Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead?
A common question that we get asked by clients and visitors to Big Bear is, “How is Big Bear Lake different from Lake Arrowhead?”. This is a great question since Big Bear and Arrowhead have many similarities. Both are mountain lake resort communities located in the San Bernardino Mountains. Tourism is the primary economic generator for both communities, and both host millions of visitors annually. Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are only about 15 miles apart as the crow flies, and about a 45-minute drive.
5 Distinct Differences
1. Lake Use
Big Bear Lake is a public lake with two public boat launch ramps. Six marinas offer boat rentals and other concessions including pontoon boats, speedboats and personal watercraft. There are a wide variety of activities, such as parasailing, water skiing, fishing excursions, and boat tours. People can picnic lakeside and enjoy the iconic rock formations at Boulder Bay Park. Swim Beach at Meadow Park has an on-duty lifeguard, floating dock, and water toys.
Lake Arrowhead is an exclusive private lake and is much smaller. Its use is restricted to homeowners in a tract of land roughly one mile around the perimeter of the lake, known as “Arrowhead Woods”. Visitors to the area can access the lake by boat on the Arrowhead Queen Lake Tour, by water ski through the McKenzie Water Ski School, or on foot by strolling at Lake Arrowhead Village.
2. Winter Sports / Snow Play
Snowboarding at Snow Summit
Big Bear’s elevation is about 7,000 ft, which allows for a winter climate that is conducive to winter sports and snow play. Big Bear Lake is home to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, Southern California’s premier ski/snowboard resorts. Popular sledding hills include Big Bear Snow Play and Magic Mountain. When Mother Nature does not provide enough natural snow, the ski resorts and snow play areas employ state-of-the-art snowmaking systems to keep conditions consistent throughout the winter season.
Lake Arrowhead sits at a lower elevation that is high enough for winter snowfall but not quite high enough for sustained winter play conditions. The nearest ski resort to Lake Arrowhead is Snow Valley, about a 30-minute drive.
3. Air Travel
Big Bear Valley has its own community airport. The Big Bear Airport is a popular destination for private pilots to visit. The airport runway is 6,800 ft. long and can accommodate all types of aircraft including small jets and military aircraft. Helicopter tours of Big Bear are available for visitors.
Lake Arrowhead does not have a functional airport. There is a nearby unpaved runway, which is considered unusable, and the status of this airport is currently “closed.”
4. Revenue Generation
Big Bear has a myriad of mountain resort activities and events to offer its visitors. This draw creates opportunities for homeowners in Big Bear to rent their homes to vacationers. The potential for revenue generation from real estate is considerably better in Big Bear because of the numerous attractions. Vacation rental management companies such as Big Bear Vacations streamline the vacation rental process for property owners and vacationers.
Since Lake Arrowhead is also a resort destination that thrives on tourism, the area does offer lodging and cabin rentals to visitors. There is simply lower demand for vacation rentals and fewer opportunities to generate return on real estate investment properties.
5. Government
The City of Big Bear Lake is an incorporated city in San Bernardino County with its own local governing body. Not to be confused with Big Bear City, which is immediately east of Big Bear Lake, the City of Big Bear Lake is comprised of the geographic area along the south shore of Big Bear Lake. Big Bear City is part of the unincorporated areas that make up the surrounding areas of Big Bear Lake in the Big Bear Valley.
Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in San Bernardino County. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake governed by the Arrowhead Lake Association, and is for restricted use by Lake Arrowhead property owners.
Different Strokes For Different Folks
Big Bear Lake has much to offer the adventurous vacationer who wants to experience the great outdoors and the wonderful activities that a mountain resort destination can offer. Four seasons in Big Bear allow for lake recreation in the warmer months, and snow play in the winter. Accessible by land or air, Big Bear is popular destination for travelers of all kinds. The vacation rental industry in Big Bear is an exciting and lucrative option for second homeowners and investors interested in earning returns on real estate.
Lake Arrowhead can appeal to the person who is perhaps interested in a “road less traveled”. Lower elevation and fewer snow days can make it easier getting to and around the area. The smaller, more exclusive mountain community may suit people who are less interested in winter sports activities, public lake access, and the associated tourist traffic.
Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are both wonderful mountain resort communities and each has its own charm and appeal. If you are interested in learning more about Big Bear and/or would like more information about the exciting real estate investment opportunities available, call us at (909) 547-7550 or contact us here.
Big Bear is great for real outdoorsman, people who actually want to enjoy winter sports. Lake Arrowhead is for poseurs who wish to bring their velvet rope city attitudes to nature. What’s the point of escaping to nature, if you’re going to bring all of your pretentious restrictions and exclusivity with you?
I think the people in Lake Arrowhead area have more money…and there’s more of a spectrum of types in Big Bear.
Seems like the Lake Arrowhead-goers aren’t the only mountain visitors with attitudes. To each his own. I suspect anyone who drives all that way up out of LA appreciates nature to one degree or another but maybe chooses to enjoy it in different ways.
As for “real” people who “actually” want to “escape to nature”, I suggest we all leave our attitudes behind. You never know who you’re talking to… or what they know… or what they might be able to teach you… or what you might be able to teach them, for that matter. Let’s not shut each other out so automatically.
May the mountain air lift the fog from all our eyes… may the mountain continue to teach us all.
Fair enough — well said.
Nice
Well said.. thank you!
Yes! Thank you for that!
Well played ,
Headed to lake arrowhead..
Ok Karen. 🙄
True, you are totally right
Well said.
Sorry. Yes we probably have a very low percentage oh high brows be other than their always vacant, endlessly for sale mega mansions you’d never know they were here. We do have some finer dining choices and a resort that offers some pretty nice creature comforts. Real estate prices all very diverse! I’ve been on this lake for over 60 years and love, love, love it! There really is no wAy to compare the two lakes except that they are on the same mountain. Velvet robes??? Hahaha. I’ve never seen one up here!
My main question and concern is the highways. I am deathly afraid of mountain roads with long drops and no railings. How is road to Lake Arrowhead?
After driving up a few times, I’m not worried about the drive up to Arrowhead now. It’s the 91 I don’t like! Once I’m at the bottom of the hill I’m fine. However, my friends keep their head down all the way up! Lol
Driving is not bad at all. There are 2 ways up the mountain. You can take the CA 18 or CA 330. Both are lined with guardrails. Personally, I like the CA 18 since it has less curves. Both are multi-lane, so you can move to the side to allow faster traffic by. Just make sure you bring chains during the winter if you don’t have 4-wheel drive. Also, don’t travel at night during the cold months due to black ice.
There are 3 ways to get up and down from Big Bear. Hwy 38
Hwy 18 and Hwy 330.
There are a multitude of reasons behind the choices people make. How sad BullWinkle lacks the ability to understand. Escaping the city does not necessarily mean escaping to nature.
Wow. The irony of this comment. It is possible to live in LA AND appreciate nature.
I live in Lake Arrowhead and there’s quite a good amount of really nice people here. The people who live on the lake are pretty snobby though. I live about a 25 minute walk from the lake.
I’d say that about Big Bear in comparison to the Sierras. Places like China Peak & Kirkwood are Real Outdoorsman places for people who love winter sports. I won’t even bring up Mammoth or Lake Tahoe.
Because it’s less crowded and still easy access to all of those outdoor adventures.
Im not going to lie. This comment actually sealed the deal for me to pick arrow head over big bear. The honest feedback is what I wanted and this is it. #Whatimlooking for
Agreed. People who are retired & want serenity will be attracted to Lake Arrowwhead & those who want to enjoy an active winter life with their family will be attracted to Big Bear. I’m currently at Lake Arrowwhead & realize I want to go to the movies & library & shopping & many restaurants, sooo…I’m investigating Big Bear this coming week.
Actually, in Lake Arrowhead, we have a movie theatre, lots of shopping, great restaurants and a good library. We chose Lake Arrowhead over Big Bear because we hate traffic and it is sooooo much easier to get up here than to get to Big Bear. Life here is peaceful and we don’t have to shovel our driveway as often, yet still are able to enjoy many, many days of snowy beauty. Our grandkids go sledding several times every year and if we feel like skiing, we can take a quick trip over to Snow Valley, 10 miles away near Running Springs, or drive over to Big Bear if we feel like fighting traffic everywhere, both on the way and in town. Here, homes are not squished together on top of each other, and inside, we have room to move around. I have absolutely NO regrets.
