Local Big Bear Guide
The Ultimate Road Trip from Los Angeles to Big Bear
When you're itching to get out of the city and into nature, there's one destination in LA's backyard that will make you feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle. Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear is a Los Angeles nature lover's weekend escape, reachable in just a few hours. Here is the ultimate road trip guide from Los Angeles to Big Bear.
How far is Big Bear from Los Angeles, and how long will the road trip take? The distance from the heart of LA to Big Bear is just over 100 miles, and a non-stop trip with ordinary traffic takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. With so many points of interest along the way, it can easily be stretched into a multi-day affair.
To get there, start on US-101 before taking Interstate 10 east until you exit at 31B and follow I-605 north. Then take I-210 and continue east through the mountains until you reach Big Bear.
Chino Hills State Park. Famed for its springtime wildflower blooms and over 90 miles of trails, this state park is a short drive outside LA. The entry fee is 10 dollars per day per vehicle.
Rancho Cucamonga. A vibrant city south of the San Bernardino foothills. Visit the Cucamonga Service Station, a Route 66 museum, hike the Etiwanda Falls Trail, catch high-speed action at Orange Show Speedway, or grab a warm donut at Duck Donuts.
Riverside. The highest-populated city in the Inland Empire. Visit the California Citrus State Historic Park, the March Field Air Museum, the Van Buren Drive-In, or the stunning Mission Inn Museum.
San Bernardino. The gateway to the San Bernardino National Forest. See the original McDonald's site and free museum, then start the Rim of the World Scenic Byway on Hwy 18, which welcomes you to the mountains with stunning views along the cliffs.
Lake Arrowhead. A quaint lake community worth a stop if you have time. See the iconic Arrowhead Springs Hotel, stroll Heaps Peak Arboretum and its Giant Sequoias, or taste at Sycamore Ranch Vineyard & Winery.
Best time to go. Winter and summer are peak seasons. Big Bear becomes a true wonderland in winter, drawing visitors to its two ski resorts from December to March; ice and snow can make mountain roads dangerous, so drive carefully. In summer, visitors beat the heat on the lake or hit the trails. For fewer crowds, visit in spring or fall.
Where should I stay? Sessions Retreat is your sanctuary for rejuvenation in Big Bear. Our boutique hotel in Big Bear Lake provides the perfect reprieve from your daily adventures, far from the hustle and bustle of LA's city life. Located off Big Bear Blvd, we're near the lake and under a 10-minute drive from both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain.
Make Sessions your base camp.
Comfortable rooms, cabins, and group lodging in the heart of Big Bear.