Big Bear Lake, California - Review

It is summer in Las Vegas and the family and I have been dreading the heat. Every escape from the confines of the air conditioned house is an entry into a 110 degree sauna. So, without further prolonging a vacation to cooler climates, we prepared to depart for Big Bear Lake, California. Situated 25 miles northeast of San Bernardino, Big Bear City is a year-round resort destination surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. The park elevation is 7,000+, with an average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

First and foremost, I must admit that the weather did not permit a comfortable stay. Though the weather called for sunny skies, the latter portion of the afternoon presented the opposite. Luckily, we were able to prepare our sleeping accommodations before it began raining; i.e. tent, etc. Our campsite was name Serrano, after the Native Americans that resided there for nearly 2,000 years. From the aerial view of a map, it appeared to be the best location in close proximity to the lake. Unfortunately though, the lake shore was surrounded with dense, underwater vegetation that nobody would want to swim in. Naturally, we had to drive to find a better swimming hole. On another note, I have been to many national recreational grounds, and Serrano in particular did not meet my expectations. For 28$ (single site) per night, I expected a campsite with grass. Instead, most of Serrano sites were located directly on a sandy, dirt surface, which would eventually form into mud later that night.

Like most campsites though, we did have a fire pit already constructed, a grill, and a bathroom nearby for the ladies. Though Serrano failed to meet my expectations, Big Bear City is a beautiful location. Because of the unpredicted weather, we were forced to dine in one of the local restaurants, which had great food I must add. The lake has many recreational activities which include canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing, and others. Outside of the lake, many families had taken to hiking or biking the smooth trails.Overall, Big Bear is a beautiful place for families to get away and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, my experience was corrupted by raining on an otherwise unpleasant location. With that being the exception, I had a great time.