If your older (over 50 let’s say) or you just want somewhere quieter, Lake Arrowhead is great, especially the Lake Arrowhead Resort. And Big Bear is only a 20 minute drive to the east.
just WANT A QUIET PLACE AWAY FROM THE CIRCUS DOWN THE HILL. after 50 YOU LOOK AT “MANADATORY” THINGS DIFFERENT. took AWHILE TO FIND A PLACE AFFORABLE UP HERE ALSO. everybody HAS DIFFERENT VIEWS.
Big Bear is at least an hour away from Lake Arrowhead. Considering traffic on a busy day can take 2 to 3 hours from Lake Arrowhead.
So so happy I purchased my second home in Arrowhead Woods. I love getting away from the chaos and immediately feel so relaxed as ai drive up the mountain. It’s been snowing lately and what a treat. This is my first winter here. There aren’t any fine dining or ‘foodies’ restaurants but the point is to get away after all so that means home cooked meals and wine by the fire. I will drive to Big Bear area at some point for a little getaway from my tree house in Arrowhead. People here have been so nice. Welcome anyone wishing to leave it all behind. Great time to buy too. This is my second home but im here more than at my first home just 45 mins down the mountain.
Hope to meet like minded people and maybe join a club.
I’m seriously considering retiring to either Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead. Los Angeles proper has become congested, filthy, frustrating in every way. Wish to remain within a few hours of L.A. to see my offspring. Working paralegal and part time yoga teacher considering a radical move. Any advice is welcome.
Annie Laurie
West Los Angeles, California
I looked at both Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead for my second home. I am over 50, and still active. I chose Big Bear because I can walk to the village (May be a couple of miles from my home). I ride my bike around the lake everyday, and it’s easy to bring the kayak to the lake. Lake Arrowhead, to me, was very automobile dependent, and their Village reminds me of an outdoor mall. A little too planned for me.
I know lots of people who prefer one over the other, and the beauty is that we have choice. I love my house in Big Bear and wouldn’t trade it for anything! Although, I do wish there was a better fenced in dog park for my dog to run.
Looking at both places with envy…from a baking hot Texas!
My main concern is roads. How is the road to Lake Arrowhead? I’m looking for answers that say no long drops without railing. Lol scaredy-cat
There’s a few ways up to Big Bear and Arrowhead. If you take 330 to the 18 there are definitely drops and it is very high but mostly there are guard rails… although quite a few places without. That being said, most out of towners drive conservatively and there are some passing lanes for those who are more comfortable (I’m not one of them) I believe you can also take the 18 straight to arrowhead from the 210 which I haven’t done but presumably it’s similar. As a fellow scaredy cat I must say it is well worth it once there (and very beautiful if you can bring yourself to peek on the way up).
Thanks for the reply, this was helpful. I am a flat-lander from Iowa, and my wife and I are considering going to either Big Bear of Arrowhead in March. I have driven in Telluride, and the Colorado Rockies, but never in the middle of winter. I didn’t know there was such a thing as snow chain required areas. Would either of these areas be patrolled for snow tires, or chains?
Yes, I lived in Lake Arrowhead for years and a few times some people had to turn around because they didn’t have chains and there was a patrol that day. Besides, I wouldn’t suggest making the trip without chains whether or not they had patrols, the roads can be quite icy.
I love the open valley of Big Bear. You have a larger selection of single story homes. In Lake Arrowhead many are two story or require stairs. Not friendly to people, with disabilities or elderly. I do not want to lug my groceries up stairs nor do I want a cabin on stilts. Mai tenancy on any cabin is a given but when you have to worry about structural issues because of wood rot etc. I prefer Big Bear.
I prefer to drive the 38, it is usually open and much prettier drive plus the 18 is difficult to drive because of traffic, snow or landslides. I will always remember about the boy who was in the rear passenger seat and a rockslide killed him. They usually close 18 because of that.
