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The “Deserts” portion of this Deserts and Inland Empire vacation and travel guide provides information about Death Valley National Park, the Mojave Desert (including Joshua Tree National Park) and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (which is also covered in the San Diego section of the guide since it traverses both areas).

The “Inland Empire” refers to Riverside and San Bernardino Counties (about 40 miles inland from the Orange County coast) and includes information about Coachella Valley destinations (Palm Springs, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage), the Temecula Valley’s wine region and the mountain tourist retreats and getaways in Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead and Idyllwild.

Interestingly, what’s considered “high season” for these two areas is largely the same but for entirely different reasons. While the winter is the most comfortable season in the desert (contrasted to July and August when temperatures can reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit), the mountains come alive with snow skiing/boarding during this season. It’s not unusual to be floating in a Palm Springs pool and gazing at snow-covered mountains nor is it out of the question to begin your day at the beach in Orange County and spend the afternoon skiing on Big Bear.

From the 1930s through the 1970s, Palm Springs was known as the “Playground of the Stars” because so many Hollywood celebrities owned homes there. While the area remains a popular retreat for the rich and famous, it is now a playground for retirees, conventioneers and travelers of all means. In addition to a stunning collection of mid-century modern architecture, it boasts a lovely art museum and hosts many festivals throughout the year, including an International Film Festival, Fashion Week, multiple food festivals and several gay-lesbian events. There is an abundance of wonderful spas, casinos, golf courses, stores and restaurants just waiting to cater to your every whim.

As much as Palm Springs and the other nearby Coachella Valley communities can be all about “pampering” and “seeing and being seen,” the rest of California desert lands are about “roughing it” in predominantly-secluded, wide-open spaces. This cherished California resource is popular for camping, hiking, hunting and enjoying off-road vehicles. (Many of those activities require a permit, by the way.)

The Inland Empire’s mountains have served as a retreat for many years and were first used by the area’s indigenous Native Americans as a respite from the valley heat and a reliable source of food. In later years, the area’s forests were harvested and were used to build much of Los Angeles, and a dam was built to supply water and power to the San Bernardino Valley orange growers.

Presently, the San Bernardino National Forest and its mountain home offer a natural setting just 90 miles east of Los Angeles where you can enjoy fresh air and a myriad of outdoor activities. Popular recreational destinations in the San Bernardino Mountains are Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs, while the San Jacinto Mountains offer Idyllwild and the hiking and rock climbing challenges in nearby Tahquitz.

This section would not be complete without some mention of the infamous Route 66, even though the days of folks getting their travel “kicks” there are now history. The Mojave Desert was the most dreaded section of the route and while services are still few and far between, present-day travel through the area is not nearly as harrowing. A couple of Route 66 historical points of interest still exist in San Bernardino: the site of the world’s first McDonald’s (located at 14th Avenue and E Street and now a museum) and the Wigwam Motel near the city’s border with Rialto.  The Wigwam recently received major renovations and was the 2005 Cyrus Avery Award recipient for the best preservation project. Individual teepee shaped units are arranged in a small village-like setting and offer a unique lodging opportunity in what many consider southern California’s most famous hotel.

Are you interested in learning about other California vacation destinations? Check out these articles…

Central Coast Vacation Ideas

Central Valley Vacation Ideas

Deserts and Inland Empire Vacation Ideas

North Coast Vacation Ideas

Orange County Vacation Ideas

San Diego Vacation Ideas

San Francisco Bay Area Vacation Ideas

Shasta Cascades Vacation Ideas

Sierras and Gold Country Vacation Ideas

Wine Country Vacation Ideas

The “cabin in the mountains” concept is so inviting to harried city-dwellers that virtually all Big Bear rentals are called cabins and/or are styled as cabins. 

This guide will introduce you to the various types of cabins in Big Bear and should help you find the perfect one for your getaway or vacation.

For most people, the word “cabin” conjures a standalone alpine chalet with a raised porch to keep the snow or mud out of the house; exposed wooden sides; a peaked roof with a chimney showing; and an open living area inside sporting lots of natural wood, rustic furniture and an inviting fireplace.  That type of cabin exists here (and you may find them listed as “vacation rentals” or “private homes / cabins” in directories of Big Bear cabins for rent), but as you begin looking at listings and ads for Big Bear accommodations called “cabins” you’ll soon discover some do not fit that mold. Some vacation rental directories take the “cabin” notion to the extreme of luxury and price — with five-bedroom “cabins” near the slopes renting out for upwards of $1200 per night — and they are quite different from the “cabins” originally built by miners in this valley 150 years ago!

