Big Bear’s Best Hotels & Areas (My Guide for First-Timers)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Big Bear

Big Bear is a relatively small mountain town with a population of just over 5,000.

The bulk of accommodation options and attractions are in Big Bear City. Big Bear Lake Central contains Big Bear Village, and the Moonridge neighborhood is near the top Big Bear ski resorts. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to get from one area to another.

Big Bear Lake Central

👉 Best Area For Mountain Attractions | ✨ Best Big Bear Lake Central Hotels: Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village • Sierra Blue Hotel & Swim Club • ITH Big Bear Hostel and Lodge • NP Boutique Lodge

Big Bear Lake Central is at the heart of the action. The center of town bustles with fun attractions like Big Bear Village, which has the bulk of shopping and dining options. 

Try out a speedy ride on the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. Or head to Holloway’s Marina and Swim Beach for an easy way to experience Big Bear Lake. I recommend hanging out at the Big Bear Bowling Barn on the weekends or the waterfront Pines Tavern for date night. 

Big Bear Central has restaurants galore, ample entertainment, and the awesome Skyline Trailhead. These make it the best place to stay overall if you’re looking for a bustling atmosphere year-round in Big Bear.

You’ll find lodging options aplenty. My top hotel pick, Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village, has luxe amenities and a cozy cabin-like interior. It has an outdoor heated pool, a clubhouse with coffee and cocoa, fitness facilities, and exceptionally clean rooms.

Book a room at ITH Big Bear Hostel and Lodge if you’re on a budget. There are both private and shared rooms and there’s plenty of space to relax and socialize with others in the lodge. Plus, it’s within walking distance of multiple restaurants, coffee shops, and taprooms.

Pros of Staying in Big Bear Lake Central Neighborhood:

• Close to all the top attractions
• Just a short walk to Big Bear Lake
• Plenty of accommodation, including budget options

Cons of Staying in Big Bear Lake Central Neighborhood:

• Accommodations can sell out fast, especially during the winter
• It can be noisy at night
• There can be traffic on the weekends
• Attractions may be busy during the holidays

Big Bear City

👉 Best Area For A Central Location | ✨ Best Big Bear City Hotels: Gold Mountain Manor • Malabar Paradise • Cathy’s Cottages

Big Bear City is one of the region’s most popular places to stay and is only a few minutes from Big Bear Airport. The neighborhood is along the eastern shore of Big Bear Lake and has the most local residences. Malabar Paradise is tucked away in a residential neighborhood and is a good place to stay if you want to feel like a local.

This area also has a wide variety of hotels. Gold Mountain Manor is one of the best choices in Big Bear City, and the rooms in this cabin-style bed and breakfast are rustic and charming. It has warm-hearted hosts, thoughtful details, and a homey common room with books and games.

Big Bear City is a quiet, low-key neighborhood with family-friendly parks like Sugarloaf Park and the Bark Park Dog Park. Both are great spots to spend an idyllic day in the city. Multiple lake access points here are also less crowded than western counterparts.

Big Bear City is alongside the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the longest but coolest hikes in California. Serious adventurers should seek out a day hike along a part of this epic trail.

Pros of Staying in Big Bear City Neighborhood:

• Right on the lake
• Plenty of accommodation options to choose from
• Many restaurants in the area

Cons of Staying in Big Bear City Neighborhood:

• Farther away from tourist attractions
• Can be noisy at night
• Hotels can fill to capacity during the high season

Big Bear Lake West

👉 Best Area For Families & Lake Activities | ✨ Best Big Bear Lake West Hotels: Lagonita Lodge • Blue Horizon Lodge 

Big Bear Lake West is the first stop in the mountain town when coming up Highway 18. This is the best place to stay for families with children due to its proximity to fun attractions like Boulder Bay, Fisher Cove, and Treasure Island.

This is also the ideal place to stay for a lakefront location, as most accommodations in this area have prime views of the calming Big Bear Lake. There are mostly rentals in the area, but the hotel options are highly-rated.

