Big Bear Lake Travel Guide

Big Bear Alpine Zoo at Moonridge is a unique wildlife rescue and education center located in the Moonridge community of Big Bear Lake, California. Founded in 1959, the campus originally served as a refuge for injured and orphaned wildlife and still places animal rescue and rehabilitation at the core of its mission. The zoo is home to roughly 85 animals, most of them native species that cannot be returned to the wild, including black bears, mountain lions, gray wolves, vultures, and bobcats. Visitors can observe these once-injured or orphaned animals up close and learn about the local ecosystem through keeper talks. Although modest in size, the zoo is deeply educational and a must-visit for families and nature lovers in the Big Bear Lake area.

Bear Mountain is a prominent peak in California's San Bernardino Mountains, situated by Big Bear Lake at an elevation of approximately 6,750 feet, and is one of Southern California's most popular mountain resort destinations. The mountain and surrounding Big Bear Lake area have distinct four seasons, contrasting sharply with Southern California's desert climate. Summers are cool and pleasant, while winters are covered in white snow, making it the closest ski destination to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Bear Mountain Resort operates two ski areas - Snow Summit and Bear Mountain - with over 1,500 acres of ski terrain covering runs from beginner to expert level. In summer, the mountain transforms into a mountain biking and hiking paradise, with chairlifts carrying riders and hikers to the summit for ridge-top views of Big Bear Lake's blue waters. Big Bear Village retains a rustic mountain town charm with wooden cabin restaurants and boutique shops, offering an ideal escape for urban dwellers seeking nature.