G3 and Mai's Big Bear Guidebook
Food scene
We love the apple pie here and make sure we grab some on our way home. Make sure to go early on weekends since they usually sell out :)
78 locals recommend
Pickles Pie Shop
829 W Big Bear BlvdWe love the apple pie here and make sure we grab some on our way home. Make sure to go early on weekends since they usually sell out :)
This is the go to place when you want to go out to eat here in Big Bear. Enjoy a stroll and enjoy the local stores and restaurants. On weekends, theres usually live music and events for everyone to enjoy. We have a movie theatre here as well.
141 locals recommend
Big Bear Village
40824 Big Bear BlvdThis is the go to place when you want to go out to eat here in Big Bear. Enjoy a stroll and enjoy the local stores and restaurants. On weekends, theres usually live music and events for everyone to enjoy. We have a movie theatre here as well.
Our fave crepe place in town! A must have for our teens when we come up to stay.
86 locals recommend
Cafe Crepe
41003 Big Bear BlvdOur fave crepe place in town! A must have for our teens when we come up to stay.
In the mood for some dancing and BBQ? This local hang out is the spot for you. Check or call for reservations.
73 locals recommend
Wyatt's Grill and Saloon
42900 Big Bear BlvdIn the mood for some dancing and BBQ? This local hang out is the spot for you. Check or call for reservations.
Big Bear Bowling Barn Inc.
40625 Big Bear BlvdA great place for some indoor family fun!
Craving some tacos? This is the best place in town for us. Call ahead for reservations.
387 locals recommend
Hacienda Grill
41787 Big Bear BlvdCraving some tacos? This is the best place in town for us. Call ahead for reservations.
A local fave and also a quick walk from Rainbow House, what more can you ask for/
276 locals recommend
Lumberjack Cafe
1001 W Big Bear BlvdA local fave and also a quick walk from Rainbow House, what more can you ask for/
Another place you can walk to. A fave breakfast/brunch place for the locals.
248 locals recommend
Broadway Cafe
1117 W Big Bear BlvdAnother place you can walk to. A fave breakfast/brunch place for the locals.
La Paws Restaurant
1128 W Big Bear BlvdOur fave mexican to-go place and you can walk to it. Winner!
Another local gem. This place is cash only but make sure you try out the chicken pot pie and chili spaghetti.
81 locals recommend
Thelma's Family Restaurant
337 W Big Bear BlvdAnother local gem. This place is cash only but make sure you try out the chicken pot pie and chili spaghetti.
Get the Burger
42151 Big Bear BoulevardBurgers anyone? This is the place for the yummiest burgers.
Yummy Italian food. We love their pizza and calzones. Dough is made fresh daily and you can order it to-go. They get really packed on the weekends so make sure you call ahead.
359 locals recommend
Maggio's Pizza
42160 Big Bear BlvdYummy Italian food. We love their pizza and calzones. Dough is made fresh daily and you can order it to-go. They get really packed on the weekends so make sure you call ahead.
Hands Down the Best Bagels in town. We go here for brunch usually. Their soups are really good too and we usually sit by the fire-pit outside.
242 locals recommend
Amangela's Sandwich & Bagel House
40729 Village DrHands Down the Best Bagels in town. We go here for brunch usually. Their soups are really good too and we usually sit by the fire-pit outside.
You can have breakfast here while watching planes take-off and land. Our kids love their waffles and eggs benedict.
31 locals recommend
The Barnstorm Restaurant
501 W Valley BlvdYou can have breakfast here while watching planes take-off and land. Our kids love their waffles and eggs benedict.
Need a cake for a birthday or any celebration? This is the place to go. From cookies to cupcakes to anything baked. This cute place never disappoints (they serve really good coffee too!)
63 locals recommend
Sister My Sister Bake Shop
40191 Big Bear BlvdNeed a cake for a birthday or any celebration? This is the place to go. From cookies to cupcakes to anything baked. This cute place never disappoints (they serve really good coffee too!)
Authentic Indian and Nepalese food at really great prices. This is another Big Bear gem in the Village you must visit.
253 locals recommend
Himalayan Restaurant
672 Pine Knot AveAuthentic Indian and Nepalese food at really great prices. This is another Big Bear gem in the Village you must visit.
A Big Bear staple for many many years. Authentic country style meals.
Local tip: They serve huge portions big enough to share & they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
16 locals recommend
Old Country Inn
41126 Big Bear BlvdA Big Bear staple for many many years. Authentic country style meals.
Local tip: They serve huge portions big enough to share & they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The best ribs in town. They serve really good burgers and salads too!
62 locals recommend
The Bone Yard Bar & Grill
560 Pine Knot AveThe best ribs in town. They serve really good burgers and salads too!
Ready for some really good craft beer after a busy day of adventuring? This is the place to go.
