Comments on: 5 Differences Between Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead

By: BigBearRealEstate.com

BigBearRealEstate.com — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 20:45:33 +0000

In reply to Timothy Driscoll. Very nice, thanks for your comments!

By: Timothy Driscoll

Timothy Driscoll — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:49:38 +0000

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.

By: Wendy Feuer

Wendy Feuer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:27:22 +0000

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!

By: Peggy

Peggy — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 02:44:20 +0000

In reply to Celo. There are 3 ways to get up and down from Big Bear. Hwy 38 Hwy 18 and Hwy 330.

By: Celo

Celo — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 02:13:49 +0000

In reply to Jeanne. 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.

By: Blaine

Blaine — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:49:37 +0000

In reply to skecanj. Well said.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 17:08:53 +0000

In reply to Jeanne. 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.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 17:01:59 +0000

In reply to Vicki R Enscoe. 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.

By: Vicki R Enscoe

Vicki R Enscoe — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:08:45 +0000

In reply to Bull Winkle. 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.