Big Bear is a small mountain resort town with a big heart, and there’s more than meets the eye to us than just our big ol’ lake! Here are 5 of the top things you may not have known about Big Bear:
Big Bear Lake is actually Man-Made!
If there’s one attraction in Big Bear that sounds out above all else and guides millions of people each year from around the world to visit, it has to be Big Bear Lake itself! Swimming, kayaking, fishing… you name it, Big Bear Lake has it! But one thing you may not have known about Big Bear Lake is that it’s actually a man-made lake, and was created in the late 19th century to hold water to supply the citrus farms in Redlands.
It Wasn’t Always Called Big Bear Lake
Just like most places in the world, Big Bear Lake has seen its fair share of different names before it finally settled on what we know it as today! Before 1845 the natural water reservoir was initially known as Baldwin Lake, but when Benjamin Wilson came to the area he found a large amount of grizzly bears who called the area their home. Stunned by the size of the bears and the amount in the area, Wilson found it fitting to rename the area Big Bear Lake!
Big Bear is a Hot Spot Destination for Hollywood
With all the incredible natural beauty and scenery that we are fortunate to have here in Big Bear it’s no wonder that Hollywood often comes to our doorstep to film for some of their biggest movies! Many motion pictures have been filmed in Big Bear, including scenes from Gone with the Wind, War Games, Old Yeller, and more!
A Favorite Training Destination for World Class Athletes
Over the years Big Bear has truly become a favorite location for world-class athletes to train, primary due to its high elevation and close proximity to large cities such as LA or Las Vegas. In the past it has been the training home for legendary champions such as Oscar de la Hoya, and today many MMA fighters and professional bike riders train right here in town! That means you never know who you may run in to when you visit Big Bear…
Big Bear Oktoberfest is One Heck of a Good Time!
You may not know it from the outside looking in, but one of the best places to celebrate Oktoberfest in all the United States is right here in Big Bear! The Big Bear Oktoberfest celebrations began decades ago with true German immigrants who made their way to Big Bear, and the party hasn’t stopped every year since! We celebrate with authentic German beer and food, live music, and more! If there’s one best kept secret about Big Bear that you didn’t know above all else, this is it!
Regardless of why you’re choosing to stay in Big Bear, make the right choice and choose to stay in Big Bear with Big Bear Cabins! Big Bear Cabins offers a number of amazing rental properties and cabins all throughout the Big Bear area, and we’re more than ready to assist you with finding the location of your dreams to make your next vacation unforgettable! So don’t wait, contact us with any questions or to make your reservation today.
FAQs
This is Where the Stars Live
It's rumored that Brittney Spears has a vacation home here, and Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny), Roy Rogers, and Max Factor have all lived here at one time or the other. Who knows who you might spot shooshing down the slopes next to you!
What celebrities live in the Big Bear? ›
This is Where the Stars Live
It's rumored that Brittney Spears has a vacation home here, and Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny), Roy Rogers, and Max Factor have all lived here at one time or the other. Who knows who you might spot shooshing down the slopes next to you!
Why is Big Bear called Big Bear? ›
Big Bear got its name due to the large number of grizzly bears that once roamed the area. Although grizzly bears went extinct in the valley at the turn of the 20th century, there are still thousands of black bears found in Big Bear Valley.
Why did Big Bear go to jail? ›
Big Bear slipped past all the soldiers looking for him and gave himself up to a startled policeman at Fort Carlton on 2 July 1885. Big Bear and 14 of his band were transported to Regina, and his trial before Judge Hugh Richardson* and a jury of six on a charge of treason-felony began on 11 Sept. 1885.
What was Big Bear famous for? ›
Big Bear is most notable for his involvement in Treaty 6 and the 1885 North-West Rebellion; he was one of the few chief leaders who objected to the signing of the treaty with the Canadian government.
How many bear kills per year? ›
The 750,000 black bears of North America kill less than one person per year on the average, while men ages 18-24 are 167 times more likely to kill someone than a black bear. Most attacks by black bears are defensive reactions to a person who is too close, which is an easy situation to avoid.
How many years can a bear sleep? ›
In the colder, northern parts of Alaska, bears hibernate about 7 months of the year. Bears in the warmer, coastal regions of the state hibernate for 2-5 months, with the longer hibernation time for bears raising newborn cubs.
How fast can a bear run? ›
The grizzly bear, or brown bear, is the fastest bear in the world and can achieve a top speed of 40 mph, according to the National Park Service. Put another way, a grizzly bear running at top speed can cover about 20 yards in a single second.
Why is Big Bear so popular? ›
History of Big Bear Lake
The Gold Rush brought prospectors to nearby Holcomb Valley, followed by a shift towards logging. The construction of the Bear Valley Dam created Big Bear Lake, which quickly became a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty.
Is it expensive to live in Big Bear? ›
Based on our Big Bear Lake cost of living calculator, Big Bear Lake is 12% more expensive than the national average and 17% less expensive to live in than the average city in California.
Lower Moonridge homes tend to be located on flatter terrain close to central Big Bear. Upper Moonridge encompasses a mountainous area with some of the best hilltop views in the valley. Imagine sitting on the deck with your morning coffee and taking in the views of Big Bear Lake and the ski resorts all at once.
Who owns Big Bear? ›
Alterra, which owns more than a dozen mountain resorts across six states and three Canadian provinces, does not disclose purchase prices, a spokesperson said Friday. Alterra bought Bear Mountain and Snow Summit – collectively known as Big Bear Mountain Resort – in 2017, reports show.
What is Big Bear full name? ›
Mistahimaskwa was born around 1825 near Jackfish Lake, north of present-day North Battleford. His father, Black Powder, an Ojibwa, was the Chief of a small mixed band of Cree and Ojibwa and his mother was a member of one of these nations.
Is Big Bear a man-made lake? ›
Big Bear Lake is a man-made lake. In 1883, plans were made to construct a rock damn that would hold water to supply the citrus farms in Redlands. In 1885 the first water began to flow after 26 months of planing and construction.
How many kids did Big Bear have? ›
Chief Big Bear Mistahimuskwa married Joanne Na-tachi-skau-n Sayos and had 10 children. He passed away on 17 Jan 1888 in Poundmaker Indian Reserve, Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, Canada.