PS: we like their pizza too!
222 locals recommend
Big Bear Lake Brewing Company
40827 Stone RdReady for some really good craft beer after a busy day of adventuring? This is the place to go.
PS: we like their pizza too!
This is one of my favorite places for a “nice” sit-down meal. They serve a good variety and theres always something for each one of our kids who never agree on what kind of food they want.
307 locals recommend
Oakside
40701 Village DrThis is one of my favorite places for a “nice” sit-down meal. They serve a good variety and theres always something for each one of our kids who never agree on what kind of food they want.
If you’re looking for a nice view of the lake while eating, you have to check out this place.
265 locals recommend
The Pines Lakefront
350 Alden RdIf you’re looking for a nice view of the lake while eating, you have to check out this place.
This cabin-y rustic place is perfect if you’re in the mood for delicious dinner and some drinks. We love their clam chowder. Call for reservations.
169 locals recommend
The Captain's Anchorage
42148 Moonridge WayThis cabin-y rustic place is perfect if you’re in the mood for delicious dinner and some drinks. We love their clam chowder. Call for reservations.
Home to Big Bear’s GIANT donuts (need to be ordered one day ahead)! Must try :)
14 locals recommend
O J's Donuts
42173 Big Bear BlvdHome to Big Bear’s GIANT donuts (need to be ordered one day ahead)! Must try :)
Our family loves this restaurant! Amazing food and drinks. Huge Outdoor fire pits and they have live music most weekends. Our favorites are their grilled salmon and their seared ahi tuna salad. Yum!
421 locals recommend
572 Social kitchen & lounge
572 Pine Knot AveOur family loves this restaurant! Amazing food and drinks. Huge Outdoor fire pits and they have live music most weekends. Our favorites are their grilled salmon and their seared ahi tuna salad. Yum!
Sightseeing
The newly renovated Big Bear Alpine zoo is a favorite place to visit for our kids. We usually go on Fridays to avoid the crowds. (Tip: if you have an LA Zoo membership, you get a discount for the entrance fee)
723 locals recommend
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
42801 Club View DrThe newly renovated Big Bear Alpine zoo is a favorite place to visit for our kids. We usually go on Fridays to avoid the crowds. (Tip: if you have an LA Zoo membership, you get a discount for the entrance fee)
We come here for an easy lunch picnic when we have time. This is also a nice place for family photos since you get a nice view of the lake. (Theres lots of ducks here, our baby loves that)
234 locals recommend
Boulder Bay Park
39080 Big Bear BlvdWe come here for an easy lunch picnic when we have time. This is also a nice place for family photos since you get a nice view of the lake. (Theres lots of ducks here, our baby loves that)
This is always a hit for kids from 3-83! :) Check their website for height requirements. parking here on the weekends get CRAZY, know that you can walk from Rainbow House to this place
489 locals recommend
Big Bear Snow Play
42825 Big Bear BlvdThis is always a hit for kids from 3-83! :) Check their website for height requirements. parking here on the weekends get CRAZY, know that you can walk from Rainbow House to this place
As much as we love Big Bear City, for us the best picnic areas with the views are when you drive to Fawnskin, CA past their little village (by the boat ramps about 15 minutes from Rainbow house). Dont forget to bring the Rainbow House "picnic gear" that we leave out in the back deck during the Spring to Fall months.
27 locals recommend
Fawnskin
As much as we love Big Bear City, for us the best picnic areas with the views are when you drive to Fawnskin, CA past their little village (by the boat ramps about 15 minutes from Rainbow house). Dont forget to bring the Rainbow House "picnic gear" that we leave out in the back deck during the Spring to Fall months.
Big Bear Escape Room
40055 Big Bear BlvdGreat indoor activity for teens.
Big Bear Jeep Experience
42011 Big Bear BlvdA great way to see Big Bear!
Big Bear Mountain Resort
880 Summit BlvdSnow Summit
880 Summit BlvdWhen the snow melts, its go kart time! Same area as Big Bear Snowplay, a quick walk from Rainbow House.
87 locals recommend
Big Bear Speedway Go Karts
42825 Big Bear BlvdWhen the snow melts, its go kart time! Same area as Big Bear Snowplay, a quick walk from Rainbow House.
This is always a hit with the littles. Get a feel of what it must have been like before Big Bear became the tourist spot that it is now. Dressed like the old west, a great experience for the kids.
61 locals recommend
Gold Rush Mining Adventures
40016 Big Bear BlvdThis is always a hit with the littles. Get a feel of what it must have been like before Big Bear became the tourist spot that it is now. Dressed like the old west, a great experience for the kids.
