Fall arrives differently in the San Bernardino Mountains. The air cools, the pines deepen in colour, and the shoreline at Lake Arrowhead Village fills with the sounds of oompah bands, clinking steins, and laughter that carries across the water. For a handful of weekends each autumn, one of Southern California’s most beloved seasonal traditions takes over Waterfront Park — and if you haven’t experienced Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest yet, this is the year to change that.

Tucked into the pine-covered hills of Skyforest, California, SkyPark at Santa’s Village is one of those places that genuinely defies a single description. Part outdoor adventure park, part nostalgic Christmas destination, part world-class mountain bike venue — it has carved out a reputation as one of the San Bernardino Mountains’ most distinctive attractions, and for good reason.

SkyFest Big Bear is a multi-day astronomy and dark sky festival presented by Visit Big Bear and spearheaded by Care for Big Bear — the sustainability and conservation arm of Visit Big Bear — in partnership with DarkSky International.

There’s something about Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain that keeps people coming back decade after decade. It’s not a sprawling theme park with hour-long queues or a place that tries to do everything at once.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the festival’s history, the full 2026 lineup, venue logistics, what to do in the surrounding area, and how to plan an overnight stay that makes the most of your time in the mountains.

This guide covers six beginner-friendly ski resorts within reach of Los Angeles, from the closest (Mountain High, about 90 minutes away) to the most ambitious weekend destination (Mammoth Mountain, about five hours). Two of them — Snow Valley Mountain Resort and Snow Summit — sit in the San Bernardino Mountains and are worth particular attention for beginners.

If you are planning to attend Forest Fest — or simply curious what all the noise is about — here is a thorough look at the event, the trails, and how to make the most of a Forest Fest weekend in Big Bear.

Just 10 minutes from the heart of Running Springs, Snow Valley Mountain Resort stands as one of Southern California’s most accessible and beginner-friendly ski destinations. This historic resort attracts skiers and snowboarders from across the region, offering a relaxed mountain experience without the crowds and long drives associated with larger resorts.

Big Bear Lake is one of Southern California’s most beloved mountain destinations, and summer is arguably its finest season. When the valleys below are sweltering through triple-digit temperatures, Big Bear offers cool alpine breezes, a sparkling lake, and an endless lineup of outdoor adventures that make it feel like a world away from the everyday […]

Crestline Jamboree Days transforms this peaceful lakeside town into a vibrant celebration of patriotism, community spirit, and mountain culture every Fourth of July weekend, with festivities that actually begin a week earlier.