Found less than two hours outside Los Angeles is a natural wonder that’s well known to locals, but might be a wonderful surprise to visitors. Big Bear Lake is the place to go for an incredible day of swimming, water sports, and sweet town experiences. If you’re looking for some of the best day trips in Southern California, this one should definitely be on your list!

The first thing you’ll notice about Big Bear Lake is, of course, the stunning scenery!
Person-with-no-name/Flickr
If you’re feeling outdoorsy, one great way to kick off your day by the lake is with a hike.
Person-with-no-name/Flickr
The Cougar Creek Trail is an excellent choice and one of the best hiking trails in the area. Take note of the unique trees as you walk along the trail. They are just one of the fabulous features of this lovely walk.
In the mood for some wild water sports?
Don Graham/Flickr
Rent a jet ski or a boat and have an absolute blast flying across the surface of the lake. Don’t forget to take a look around while you’re in motion to appreciate your surroundings!
Once you’ve tired yourself out on fun outdoor activities, make the short trip to enjoy some small-town charm.
Miss Shari/Flickr
See a show at the Village Theaters and enjoy the talented performers.
You can enjoy some great animal adventures here too!
Big Bear Alpine Zoo Facebook Page
Just pop on over to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
Have a blast all day long, and make sure you make it back to the lake by the time the sun sets.
Bmalarky/Flickr
You will be so glad you did when you see the unreal sunset colors. You truly have to see it in person to believe it. If you have professional camera equipment, this is the time the whip it out!

Big Bear Lake is a fantastic day trip and a completely different world from Los Angeles. It’s hard to believe it’s only a couple of hours away, but it’s true! For more information, go to the official Big Bear Lake tourism website.

Have you ever been to Big Bear Lake? If so, what was your favorite part? What’s your favorite thing to do at Big Bear Lake? Would you agree that it is one of the best lakes in SoCal? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

Read on and learn more about why Big Bear is one of the coolest small towns in the U.S.

Also, be sure to check out our ultimate list of 50 on-the-go food ideas as well as some of our favorite food containers to make your day trip a success!

If you’re still in the mood for more California adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Big Sur:

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Exploring Southern California

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 23, 2023

Where can we find the best places to live in Southern California?

  • Rancho Santa Margarita, located at the foothills of the Santa Ana mountains, has been ranked as one of the 10 safest cities to live in Southern California.
  • San Diego is one of the best overall and most peaceful places where people flock to live.
  • Oxnard, located in Ventura County, is one of the most affordable places to find a home in SoCal.

Read on to learn about some of the other wonderful places to live in Southern California.

Where can we find breweries in Southern California?

  • 14 Cannons in Westlake Village features a wide array of unique brew varieties, including their popular dessert ale called “Peanut Butter Cup.”
  • The Energen Brewing Company in Moorpark features a taproom shared by a winery and restaurant.
  • Casa Agree Specialty Ales in Camarillo has won awards for its mix-fermented sour ales made using fresh seasonal fruit purchased from local area farmers.

Read on to learn about some of the many other fantastic breweries in Southern California.

What are some fun facts about Southern California?

  • The hottest temperature ever recorded on earth was 134 degrees on July 10, 1913, in the town of Furnace Creek in Inyo County.
  • The town of Fallbrook is recognized as the Avocado Capital of the world.
  • The famous Santa Monica pier was originally used to move sewage offshore and is over 100 years old.

Read on to learn about some of the other fun facts about Southern California.

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Big Bear Lake, CA, USA