BIGBEARCALIFORNIA BIG BEAR CALIFORNIA VACATION BIGBEARCA

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BIG BEAR CALIFORNIA

by Caitlin Moore

Southern California is known for many things; sunshine,
frivolity, great clothes...everyone knows there are pretty
beaches and pretty people, but did you know there's pretty
good skiing, too? Big Bear is approximately 100 miles
northeast of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino Mountains
and contains two fabulous resorts that attract fun-loving
visitors all year round. This is the place to ski, hike and so
much more - all with the laid-back attitude that this rad
region pulls off so well.

It's possible to get your adrenaline pumping in about a
thousand different ways here. Skiing and snowboarding are
givens during the cold weather months thanks to plenty of
acreage and seven top-notch terrain parks that can both
start beginners on the right foot and challenge even the
pros. Two resorts and all the peaks and lifts they entail are
accessible under the same ticket, and if you just want to
have some silly fun there are places to tube and build
snowmen, too.

The Alpine Slide is another hot option, as it provides an
authentic bobsled experience complete with high speeds
and cement tracks. Also in the winter, usually beginning
around early November, horseback riding through the snowy
forest, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and taking a
carriage tour are equally satisfying pursuits that expose
visitors to a whole new side of California.

As for what you might expect in terms of natural
surroundings, stop by Big Bear during the warm weather
months to be just as dazzled by the ways that Mother Nature
and resort offerings can seamlessly come together. Hiking,
biking, climbing, boating, fishing, golfing and playing tennis
provide the basic idea of what a spring, summer or fall day
could contain. Big Bear Lake and its dozen miles of
shoreline provide a calming effect that only the water can
have. A game of volleyball or horseshoes, a spin on a
motorboat or just a refreshing dip into the clear blue water
can all erase the tension that months of overwork have
brought about.

A good sign that Big Bear is indeed a happening place to be
is that a number of special events and festivals fill the
calendar. An International Film Festival, May's Spring Air
Fair, Oktoberfest and tons of Holiday season events mean
that it's likely visitors will stumble upon something fun and
interesting to see and do even apart from the regular
diversions already mentioned. Nightly entertainment is
another constant, as are an array of unique shopping
options and plenty of mouth-watering dining establishments.
This is California, after all, where no appetite need go
ignored.

No matter which season you choose to visit (many people
end up coming back to see Big Bear again, dressed a little
differently), the best way to squeeze every drop of
enjoyment from this multi-faceted location is to stay
somewhere equally accommodating. Specifically, this would
mean reserving a vacation home for you and your traveling
companions - one that is roomy, friendly and
oh-so-convenient to the magic of the mountain.

Big Bear Vacation Rentals can be anything you want them to
be (large, small, luxurious, simple) and they tend to mirror
this destination itself. They look good in any season and are
adept at pleasing a number of different temperaments. With
amenities like kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, entertainment centers,
proximity to the lifts, log fireplaces and the hard-to-replicate
aura of being tucked away into the woods you may find it
hard to leave at the end of your stay.

Check it out by going online and perusing the various
vacation rental listings. Big Bear lodges and cabins are
plentiful and popular as well, so plan ahead to reserve your
top choice. And, if the one you want happens to be taken
already, remember that there's always next season.

About the Author
Visit HomeAway.com to learn more about the many attractive
vacation rentals waiting to be reserved.