Guidebook for Sugar Bear & Sugar Cub
Essentials
Vons
42170 Big Bear BlvdStater Bros. Markets
42171 Big Bear BlvdMountain View Animal Hospital
Check hours but they are a good place if you need them.
Parks & Nature
Cougar Crest Trailhead
Cougar Crest TrailNot a difficult hike. Park at the Discovery Center free.
You can park here without a pass. There are many hikes that begin here. Or easy access to beautiful walks around the lake. Easy or more difficult, you can decide.
488 locals recommend
Big Bear Discovery Center
You can park here without a pass. There are many hikes that begin here. Or easy access to beautiful walks around the lake. Easy or more difficult, you can decide.
Visit mountain lions, bears, eagles, wolves, raccoons and more at this safe haven for injured or orphaned wild animals. More than 90% of animals brought to here for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment.
723 locals recommend
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
42801 Club View DrVisit mountain lions, bears, eagles, wolves, raccoons and more at this safe haven for injured or orphaned wild animals. More than 90% of animals brought to here for rehabilitation are successfully released back into their native environment.
Castle Rock Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked located trail with outstanding Lake views, labeled as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Located just off Highway 18, a mile east of Big Bear Dam.
Castle Rock Trail, California, USA
Castle Rock Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked located trail with outstanding Lake views, labeled as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Located just off Highway 18, a mile east of Big Bear Dam.
Pine Knot Trail to Grand View Point is a 6.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, horses, and mountain biking and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
98 locals recommend
Pineknot Trail 1E01
Mill Creek RoadPine Knot Trail to Grand View Point is a 6.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, horses, and mountain biking and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Champion Lodgepole via Castle Rock Trail is a 4.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Follow Mill Creek Rd (2N10) left after it intersects with Tulip Lane until you reach 2N11, then bear left and follow the Champion Lodgepole signs to the parking area.
Champion Lodgepole Pine
Bluff Lake RoadChampion Lodgepole via Castle Rock Trail is a 4.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Follow Mill Creek Rd (2N10) left after it intersects with Tulip Lane until you reach 2N11, then bear left and follow the Champion Lodgepole signs to the parking area.
Castle Rock Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Open seasonally: Highway 38 to roughly half a mile west of Fawnskin, where you’ll see signs for the Grout Bay Picnic Area.
28 locals recommend
Grays Peak Trail 1W06
Grays Peak TrailCastle Rock Trail is a 2.6 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Big Bear Lake, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Open seasonally: Highway 38 to roughly half a mile west of Fawnskin, where you’ll see signs for the Grout Bay Picnic Area.
Short, beautiful walk, lovely at sunset!
35 locals recommend
Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve
42300 Big Bear BlvdShort, beautiful walk, lovely at sunset!
Paddles and Pedals
40545 N Shore LnRent bikes, canoes. Great spot.
Food scene
Yelp rates Tropicali Number 1 in California and 15 in the nation! The food is outstanding the service is a whole new thing, they love new customers and will take care of your every question, make suggestions all in a fun way. The Poke is amazing, I didn't know I love Poke! They have fish, chicken, beef, tofu and pork. They are closed Tuesday/Wednesday and they aren't open late, Poke can sell out during the busy times by about 4:00pm. Go!
231 locals recommend
Big Bear Local
40616 Village DrYelp rates Tropicali Number 1 in California and 15 in the nation! The food is outstanding the service is a whole new thing, they love new customers and will take care of your every question, make suggestions all in a fun way. The Poke is amazing, I didn't know I love Poke! They have fish, chicken, beef, tofu and pork. They are closed Tuesday/Wednesday and they aren't open late, Poke can sell out during the busy times by about 4:00pm. Go!
Nice menu. Love the panko crusted chicken breast. It is small so if you are headed there for dinner I'd make reservations.
507 locals recommend
Peppercorn Grille
553 Pine Knot AveNice menu. Love the panko crusted chicken breast. It is small so if you are headed there for dinner I'd make reservations.
If you are craving a donut go to Danks! And they deliver! They have other lunch items, they seem to add to their menu all the time!
169 locals recommend
Dank Donuts
42612 Moonridge RdIf you are craving a donut go to Danks! And they deliver! They have other lunch items, they seem to add to their menu all the time!
Nice variety of pasta, salads and entrees. Great soup and really nice staff!
84 locals recommend
Sweet Basil Bistro
40629 Big Bear BlvdNice variety of pasta, salads and entrees. Great soup and really nice staff!
Great outdoor space with live music, highly recommend in good weather. They have indoor but it's smaller. Large menu and food is good.