Lagonita Lodge is a hit with families! It has roomy apartments with well-stocked kitchens, a lakeside playground for kids, plus an indoor pool — all at an affordable price.

Rent a pedal boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from Pleasure Point Marina to get out on the lake in the summer. Or hit up the Castle Rock Trail for beautiful views of the lake.

Pros of Staying in Big Bear Lake West Neighborhood:

• Easily accessible right off the highway
• Fun lake-centered attractions in the area
• Many hiking trails are close by

Cons of Staying in Big Bear Lake West Neighborhood:

• There can be noise from the highway 
• There aren’t many hotels to choose from
• Restaurants are limited in this area

Moonridge

👉 Best Area For Pristine Views | ✨ Best Moonridge Hotels: Hillside Hideaway • Villa Grove • Apples Bed and Breakfast

Moonridge rises high above the city with some of the best views in town. It’s home to the Big Bear Mountain Resort, making Moonridge one of the best places to stay after a fresh snowfall. It usually retains snow all winter long, creating a real-life winter wonderland.

Moonridge is also near many top Big Bear attractions. Ski, snowboard, or go tubing at Big Bear Mountain Ski Resort and Snow Summit. Support and learn about the rehabilitation of the black bears, arctic foxes, and other animals in the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Get a decent workout on the  Bristlecone Trail. 

Most of the accommodation options in the area are cabin rentals like Hillside Hideaway, which has a view of the ski slopes from its cozy outside deck. Apples Bed and Breakfast is another excellent option, with multiple unique and gorgeously decorated rooms, a lovely garden, and thoughtful hosts.

Pros of Staying in Moonridge Neighborhood:

• Close to Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit
• One of the best places to stay for a snowed-in winter vacation
• Rental cabins have astonishing views of the surrounding forest

Cons of Staying in Moonridge Neighborhood:

• Farther from the top Big Bear Lake attractions
• Can be dangerous driving in the winter
• Not many eateries around 

Fawnskin

👉 Best Area For Seclusion | ✨ Best Fawnskin Hotels: Owl Cabin • Forest Escape • Bear Country Retreat

You’ll find Fawnskin on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, just 14 minutes from the Big Bear Mountain Ski Resort’s popular Snow Summit. 

This neighborhood is your best bet for enjoying some peace and quiet in Big Bear. Fawnskin is a bit off the beaten path, but that’s part of its appeal. Bring a book and a picnic to one of the neighborhood’s pretty parks. Or take a solo trek to Gray’s Peak for expansive mountain, lake, forest, and city views.

Bear Country Retreat is a great choice for solitude seekers. This cabin is located in a quiet neighborhood, and has a fenced yard with a firepit for chilly evenings.

Enjoy the tranquility of the lake first-hand. Boat rentals are available from Captain John’s Fawn Harbor and Marina. Stay in Fawnskin if the Big Bear experience you crave involves a mix of solitude and nature. Just know that there are no restaurants and bars in the area, so you’ll have to depend solely on the local market or drive to the other side of the lake for food and drinks.

Pros of Staying in Fawnskin Neighborhood:

• Off the beaten path
• Quieter at night
• Close to top Big Bear ski resorts

Cons of Staying in Fawnskin Neighborhood:

• Farther away from top Big Bear attractions
• No restaurants or bars in the immediate area
• Only cabin rentals are available, no hotels

Fox Farm

👉 Best Area For Rental Cabins | ✨ Best Fox Farm Hotels: Colorado Lodge • Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel • Pinecrest Getaway

Fox Farm is where some of the wealthiest Big Bear residents live. This is due to the neighborhood’s proximity to the lake and its secluded location away from the noisy downtown area. That said, Fox Farm is one of the best neighborhoods for cabin rentals.

You won’t regret a stay at Colorado Lodge. Its modern cabins give the lodge a chic feel, while the hot tub amps up the coziness.

