Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake was initially created in 1884-1885 for the purpose of irrigating the Redlands area’s new citrus orchards.  The first dam was completed in December 1884.   A second, higher dam, was completed in 1911 and is still in use today.  An excellent source of information about Big Bear is a book entitled Big Bear, The First 100 Years, Bearly Remembered II, by Tom Core.

Big Bear is located in the San Bernardino National Forest at an altitude of 6,750 feet lakeside. This is a resort community with four seasons of outdoor activities. Summer temperatures range around 78 degrees during the day and 45 degrees at night. We average about 300 days of sunshine a year. Wintertime activities include skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, sledding and other activities.

The lake is approximately eight miles long and one mile wide at its widest point. This fresh water lake has a maximum depth of 72 feet, with 23 miles of shoreline. Fishing is great! Water skiing, jet skiing, sailing, swimming, parasailing, and boating are available.

Two evenings each year the main streets in Big Bear Lake (Pine Knot and Village Drive) are closed to all traffic starting around 4:00 PM. The first closing is October 31 for Halloween trick or treaters when the local business community provides treats for the roaming tricksters. The second closing occurs the day after Thanksgiving for the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on a local fire truck. Big Bear Lions provide hot coffee and cocoa free of charge to hundreds of visitors during both events. These are special times for our Club within the community.

Photo credit: Patty King