Big Bear Lake California - Tourist Attractions / Parks

Big Bear Lake and the two ski areas a stone's throw away are the big attractions around Big Bear Lake, the town,  though there's a clutch of additional activities to consider between water skiing, hiking and biking in summer and downhill skiing or snowboarding in winter. The Alpine Slide "bobsled" sends you plunging steep and fast like its Olympic counterpart (only more kid-friendly), part of Magic Mountain Recreation Area which offers other family-oriented pursuits like go-karting and miniature golf.   Weather permitting there's also a fine little zoo to explore just across from Bear Mountain Ski Resort. For an introduction to the area's natural highlights though, make time for a stop in at the Big Bear Discovery Center, where you can also get information on self-guided tours of Holcomb Valley, a major Gold Rush destination back in the day.