This article was originally published January 2014. The two-lane road is windy and narrow, taking you through terrains ranging from tundra to forests and steep mountains of sheer rock. Working paralegal and part time yoga teacher considering a radical move. Los Angeles proper has become congested, filthy, frustrating in every way. Marcia - I just noticed your comment in your original post about visiting Lake Arrowhead while you are there. Realtor So it's not specifically known how many people have gephyrophobia. Our mailing address is: P.O. **Why you might be tempted to drive it anyway: **The builders saw fit to include 30 "windows" of varying sizes in the quarter-mile-long tunnel. CalTrans has closed all roads to Big Bear Mountain Resort. Big Bear Lake has much to offer the adventurous vacationer who wants to experience the great outdoors and the wonderful activities that a mountain resort destination can offer. Get onto the I-105 East from S Sepulveda Blvd. I love the open valley of Big Bear. These mild-horrors are ideal for scaredy-cats. Some Big Bear Hotels & Lodges also feature cabins for rent. And, yes, if the weather is bad, *any* road can be dangerous. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake governed by the Arrowhead Lake Association, and is for restricted use by Lake Arrowhead property owners. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Driving to Big Bear Lake from Los Angeles International Airport Drive: 114 miles, 2 h 12 min depending on traffic. This is a great question since Big Bear and Arrowhead have many similarities. Our grandkids go sledding several times every year and if we feel like skiing, we can take a quick trip over to Snow Valley, 10 miles away near Running Springs, or drive over to Big Bear if we feel like fighting traffic everywhere, both on the way and in town. Go via Yucapia and CA SR 38. People who are retired & want serenity will be attracted to Lake Arrowwhead & those who want to enjoy an active winter life with their family will be attracted to Big Bear. Yes, they all have curves but 38 is the easiest drive. Price cut: $39,000 (Feb 8) Congratulations and good for you. Tours are for older kids. Highways to Search For when traveling to Big Bear: HWY 38, HWY 330, HWY 18 - As long as 1 road is open to Big Bear, no refunds can be granted. It is possible to live in LA AND appreciate nature. And Big Bear is only a 20 minute drive to the east. The crisp air and beautiful surroundings will quickly replace any other thoughts you had about the 29-mile drive to get there. On a good day, you will be able to experience the mountain from above the clouds. I'm worried now! I am a flat-lander from Iowa, and my wife and I are considering going to either Big Bear of Arrowhead in March. Velvet robes??? I don't really like driving on winding roads. Even if you make it out of the winding mountain roads, once you get near Caon City on Highway 82, there's a trek across the soaring, 1,260-foot-long Royal Gorge Bridge. By Melissa Sharee M. 16. I didnt know there was such a thing as snow chain required areas. Im seriously considering retiring to either Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. If it's bad, stay in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I get very scared/tense anytime I have to go over a freeway overpass or a bridge (i.e., San Pedro) so I avoid them at all cost. Big Bear Lake, CA Recently Sold Homes 200 Homes Sold Date Brokered by Compass Sold - Feb 16, 2023 $1,350,000 4 bed 4 bath 4,406 sqft 0.29 acre lot 40636 Ironwood Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. I am over 50, and still active. I'm not sure if this will help you but I had a friend who used to get severe anxiety/panic attacks while driving on the freeways in California. Mar 31, 2021. Welcome anyone wishing to leave it all behind. Cyclists have found it easier to manage the narrow lanes and steep curves, and the road often hosts tours of adventurous bike enthusiasts. Im not going to lie. There will be some drivers that do go up bad down those roads much fast than I am comfortable with. Is Hwy 330 one lane on each side? Are there "all inclusive" Hotels in Palms Springs area? took AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE AFFORABLE UP HERE ALSO. I want to go before the snow falls. 1150 Valley View Dr, Big Bear City, CA 92314. Big Bear Mountain Resort. Go via Yucapia and CA SR 38. Note: If taking photos, dont wander too close to the edge, several of the turnouts dont have railings. For families seeking some extra thrills, check out Action Tours. 