money…and there’s more of a spectrum of types in Big Bear.
Seems like the Lake Arrowhead-goers aren’t the only mountain visitors with attitudes. To each his own. I suspect anyone who drives all that way up out of LA appreciates nature to one degree or another but maybe chooses to enjoy it in different ways.
As for “real” people who “actually” want to “escape to nature”, I suggest we all leave our attitudes behind. You never know who you’re talking to… or what they know… or what they might be able to teach you… or what you might be able to teach them, for that matter. Let’s not shut each other out so automatically.
May the mountain air lift the fog from all our eyes… may the mountain continue to teach us all.
Fair enough — well said.
Nice
Well said.. thank you!
Yes! Thank you for that!
Well played ,
Headed to lake arrowhead..
Ok Karen. 🙄
True, you are totally right
Well said.
Sorry. Yes we probably have a very low percentage oh high brows be other than their always vacant, endlessly for sale mega mansions you’d never know they were here. We do have some finer dining choices and a resort that offers some pretty nice creature comforts. Real estate prices all very diverse! I’ve been on this lake for over 60 years and love, love, love it! There really is no wAy to compare the two lakes except that they are on the same mountain. Velvet robes??? Hahaha. I’ve never seen one up here!
My main question and concern is the highways. I am deathly afraid of mountain roads with long drops and no railings. How is road to Lake Arrowhead?
After driving up a few times, I’m not worried about the drive up to Arrowhead now. It’s the 91 I don’t like! Once I’m at the bottom of the hill I’m fine. However, my friends keep their head down all the way up! Lol
Driving is not bad at all. There are 2 ways up the mountain. You can take the CA 18 or CA 330. Both are lined with guardrails. Personally, I like the CA 18 since it has less curves. Both are multi-lane, so you can move to the side to allow faster traffic by. Just make sure you bring chains during the winter if you don’t have 4-wheel drive. Also, don’t travel at night during the cold months due to black ice.
There are 3 ways to get up and down from Big Bear. Hwy 38
Hwy 18 and Hwy 330.
There are a multitude of reasons behind the choices people make. How sad BullWinkle lacks the ability to understand. Escaping the city does not necessarily mean escaping to nature.
Wow. The irony of this comment. It is possible to live in LA AND appreciate nature.
I live in Lake Arrowhead and there’s quite a good amount of really nice people here. The people who live on the lake are pretty snobby though. I live about a 25 minute walk from the lake.
I’d say that about Big Bear in comparison to the Sierras. Places like China Peak & Kirkwood are Real Outdoorsman places for people who love winter sports. I won’t even bring up Mammoth or Lake Tahoe.
Because it’s less crowded and still easy access to all of those outdoor adventures.
Im not going to lie. This comment actually sealed the deal for me to pick arrow head over big bear. The honest feedback is what I wanted and this is it. #Whatimlooking for
Agreed. People who are retired & want serenity will be attracted to Lake Arrowwhead & those who want to enjoy an active winter life with their family will be attracted to Big Bear. I’m currently at Lake Arrowwhead & realize I want to go to the movies & library & shopping & many restaurants, sooo…I’m investigating Big Bear this coming week.
Actually, in Lake Arrowhead, we have a movie theatre, lots of shopping, great restaurants and a good library. We chose Lake Arrowhead over Big Bear because we hate traffic and it is sooooo much easier to get up here than to get to Big Bear. Life here is peaceful and we don’t have to shovel our driveway as often, yet still are able to enjoy many, many days of snowy beauty. Our grandkids go sledding several times every year and if we feel like skiing, we can take a quick trip over to Snow Valley, 10 miles away near Running Springs, or drive over to Big Bear if we feel like fighting traffic everywhere, both on the way and in town. Here, homes are not squished together on top of each other, and inside, we have room to move around. I have absolutely NO regrets.
