Gotta Get Away? Try Big Bear!

This whole COVID life has got me feeling like Lenny Kravitz – I want to get away. I wanna fly away. Except not fly – cuz, you know, COVID – just drive. So hubby and I decided to look into places to go with the kids that were within a reasonable driving distance for our toddler, who hates being in the car. And Big Bear won by a landslide. Depending on where in SD you are, it’s just over 2 hours away and worth every single minute! We had an absolute blast up there and can’t wait to go back. And we also learned some tips and tricks that I just had to share.

1. The Drive. It’s a tough one. Lots of twists and turns. Lots. The views are absolutely insanely gorgeous, but it’s a rough road for little ones. It was even tough on our 14-year-old. Try to leave before naptime for little ones so they can sleep through it. At the very least, stop at some turnouts and lookout points to get some air, stretch your legs, and calm your tummies. You can also get some pretty epic photos at these stops, so that’s an added bonus.
   

   

2. The Lodging. There are hotels and B&B-type places in town, but I highly recommend renting an Air B&B cabin, especially for little ones. You get a full home with a stocked kitchen and bathroom(s), which makes packing and preparing so much easier. Plus, a lot of them are tucked away on roads that are nearly empty and surrounded by gorgeous nature (like ours was). But check the listing to see if it has heating (in fall/winter) or AC (in summer). It gets really cold or really hot, depending on the season, and you want to be comfortable.

   
3. The Food. You have to go to Grizzly Manor Cafe. But keep in mind that this place is really tiny and really popular, but it can only hold so many parties (especially with social distancing). They do have outdoor dining, but depending on the weather, that may not be an option. Call ahead to hold your place in line or go later in the morning to avoid a long wait, but do not miss this breakfast spot! If you’re looking for burgers (and/or some brew), Fire Rock Burgers is excellent! For a fancy dinner, you definitely want to hit the Pines Lakefront. Best for a date night, but nice for a family dinner too. The views are spectacular! For a more low-key dinner, try Nottingham or Oakside. For more casual, Teddy Bear Restaurant is your best bet.
4. The Fun. There’s the obvious during winter – skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Or you can always just do snowball fights and make snowmen in your yard if you’ve rented a cabin (just don’t forget your gloves like we did!). If you go during spring, summer, or early fall, there’s also lake fishing (you can even rent poles at Big Bear Sporting Goods so you don’t have to lug yours with you!). There are trails at every turn with beautiful views and scenery all around. Our cabin happened to have a hot tub (something I specifically looked for LOL) so we also took a few dips in there during our stay. Our littlest one had so much fun looking for leaves (the colors are so gorgeous in the fall!) and pine cones just walking around our cabin. We also brought some board games and puzzles to enjoy after it got dark (our cabin didn’t have many cable options and we were going for a mostly screen-free experience anyway) as well as hot cocoa and s’mores.
   

   
5. The Shopping. I am an absolute sucker for little shops with unique or one-of-a-kind items, and The Village is full of them. There was even a store dedicated just to Christmas! I’d have bought the entire shop if I could have. But we just picked up a few souvenirs with the intent to come back soon and pick up a few more things next time around.
6. What to Bring:
   • Blankets/robes. It gets cold up there! Not all cabins have heaters, let alone central heat. Be prepared to stay warm and toasty.
   • Board games, puzzles, knitting. Bring anything that’s entertaining that doesn’t require a screen. Tablets and phones are available all the time. Soak in the moments away from regular life and enjoy the simpler things for a little while.

• • Chains for the tires. If it snows, you do not want to get stuck.
  • Gloves/jackets. You’re going to want to make snowballs or a snowman, and you just can’t do it without the gloves for your hands and the jackets for the rest of you.

1. • Comfy boots/sneakers. There is so much to see and so many trails that you want to be prepared to wander around or climb a few rocks.
   • Food/snacks. All the restaurants seem to have hefty portions (probably catering to the appetites of the skiers and snowboarders) but once you’re back at your cabin or out on a trail, it is inevitable that hunger will strike someone, so be prepared. Fire Rock did deliver for a nominal fee on our first night when we were too tired to trek out to the restaurant, but we couldn’t get delivery from anywhere else, so be prepared for meals at the cabin. It saves some effort and some money, and even on vacation, a home-cooked meal always hits the spot.
     

     
   • A Sense of Adventure. This ain’t the city. At all. You will definitely feel and know that you’re not in San Diego anymore! Keep your phone out to take photos, but otherwise, just slide it in your pocket and take it all in. Drive around and pull over when something looks interesting. Wander around your neighborhood. Sit on your porch with a cup of cocoa and breath in the crisp mountain air. All of it is so therapeutic and incredible. Soak it in!
   • Family. It was amazing for just the 4 of us to get away and see something new, be somewhere different, and really focus on just enjoying our time together. But I gotta say that next time we go, I want more family there with us. There’s just something about the place that feels magical, and getting to enjoy it with as many loved ones as I can is my new goal!

I had always thought of Big Bear as a place to go for skiing or snowboarding – neither of which I do – so I never really bothered to look into it, let alone go. But I am so glad I put that aside to try something new. Because we absolutely loved it! Even both of our kids – a 3-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy – loved it. And it is hard work to find a place that genuinely entertains both of them! It wasn’t far. It wasn’t incredibly expensive. It didn’t require a ton of planning. And yet it was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. It was so close but felt like a whole new world. And it was just what this family needed.