Thank you. Im gonna be heading up to big bear at the Lagonita Lodge for the weekend through the 16th-17th. Its greatly appreciated. We may get some snow this week so keep tabs on that. Is there anyone who will drive my car down for a fee? If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We have a Subaru wrx thats 4 wheel drive but we also have a eclipse cross suv that is front wheel drive. We also have a Jack Russell. broken clouds and showers. Thank you! All the roads leading to Big Bear offer some pretty spectacular vistas, especially CA-330/CA-18 - there are numerous turn-outs where you can stop to enjoy the different views, on a clear day you can see all the way to the ocean. But, that brings a lot of people to the mountains. ), then and up Hwy. If the roads are clear, the front way thru Hwy 330 or back way thru Hwy 38 (Redlands) will be fine. route up to Big Bear on Hwy. Hey Tyler! Hey there! There may be some snow when I drive up to Big Bear, Im definitely taking chains. 1. What do you advice? Generally considered an easy route. Bear Camp Road is a rugged, narrow, crooked road, which is extremely dangerous to travel on during the winter. I think the front way up Hwy 330/18 would have more people than Hwy 38. Is there a difference in what area I stay? 3. On the way down the passenger is next to the guardrail. Im coming up with my son this weekend,If you could Please let me know the least cliffs and least windy way to get to big bear from San Diego, I really dont like driving where theres cliffs thank you! This is probably the safest bet to eliminate traffic and less mountain driving. Ill be heading up for Christmas, driving from San Diego with 3 kids. For future drivers, the 38 is a lot less winding. There are also a couple of shopping centers, nothing to get really excited over - Home Depot, Staples, Best Buy, Costco. Wear Wind-Resistant Clothing. This vintage, pet-friendly cabin resort is located right off Big Bear Blvd and about a 10-minute drive from the ski areas. Source: This is the route up to Big Bear on Hwy. Heres a good site to track the weather as well https://www.bensweather.com/. It is less mountain driving for sure. It might take longer than expected, but a trip to the mountains is worth it! If you're driving to Big Bear Lake from your home in California or from an airport, study these routes and see what freeways they connect to. Were looking to avoid traffic as much as possible. Boat rentals and restaurants are all near. Traffic can be heaviest on weekends, holidays, and after a snowstorm. There should be plenty of people out there looking to make a buck by installing chains. According to Google Maps, it should take about 3 hours to do the drive, if I do either of these two options (Copy and paste the links below): San Bernardino-->Lake Arrowhead-->Big Bear Lake-->San Bernardino via Lucerne Valley-, San Bernardino-->Lake Arrowhead-->Big Bear Lake-->San Bernardino via Highway 38-. Google map the trip from LA to see how much longer it will be for you. Reply 18 and up the "back way" to Big Bear. Little Ski Chalet is an adorable cottage located in Big Bear West. Very few winding curves (unless you drive all the way up and over to Cherry Valley rather than coming back down the same way). Were coming from Santa Maria and are thinking about taking the high desert route since it seems this back way might serve us better. Roads are totally clear at this point, so Id say you are good with whatever, but always a good idea to have chains with you and check the weather before you come. All freeways in the area have heavy traffic during the times you mentioned. MLS# PW22022497. Super clean mountain cabin. (I can also do this drive vice versa.) Hello Mr Tyler Woods, Windy, as in weather with strong winds, is spelled the same. https://kbhr933.com/big-bear-roads/. Not a huge fan of cliffs and mountain driving. Take it slow, use the chains, and you should be fine. And really, minimal inconvenience - you can't put a price on peace of mind and safety when it comes to driving mountain passes with a big beast of an RV! There is some confusion about the CA-18 which starts at Running Springs and continues into Big Bear Lake. So, be sure to check the road conditions and weather forecast several days before your trip. You can rent a lot of the stuff too at a local ski shop should you decide to go that route. 