a second week in SCal

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I will be out visiting DOD in July. He's right on the beach so we will get our beach fix.

At first I thought maybe the week before in Hawaii or NCal or Yellowstone but the air gets very costly and I already have 2 mega-expensive trips planned for March and April.

I would like to use TPI for this exchange.

I would like to tag a week at the end of June on and am thinking Lake Arrowhead. We have never been there. Is it worth going in summer? What is there to do with 2 adults and a 14yo boy?

We like moderate hiking, swimming, fishing and food.

or should be just stay in one of the coastal resorts they offer?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren,

We like moderate hiking, swimming, fishing and food.

Yes, food is always on the top of my list, as well.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Lake Arrowhead would not be one of my choices. I would choose Big Bear over Lake Arrowhead. We only live and hour away from Lake Arrowhead and we have stayed at Big Bear many times.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Lake Arrowhead would not be one of my choices. I would choose Big Bear over Lake Arrowhead. We only live and hour away from Lake Arrowhead and we have stayed at Big Bear many times.

John, is this because LA is more residential and offers fewer things to see and do? I am curious to know why you prefer Big Bear...we have not been to either, but would love some info.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

John, is this because LA is more residential and offers fewer things to see and do? I am curious to know why you prefer Big Bear...we have not been to either, but would love some info.

Neither Lake Arrowhead nor Big Bear are in Los Angeles. Big Bear is about 25 miles farther up the mountain past Lake Arrowhead. You exit on 30 off of 215 just north of San Bernardino. You then take 18 up the mountain. If you want to be in Los Angeles or near to it then neither one would be very suitable. The Lake at Big Bear is much larger than Lake Arrowhead. Big Bear is a small city with reasonably good dining and activities. Though the altitude is pretty high, the days are quite warm in June. Below is a web site that will give you some info on Big Bear.

Big Bear Lake activities

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks for the feedback John. I always wondered about the area and why I never hear more about it. Do you have anything good or bad to say about Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear? That is the only premier access resort TPI has in the area.

or Maybe we will just stay on the beach the first week too. Hopefully closer to San Diego. Although we have visited that area it has only been day trips from Laguna Beach.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Lawren, staying in the San Diego area would be nice because there is so much to do and see in that area alone. However, staying in the mountains is a complete change for us so we have stayed at both places over the years and liked it but only for a night or two. We also like to go up when there is snow but then it may be slower yet. Big Bear Lake has more to offer and you can easily visit both places (Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead) as they are about an hour apart. Don't expect to do much sight-seeing anywhere else as it is a slow drive to the Los Angeles area where the major attractions are. JMHO.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Thanks for the feedback John. I always wondered about the area and why I never hear more about it. Do you have anything good or bad to say about Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear? That is the only premier access resort TPI has in the area.

or Maybe we will just stay on the beach the first week too. Hopefully closer to San Diego. Although we have visited that area it has only been day trips from Laguna Beach.

Lawren,

We stayed for a week at Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear a few years ago. Lagonita Lodge was one of the timeshare resorts in our group so I was able to reserve our week directly there without any exchange fees etc. The resort was very nice and we enjoyed it. It is right on the lake. We had no trouble keeping busy for a week. We have also stayed many times at Big Bear for a couple of nights or so at various places. Our son used to do 3 triathlons a year at Big Bear. We have always enjoyed our visits to Big Bear. I understand that it is different for somebody that doesn't live here and only has week or two.

[biskits Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close biskits]

Big Bear

Hi Lawren,

We flew over Big Bear on way into LA yesterday...Pilot commented about smoke and about the fires still burning in that area right now...I think he said something like 18000 acres have been lost and
it is still burning....

Best wishes,
Paul

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Fire crews made progress overnight in containing wildfires near Big Bear and the historic town of Julian in San Diego County that had forced thousands of people from their homes, but officials said both fires remained dangerous
Progress made on fighting Big Bear & Julian fires | <b>Video</b>: Los Angeles Times Travel

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

I wasn't aware that there are fires at Big Bear and Julian.

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

San Diego really has a lot to offer; my recomendation would definitely be San Diego: the aircraft carrier Midway, Wild Animal park, Old Town, great restaurants--you could even come see us in Rosarito Beach (Baja).

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I have left my decision to the timeshare fates. I put in a request for both Big Bear and other SCal coastal which ever comes thru first is where we will go.

Isn't "fire" one of the california seasons? Like "mudslide" and "earthquake"? DOD says it is the price you all pay for living in paradise.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

L2,

You are considering two completely opposite experiences...San Bernadino Mountains vs. San Diego. While we love both it really depends on what you want.

Don't plan on doing anything touristy in So. Cal if you are going to the mountains. It is way too hard of a commute. If the mountain lake experience is what you want then you will be fine but only expect to do things in that area.

San Diego is a completely different beach, park, and amusement tourist experience.

Either way you will be fine I am sure but just be sure your expectations are in line.

And yes fire is just one of our four seasons.

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

Big Bear Fire
The fire is 100% contained and has consumed 2,730 acres.
Big Bear Fire