Fun Things To Do in Big Bear, Besides the Ski Resorts

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Amazon
• Pinterest

Big Bear, CA is great year-round travel destination. And it’s one of the best cities in California to visit. We try to get away for a long weekend there at least once a year, usually in the winter time so we can take advantage of the potential snow in Southern California. However, there are so many fun things to do in Big Bear no matter which season you choose to visit.

In the warmer summer months, Big Bear Lake provides tons of options for keeping cool or having fun on the water. The fall has beautiful fall foliage, and the spring can be a great time to hike or mountain bike.

Camping in Big Bear is extremely popular as well. There are lots of great campgrounds in Big Bear you can choose, along with tons of great hotels and lodges in Big Bear. So you tons of options for your next family vacation. You can also check out favorite Big Bear Airbnbs here.

If you are planning to visit Big Bear, but you don’t want to spend all your time and money at the ski resorts, which can be both packed and costly, you still have tons of fun options you can pick from. Here are some of our favorite Big Bear activities that don’t require visiting the ski resorts.

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain – One of the most fun things to do in Big Bear!

Season: Year-round

The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain is one of our favorite things to do, no matter when we visit Big Bear. The Alpine Slide is Southern California’s only authentic bobsled experience. But there is also a lot more you can do when you visit. If you go during the summer time, you can enjoy the two waterslides there. If you visit in the winter, you can enjoy snow tubing on site. Other year-round options include the new Mineshaft Coaster, the Soaring Eagle zipline ride, miniature golf and a Go-Kart track.

Fun Things to do in Big Bear: Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Season: Year-round

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo specializes in the rehab and release of animals back into the wild. The zoo is open daily and is a great way to see some animals up close and attend some of the daily programs that are included with admission.

The Village at Big Bear Lake

Season: Year-round

The Village at Big Bear Lake is a must-do when visiting this charming town. This is where you will find souvenir and specialty shops alongside some delicious restaurants and bars. Besides restaurants and shops, the Village at Big Bear Lake is where you will find a bowling alley, escape rooms and scavenger hunts as well. There is something to please the entire family.

Big Bear Things to Do: Big Bear Pirate Ship

Season: Summer

The Big Bear Pirate Ship tour is fun for the entire family. These 90-minute tours are full of corny jokes, historical enrichment and breathtaking views out on Big Bear Lake. The kids will love the treasure chest surprise while adults can enjoy the full bar on board.

Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures

Season: Year-round

The Gold Rush Mining Company Adventures is a unique gift shop experience that has a variety of activities to pick from. You can choose from experiences like panning for gold, digging for fossils, harvesting pearls from oysters or cracking open crystal geodes. Reservations are not required, so you can simply pop in and let the kids choose which experience they’d like to try.

Big Bear Discovery Center

Season: Year-round

Stop by the Big Bear Discovery Center and be one of the more than 190,000 annual visitors to experience weekly programs and eco-tours. From story-telling to snowshoeing, there are events for everyone. You can check the events page on their website and find special events to enjoy, like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater.

Fun Things to do in Big Bear: Snow Tubing

Season: Winter and Summer

A more cost-friendly way to enjoy the snow, and something people of all ages seem to love, is snow tubing. Big Bear has a few different options to choose from that take the hassle out of it for you by providing a magic carpet ride and maintained tubing lanes. And if you choose the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park at Snow Summit, you’ll get to enjoy this fun in the summer months as well, on their high-speed tube lanes.

If you are visiting Big Bear in the winter months, be sure to check out my Ski Trip Packing List to help make packing for your trip a breeze.

Basecamp at Snow Summit

Season: Summer and Fall

Besides the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park, the Basecamp at Snow Summit has several other fun things for kids to partake in, such as bungee trampolines, ziplining, rock climbing, mining and full-throttle courses. Purchasing a day pass usually ends up being the most cost-effective option because once the kids start, they never want to stop.

Big Bear Speedway

Season: Spring – Fall

Go-Kart racing is a ton of fun, and is another option that is sure to please Big Bear visitors that are ages 14 and older. Children under the age of 14 but over 42″ can be passengers with a driver who is 18 or over. When you visit the Big Bear Speedway, be sure to check out other popular attractions, like the rope course or tubing tracks as well.

Activities in Big Bear: Mountain Biking

Season: Summer

When the snow is gone, mountain-biking enthusiasts have lots of options in Southern California’s Mountain Biking Mecca. Take a ski lift up at Summit Bike Park and enjoy downhill mountain trails, or try out the trails nearby at Snow Valley. There are so many mountain-biking options to choose from in Big Bear.

Fun Things To Do in Big Bear: Hiking

Season: Year-round

There is no shortage of hiking trails to be found in Big Bear, CA. From hikes less than half a mile, to all-day 15-mile hikes, there are trails that will fit people of all fitness levels and ages. And besides excellent exercise, you may be rewarded with some spectacular views and wildlife encounters.

Take a Scenic Chair Ride

Season: Summer

If you want the view without the hike, a scenic chair ride is a good option for you. You’ll enjoy some spectacular views and photo ops, along with access to some nature and hiking trails, and even dining options at the top of the mountain.

Lake Gregory Water Park

Season: Summer

While not technically in Big Bear, the Lake Gregory Water Park provides a ton of family fun in the nearby town of Crestline. You can enjoy the waterslides and water obstacle course, or just post up on the sand while the kids play in the water.

If you’re interested in more ideas, check out this list of some fun family things to do in Lake Arrowhead. It’s not too far from Big Bear and has plenty of family fun to offer.