Posts Tagged ‘Mountains’
Beat the Heat in Family Friendly Big Bear
Beat the Heat in Family Friendly Big Bear
By Bobbie Green 
For a change of pace this summer mingle among the Jeffery Pines and the red barked incense cedar trees in Big Bear California. At a cool 7,000 feet Big Bear also offers 20 Endemic wildflowers not seen anywhere else in the world. But the real attraction here is the abundance of summertime multi-generational family fun.
Families who take up Big Bear’s boasting offer to provide attractions and entertainment for the whole family will not be disappointed. Although known for its winter skiing, summertime fun is plentiful. Off-roading in Big Bear gives adventurers plenty of mining sites, challenging early wagon routes and historic roads to explore. If you do not have your own vehicle to use there are companies like Big Bear Off-Road Adventures who will take the whole family in enough comfort for grandma, or as few as two, into the wild with a very knowledgeable guide. From the guide you will see and hear the history of the area, the varied plant and animal life, a genuine fun learning experience. We stopped at the old Bellville gold camp site. Here we could see what they call the Van Dusen cabin. The huge site at one time held many gold rush tents and cabins creating a temporary town. Near by is an un-picturesque tree stump, this was the hanging tree. Each time they hung someone they cut off the limb. In this gold rush camp they hung so many the tree died, so said our guide Doug Walton. One will have to hunt far to find someone who knows the area and its history as well as Doug.
The beautiful lake, which still has plenty of water, offers one many pleasures. Swimming, boating, jet ski’s canoeing and kayaking. If you are not a seasoned fisherman with your own boat, may I offer you my recommendation of Cantrell Fishing and Guide Service? They offer the visitor a covered pontoon boat that can hold up to 10 people. They “Guarantee you will catch a fish”. Their boat is equipped with a state-of-art fish finder. The key word here is covered; Mom or Grandma can watch their child or Grandchild catch their 1st fish without messing up their hair-do. I call that a plus. They are professionally licensed fishing guides and amateur entertainers. The wait time that can sometimes be classified as boring is now filled with family friendly jokes and great fishing advice. My term for this tour is Gentleman’s fishing at it best.
The Big Bear Discovery Center works with the National Forest Association to bring enrichment to every resident and visitor to Big Bear. They have an interesting visitor center with many stuffed alpine animals and birds. They offer many classes, hikes and guided canoe and kayaking tours. Yes, they will teach you how to paddle. They have a Summer Campfire Series that includes Moonridge Animal Park, Lightning Show, Astronomy Program and Adventure Travel Series.
Again on the lake are the larger boat tours. The paddle wheels have been an attraction on Big Bear Lake for 50 years. The newest edition is the Pine Knot Landing Boat Tour with a pleasant 90 minute narrated tour on a very comfortable boat for a leisurely change of pace.
If you are a golf addict, have no fear, you can get your fix at the Big Bear Mountain Golf Course. The course is a nine hole but, you can play 18, it has a rustic look to it, fitting right into the Big Bear terrain. What’s special here is the laid-back friendliness of the staff and a couple of unique tees.
An absolute must see is the Moonridge Animal Park, known as the Big Bear Zoo. It is the only true alpine zoo in the country. The animals here are only high mountain species. Yes they have grizzly bears even a three legged one. You can see a bald eagle up close. Even though they have great wildlife and birds to see, it is a small intimate zoo and seniors can handle it. I saw wheelchair visitors there. Tip; 3:00pm is the feeding tour, Kids and dads love it. Mom may gross out.
Ladies, while your guys are out doing guy things you can live without, the Elevations day spa will sooth your soul with what ever treatment you choose. They are the only full service spa in Big Bear and feature a Vichy shower head in their wet room. This means your end of treatment shower can be taken while lying down on a shower table with a drain. Need I say more?
While you are there you must eat. If you have a grizzly size appetites try Grizzly’s Cafe on the Boulevard. It is the locals place with all the flavor of the small mountain town. You will get a fabulous mountain of a hamburger or grizzly size hot cakes with a dose of local politics with humor. They are only open for breakfast and lunch. If you are looking for Big Bear atmosphere for dinner try Captains Anchor. A lively old place once owned by Andy Divine. The better than average meals include a soup and salad bar. The place sports a copper topped bar in the saloon room that locals say is haunted. Who knows, the bar bottles may fly while you are there.
Another absolute must is dinner at the Mandoline Bistro located in the village. This is truly a dinning experience. One can get good meals in many places, but to get ordinary foods made elegant by decadent flavors honed and skillfully crafted together within a artist touch is a rare, beautiful and a lip smacking treat. The menu is one of a kind with original dishes created by the owner Larry Cummings. Do try his original Guava Juice Margarita. Yum Yum.
When looking for a place to stay Big Bear can accommodate all needs, B&B’s motels, RV parks and cabin rentals. Big Bear Vacation Rentals also specialize in fully equipped private home rentals large and small. Ours overlooked the golf course, TV’s in every room; surround a sound and a hot tub and a lovely huge kitchen, which I choose not to use. The cool inviting mountain of Big Bear welcomes intimate getaways to group retreats.
The hidden valley was discovered by Benjamin Wilson in 1845 while looking for game he came across the valley with the Big Bears wandering in it, the Grizzlies, other mountain men came to hunt and found gold. The wild Grizzly roams no more, however there are black bear. The Valley is no longer hidden, but waiting with open arms for all to enjoy its many amities winter and summer.
IF YOU GO
Big Bear Lake Resort Association
Log on for list of summer events.
909-866-6190
Big Bear Off-Road Excursions
909-585-1036
Bear Mountain Golf Course
909-585-8002
Cantrell Fishing Service
909-585-4017
Elevations Day spa
909-866-7405 or 951-314-4079
Big Bear Discovery Center
909-866-3437
www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com
Moonridge Animal Park
909-878-4200
Big Bear Vacation Rentals
909-866-8200