Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I don't remember if 38 does. We go up to Big Bear/Lake Arrowhead every year from our home (a few miles from Fontana Supercharger). We have driven it at least a dozen times and have seen many a driver trying to take their half of the road in the middle. 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. From Beverly Hills it is approximately a 2 hour, 20 minute drive and from the City of San Bernardino (29 miles) - depending on traffic it is a 40 to 45 minute drive up the mountain. It is not a bad drive at all. The drive up to Big Bear is not for the faint of heart. There are a multitude of reasons behind the choices people make. If you look closely you will also notice houses tucked away on the side of the mountains. The west end of the mountains (which includes Hwy 330 that goes by Lake Arrowhead) does get fog in the winters. Im currently at Lake Arrowwhead & realize I want to go to the movies & library & shopping & many restaurants, soooIm investigating Big Bear this coming week. Clouds can settle between the mountains and may cause some limited visibility but also provide the perfect photo opportunity once you get above them. Big Bearhas a myriadof mountain resort activities and events to offer its visitors. Any route suggestions & places to visit or things to see & do ?? My only problem came in the morning driving down when we had to go through a cloud and the road was very foggy and we couldn't see very well. You have a larger selection of single story homes. Is it safe to drive to Big Bear in the snow? ASAP PLEASE. 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. There are also 999 stairs to climb before you reach the peak, where Heaven's Gatea natural rock arch that was believed to be the link between the gods and the mortal worldawaits visitors. It is very crowded with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? My main concern is roads. The mountain peaks and deep valleys will be something you will never forget. Theres a few ways up to Big Bear and Arrowhead. The DIY approach may seem quaintuntil you have to drive on it. Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are both wonderful mountain resort communities and each has its own charm and appeal. This can result in a number of symptoms such as muscle fatigue, insomnia, mild headaches or slight shortness of breath. Along the 414-mile route, drivers are subjected to freezing temperatures, gravel roads, avalanches, whiteout snowstorms, as well as a general lack of cell phone reception or service stations. Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporatedcommunity and a census-designated place in San Bernardino County. April 5, 2020. Its use is restricted to homeowners in a tract of land roughly one mile around the perimeter of the lake, known as Arrowhead Woods. drive for about 35 minutes 3:56 pm Running Springs (California) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:56 pm drive for about 38 minutes 5:33 pm arrive in Big Bear Lake driving 2.5 hours Alternate route Enter a city to drive through, or find all trips from Anaheim to Big Bear Lake. It has lots of curves, but the cliffs aren't quite so sheer most of the way. It is about 93 miles northeast of Los Angeles, an approximate 2 hour, and 10 minute drive depending on traffic and road conditions. I will always remember about the boy who was in the rear passenger seat and a rockslide killed him. This dual name continues through the Town of Big Bear Lake past the Stanfield Cut-Off towards Big Bear City, and when you reach Greenway the CA-18 turns left on Greenway and then turns right where it becomes just the CA-18 again. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Beware of anything that takes your mind off driving and/or relaxes you to the point of affecting your reactions and ability to concentrate on the job at hand. 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. 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. I could drive 45 min to worK from Lake Arrowhead, but I would not commute from BB, so that would definitely just be for weekends. Its been snowing lately and what a treat. Did you go the back way off Hwy 18? I love my house in Big Bear and wouldnt trade it for anything! Working paralegal and part time yoga teacher considering a radical move. Tire chains are typically not required on all 4 wheels. Alternatively, you may use. Much like Big Bear, Running Springs is a tourist destination. It's also one of the most dangerous routes. You will pass by Boulder Bay Park on your left and the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain on your right before you arrive at the Village. Contact Us. Because algae can grow or move locations, it is advised to use caution in all areas of the lake. Maybe I watched too many action movies growing up but I have a deathly fear of getting bumped right over the edge. No re-open date/time has been determined. The honest feedback is what I wanted and this is it. Also it depends on what part of Big Bear you're going to as far as difference in drive time; the likely answer is that the 330 is quicker by about 15 mins or so. Julie, don't worry about it. Get onto the I-105 East from S Sepulveda Blvd. Carry a sturdy shovel and cat litter or gravel should you need to dig out of a berm or create additional traction on icy roads. CA-38 usually has less traffic, but the CA-330 is quicker. Your baby will have the same tolerance for high altitudes as you do, provided that she has no special health concerns and is beyond 3 months of age. 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. The other routes take a lot more time. