Wildhaven Ranch is a wildlife sanctuary, education centre, and visitation facility for endangered and indigenous wild animals of the San Bernardino Mountains. Operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society, Wildhaven’s mission is to preserve the wildlife indigenous to these mountains and to leave a valuable natural heritage for future generations.

Big Bear Lake has no shortage of outdoor activities, but few are as welcoming to as many different kinds of visitors as the Alpine Pedal Path. This fully paved lakeside trail runs along the north shore of Big Bear Lake and draws everyone from serious morning joggers to grandparents pushing strollers — and pretty much everyone in between. It is easy, scenic, dog-friendly, and genuinely suitable for all ages and fitness levels, which explains why it consistently ranks among the most visited spots in the area.

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest has been drawing visitors from across the region for more than five decades — and for good reason. It is the kind of event that earns its reputation not through spectacle alone, but through consistency, authenticity, and a genuinely festive atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year.

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.