Big Bear Vacation

Those who have visited Big Bear, California know just how much there is to do in this scenic location. From two of Southern California's largest ski resorts to a zoo, to all the attractions at Big Bear Lake, there is a diverse mix of attractions for all ages.

Those looking to find a deal on a Big Bear Vacation will find links throughout this page to Big Bear Resorts and Attractions.

Big Bear Lake has a rich history.http://www.bigbear.com/history.php Formerly named Yuhaviat, (a Serrano Indian word for "Pine Place"), it was renamed for the grizzly bears that were seen there when Benjamin Davis Wilson rode into the valley with a 20 man posse looking for the Indians who had been raiding their ranches.

He and his men roped 11 of the bears and had them in their camp, which gave Wilson the idea to name the area "Big Bear Lake".

The "Lake" that Wilson was referring to when he named the area is not the current Big Bear Lake. The current lake is man-made, and was created by the placement of a rock dam in 1884.http://books.google.com/books?id=Cx82Xq2WAlcC&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=when+was+big+bear+dam+california+constructed&source=bl&ots=qTsancoz3e&sig=6_IsQIL3Nw-vYRJ7lZ5ojbymgvY&hl=en&ei=yEd-SpLECpHWNtGP5N0C&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7#v=onepage&q=&f=false

According to the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, these are the things to see and do in Big Bear.http://www.bigbearchamber.com/visitingbigbear.php

Big Bear Discovery Center

Moonridge Zoo

Big Bear Valley Historical Museum

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Mountain Resorts

There are also a variety of bed and breakfasts, hotels and other lodgings available in the area.

See below for more details on these attractions.

The Big Bear Discovery Center calls itself "an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest"http://www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com/

If you are looking for a Big Bear Vacation that includes hiking, biking or adventure passes to discover a national forest, the Big Bear Discovery Center might be what you are looking for.

The Moonridge Zoo is open year-round for visitors. Also called {{Moonridge Zoo|Moonridge Animal Park]], the zoo was built after a devastating fire in the San Bernardino Mountains in 1959.http://www.moonridgezoo.org/map/zoohistory.html

Beginning with the injured animals that could not return to the wild, it has grown to house 150 birds and animals from 85 different species.http://www.moonridgezoo.org/map/zoohistory.html

During the winter, parking is limited because of snow.http://www.moonridgezoo.org/map/aboutus.html

The Big Bear Valley Historical Museum was established to highlight the historical artifacts that represent the rich history of the area. The museum is run by the Big Bear Valley Historical Society and includes exhibits from the Indian period onward, with certain time periods highlighted, such as the gold mining period.http://www.bigbearchamber.com/visitingbigbear.php

The lake is man-made, starting with a rock dam in 1884, and growing to be the lake we see today. There are many opportunities for vacation fun at Big Bear Lake. Besides fishing and boating, there is water skiing, and hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Many people decide to visit the lake itself as their Big Bear Vacation destination.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bear_Lake,_California

Big Bear Mountain Resorts are the stop for skiers and snowboarders alike. With enough snow for the entire winter, they provide vacation options for all snow-lovers and winter enthusiasts. Add to that a Sports Shop, Lodging and Dining and Snowsport School for all ages and levels of experience, and it explains just why they are so popular with tourists.

In addition to all of that, they have a ride-share program and a Bear Blog.http://www.bearmountain.com/bear-mountain-info-L.php

There are many more activities that can fill a Big Bear Vacation with memories. On the right side of this page are links to many additional attractions...

• Fishing
• Boating
• Waterskiing
• Swimming
• Parasailing
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Day Spas
• Skiing
• Snowboarding

There are so many attractions at Big Bear that are popular with tourists. The following section is provided to help you find the attractions you are looking to add to your Big Bear Vacation.