A great activity for groups. Definitely not something you do regularly :)
49 locals recommend
Yosemite Axe Throwing
41530 Big Bear BlvdA great activity for groups. Definitely not something you do regularly :)
Houses The farmers Market (tuesday mornings from spring to early fall) and A number of other fun activities in Big Bear
54 locals recommend
Big Bear Lake Convention Center
42900 Big Bear BlvdHouses The farmers Market (tuesday mornings from spring to early fall) and A number of other fun activities in Big Bear
Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
42900 Big Bear BlvdA must visit for in the month of October.
Ok, so yes our family loves doing touristy things like Carriage Rides by the lake. Usually by Pine Knot Ave on most weekends.
Victoria Park Carriages
Pedder RoadOk, so yes our family loves doing touristy things like Carriage Rides by the lake. Usually by Pine Knot Ave on most weekends.
A nice relaxing hike that leads to breath-taking taking mountain views.
98 locals recommend
Pineknot Trail 1E01
Mill Creek RoadA nice relaxing hike that leads to breath-taking taking mountain views.
This is a paved trail. If you want to go biking, in-line skating this is a nice easy trail. Also wheelchair accessible and has a big enough parking lot for bigger cars.
194 locals recommend
Alpine Pedal Path Trail 1E50
740 Stanfield CutoffThis is a paved trail. If you want to go biking, in-line skating this is a nice easy trail. Also wheelchair accessible and has a big enough parking lot for bigger cars.
This is a bit more challenging of a hike but its not that long and we think takes you to where you can have the BEST views of Big Bear lake.
474 locals recommend
Castle Rock Trail 1W03
Big Bear BoulevardThis is a bit more challenging of a hike but its not that long and we think takes you to where you can have the BEST views of Big Bear lake.
A nice relaxing tour around the lake. Usually narrated by the captain so you will also get a pretty good background of Big Bear's sights and history. Our family loves this.
39 locals recommend
Miss Liberty
439 Pine Knot AveA nice relaxing tour around the lake. Usually narrated by the captain so you will also get a pretty good background of Big Bear's sights and history. Our family loves this.
Looking for a pirate adventure? Look no further. The kids will love this experience. Located in Holloway's Marina. Call for reservations.
64 locals recommend
Big Bear Pirate Ship
398 Edgemoor RdLooking for a pirate adventure? Look no further. The kids will love this experience. Located in Holloway's Marina. Call for reservations.
Another great outdoor activity that kids will love!
652 locals recommend
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
800 Wildrose LnAnother great outdoor activity that kids will love!
Bikes, kayaks, canoes and paddle board rental right off the North shore lake area which is a very short drive from Rainbow House
29 locals recommend
Paddles and Pedals
40545 N Shore LnBikes, kayaks, canoes and paddle board rental right off the North shore lake area which is a very short drive from Rainbow House
They offer guided Snow-shoeing tours in the winter time. Call to make a reservation.
488 locals recommend
Big Bear Discovery Center
They offer guided Snow-shoeing tours in the winter time. Call to make a reservation.
Want to go around and see the sights on horse-back just like the Big Bear locals from 100 years back did? Call the Baldwin Lake Stables which is about a 10 minute drive from the cabin to book your tour.
90 locals recommend
Baldwin Lake Stables
46475 Pioneer Town RdWant to go around and see the sights on horse-back just like the Big Bear locals from 100 years back did? Call the Baldwin Lake Stables which is about a 10 minute drive from the cabin to book your tour.
The Locals call this - The Kissing Bridge. This is the really looong, wooden bridge beside the Stanfield Marsh. This area is great for photos especially at sunset.
31 locals recommend
Stanfield Marsh Boardwalk
Stanfield Marsh BoardwalkThe Locals call this - The Kissing Bridge. This is the really looong, wooden bridge beside the Stanfield Marsh. This area is great for photos especially at sunset.
This little toy store is a short walk from Rainbow House down Gildart Dr towards Big Bear Blvd (Beside No Name Pizza). They have Toys and treats for kids 0-99.
They also serve ice cream and coffee for the grownups! Open 11am to 6pm (except Tuesday and Wednesday)
The Toy Galley
40804 Village DriveThis little toy store is a short walk from Rainbow House down Gildart Dr towards Big Bear Blvd (Beside No Name Pizza). They have Toys and treats for kids 0-99.
They also serve ice cream and coffee for the grownups! Open 11am to 6pm (except Tuesday and Wednesday)
Firewood
The only drive thru firewood in Big Bear. A lot cheaper than the big box stores. Also a short walk from Rainbow House.
Lit Firewood
1101 W Big Bear BlvdThe only drive thru firewood in Big Bear. A lot cheaper than the big box stores. Also a short walk from Rainbow House.