Big Bear Lake Getaway

I wish I hadn't wait this long to visit Big Bear! Not only is it just 2-3 hours away (depending on LA's unpredictable traffic), there are also plenty to do if you are an outdoor lover like me. We drove into town, actually a nearby town before Big Bear closer to Lake Arrowhead called Running Springs, and checked into our cute little Getaway cabin on a late Friday night. We woke up bright and early to the most beautiful (and unobstructed) view of trees and mountains which we had no idea about since it was completely dark when we arrived. What a pleasant surprise! We made coffee and breakfast on our outdoor gas grill before heading out to Big Bear Lake for a full day of adventure.

First stop... Castle Rock Trail. Although this trail is a short 2.6 mile out and back trail, it is rather steep. And with the high altitude, it was not an easy climb! Luckily, we brought with us snacks and plenty of water and took lots of breaks. We did have a little picnic up top and the view overlooking the lake was well worth it! I also want to mention that this trail is dog friendly which is a plus when traveling with two pups! We were pretty tired after the hike and needed to fuel up so we went to the infamous Hortencias at the Cliffhanger in Rim of the World (omg at all these cool names) for some Mexican food and of course, margaritas. We were blessed, yet again, with a window seat out on the patio overlooking another stunning view!

The next morning, we checked out of Getaway and headed to Keller Peak in the San Bernardino National Forest to squeeze in some rock climbing (you can see more over in my Big Bear story highlight on my Instagram)! It was a bit of a hike to get there but once we were there, we had the entire place to ourselves! This climbing area reminded me a lot of Joshua Tree with those round jumbo rocks. We climbed on and around Seuss Wall at 8,000 ft elevation. It was our first time climbing at such high altitude and it was tough! Tough but fun though!

Big Bear Lake weekend was a success and Getaway was so kind to host us for two nights. Their modern cabin was wonderful and equipped with everything you need! Comfortable bed, a kitchenette with stove, sink, and fridge, as well as your own private bathroom and shower inside your cabin! We can't wait to do this again! Did I also mention Getaway has cabins in many different major cities all over the US? As a bonus, you can get $25 off a stay with my code "TOSHIKO25"!