The best plan is to just poke around a bit online until you find a Big Bear cabin you like that’s situated near the location where you want to spend the bulk of your time in the area.

The cabins on the north shore (Rt. 38) are typically higher in elevation, offering spectacular views of the lake but less access to lakeside activities, restaurants and the like.  The ones on the south shore are near Bear Mountain or Snow Summit, often within walking or skiing distance to the ski lifts.

 
Other Big Bear cabin rentals include small cottages or bungalows, and these are typically clustered near marina landings, restaurants, shops or other points of interest.  Some good places to start your search for this type of accommodation include Mallard Bay Resorts and Robin Hood Resorts.

Big Bear “cool” cabins. Some of the most unique cabin rentals in Big Bear are Castlewood’s themed cottages (for couples only) offering experiences like Cleopatra’s Palace, Sherwood Forest and Gone With The Wind. There’s even a one-bedroom Victoria’s Secret cabin, complete with hot tub and complementary champagne — perfect for a romantic getaway. Bay Meadows Resorts offers 10 recently renovated bungalows which look simple from the outside but luxurious on the inside – all centrally located to marinas and the mountains.

Check the suggestions on this page for special offers and promotions.  Often you can get a good deal, especially in the spring and autumn months. And, if your schedule allows, do consider autumn … it’s a spectacular time for a Big Bear getaway, replete with yellowing aspens, chilly night air and moist greenery bedding down for the winter. It’s a quieter time at Big Bear, following the fun-filled summer. Fall is when Big Bear cabins and the idea of some R&R in the great outdoors almost always elicits an “of course” response.

Photo of Big Bear Cabina by fantasy profvia flickr (Creative Commons) and panorama photo of Big Bear Lake by tksummers via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Big Bear Getaway Ideas

Big Bear Lodging

Deserts and Inland Empire Travel Guide

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

For millions of people in Southern California, Big Bear Lake offers a pristine alpine refuge and the perfect place for a weekend or week-long getaway. Just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake and the mountains around it offer relaxation, rejuvenation and lots of interesting things to do.

Your Big Bear getaway will likely need a “home base” at one of the hotels in Big Bear, probably along or near Rt. 18 — also known as “the Rim of the World Highway” or, in town, Big Bear Boulevard.

Because cabins are so popular in the area, our Big Bear Cabins article is a good place to start your search, and our Big Bear Lodging article discusses some other options. Once you have your accommodations set, it’s time to explore:

Big Bear Lake

The lake itself is the source of many of the best activities, and it’s been popular with travelers ever since 1912, when the newest dam was built at the west end. On or around the lake you can enjoy:

• Fishing. The cold water from the mountain snowmelt supports a large number of sportfish — trout, bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass. It also has a carp problem, but annual “carp roundups” and “no limit” carp fishing helps keep the population of this invasive species under control.
• Boating. You can bring your own boat (launching it at one of the two public launches at the east and west ends of the north shore) or you can rent one from one of the marinas. There are some exotic craft to choose from, too — a 24′ pontoon float boat for easy exploration of some of the coves; one- and two-person kayaks (great for exercising your core or wearing out your kids!); a dinner cruise on the Big Bear Queen; a ride on a New Zealand jet boat; a harbor tour on the actual pirate ship used in the movie Time Bandits; and jet skiing (for those who desire “hands-on” speedboating).
• Water Skiing, Wakeboarding and Tubing. You may think you need a speedboat with a rope to go water skiing, wakeboarding or tubing, but Big Bear also offers a “Cable Park” at Pleasure Point Marina. This unique, two-tower cable system can pull you 500 feet across the controlled water space and back — a perfect way to learn to ski or wakeboard. (Please remember when skiing on the lake to be mindful of underwater hazards near the shore.)
• Parasailing. Big Bear Parasailing, at Marina Resort, gets good reviews.
• Solar Observatory. Big Bear Lake is home to the country’s only alpine solar observatory — using the elevation and location in the lake (which is cool and has no heat reflections). It is presently closed to the public, however.