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-5979380', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars coming at you from all directions and accidents are not uncommon. Each day, between 80,000 and 100,000 people drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, with traffic soaring on summer and holiday . everybody HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS. Six marinas offer boat rentals and other concessions including pontoon boats, speedboats and personal watercraft. The roads are wider and safer than they are in rural England. Julie, don't worry about it. Its ok to allow the turnouts to become your new BFF. That would eliminate the drive to Big Bear but it has been a very dry winter. This is my first winter here. Just head north to Lugonia ave, turn right. Get answers to your questions about Big Bear Lake, Lake/Beach Water Levels & Lodging Advice. There is rarely chain control ( after snow ) until you get to Running Springs. For future drivers, the 38 is a lot less winding. Congratulations and good for you. Boy was I lucky that day to make it safe. For these reasons, the Colorado Department of Transportation closes down the route through Independence Pass each winter. Most of Big Bear Lake has tested safe for public use, however recent testing by State and Regional Waterboards have shown the presence of harmful bacteria in a sample collected in the Stanfield Cutoff area. To get to Snow Valley ( Running Springs' ski resort ) you only have to go another 20 minutes past Arrowhead on Highway 18. Laura Craig TUCKED AMONGST THE BOULDERS ON DESIRABLE COVE DRIVE, THIS LAKEFRON. Before heading to Big Bear, check out the local highway conditions at https://www.big-bear-cabins.com/weather.html. I just checked with my Terminix rep who drives that area and he said that 38 from San Bernardino had the least windy and least cliff areas of all routes into Big Bear, although it is longer than some. It provides truly magical scenery of the surrounding . Best of Big Bear. For more information, please see our The 29 mile drive takes about 45 minutes to an hour to conquer on a non-snow day and may take hours when snow is on the ground and chains are on your tires. I don't know how it was on the front side but it's much worse on the front I know that but you'll still be a. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-5977890', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Big Bear Lake for a few days end of March, hopefully to ski. The nearest ski resort to Lake Arrowhead isSnow Valley, about a 30-minute drive. Considering traffic on a busy day can take 2 to 3 hours from Lake Arrowhead. driving 3 hours. Its the 91 I dont like! Please contact us at (877) 417-6504 with any questions you might have about where to stay and what to do, and we'll help you book your Big Bear . Im not going to lie. The winding two-lane highway also traverses numerous bridges, including the Bixby Bridge, which soars 280 feet above the Bixby Creek Gorge in Big Sur. . The Going-to-the-Sun Road, also referred to as the "The Sun Road," is a 50-mile mountain road that runs between the park's east and west entrances. JavaScript is disabled. As I made my way around the first few bends, I realized I was in much more of a mountainous adventure than I originally expected. There is no doubt that the drive up to Big Bear Mountain is beautiful, but for those not accustomed to driving the mountain, you may have a misunderstanding of exactly how high you may be traveling. Plan your getaway with our list of the best resorts in Big Bear, CA. As for real people who actually want to escape to nature, I suggest we all leave our attitudes behind. Big Bear Lake is located in the San Bernardino Mountains and is an easy drive from most areas in southern California. Some people prefer to take the back road because the drive out of the mountain is shorter. As you pass the 3,000-foot elevation sign, things get real. Goo dluck. There are now even reflectors all the way up to the Crestline cutoff, so it is very easy to see where the road is at night even in snowy conditions. (I didnt notice any gas station directly on the road until I reached Big Bear. (LogOut/ Risk Factor: The road from Aspen is not for those who fear heights. Which means it keeps the rif raf and hot doggers of the lake. It is very crowded with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you become distracted by the views, pull off of the road at the next turnout and take in the moment. By law, snow chains or cables must be carried in your vehicle at all times during winter months. Lol scaredy-cat. I am over 50, and still active. That is a steep and twisty road. Take the bus from Metrolink Station to Big Bear Blvd & Alden Rd - Sandy's Sports Bar/Verizon Store 6h 28m $31 - $60 Cheapest Bus via Old Town Station Take the bus from San Diego Old Town to San Bernardino Downtown Transit Center Take the bus from Rialto & F St - Transit Center to Big Bear Blvd & Alden Rd - Sandy's Sports Bar/Verizon Store 8h 29m This comment actually sealed the deal for me to pick arrow head over big bear. I ride my bike around the lake everyday, and its easy to bring the kayak to the lake. Im looking for answers that say no long drops without railing. Then I might drive up on 330 and come down on 38. CA-38 usually has less traffic, but the CA-330 is quicker. US-89 from Logan to Garden City on Bear Lake. 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. Built in 1936, Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile length of U.S. Route 212 near Yellowstone National Park. Photo Source: Grey Squirrel Resort. Even when you think the worst is over after ascending the mountain, you descend into the valley on a very windy and curvey road. After the government kept refusing, the village sent its 13 strongest to build one themselves. From: 1 traveler 2 travelers 3 travelers 4 travelers 5 travelers 6 travelers. We do have some finer dining choices and a resort that offers some pretty nice creature comforts. Planned operating dates do not include a minimum season duration guarantee. What is the best way to arrive in Palm Springs? **Why you might be tempted to drive it anyway: **You definitely shouldn't take your eyes off this road while you're driving, but if you do you can catch a glimpse of the impressive Kongen (King), Dronningen (Queen), and Bispen (Bishop) mountains, or stop at the 1,050-foot Stigfossen waterfall. 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