SoCal Getaway for Family Fun: Big Bear

 

 

I love the Great Outdoors, and I love giving my children the chance to play in and explore the great gifts Mother Nature has given us. I was born in the mid-west and spent the first six years of my life running barefooted through fields, picking berries from the bushes along the dirt road near my grandparents’ farm, and dipping my toes in the lake. Some of my fondest childhood memories include punching holes in the lids of mason jars and chasing fireflies.

Here in Southern California, there are no lightning bugs. And the opportunities for real, natural play are harder to find. There are opportunities, thanks to the many nature centers, wildlife preserves, open space areas, and nearby beaches and mountains – you just have to go to them rather than having them readily available.

Once in a while, it’s nice to slip out of city-life and get the kids a little dirty. Recently, my family and I decided to make a 2-day trip to Big Bear. Early October is off-season there and we stayed at the Marina Resort. The ground floor rooms have an excellent view of the lake and the beach is reserved for hotel guests only. Just beyond your door the kids can explore the beachfront at their leisure or play on the small private play structure. And yes, they have a pool and Jacuzzi.

 

Hitting the Trails:

I recommend visiting the Big Bear Discovery Center as soon as you get into town if you plan on exploring the wilderness here. Most of the trailhead parking areas require a day-use Adventure Pass that can be purchased here or at the Big Bear Visitors Center. You can also get the pamphlets for the self-guided nature trails with interpretive signposts and find out which trails are best-suited for your family.

Our first hiking adventure was the Woodland Trail, a 1.5 mile interpretive loop with 16 numbered signposts. Pamphlets are available at the beginning of the trail here, and you’ll learn about the trees, bugs, and wildlife that inhabit the area. My kids are 3 and 6, and they made the whole hike without complaining.

 

The Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail:

Our second hiking adventure was the Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail. This one is more difficult to get to, requiring 5-7 miles of driving on narrow, bumpy dirt roads. But if you have a vehicle that can handle the terrain, the short hike is rewarding and fun. The 110-foot tall Champion Lodgepole pine is pretty magnificent. Take a few moments to stand at the base of the tree then walk out to the meadow to get a good look at the size of this giant pine. The tree was almost cylindrical in shape compared to its younger more triangular neighbors. The kids liked looking through all the pinecones gathered at the bottom of the tree and it is a nice shady spot to enjoy the moment. You can travel a short distance farther to a nearby lake, but we didn’t have a trail map so we headed back. The Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail is only about 30 to 40 minutes round trip. Get a pamphlet at the Big Bear Discovery Center that explains each of the 14 numbered signposts along the trail. There were no trail maps available at the trailhead other than the large signboard that is far too heavy to carry with you. We noticed that a few of the numbered signposts were missing from this trail, but it is apparently heavily traveled by scouts and other groups.

 

 

Note: If you go hiking in remote areas, be on the lookout for wildlife, especially snakes and mountain lions. Before you go, check with the Discovery Center for helpful tips on how to handle the situation if you are confronted. Always use caution! Also, pack accordingly. The temperature drops quickly so wear layers (t-shirt, sweatshirt, and heavy jacket) and pack snacks and water.

 

Face-to-Face with Wildlife:

Don’t miss the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. I love this place because most of the animals you find here are rescues. From bald eagles to Timberwolves, you’ll find all things relevant to the forest. Of course there are plenty of bears and one of their newest exhibits houses two snow leopards! My son loved the kit fox, my daughter loved the porcupine, but I could have watched those wolves all day.

Play and Learn:

The Big Bear Discovery Center is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, both days that we were in town, so we didn’t get to spend much time there. We stopped on our way out of town on Thursday though. When the parking area is open, there are several other trails you can take here for more hiking adventures.

 

 

While we were exploring inside, one of the docents directed us to the play area out back and we fell in love. There were several fun areas to explore from making natural works of art to building with twigs and branches to climbing a rope web.

The play area is a certified Nature Explore playground. The educational and playful area is extremely interactive and the kids find something new to try at every turn. There are other certified Nature Explore Playgrounds across the country. Visit the website at https://www.natureexplore.org/and see if there is one near you.

 

 

 

Winter Visits

If you’re visiting during the snowy season, you can try the toboggan runs at Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain. They also offer tubing in the snow and go karts. Ready for something warmer? Head to the arcade or try out Gold Rush Mining Adventures. You can pan for real gold and enjoy a look around the emporium at the grand collection of fossils, geodes, and gemstones. Don’t miss the Wooly Mammoth teeth and hair or the Megalodon shark teeth!

 

All photos are property of Heidi Deal  except Cover Photo courtesy of Flickr

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