Standing at 8,000 feet on Big Bear Mountain — once home to gold rush prospectors and now one of Southern California’s favorite year-round escapes. Hard to believe this alpine landscape is just a couple hours from Los Angeles!
Made it to the snow ✔️
Fun Facts About Big Bear Mountain
Year-Round Playground
Big Bear Mountain is known as Southern California’s four-season playground. In the winter, it’s a favorite for skiing and snowboarding, with two main resorts: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. But when the snow melts, the area transforms into a hub for hiking, mountain biking, camping, and boating on Big Bear Lake. It’s one of the few places where Los Angeles locals can escape both the summer heat and the winter crowds without traveling too far.
To learn more visit : Big Bear Mountain Resort
Altitude & Views
Big Bear sits at an impressive 6,700 feet above sea level, with ski summits reaching up to 8,805 feet. That means crisp air, cooler temperatures than the valleys below, and panoramic views that sometimes make you feel like you’re floating above the clouds. If you’ve ever wondered why the stars seem brighter in Big Bear, it’s because the high elevation and thinner air make for clearer night skies.
Hollywood Connection
Hollywood has long loved Big Bear for its alpine scenery. Believe it or not, parts of Gone with the Wind and Old Yeller were filmed in the area, along with more recent productions like WarGames and Next Friday. The lake and forest backdrops often double for faraway locations, from the American South to the Rocky Mountains. So when you’re hiking a trail or walking by the lake, you might actually be standing on an old movie set!
Unique Wildlife
Despite the name, grizzly bears have been extinct in California since the 1920s. Today, Big Bear’s “bears” are black bears — smaller and usually shy, though still amazing to spot from a safe distance. The area is also home to bald eagles, mountain lions, coyotes, and plenty of smaller wildlife. In fact, Big Bear Lake has an official Eagle Cam where you can watch live streams of nesting bald eagles.
Here is where you can watch the Eagle Cam from Friends of Big Bear Valley
Gold Rush History
Big Bear wasn’t always the mountain getaway we know today. In the 1860s, the San Bernardino Mountains became the site of a mini gold rush after William Holcomb discovered gold in Holcomb Valley. Word spread quickly, and prospectors poured into the area, setting up mining camps and small settlements almost overnight. At its peak, Holcomb Valley was said to have more residents than Los Angeles!
While the gold eventually ran out, traces of this history remain. You can still explore old mining sites, weathered cabins, and even take ghost-town style tours that bring the era to life. The Gold Rush Mining Adventure offers hands-on experiences like gold panning for families, while Holcomb Valley is popular among history buffs and off-roaders who want to see the land where miners once staked their claims. Walking through these areas feels like stepping back in time, a reminder that Big Bear’s story started long before ski lifts and vacation cabins.
Big Bear History- Gold Rush Days
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