Best of Big Bear's Winter Hikes

A classic adventureland nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear is the definition of a winter wanderland. Explore by strapping on some snowshoes or good snow boots (and bring some poles). Big Bear hug!

Week: 02.18.2016
Regions: Southern CA

Grand View Summit

Hike or Snowshoe Pine Knot in Big Bear

The moderately strenuous 6-mile Pine Knot hike in Big Bear is wildly popular in summer. But in winter, this trail is a kingdom of blissful isolation, and just as beautiful! Rent some snowshoes and poles and traverse the snow to explore.
Read the full story

Getaway Time

City of San Luis Obispo Late Winter Getaway

slocitycom_015-image-jpeg
Isn't it time you took things SLO? It's actually much easier than you think. San Luis Obispo (SLO) is centrally located just a few hours from San Francisco and Los Angeles. It's a Central Coast getaway with a secret: In February and March it's absolutely awesome, with green rolli
Visit our sponsor San Luis Obispo

King of the Castle Rock

Snowshoe Castle Rock in Big Bear

If you have only a short time to enjoy a snowy Big Bear hike, conquer the steep slopes of the Castle Rock Trail. After parking in the small pull-out lot, cross the highway (carefully!) and find the trailhead to this easygoing 2.5-mile out-and-back trek. The path begins along a pe
Read the full story

Alpine Pedal Path

Alpine Pedal Path Big Bear in Winter

Snow is scarcer on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, but solitude is plentiful, and the novel view of Big Bear Lake is refreshing. The paved multi-use 3.5-mile Alpine Pedal Path takes you to the good views. A bonus: Since the Alpine Pedal Path has no dense patches of cedars and p
Read the full story

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View