Cozy cabins aside, Fox Farm does have its fair share of attractions. Hot Shot Miniature Golf is one of the best places to go for a casual date night. Bring your dog with you to enjoy the crisp morning air on a walk through The Simmons Trout Lake Walking Bike Trail. And of course, Fox Farm is just minutes from some of Big Bear’s most popular attractions.

Pros of Staying in Fox Farm Neighborhood:

• Luxury accommodations are available
• Quieter than tourist areas of Big Bear
• Right on the lakefront

Cons of Staying in Fox Farm Neighborhood:

• Accommodations are expensive
• Farther from the Big Bear Village
• There can be traffic on the weekends

Sugarloaf

👉 Best Area For Digital Nomads | ✨ Best Sugarloaf Hotels: Vanderhut Chalet • Bear Escapes • TheBeary Cozy Cabin

Sugarloaf is named for the highest mountain in the area, Sugarloaf Peak. This neighborhood was originally a hotspot for campers and “van-lifers.” However, it’s now more of a hub for cabin rentals.

Sugarloaf is one of the quieter neighborhoods in Big Bear. Because of this, the suburb is perfect for honeymooners or digital nomads who need a quiet place to work. Sugarloaf is also a good choice for vacationers who need to unwind from their hectic city jobs.

Plan to spend some cozy time in your cabin or visit the nearby Pebble Plains nature reserve to hunt for wildflowers in spring. In the evenings, head to Kallans Bar & Grill. It’s one of the Sugarloaf neighborhood’s only restaurants, but it’s the best spot to relax with a burger and a cold beer.

Vanderhut Chalet is my top pick for a cabin rental in Sugarloaf. It’s within walking distance of a local park, skatepark, and restaurants. It’s also less than 2 miles from Bear Mountain Golf Course.

Pros of Staying in Sugarloaf Neighborhood:

• Away from loud Big Bear Lake traffic
• Close to Bear Mountain Golf Course

Cons of Staying in Sugarloaf Neighborhood:

• Farther away from the Big Bear Lake ski resorts
• Not ideal for families with children
• Not within walking distance of Big Bear Lake

Tips for Staying in Big Bear

Know When to Visit

Big Bear’s peak season is in winter, from December to March. Travel outside of this time if your biggest goal is to avoid peak-season tourist prices and busy winter crowds. 

However, peak season is the most beautiful time to experience the transformed winter landscape. Big Bear is one of the only places in Southern California that retains snow all winter. It’s worth it to visit in winter if you want to see Big Bear in its prettiest state.

Don’t Forget the Winter Hiking Gear

Don’t forget to pack the essential winter hiking gear when visiting Big Bear. Snow can last well into June on some of the higher peaks like Sugarloaf Peak (almost 10,000 feet). 

Be Bear Aware

Big Bear is very much prone to wildlife encounters. Be bear aware by not leaving any food unattended outside and hiking in groups. It’s also essential to make sure all garbage is securely discarded in bear-proof trash cans.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Big Bear

What part of Big Bear should I stay in?

You should stay in Big Bear Lake Central if you want to be near top Big Bear Lake attractions like The Village. Stay in Big Bear Lake West if watersports are at the top of your list. Overall, where you stay in Big Bear depends on what activities you want to do. 

Which side of Big Bear Lake is best for visitors?

Big Bear Lake East and Big Bear Lake West are the best sides of Big Bear Lake for visitors. You’ll be closer to Big Bear’s two ski resorts if you stay in Big Bear Lake East. Big Bear Lake West is good to stay in to be closer to the Big Bear Lake Marina and Boulder Bay.

How many days should I stay in Big Bear?

Two days and one night is the ideal amount of time to stay in Big Bear. You can take your time exploring fun attractions like Snow Summit Resort and Siberia Creek Trail. Mountain biking through the San Bernardino National Forest and the Big Bear Alpine Zoo are two other activities for a two-day stay in Big Bear.

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And there you have it! I’m confident that this guide will help you choose where to stay in Big Bear and ensure you have an unforgettable trip.

While you’re in the area, I highly recommend checking out other cool California mountain towns, some of which are only a short day trip from Big Bear.