18 in Running Springs and then up to Big Bear. Thank you! Once you reach Big Bear Lake Dam, continue straight onto Hwy 18/Big Bear Blvd OR turn left and take Hwy 38 to Fawnskin. You dont want the first time you try to install them to be in the middle of a snow storm on a mountain road. 18 to/from Lucerne Valley tends to be the best route in snowy weather. Driving to Palm Springs from Vancouver question, SureStay Plus Hotel By Best Western Yucca Valley Joshua Tree, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Twentynine Palms- Joshua Tree, an IHG Hotel. How do I get from Las Vegas to Palm Springs through the Mojave National Preserve? Snow at this time? January 18, 2022. It is always nice to have a shovel just in case you need to dig out, or help someone else dig out. Roads should be open and clear, so you should be safe going either way. Bear Mountain. The road conditions can and do change at any moment. There isn't snow over the next week, can I drive w/o chains? Where are you coming from? Right now, the road are pretty clear and you dont have to worry as much. My memory is that it isn't a particularly scary road even though you have a big drop on the one side.Just drive at a speed that you are comfortable with. I would be coming from Studio City, Ca. Is it okay for us to drive up in the snow? Not sure which option is the safer for driving, but Id be sure to have chains on standby in case they are needed. Do not not rely on GPS to guide you without studying the route beforehand. I think it depends on when you come up. I see to get up to Lake Arrowhead, I can either take Highway 18 or Highway 330. You should check the weather for the time you will be in Big Bear as well. For the route(s) you recommend, what places of interest are there to stop along the way? I have had a passenger get (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They are great dogs. Tippecanoe seems worse and there is construction at the freeway (looks like there is a new and better off ramp being built) . Easily accessible from the 10 or 210 freeways. Ill have an additional hour or two to factor in stops and stuff. Whats the safest way for us to get there? It has several hotels and many restaurants. 2 beds, 1 bath, 770 sq. Is there cell reception? How heavy is the traffic on a Friday afternoon in June? We are aware of the storm that is approaching which is making us a bit nervous for the drive. With all the snow we have received so far, the driving conditions on the various Hwys. Any particular you recommend? Browse all 8,515 California Desert topics , Trip Report - Quick Getaway for DesertX 2023. Thanks for the recommendation. I want a place where I can just sled with my kids and make a snowman. If we do the back way, is it okay in the snow? Are there driving precautions I should take while in the desert and backcountry? Thanks for sharing! The NEW Free Big Bear Trolley offers service throughout the Valley free of charge. Avoid traffic with optimized routes. Close to hiking trails. I know there are people sometimes that will hang out along the front way up to help put on chains (about 10-15$) but not necessarily on the back way. Baker Pond seems to be filling up nicely, Clear Blue skies today ~ This was Monday afternoon from Castle Glen Estates. (Babies under 3 months do not have mature enough lungs to handle the altitude stress, so wait until the baby has reached that milestone to take your trip.). Situated in the San Bernadino mountains, some consider driving to Lake Arrowhead in California scary because of the narrow lanes and lack of barriers between the road and the edge of a cliff. Entering the cottage you are greated with the cozy family room, with a comfy leather pull out sofa and a wood burning fireplace. The road distance is 2537.5 miles. Continue south on Central for 3 miles and turn left onto Ocotillo Way. 18 is called Rim of the World Highway and has nice views.The drive from Big Bear to Redlands goes thru some really nice forest. The distance between Orange County and Big Bear Lake is 2182 miles. I wouldn't bother with the Lucerne Valley route. Heres a good site to track the weather as well https://www.bensweather.com/ Big Bear is notorious for getting a lot less snow than expected. Big Bear Mountain Resort does not sell or install tire chains. customer | 25K views, 934 likes, 25 loves, 36 comments, 22 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from WigoFellas: I Made A Huge Mistake.Customer Rescues Me! Whats the safest way to drive? Whenever I drive to Orange County, it is a Saturday or Sunday and so nice around 7 a.m. Ive seeing some on Ebay that are pretty inexpensive but some are actual chains and some are belts. We are supposed to get a lot of snow this weekend, not sure about the 27th. Find Out More. On busy weekends and during snow storms CA-38 may be a better choice. You may just have time to visit Lake Arrowhead Village and take a walk near the lake. I will be driving with Acura TL, which also has very low ground clearance. This is a popular trail for scenic driving, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. If theres any sign of snow, youll want to consider the risk & reward. You should always have chains just in case. Drop off the . Located in Central Big Bear Lak. We are expecting some weather Thursday the 16th thru the following Monday. This post is inspired by the