You may already know Big Bear Lake as Southern California鈥檚 accessible all-season outdoor playground. What you might not know is that it鈥檚 also a sky island ecosystem. Soaring above the surrounding desert, this geological and ecological anomaly is home to shady alpine forests, crystal-clear waters, and endless activities for those seeking fresh mountain air and fresh new adventures.
What Is a Sky Island?
A sky island is a high-elevation mountain or range surrounded by vastly different lowland environments. In Big Bear, this results in lush high-altitude hills amid an 鈥渙cean鈥 of desert sand and stone. This sky island status makes Big Bear a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with stunning scenery, 300-plus days of annual sunshine, and summer highs in the low eighties. But it also creates a haven for biodiversity; the San Bernardino Mountains are the seventh-most biologically diverse place in the country and home to and that don鈥檛 exist anywhere else on Earth.
This rare environment doesn鈥檛 just make Big Bear a paradise for flora and fauna鈥攊t also creates a one-of-a-kind playground for outdoor enthusiasts (and humans of all varieties). The same conditions that foster its incredible biodiversity also foster plenty of opportunities for incredible adventures. Big Bear鈥檚 cool climate, clean air, and dramatic elevation draw everyone from casual hikers to elite endurance athletes and anyone else seeking to explore, challenge themselves, and reconnect.
Elevated Views, Elevated Training
Big Bear鈥檚 high-altitude terrain (ranging between 6,700 and 9,000 feet) provides expansive views to go with your expanding lung capacity. Pro athletes routinely choose it as a scenic training ground for this reason. As you travel along the shores of Big Bear Lake, atop scenic ridgelines, and among the region鈥檚 alpine, montane, and high desert environments, you鈥檒l see why.
There are plenty of chances to head back to Big Bear for race day, too. The and give trail runners a chance to push their limits, and the offers mountain bikers the same opportunity. Meanwhile, the iconic is a can鈥檛-miss for SoCal cyclists, with road, gravel, and mountain bike routes from 15 to 100 miles. Hikers can also test themselves with the adventure challenge, a unique endurance trekking event that covers as much as 90 miles in five days or as little as 14 miles in one. No matter the sport or interest, in Big Bear are a great opportunities to meet like-minded folks and enjoy this rare natural playground.
Take to the Trails
With more than 100 miles worth of trails in the region, Big Bear has an outing for absolutely everyone, with or without a race bib. From to and pristinely paved bike paths, you鈥檒l never see the same footprints or tire marks twice. Here are some local favorites.
Best hike:
Best trail run:
Best road ride: (Beginners) + (Intermediate) + (Experts)
Best gravel ride: to
Best mountain bike trail: +
Preserving Paradise, from the Lake to the Sky
Big Bear isn鈥檛 just abundant in rare plants and pristine wildlife; it鈥檚 also abundant in people dedicated to protecting them. It鈥檚 rooted in the Made in Big Bear mentality: a celebration of a place unlike any other to unplug, unwind, and lean into something real. Fittingly, the Big Bear community has found some unique ways to protect their unique ecosystem, like the , which pays local anglers to catch invasive carp species, or , which celebrates Big Bear鈥檚 night skies while educating attendees about light pollution. It鈥檚 all part of the initiative, an effort to help visitors and locals alike preserve this paradise so it can continue to exist as a place for natural wonders, unforgettable adventures, and an elevated state of mind.
Visit Big Bear is the official destination marketing organization for Big Bear Lake, California. Located just two hours from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Big Bear offers high-altitude outdoor adventure, cultural vibrancy, and year-round recreation at one of Southern California鈥檚 most iconic alpine destinations. Learn more at .