If your older (over 50 let’s say) or you just want somewhere quieter, Lake Arrowhead is great, especially the Lake Arrowhead Resort. And Big Bear is only a 20 minute drive to the east.
just WANT A QUIET PLACE AWAY FROM THE CIRCUS DOWN THE HILL. after 50 YOU LOOK AT “MANADATORY” THINGS DIFFERENT. took AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE AFFORABLE UP HERE ALSO. everybody HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS.
Big Bear is at least an hour away from Lake Arrowhead. Considering traffic on a busy day can take 2 to 3 hours from Lake Arrowhead.
So so happy I purchased my second home in Arrowhead Woods. I love getting away from the chaos and immediately feel so relaxed as ai drive up the mountain. It’s been snowing lately and what a treat. This is my first winter here. There aren’t any fine dining or ‘foodies’ restaurants but the point is to get away after all so that means home cooked meals and wine by the fire. I will drive to Big Bear area at some point for a little getaway from my tree house in Arrowhead. People here have been so nice. Welcome anyone wishing to leave it all behind. Great time to buy too. This is my second home but im here more than at my first home just 45 mins down the mountain.
Hope to meet like minded people and maybe join a club.
I’m seriously considering retiring to either Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. Los Angeles proper has become congested, filthy, frustrating in every way. Wish to remain within a few hours of L.A. to see my offspring. Working paralegal and part time yoga teacher considering a radical move. Any advice is welcome.
Annie Laurie
West Los Angeles, California
I looked at both Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead for my second home. I am over 50, and still active. I chose Big Bear because I can walk to the village (May be a couple of miles from my home). I ride my bike around the lake everyday, and it’s easy to bring the kayak to the lake. Lake Arrowhead, to me, was very automobile dependent, and their Village reminds me of an outdoor mall. A little too planned for me.
I know lots of people who prefer one over the other, and the beauty is that we have choice. I love my house in Big Bear and wouldn’t trade it for anything! Although, I do wish there was a better fenced in dog park for my dog to run.
Looking at both places with envy…from a baking hot Texas!
My main concern is roads. How is the road to Lake Arrowhead? I’m looking for answers that say no long drops without railing. Lol scaredy-cat
There’s a few ways up to Big Bear and Arrowhead. If you take 330 to the 18 there are definitely drops and it is very high but mostly there are guard rails… although quite a few places without. That being said, most out of towners drive conservatively and there are some passing lanes for those who are more comfortable (I’m not one of them) I believe you can also take the 18 straight to arrowhead from the 210 which I haven’t done but presumably it’s similar. As a fellow scaredy cat I must say it is well worth it once there (and very beautiful if you can bring yourself to peek on the way up).
Thanks for the reply, this was helpful. I am a flat-lander from Iowa, and my wife and I are considering going to either Big Bear of Arrowhead in March. I have driven in Telluride, and the Colorado Rockies, but never in the middle of winter. I didn’t know there was such a thing as snow chain required areas. Would either of these areas be patrolled for snow tires, or chains?
Yes, I lived in Lake Arrowhead for years and a few times some people had to turn around because they didn’t have chains and there was a patrol that day. Besides, I wouldn’t suggest making the trip without chains whether or not they had patrols, the roads can be quite icy.
I love the open valley of Big Bear. You have a larger selection of single story homes. In Lake Arrowhead many are two story or require stairs. Not friendly to people, with disabilities or elderly. I do not want to lug my groceries up stairs nor do I want a cabin on stilts. Mai tenancy on any cabin is a given but when you have to worry about structural issues because of wood rot etc. I prefer Big Bear.
I prefer to drive the 38, it is usually open and much prettier drive plus the 18 is difficult to drive because of traffic, snow or landslides. I will always remember about the boy who was in the rear passenger seat and a rockslide killed him. They usually close 18 because of that.
I drive up to Lake Arrowhead once a week. I go 210 to 18 and the drive is easy. There is nowhere that scares me and I grew up terrified of mountain roads. There are now even reflectors all the way up to the Crestline cutoff, so it is very easy to see where the road is at night even in snowy conditions.
