A Summer Escape: Rediscovering the Serene Beauty of Big Bear Lake

Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

When we lived in California, one of the things that my wife and I loved to do on a Saturday afternoon was to pack up a picnic lunch and travel up into the San Bernardino Mountains for a hike around Big Bear Lake. The mild temperatures were a relief from the hot temperatures down below in the Mojave Desert. The trails that follow the rim of the lake are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of scenic places to stop and enjoy that packed lunch. On this particular outing, my wife and I picked up a bucket of fried chicken on the way to eat.

It is easy to forget that Los Angeles and the heavily populated Inland Empire are just a reasonable drive away from this location. That being said, local residents normally don't venture up to the lake in great numbers in the summertime, surprisingly. You can honestly visit the area and be alone to experience nature in peace. It's a beautiful piece of unmolested natural beauty on the edge of America's second largest city.

Now I really need to point out that in the winter, when it snows up here, hoards of Angelinos flock up here in droves, clogging the highways in and out/ It's a nightmare. 

In the summer, Big Bear Lake is a definite yes, but if the white stuff starts falling, stay far away. Here is a secret: if you want to experience some fun in the snow, try going to Wrightwood instead.

I somehow got off track there and started talking about winter activities in a post about having some summer fun. Sorry about that.

Here are some of the wonderful sights you could see on a summer afternoon at Big Bear Lake.













Check Out: Why Silverwood Lake is the Hidden Gem for Outdoor Family Adventures


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