Big Bear Mountain

The mountains on either side of the lake offer robust outdoors activities, summer or winter:

• Skiing and Snowboarding. There are two ski areas, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Check out the half pipe for special thrills, and “innertubing” can offer fun for the whole family, requiring less skill than skiing.
• Hiking. Here is a list of 13 Big Bear area hiking trails, with directions, gps, maps, etc.
• Sky Chair. During the summer you can ride to the top of Bear Mountain in the Sky Chair (also known as the ski lift).
• Biking. Biking is popular up and down several dedicated mountain paths and along ridge trails, and the list of biking trails is similar to the one for hiking trails above. Be sure to take the “Town Trail” from Snow Summit west to Knickerbocker Road to look over the whole town and lake.
• Zipline. Flying Bear Zip Lines offer zipline tours of the area.
• Zoo. There’s a zoo near Bear Mountain Resort.
• Horseback Riding. This amenity is offered in the nearby Baldwin Lake area.
• Golf. The Gold Mine (Bear Mountain) Golf Course is located at Bear Mountain Resort.
• Events and Festivals. Big Bear Lake is home to several great annual events, including a New Year’s Torchlight Parade (down the ski slopes on New Year’s Eve); the Classic Car Review (May); Independence Day Festival (July); Oktoberfest (October); and the Mountain Christmas Boutique (offering arts and crafts in November).

We hope you enjoy your Big Bear getaway. Find a good place to stay. Rest and breathe that fresh mountain air … shake off your stress … and enjoy some of nature’s finest in Southern California’s only four-season vacation destination.

Photo of Big Bear Lake by mojosaurus via flickr (Creative Commons)

Related posts:

Big Bear Cabins

Big Bear Lodging

Big Bear Hotels

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Regardless of the season or whether your planned activities focus on the lake or on the nearby mountains, your Big Bear lodging alternatives include quite a range and variety — from full-service hotels to rustic cabins, B&Bs, luxury condos and RV/camping parks. All you need to do is choose the type of accommodation you want and the general area.

Let’s look at the popular types first:

Big Bear Hotels

Hotels, of course, come in many different flavors — from 4-star resorts (Bear Creek Resort and Snow Lake Lodge, for example) to a basic 1-star Motel 6.

Most hotels in Big Bear are on or near Big Bear Boulevard or Lakeview Drive as it travels along the south shore of the lake. You can find a Big Bear hotel room with a lake view, and there are other hotels in Big Bear that will locate you near shops and other amenities or, optionally, close to the Big Bear skiing resorts (Bear Mountain and Snow Summit).

Unlike the three predictable national-chain hotels represented in the Big Bear Lake area (Best Western, Knights Inn and Motel 6), most hotels in Big Bear are independent, and they reflect the 19th century heritage of this former mining community. They typically embrace “lodge” and “cabin” ambiances with exposed wood, fireplaces and rustic furnishings, even if they are resort-class hotels. The listings you see shared in this article often present special offers from some of the best getaway hotels in the Big Bear area. All of them will give you access to the area’s scenic wonders and clean, fresh air.

Big Bear Motels

The term “motel” was invented to distinguish the “motor hotel” located and designed for automobile access from the traditional downtown “hotel,” but Big Bear’s layout — with one major thoroughfare requiring car-centered transportation — moots the distinction. All hotels and motels accommodate cars. All have rooms and basic amenities. Some have on-site dining, and some are within walking distance to marinas, restaurants, shops, parks or ski areas. For all intents and purposes, Big Bear motels are included with the “Big Bear Hotels” and “Big Bear Cabins” highlighted in this article.

Big Bear Cabins

Because Big Bear Lake is only two hours away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, it attracts people wanting to escape to a simpler time. A cabin in Big Bear can provide the perfect balm to soothe the soul: alpine decorations, stunning lake and mountain vistas, crisp air and the vintage charm of cabin living. Check out our separate article on Big Bear Cabins for rent to see our picks — some with Jacuzzis and renovated facilities, others offering fantasy themes (e.g., Cleopatra’s Palace and Sherwood Forest) and many with more conventional and sometimes more modest amenities.

As you look for a Big Bear cabin, keep in mind that a grouping of cabins might be called a “resort” or “lodge” or even “lakefront suites” or “private homes” for rent. The cabin motif is dominant here, so expect to find cabins in Big Bear categorized in a variety of ways.

Camping and RV Parks

There are two RV Parks in Big Bear: Holloway’s Marina and RV Park on the south shore and San Bernardino Serrano Campground on the north shore. The latter is definitely the cleaner, prettier place and, in our opinion, the only one you should consider.

The Pacific Crest Trail comes within three miles of Big Bear, so if it’s long-trek hiking you are after, this is the place. And, the good news is you don’t necessarily have to “sleep under the stars” to enjoy it. There’s a full range of Big Bear lodging options at which to “bed down” when your day is finished.

