You may already know Big Bear Lake as Southern California’s accessible all-season outdoor playground. What you might not know is that it’s also a sky island ecosystem. Soaring above the surrounding desert, this geological and ecological anomaly is home to shady alpine forests, crystal-clear waters, and endless activities for those seeking fresh mountain air and fresh new adventures.
What Is a Sky Island?
A sky island is a high-elevation mountain or range surrounded by vastly different lowland environments. In Big Bear, this results in lush high-altitude hills amid an “ocean” of desert sand and stone. This sky island status makes Big Bear a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with stunning scenery, 300-plus days of annual sunshine, and summer highs in the low eighties. But it also creates a haven for biodiversity; the San Bernardino Mountains are the seventh-most biologically diverse place in the country and home to habitats and plant species that don’t exist anywhere else on Earth.
This rare environment doesn’t just make Big Bear a paradise for flora and fauna—it also creates a one-of-a-kind playground for outdoor enthusiasts (and humans of all varieties). The same conditions that foster its incredible biodiversity also foster plenty of opportunities for incredible adventures. Big Bear’s cool climate, clean air, and dramatic elevation draw everyone from casual hikers to elite endurance athletes and anyone else seeking to explore, challenge themselves, and reconnect.
Elevated Views, Elevated Training
Big Bear’s high-altitude terrain (ranging between 6,700 and 9,000 feet) provides expansive views to go with your expanding lung capacity. Pro athletes routinely choose it as a scenic training ground for this reason. As you travel along the shores of Big Bear Lake, atop scenic ridgelines, and among the region’s alpine, montane, and high desert environments, you’ll see why.
There are plenty of chances to head back to Big Bear for race day, too. The Holcomb Valley Trail Run and Kodiak 100 Ultramarathon give trail runners a chance to push their limits, and the Grizzly 100 offers mountain bikers the same opportunity. Meanwhile, the iconic Tour de Big Bear is a can’t-miss for SoCal cyclists, with road, gravel, and mountain bike routes from 15 to 100 miles. Hikers can also test themselves with the Highlander adventure challenge, a unique endurance trekking event that covers as much as 90 miles in five days or as little as 14 miles in one. No matter the sport or interest, event weekends in Big Bear are a great opportunities to meet like-minded folks and enjoy this rare natural playground.
Take to the Trails
With more than 100 miles worth of trails in the region, Big Bear has an outing for absolutely everyone, with or without a race bib. From hikes along the iconic Pacific Crest Trail to lift-accessible mountain biking and pristinely paved bike paths, you’ll never see the same footprints or tire marks twice. Here are some local favorites.
Best hike: Pineknot Trail to Grand View Point
Best trail run: Skyline Trail
Best road ride: Alpine Pedal Path (Beginners) + Big Bear Lake Loop (Intermediate) + Lakeview Point (Experts)
Best gravel ride: Holcomb Valley Road to Delmar Road
Best mountain bike trail: Hanna Flat Loop + Gray’s Peak
Preserving Paradise, from the Lake to the Sky
Big Bear isn’t just abundant in rare plants and pristine wildlife; it’s also abundant in people dedicated to protecting them. It’s rooted in the Made in Big Bear mentality: a celebration of a place unlike any other to unplug, unwind, and lean into something real. Fittingly, the Big Bear community has found some unique ways to protect their unique ecosystem, like the Countin’ Carp Tournament, which pays local anglers to catch invasive carp species, or SkyFest Big Bear, which celebrates Big Bear’s night skies while educating attendees about light pollution. It’s all part of the Care for Big Bear initiative, an effort to help visitors and locals alike preserve this paradise so it can continue to exist as a place for natural wonders, unforgettable adventures, and an elevated state of mind.
Visit Big Bear is the official destination marketing organization for Big Bear Lake, California. Located just two hours from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Big Bear offers high-altitude outdoor adventure, cultural vibrancy, and year-round recreation at one of Southern California’s most iconic alpine destinations. Learn more at BigBear.com.
The post Big Bear Lake, California: A (Sky) Island Paradise for Outdoor Adventure appeared first on Outside Online.