pleasure (not really) I had of driving off of the mountain recently, and to educate those who plan to make the trip to Big Bear this winter. Theres just one problem. There are two Starbucks, one next to a Panera and a Chipolte. Over 679,380 acres in size and with more than 900 miles of SUV/44 routes and a total of 226 miles of off-road routes, the SBNF offers a variety of roads and trails for both advanced and beginner riders. Sign up to receive email updates on our latest blog posts and listings. If so how long is that part of the drive? The drive encompasses portions of California Highway138 (Cajon Pass to Crestline), California Highway 18 (from Crestline to Big Bear Dam) and California Highway 38 (from Big Bear Dam . It then continues down the back side of the mountain to Lucerne. We are supposed to drive up Wednesday and leave Friday. I am planning on going to Big Bear this weekend. We are on the quiet north shore of Big Bear lake. 18 and up the back way to Big Bear. What is the best month to go to Big Bear? Snow Chains are Required when Visiting Lake Arrowhead in Winter. SW 36 km/h. YOU MUST CARRY CHAINS IN YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES DURING WINTER! It was extremely windy in Playa del Carmen every day on our last trip. Thought it would be a good idea to spend Thanksgiving in Big Bear for the first time; however, at time of booking had no idea about the winter storm expected. With all the snow we have received so far. Id recommend the back way thru the Hight Desert coming up the 15 freeway to Bear Valley Road. Especially having a DP, it goes to show this is good practice for many RVers, not just us gas drivers. A first aid kit, along with some rope for towing would be good to carry as well. overcast and showers. If you drive up on 330 to Big Bear, is there a guard rail on the passenger side or are you hugging the mountain on the right side? They are clear now. Is it safe to drive to Big Bear in the snow? Nearest Airports: Ontario International Airport (ONT) ~ 1.5 hour drive Accommodation: Grey Squirrel Resort. During the winter months of November - April, motorists may encounter traction chain controls in the mountain areas within California. Please write back with any advice.thanks, Jesse. On busy weekends and during snow storms CA-38 may be a better choice. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75875890', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Big Bear Lake from the Los Angeles Airport area. Hey Tyler! Your GPS may not make you aware of this. I see there is supposed to be a large storm all day long is it safe to travel up in those conditions? I see this all the time and it is really a major pet peeve of mine. We are planning to go to big bear this coming weekend to stay for 2 nights we have never drive on snow and im very afraid of cliffy i have a big family but i dont want to have a bad experience could you tell me whats the safety way to arrive if is snowing we are coming from long beach o and thanks for your advice. If you're planning a road trip to Big Bear Lake, you can research locations to stop along the way. The road past there , heading to Big Bear is where it does get scary. driving 2.5 hours. Thank you so much for your advice. and leave at 4:59 pm. By law, snow chains or cables must be carried in your vehicle at all times during winter months. Theres only a few windy roads on the back way so Id go that way. I hope that helps!! Some roads in mountain regions are unpaved and unsuitable for 2-wheel drive or low riding vehicles. I am not sure how many installers there would the back way up thru Hwy 18 thru the high desert. And still occasionally make the drive when in the area. The back way is a little longer, but less mountain driving. Hi. Thank you for such a great site! My daughter is going to Big Bear this weekend. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. What exactly is the back way when coming from Camarillo? "windy" is prima facie the alternate pronunciation, not the. They are all hotels that mostly cater to people staying 1 night passing through on the way to / from Arizona or Nevada. Continue on Bear Valley Road through some 30 traffic lights for almost 10 miles and turn right at the very last traffic light - Central Road. Route 330 has short stretches with passing lanes. or should we be renting a different car for the drive? I have never driven on icy roads before let alone the snow. The other route is through the high desert, Victorville and Lucerne Valley area, from Hwy. Given the lack of snow this year, theres not a lot of free spots to sled. People on 330/18 drive very slow during mandatory tire chain conditions. The ski resort is located at 33299 Angeles Drive. From The San Fernando Valley Area: The cabin is located just minutes from Big Bear City and the lake. 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