Photo of Big Bear Hotels on Main Street by tkksummers via flickr (Creative Commons) and Photo of Big Bear Cabins by jeremymiles via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Big Bear Cabins

Big Bear Hotels

Big Bear Getaway Ideas

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

As we begin this discussion, it’s important that you realize a couple things about Big Bear hotels.  First, they are mostly independently owned and operated, thereby creating a unique and charming array of lodging options for you. Sure, a few of the popular chain hotels have a presence in Big Bear — Best Western, Motel 6 and Quality Inn, for example — but many other places are family-owned lodges, inns and clusters of cabins.

Second, the final entry in that list — the “cluster of cabins” — is an extremely popular form of Big Bear lodging.  Let’s take as an example the Golden Bear cottages, not far from the dam at the west end of the lake.  It’s composed of 29 cottages/cabins owned and operated by a single family, clustered together but all constructed in a different architectural style — from log cabin, to barn, to manor house and more. Some of these cabins allow pets; others are near the pool.  Some offer multiple bedrooms. The setting seeks to establish both privacy and a sense of sharing a lovely vacation destination with a variety of other travelers.

Timberhaven Lodge is another set of about 10 cabins, all clustered around a playground for the kids and a hot tub for the adults, which might be a bit different than how you’d picture a “lodge.” Another Big Bear cabins cluster actually calls itself a “ranch” — Pine Knot Guest Ranch — but it’s composed of “jacuzzi cabins” arrayed around a pool, with bunnies and llamas walking on the premises and available for kids to pet. There’s truly something for everyone in Big Bear!

Some of the area’s “inns” and “lodges” are simply a large building with multiple rooms, each with a bath and some with a sitting room, and they’d probably more properly be classified as Big Bear hotels.  Knickerbocker Mansion (named after the first dam keeper) is one such example. Another, Snow Lake lodge, has 20 one-bedroom suites (tucked in the trees; no lake views) that are especially convenient for skiing vacations. Northwoods Resort — by far one of the largest Big Bear venues — has 147 rooms and offers “conference center” amenities.  Fireside Lodge has single rooms and suites for families and groups at an in-village location near marinas, shops and the movie theater. Marina Resort is a similar offering, but it’s located right on the lake.

Big Bear Hotels with a Fireplace

While many Big Bear cabins offer a fireplace – both for heat and ambiance purposes – you can also find this amenity in some Big Bear hotels. Even one of the Big Bear chain hotels – specifically the Best Western Plus Hotel Big Bear Chateau – offers this charming and coveted detail to their visitors. Some of the other hotels in Big Bear you may want to consider if you think your Big Bear getaway will be enhanced by having a fireplace in the room are:

• Robinhood Resort
• Marina Resort
• Mallard Bay Resort
• Goldmine Lodge
• Snow Bear Lodge
• Snow Lake Lodge
• Fireside Lodge
• Big Bear Frontier Cabins and Hotel
• Honey Bear Lodge and Cabins
• Lakefront Lodge

Sometimes only select rooms within these Big Bear lodging establishments are equipped with a fireplace, however, so make sure your reservation inquiry, request and confirmation specifies this feature.

For people who prefer a bed & breakfast inn, there are Apples B&B and the Eagles Nest B&B Inn.   There’s even a “hostel” near the village center (Big Bear Adventure Hostel) which offers a few rooms with bunk beds for less than $30 per person per night.

All in all, your Big Bear hotel options provide a broad range of locations, amenities and price-points for enjoying a getaway or vacation.  If you want access to village services, one of the lodges near the village would be best.  If you want a a little more privacy or autonomy with services still easily accessible, then we’d recommend you consider one of the “cluster of cabins” Big Bear hotels.  And, for the really relaxing retreat, consider getting a standalone cabin, as outlined in the our Big Bear Cabins article.

Photo of Big Bear Frontier Lodge on Main Street by donabelandewen via flickr (Creative Commons) and photo of Big Bear Lake by kewl via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

Big Bear Cabins

Big Bear Getaway Ideas

Big Bear Lodging

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Open year round, Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest place in North America, and it contains the second-lowest point in the Western Hemisphere — Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level.

The area averages less than two inches rainfall per year, and summer temperatures routinely reach — and often exceed — 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The area’s 134-degree day on July 10, 1913, is the second-highest temperature ever recorded, edged out only by Libya’s 136 degrees in 1922.

1849’s California Gold Rush brought the first non-Indians to the area, and in December of that year two groups of Gold Country-bound travelers got lost and stumbled upon the valley. It was a harrowing time later detailed by William Lewis Manly in his autobiography, Death Valley in ‘49.

