Check Out These Four-season Fun Activities at Big Bear Lake
We had wanted to try rainbow trout fishing at Big Bear Lake, but we were aware that the picturesque lake, which sits at 7000 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, is both a summer and winter playground for several million people living in the Los Angeles area. That's why we decided to drive to the lake during the off-season.There's a special time of year between early September when the kids go back to school, and the middle of November when the snow-bunnies start to appear on the slopes surrounding Big Bear Lake. During that period, you will find both the lake and the village downright quiet, --and when compared to the summer and winter seasons, the price of lodging is much more appealing.
On our first morning at the lake, we opted to get our bearings by taking a narrated boat tour. When we checked into the lakeside Lagonita Lodge, and inquired about tour boats, the front desk clerk assured us that we could depend on the captain of the 'Big Bear Queen' to provide us with pertinent information and interesting tidbits about the lake and its history. The 'Queen' turned out to be a Mississippi paddleboat replica that took us around the more than 22 miles of shoreline in complete comfort.
We boarded the Queen just before lunch and introduced ourselves to the ship's captain, Chris Bellows. The weather was excellent, with a pleasant temperature in the mid-70s. Big Bear boasts sunshine 320 days a year -- a good reason why the location is a favorite of Hollywood filmmakers and TV producers.
About 15 minutes into our excursion, we were fortunate to see an American bald eagle soaring high above our boat. The eagles migrate to Big Bear Lake each fall from the colder climates of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. We were surprised to learn from captain Bellows that our national bird has a wingspan up to eight feet, and weights between 10 and 14 pounds. He also said, "It's not unusual to see several bald eagles on any given winter day."
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