I’m so happy to have read the comments because I’m currently trying to decide which area would be best for me to buy a 2nd home. Big Bear has more to offer, but adds 15-25 min driving time from my house, compared toLake Arrowhead. I could drive 45 min to worK from Lake Arrowhead, but I would not commute from BB, so that would definitely just be for weekends. But, my adult son and extended family would come up to snowboard in BB and my current homeowners insurance, USAA covers BB. I would have to get a new company to insure Lake Arrowhead and from the one quote I got, it was more expensive.
I had no idea Lake Arrowhead (the lake) was only for the people who live there. So if u drive up to Lake arrowhead, don’t count on taking your boat for the beautiful lake. They won’t let u use it because u don’t live there. That’s terrible and bad for business I would think. So if u like water your much better off going to the beautiful Big Bear Lake. Everyone is welcome, your boat is welcome on the lake all day long.
Lake Arrowhead is unique due to the fact it is a private lake. Which means it keeps the rif raf and hot doggers of the lake. My aunt and uncle had their second home there for years in the 50’s 60’s, and my aunt taught the locals how to water ski, including, believe it or not Natalie Wood which is not a well known thing since she was deathly afraid of water. They are gone now but the memories of those days at Lake Arrowhead are wonderful for the rest of the family.
I keep hearing about the terrible fog around Lake Arrowhead and the commute down the mountain. Does Big Bear have that problem driving the 38? Also, how is snow removal around town?
Hi Deb,
The west end of the mountains (which includes Hwy 330 that goes by Lake Arrowhead) does get fog in the winters. The south side of the mountains (Hwy 38) does seem to get considerably less fog, but it still has it during storms and through the winter season.
Due to the fluctuations of our Southern California winters this can be often or very seldom, depending on the severity of the winter we have. Living in Big Bear and working off the mountain can be done as I know many people who commute off the mountain year round.
Snow removal around town is dependent on the area and the boulevard, hospital and ski resorts tend to get plowed first and then the surrounding areas after that. The roads in and out of town they try to plow as soon as possible to keep traffic flowing. I would highly recommend a permanent resident to have a 4- wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle.
Best,
Laura Craig
Realtor
760-221-8820
BigBearRealEstate.com
Thanks!…that was very informative….I was in big bear last winter and was great fun…I wasn’t the driver but I’m originally from flat Florida so for me the drive is super scary!Now I want to try lake arrowhead…the drive seems not as rough….I want to move to palm springs and these are great getaways! Those reviews were very helpful and they are pretty close…from the desert to the mountains….beautiful! 😀
I’m a Big Bear Valley resident for 46 years, so I’ll leave the comment about Arrowhead to those who know better about it than I. Big Bear is a wonderful valley into which there is something to do all year long. For hiking there exists countless opportunities for all levels and all ages including many around the lake and Baker Pond. There is a beautiful zoo with an all-alpine forest animals from all over the country including Grizzly and Black Bears. All the animals have areas that are just like their original home turf. The lake offers boating, water sports, fishing in the summer, with scheduled lake events every weekend throughout the spring-summer-fall. The Village is full of things to see and do and it is a 4 season treat year around. Many great restaurants and shops and pubs. The best Oktoberfest in all of Souther California that you don’t want to miss. On the back side of the mountains is a fun drive to shop and visit in Victorville-Apple Valley. East Valley residents can enjoy using Hwy 38 and it has plenty of safe pull-outs to allow faster traffic to go by all year round. Hwy 18 to Hwy 330 is the quickest way up and down for all, visitors and residents alike. And if you enjoy winter sports there are two world class ski areas to enjoy and both areas are individually unique. As of this writing the lake is full again after many years of drought. Just for fun many years ago I skied in the morning and by afternoon surfed in Redondo Beach. Mountain bike ride, road bike riding and downhill mountain bike riding are all here. While mountaintop living is not for many-mountain top visiting is a special treat for a day, a weekend, or a vaction, your time will be enjoyed beyond belief.
Very nice, thanks for your comments!