I drive up to Lake Arrowhead once a week. I go 210 to 18 and the drive is easy. There is nowhere that scares me and I grew up terrified of mountain roads. There are now even reflectors all the way up to the Crestline cutoff, so it is very easy to see where the road is at night even in snowy conditions.
I’m so happy to have read the comments because I’m currently trying to decide which area would be best for me to buy a 2nd home. Big Bear has more to offer, but adds 15-25 min driving time from my house, compared toLake Arrowhead. I could drive 45 min to worK from Lake Arrowhead, but I would not commute from BB, so that would definitely just be for weekends. But, my adult son and extended family would come up to snowboard in BB and my current homeowners insurance, USAA covers BB. I would have to get a new company to insure Lake Arrowhead and from the one quote I got, it was more expensive.
I had no idea Lake Arrowhead (the lake) was only for the people who live there. So if u drive up to Lake arrowhead, don’t count on taking your boat for the beautiful lake. They won’t let u use it because u don’t live there. That’s terrible and bad for business I would think. So if u like water your much better off going to the beautiful Big Bear Lake. Everyone is welcome, your boat is welcome on the lake all day long.
Lake Arrowhead is unique due to the fact it is a private lake. Which means it keeps the rif raf and hot doggers of the lake. My aunt and uncle had their second home there for years in the 50’s 60’s, and my aunt taught the locals how to water ski, including, believe it or not Natalie Wood which is not a well known thing since she was deathly afraid of water. They are gone now but the memories of those days at Lake Arrowhead are wonderful for the rest of the family.
I keep hearing about the terrible fog around Lake Arrowhead and the commute down the mountain. Does Big Bear have that problem driving the 38? Also, how is snow removal around town?
Hi Deb,
The west end of the mountains (which includes Hwy 330 that goes by Lake Arrowhead) does get fog in the winters. The south side of the mountains (Hwy 38) does seem to get considerably less fog, but it still has it during storms and through the winter season.
Due to the fluctuations of our Southern California winters this can be often or very seldom, depending on the severity of the winter we have. Living in Big Bear and working off the mountain can be done as I know many people who commute off the mountain year round.
Snow removal around town is dependent on the area and the boulevard, hospital and ski resorts tend to get plowed first and then the surrounding areas after that. The roads in and out of town they try to plow as soon as possible to keep traffic flowing. I would highly recommend a permanent resident to have a 4- wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle.
Best,
Laura Craig
Realtor
760-221-8820
BigBearRealEstate.com
Thanks!…that was very informative….I was in big bear last winter and was great fun…I wasn’t the driver but I’m originally from flat Florida so for me the drive is super scary!Now I want to try lake arrowhead…the drive seems not as rough….I want to move to palm springs and these are great getaways! Those reviews were very helpful and they are pretty close…from the desert to the mountains….beautiful! 😀
I’m a Big Bear Valley resident for 46 years, so I’ll leave the comment about Arrowhead to those who know better about it than I. Big Bear is a wonderful valley into which there is something to do all year long. For hiking there exists countless opportunities for all levels and all ages including many around the lake and Baker Pond. There is a beautiful zoo with an all-alpine forest animals from all over the country including Grizzly and Black Bears. All the animals have areas that are just like their original home turf. The lake offers boating, water sports, fishing in the summer, with scheduled lake events every weekend throughout the spring-summer-fall. The Village is full of things to see and do and it is a 4 season treat year around. Many great restaurants and shops and pubs. The best Oktoberfest in all of Souther California that you don’t want to miss. On the back side of the mountains is a fun drive to shop and visit in Victorville-Apple Valley. East Valley residents can enjoy using Hwy 38 and it has plenty of safe pull-outs to allow faster traffic to go by all year round. Hwy 18 to Hwy 330 is the quickest way up and down for all, visitors and residents alike. And if you enjoy winter sports there are two world class ski areas to enjoy and both areas are individually unique. As of this writing the lake is full again after many years of drought. Just for fun many years ago I skied in the morning and by afternoon surfed in Redondo Beach. Mountain bike ride, road bike riding and downhill mountain bike riding are all here. While mountaintop living is not for many-mountain top visiting is a special treat for a day, a weekend, or a vaction, your time will be enjoyed beyond belief.
Very nice, thanks for your comments!