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Big Bear Cabins & Vacation Rental Homes

Over 250 beautiful Big Bear Cabins and Vacation Rental homes, incl 11 individual, fully equipped cabins on our Lakefront property at Shore Acres Lodge. 1.800.524.6600 www.BigBearVacations.com

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How to choose the right Big Bear accommodations...
and other useful travel info

Ever wondered about all the different lodging options in Big Bear Lake and what would work best for your tip. We'll try to comprise a FAQ for you and assist you with your trip planning. We'll add to it as subjects come up, so hopefully you'll find the answers you are looking for. If not, please feel free to contact us and we'll try to assist directly.

Quick Summary about Big Bear Lake: (just to make sure you are on the right site). Big Bear Lake is located in S. California as most of you probably know. It’s a ski resort at approx 7000 feet with two ski and snow boarding resorts (more on that later) and a beautiful Lake. (Hence the name Big Bear Lake). Big Bear is a major drive-to destination because of its close proximity to most all S. California towns and is easily reached in about 2 to 2 ½ hours from most S. Cal areas.

When considering your lodging options consider who you are traveling with and what you are here to do. If its just a small group, you and your spouse/friend/partner, you don’t like cooking and just need a place to sleep to go skiing for example, a motel or hotel works probably just fine for you.

If you are coming up with a larger group of friends its probably more economic to rent a vacation rental, split the cost, have a place to cook so you don’t have to spend all your money on take out and have a place to hang out.

Equally a family with kids and maybe the family dog are best of renting a cabin or vacation rental home in Big Bear. First off having the dog is most likely make a hotel/motel unpractical and a rental has better accommodations for the kids. Lots of them have fenced yards for pets/kids, are equipped with game rooms, TV’s, books, games and more. So after a day on the lake or the slopes you have a home to come to and kick back. And don’t forget the spa that a lot of them offer…

Locations to choose from: Now you just have to figure out where. The most common areas for rentals in the Big Bear Valley are Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin and Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf is the furthest from the Lake but only a 10 minute drive and rental prices are going to be cheaper then right in Big Bear. Big Bear City is only a short drive on the east end of the lake and Fawnskin is on the north side of Big Bear Lake.

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So now that you got your bearings of the towns here are a few more options within Big Bear Lake. The areas within Big Bear Lake are described as:
Boulder Bay (west end of the Lake), Village area (that’s where all the shopping, restaurants, moves etc are), Moonridge is close to Bear Mountain Ski resort or choose a home close to Snow Summit. But really, if you are coming up for skiing, ask for a home close to a Shuttle and then you pick your ski resort and switch back and forth with the ski resort shuttle buses without having to worry about parking.

If you are coming with a boat, ask for a private lakefront rental or lakefront lodge with a boat slip and you are set. Another option is to use a Marina to park your boat while you are here.

Now when you call to book your lodging: Just give them a bit of info on what your main reason for your trip is, who you are traveling with and if there are special concerns like wheelchair access or single story home. Some homes can have steep stairs up or down outside or inside the cabin, so if you are bringing your grandparents with you, mention it so you can avoid any disappointments or problems.

Types of rentals:
When you compare prices, also compare the services. Some rentals are fully equipped with linens, towels, fully stocked with pots and pans, while others might just have the bare minimum if anything. Some vacation rentals will do the housekeeping for you at the end of the stay as part of their service while others make you clean or you loose your deposit. So find out what you are paying for. Another thing is easy of check in and hours. If you get there late Friday evening, you want to make sure you can still check in.

Traveling up the mountains is a beautiful drive and here are a couple tips for a smooth trip.

In the winter months: always carry chains for your vehicle. Winter storms can hit unrepentantly and even if you are already here when the snow hits you might find that stores have sold out the chains required for your tire. Now granted there are worse things then being stranded in a romantic cabin during a winter storm, but try to explain that to you boss on Monday morning… so to be safe, carry chains. And even if you have a 4 Wheel drive vehicle, be prepared. Cal Trans has two road restrictions:

R-1: Chains are required on all commercial vehicles (trucks or buses). All other vehicles (cars, pick-ups, vans, etc.) must have either snow tread tires or chains on the drive axle.
R-2: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives with snow tread tires.
Four wheel drive vehicles must carry chains in the vehicle.
R-3: Chains required - ALL VEHICLES - no exceptions.

These restrictions are announced on the radio so listen up when you see that weather conditions have changed. If you got your laptop or blackberry with you, you can also check out the CalTrans website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/ or call 1-800-427-ROAD for current highway conditions.

Traveling with kids and pets
Because of the nature of the mountain road with its twists and turns, be prepared that some of your passenger might become sick. Consult with your doctor and/or vet about the use of a drug to minimize motion sickness. And just take it easy traveling and plan for a few stops along the way.



Big Bear Lodging Summary

Here is a list of available type of Big Bear Lodging

Big Bear Vacation Rental Homes and Cabins
Great if you come with a group of people or family and would like to be able to cook and spread out with extra room. You want to find a fully equipped home that offers all the conveniences of home. If you have children or pets find out if the yard is fenced or if the home has TV/VCR and games for your family. For more info on how to choose the perfect vacation rental home see big bear rentals

Big Bear Lodges
Some lodges offer lakefront cabins, playgrounds, pools and entertainment. Rent several cabins at a lodge for a family reunion and you will be close together, yet everybody has their own personal space. If you are bring you pet, find out if they are pet friendly before you book.

Big Bear Hotel / Motel
Best if you are a small group and don't want to cook and you are planning to spend most of your time outdoors. Staying at a motel is the most economic way to stay in Big Bear. Great if you just need a place to hang your hat.

Bed and Breakfast in Big Bear
Enjoy a Big Bear Bead and Breakfast experience in one of the many charming B&B's in Big Bear lake.

Big Bear Camping
Experience Big Bear nature close up. Each one is a link that will list a series of options for you to explore. As you can see, your Big Bear Lodging has a variety of options to make your trip to Big Bear perfect, no matter what the occasion or however small or big the group


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