The Ultimate Road Trip from San Diego to Big Bear

How far is Big Bear from San Diego? There are two routes, both only a couple of hours long. Each can be a day trip or extended into a multi-day road trip.

Route 1 takes you up I-15 N for about 110 miles until you hit CA-38 E for another 53 miles. This inland route runs through Escondido, Temecula, and Riverside, about 2 hours and 50 minutes in regular traffic.

Route 2 takes you up the beautiful Southern California coast, slightly longer at about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Take the I-5 for about 133 miles until you merge onto CA-38 E. You'll pass coastal towns like Encinitas, Oceanside, and San Clemente before heading inland through Irvine and Riverside.

Route 1 stops: Temecula, the Napa Valley of Southern California, with wineries like Briar Rose (replicas of Snow White's cottage), Churon, and Doffo, plus Old Town's 1880s western charm. Riverside offers the California Citrus State Historic Park, the March Field Air Museum, the Van Buren Drive-In, and the Mission Inn Museum. San Bernardino is the gateway to the forest and the start of the Rim of the World Scenic Byway.

Route 2 stops: Torrey Pines and its coastal bluffs; Oceanside and Carlsbad, with the Oceanside Pier and Legoland California; San Clemente's state beaches and the Casa Romantica Cultural Center; and a possible detour to Anaheim for Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, a game, or live music.

Best time to go. Winter and summer are peak seasons. Big Bear is a wonderland in winter with its two ski resorts; mountain roads can be dangerous with ice and snow, so drive carefully. In summer, beat the heat on the lake or on 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 provides the perfect reprieve from your daily adventures and a place to rest after a long road trip, with socially oriented amenities centered around art and wellness.