A Family Trip to Big Bear: Lake Days and a Best Western Stay

Our Big Bear trip had a mix of activity and downtime: time on the lake, a ride at Alpine Slide, breakfast together and breaks at the hotel.

Sponsored by Best Western.

We went up to Big Bear for a relaxed family weekend, getting out of the heat and into the mountains. The drive in on Highway 18 was absolutely beautiful. We did the Alpine Slide, got the kids out on the lake and spent a lot of time walking around the Village, but we loved being back at the hotel just as much.

We stayed at Chateau Big Bear Boutique Hotel, BW Signature Collection. Between swimming, the game room and little walks through the trees behind the hotel, there was plenty for us to enjoy without filling every hour with another outing.

The hotel: Chateau Big Bear, BW Signature Collection

Chateau Big Bear is at 42200 Moonridge Road. Browse rooms and booking information on Best Western’s hotel page.

Our room overlooked the pool, and it had a fireplace with a timer switch. The kids absolutely loved that fireplace. We had stayed at this hotel about three years earlier and somehow ended up in the exact same room, which made coming back even more fun. I also loved sitting outside looking toward the trees and pool. Those were features of our room, so check the room description if you want a similar setup.

Breakfast before heading out

The breakfast was awesome, but the pancake machine was the part the kids really wanted to watch. They loved seeing the pancakes move along the little conveyor belt. It was one of those small things that ended up being a favorite part of the hotel.

Having breakfast at the hotel is worth considering when comparing places to stay, especially if you have children and an activity booked that morning. Look at the breakfast hours alongside any rental check-in time, rather than planning to arrive at the lake at the same time your reservation starts.

Make space for pool time

We went back for a night swim after our first dinner and fit in more pool time during the trip. Having that time at the hotel was part of what made the weekend feel so relaxed. Check seasonal pool dates and daily hours when booking if swimming is a big part of your plans.

Choose an active outing

We took the chairlift up for the Alpine Slide and had a really fun time coming back down. Getting organized there felt a little confusing during our visit, so I would go in ready to ask the staff questions about where to go and how the rides work.

At Big Bear Marina, we rented one jet ski and took the kids out one at a time. It was fun getting everyone onto the water, but I think of that as more of a one-time experience for us. Next time I would prioritize some of the other things we enjoyed. Before renting, check the operator's current rider requirements, safety equipment and conditions.

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain has current ticket and rider information. Choose the activities that suit your group rather than trying to fit everything into one day.

Keep the small moments

One of the kids' favorite evenings was much simpler: we picked up Red Baron Pizza and ate under the gazebo at Boulder Bay Park around sunset. People were out on kayaks and paddleboards, and we stayed by the lake enjoying dinner and taking photos. That was such a beautiful way to spend the evening. The city's park guide has information about the picnic areas and facilities.

The kids also spent time drawing at the chalkboard wall at Fire Rock Burgers & Brews. We made a separate quick stop at a little movie-prop attraction in town. The kids liked trying on the props. It was affordable and fun for a short stop, although it is probably not something I would repeat.

For families who want alternatives to paid attractions, Big Bear’s family outing ideas include walking or cycling the Alpine Pedal Path and packing a picnic for Meadow Park. Those are options for a day when you do not want another rental or ride ticket. If the weather interrupts outdoor plans, the Village also has a movie theater and indoor activities.

Plan your own Big Bear stay

For us, the best part was having a mix of things to do without making every day feel packed. The Alpine Slide was fun, but so were pizza by the lake and coming back to swim. I would leave room for those quieter parts of the trip rather than book activities from morning to night.

Our Big Bear guide covers lake time, Alpine Slide and Village stops. For the hotel featured in this trip, explore Chateau Big Bear on Best Western.