Although the travelers were fortunate to find enough fresh water to survive, they were forced to use the wood of their wagons as fuel to cook and eat several of their oxen. (This occurred at the area now referred to as “Burned Wagons Camp,” which is located near the park’s sand dunes.) Abandoning their wagons, the group eventually hiked out of the valley, and upon leaving one woman turned and said, “Goodbye Death Valley.” Even though only one member of the group actually died in the valley, the moniker stuck.

With wilderness stretching over 4,774 square miles, Death Valley National Park is the largest California National Park — in fact, it’s the largest national park in the lower 48 states — and the sixth largest in the country overall. The park’s first documented tourist facilities consisted of a set of tent houses built in the 1920s at Stovepipe Wells current location. Resorts built around natural springs believed to have curative properties were quite popular in the day, and the valley became a well-known winter travel destination.

Death Valley Ranch, better known as Scotty’s Castle, became a hotel in the area in the late 1930s, largely because of the notorious Walter Scott who lived there. Known as “Death Valley Scotty,” this gregarious miner — who falsely claimed to have built the castle with profits from his gold mine — was the human equivalent of a tourist attraction. The property was actually owned by Chicago millionaire Albert Mussey Johnson, who was likewise enamored by his creative caretaker and actually encouraged the myth.

One of Death Valley’s more picturesque areas is 20 Mule Team Canyon, from which borax was extracted via mules between 1882 and 1890. Also, as you plan your time in the park, consider a visit to Ubehebe Crater, either on the way to or from Scotty’s Castle. The road will deliver you to a lovely scenic viewpoint, from which you may choose to embark on a hike through some of the area’s smaller craters, including the perfectly formed Little Hebe.

The park’s visitor center can be found in the Furnace Creek Resort area (State Route 190, P.O. Box 579, Death Valley, CA 92328; 760-786-3200), where rangers present talks and walks during the more temperate December-through-April period. Year-round “living history” tours are available for a fee at Scotty’s Castle, which is located in the far-northern portion of the park. While there is also a visitor center at Scotty’s Castle, it is important to note there is no gasoline available at that location. The area is not nearly as foreboding as it was in 1849, but it is still unforgiving of carelessness. Plan accordingly.

Photo of California’s Death Valley National Park by birdgal5 via flickr (Creative Commons).

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Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

Located about an hour and a half east of Palm Springs (and about three hours east of Los Angeles in good traffic conditions), Joshua Tree National Park includes two deserts — the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert — each of which supports an ecosystem indicative of its elevation.

The tree from which this California National Park takes its name – the Joshua Tree (or Yucca Brevifolia) – was so-named by early Mormon emigrants who thought their outstretched branches resembled supplicating arms of the biblical prophet, Joshua. The tree is abundant in the park’s higher, slightly cooler Mojave Desert area.

Joshua Tree National Park is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, rock climbers and bird watchers. Rock climbing enthusiasts are particularly intrigued by the geologically unique landscape, featuring hills of bare rock formed from magma that cooled over 100 million years ago.

Spring is a favorite time to visit, when the Yuccas and numerous wildflowers add a vibrant and panoramic splash of color to the otherwise stark desert environs. The Joshua Trees are usually the first to bloom (around late February), followed by an array of annuals sometime in March. Cacti usually follow suit and flower in April or May. Spring is also an excellent time for bird-watchers to plan a visit to the park.

Spring (and fall) high/low temperatures average 85/50 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively, but summer daytime highs often exceed 100 degrees. If you plan to visit during summer months, prepare accordingly. Winter brings cooler days (around 60-degree highs), freezing nights and occasional snow at higher elevations.

Keys View, named after desert loner Bill Keys (who, interestingly, was successfully defended by Perry Mason author and lawyer Erle Stanley Gardner in a notorious 1940s murder trial), offers a 360-degree summit view of the Salton Sea, Mexico and the San Gorgonia and San Jacinto Mountains. It is an ideal spot to enjoy a sunset any time of the year.

The Joshua Tree National Park visitor center is located at the park’s east entrance (74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277; 760-367-5500).

Photo of Joshua Tree National Park by Paraflyer via flickr (Creative Commons).

Related posts:

California Wineries

California Tourist Attractions

California Golf

Things To Do In California

Misc. Travel Resources

Note: Information in this article was accurate
when it was published, but hours, prices, etc.
change constantly. Please confirm details
with local contacts before traveling.

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