18 and up the back way to Big Bear. There is some confusion about the CA-18 which starts at Running Springs and continues into Big Bear Lake. When traffic seems to be approaching faster than you from behind, this is another time you should use the turnouts. I don't leave for another 3 weeks and I am SO NERVOUS! Did you chain your tires? That being said, most out of towners drive conservatively and there are some passing lanes for those who are more comfortable (Im not one of them) I believe you can also take the 18 straight to arrowhead from the 210 which I havent done but presumably its similar. If you take 38 up, arguably longer but a smoother ride then theres a gas station in Mentone and the final one being in Angelous Oaks albeit very high priced, but itll get you up the mountain to a cheaper one. I love getting away from the chaos and immediately feel so relaxed as ai drive up the mountain. Sorry, but it is not exactly the same road to Big Bear as it is to Lake Arrowhead. Im so happy to have read the comments because Im currently trying to decide which area would be best for me to buy a 2nd home. 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. My main concern is roads. There is rarely chain control ( after snow ) until you get to Running Springs. Risk Factor: A combination of vision-obscuring fog, narrow lanes, rough roads, and a series of one-lane bridges once made Hawaii's Route 200 so dangerous that some rental car companies would forbid customers from driving their cars on it. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Almost 9 feet of new snow in the last week. Enojy year-round family-friendly activities. (To make matters more confusing, drivers drive on the left to better see the cliff's edge.) Is Hwy 38 one lane on each side? The "least scary . Before heading to Big Bear, check out the local highway conditions at https://www.big-bear-cabins.com/weather.html. It's so intense that they made a reality TV show about it. Both are mountain lake resort communities located in the San Bernardino Mountains. Route 330 is definitely quicker but 38 is less stressful, less scenic, and is straighter. Only 33 mushers will participate in the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Saturday, the smallest field ever to take their dog teams nearly 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) over Alaska's unforgiving wilderness. There isn't snow over the next week, can I drive w/o chains? **Why you might be tempted to drive it anyway: **Independence Pass is right on the Continental Divide, and at the summit you can find scenic overlooks that make the best use of the high elevation; you can also take a side trip to the ghost town of Independence. Lake Arrowhead is unique due to the fact it is a private lake. From ticket windows to chairlift hours, check out the most accurate hours for Bear Mountain & Snow Summit. As you pass the 3,000-foot elevation sign, things get real. You never know who youre talking to or what they know or what they might be able to teach you or what you might be able to teach them, for that matter. Risk Factor: Another one to avoid if heights are an issue Highway 1 is known for its stunning coastal views and steep drop-offs from the California cliffs into the ocean. Lake Use. Accessible by land or air, Big Bear is popular destination for travelers of all kinds. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. May the mountain air lift the fog from all our eyes may the mountain continue to teach us all. If it is snowing there will be police road blocks set up on the highway and they will make you pull over and put your chains on. It is extremly twisty and narrow with cliffs that drop hundreds of feet down beside you at places. 22/23 BBMR & Ikon Passes are valid at Snow Valley. **Why you might be tempted to drive it anyway: **If you do the drive south-to-north, you can take advantage of being on the inside laneaway from those cliff edgesand still get to take in the impressive scenery. You may experience areas where you have no cellular reception. At high elevations, the atmosphere is thinner and there is less oxygen and less humidity available to you than at sea level. Poor road conditions can exist in any season so be sure you're prepared to drive at any time. It's magnificent. Places like China Peak & Kirkwood are Real Outdoorsman places for people who love winter sports. Best of Big Bear. How is road to Lake Arrowhead? There's a reason this drive is mostly attempted by truckersand, even then, with lots of spare tires and at speeds slower than 55 mph. I had to drive delivery trucks on all those roads in the past so I am sensitive to downgrades, narrow passages, and all that stuff. Due to extreme winter weather and significant snowfall, a State of Emergency has been declared for the San Bernardino Mountains. Depending on your feeling about heights, the views can be a reminder of the fall that could occur on the other side of the tunnel wall, or a window into a sweeping vista of China's landscape. There is nowhere that scares me and I grew up terrified of mountain roads. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Now, there are two ways for you to get there from, I'm guessing, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Taking Lucerne to 18 is also very switchback in one area as you climb the mountain very quickly, so expect 20 mph turns and lower. This is probably the safest bet to eliminate traffic and less mountain driving. Question: Why Is Bear Mountain Called Bear Mountain. Explore this page to learn how to get here safely, where to park, and how to shuttle in for free to our twin properties, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Sooo, we are taking a trip to Yosemite at the end of the month and going from there to Tahoe. Big Bears lake is just over 3000 acres in area and has a maximum depth of 72 feet while Lake Arrowhead is 782 acres with a maximum depth of 185 feet. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-75876159', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car sick, however it is still our normal route because it's quicker. If you become distracted by the views, pull off of the road at the next turnout and take in the moment. You'll be fine. Enjoy your stay and travel safe! As a fellow scaredy cat I must say it is well worth it once there (and very beautiful if you can bring yourself to peek on the way up). and drive about 1.78 miles to Snow Summit Resort (on your left via Summit Blvd.) (LogOut/ Whispers: Revelation Horror: The whole genre itself. How sad BullWinkle lacks the ability to understand. By law, snow chains or cables must be carried in your vehicle at all times during winter months. The south side of the mountains (Hwy 38) does seem to get considerably less fog, but it still has it during storms and through the winter season. What's the best way to get to Big Bear? Not into water activities. January 23, 2015 by Big Bear Real Estate 39 Comments. The road past there , heading to Big Bear is where it does get scary. Heading to Big Bear from San Diego, next week. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-76214465', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car sick very easily and she's never had an issue on the 38. We hope this helps. Wow. Follow the CA-330 North and when you arrive at Running Springs the CA-330 changes to the CA-18. Bear Mountain & Snow Summit will be closed today, March 1. Visit a Snow Valley ticket window to print a day ticket. Use CalTrans Quickmaps to check road conditions, chain requirements, and road closures before traveling to Big Bear Lake. My worst drive to big bear was before a snow storm at 6am when it was raining still and the due to the rain and mud, huge rocks falling onto the road from the top just before they closed off the road. 1. Cookie Notice The honest feedback is what I wanted and this is it. In fact, it stretches between the northeast corner of Yellowstone, near Cooke City, up to Red Lodge, Montana. If you love race car driving, this is not the moment to try out your Daytona qualifying speed, as many of the curves may sneak up on you. The easiest drive is to go hwy 38. Four seasons in Big Bear allow for lakerecreation in the warmer months, and snow play in the winter. I have a dilemma; I have a fear of heights and am not sure how I am going to do this drive to Big Bear. Your doctor can prescribe something for you however, you probably should not drive while taking it. Nestled in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Mountain Resort is a short, scenic drive from most Southern California locations. Id say that about Big Bear in comparison to the Sierras. 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. I think there are two ways into Big Bear, the one we took along 138 or from Lucerne Valley, was indeed pretty scary, but there might be a better route from San Bernardino. We hope you have a wonderful trip to Big Bear! All rights reserved. Also call the CHP Road Condition Hotline before heading up. That exact number is probably just a legend, but it's a darned twisty road. Lake Arrowhead is on Highway 18 which you can get to in less than 30 minutes from San Bernardino. The other routes take a lot more time. After the first three curves you may think you have it under control but the highway is full of windy, sudden and sharp turns. In Lake Arrowhead many are two story or require stairs. To get to Snow Valley ( Running Springs' ski resort ) you only have to go another 20 minutes past Arrowhead on Highway 18.