421 locals recommend
572 Social kitchen & lounge
572 Pine Knot AveGreat outdoor space with live music, highly recommend in good weather. They have indoor but it's smaller. Large menu and food is good.
Himalayan Restaurant
672 Pine Knot AveGreat Indian food.
Wine/Beer Bar with light appetizers. All about sampling the wine and beer. Nice hangout.
47 locals recommend
Barrel 33
40754 Village DrWine/Beer Bar with light appetizers. All about sampling the wine and beer. Nice hangout.
Great burger! Karaoke! Fun place! In their words..."Murray's has been serving Big Bear for over 25 years. We're a local Irish pub, but we love our bikers too. We have eight TVs with so you can catch most of the football games on Sunday. We have the lowest prices and best inventory of spirits on the mountain. Planning a birthday party, or maybe a bachelor or bachelorette party? Come to Murray's! You never know what we'll do for you, and we'll make sure you have lots of fun."
411 locals recommend
Murray's Saloon & Eatery
672 Cottage LnGreat burger! Karaoke! Fun place! In their words..."Murray's has been serving Big Bear for over 25 years. We're a local Irish pub, but we love our bikers too. We have eight TVs with so you can catch most of the football games on Sunday. We have the lowest prices and best inventory of spirits on the mountain. Planning a birthday party, or maybe a bachelor or bachelorette party? Come to Murray's! You never know what we'll do for you, and we'll make sure you have lots of fun."
Large place but gets crowded on the weekend. Head upstairs to the bar if it's crowded you can usually get a table there. Good choice, love the ahi sandwich. Owner also own Peppercorn Grill, menu is similar.
307 locals recommend
Oakside
40701 Village DrLarge place but gets crowded on the weekend. Head upstairs to the bar if it's crowded you can usually get a table there. Good choice, love the ahi sandwich. Owner also own Peppercorn Grill, menu is similar.
Well loved by the entire community! Rick the owner is the nicest coolest person. Say hi.
92 locals recommend
Big Bear Mountain Brewery
40260 Big Bear BlvdWell loved by the entire community! Rick the owner is the nicest coolest person. Say hi.
Local favorite at the airport. I haven't tried it let me know what you think!
31 locals recommend
The Barnstorm Restaurant
501 W Valley BlvdLocal favorite at the airport. I haven't tried it let me know what you think!
Best breakfast ever! Really small place no reservations you just have to wait for it but it is worth it! Huge portions good food and really nice staff. Go!
516 locals recommend
Grizzly Manor Cafe
41268 Big Bear BlvdBest breakfast ever! Really small place no reservations you just have to wait for it but it is worth it! Huge portions good food and really nice staff. Go!
They just moved and are on the lake. I hear mixed reviews on the food but haven't tried it. Location looks great!
Santana Mavericks Bar N Grill
They just moved and are on the lake. I hear mixed reviews on the food but haven't tried it. Location looks great!
Activities
Tubing, go carts, climbing gym and snacks! Cash only! Take the kids tubing at night! Fun place to spend a few hours winter or summer!
489 locals recommend
Big Bear Snow Play
42825 Big Bear BlvdTubing, go carts, climbing gym and snacks! Cash only! Take the kids tubing at night! Fun place to spend a few hours winter or summer!
Really fun way to cool off in the summer, kids love it! Adults too.
652 locals recommend
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose LnReally fun way to cool off in the summer, kids love it! Adults too.
City advice
Getting around
Red Line Free Trolley!
Big Bear has a new FREE Trolley System! 7AM - 8PM, picks up every 30 minutes, and services all main attractions including the ski resorts! You can download a mobile app called DoubleMap and select Mountain Transit, it works just like Uber, you can see the trolley approaching on the app, not necessary since it picks up every 30 minutes. THIS IS GREAT IF YOU ARE SKIING AND SOME WANT TO HEAD BACK TO THE CABIN AND SOME WANT TO STAY. Both the pick up and drop off are a 10 minute walk from the cabin. Get a map of all stops by searching online for Big Bear Trolley, no links allowed here, sorry!
Don't miss
Our Sled Hill & Hiking
Head left out the front door towards the forest you can't miss the Sled Hill. Or from there enjoy hiking in the national forest, you will notice many entry spots onto trails through the short barbed fence just adjacent to the sled hill.
Don't miss
Airbnb Experiences in Big Bear
https://www.airbnb.com/things-to-do/places/24806314
Don't miss
Hiking Experiences in Big Bear
https://www.airbnb.com/things-to-do/places/3443366