The Alps of Southern California

The best thing about going to Lake Arrowhead is that you don't have to do anything to have a great time. It remains one of the best kept secrets in southern California. Its sister, an much larger, city of Big Bear City lies about a half hour over the mountain and through the woods via the Rim of the World Highway.

For those who feel they must stay busy at all costs, there's boating, fishing, stargazing, hang gliding,lake boat tours, shopping in the village, and hiking.

Quick Tips:

Because the lake is small and well lined with expensive homes, lodging comes at a premium in the village. Your pocketbook would thank you for staying a bit away from water's edge in one of the quaint rental homes, B&Bs, or hotels. There is not an abundance of restaurants in the village, this is a very laid back area, but you can find some cozy spots to eat in the village as well as fine dining, such as the Raven's Nest in the historic Saddleback Inn. Everything is casual on the mountain, but there are places to dress up if you wish.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around and really enjoy the village and mountain scenery is to hike. A timeshare, hotels, and B&Bs are within walking distance of the lake and village. Take advantage to just park your car for the day or weekend. Bicycles work well too, but be warned to be in good shape and take extra care traversing the winding narrow hilly roads. The fog rolls in often in the morning and evening making even car travel treacherous up on the mountain. Snuggle in early. Of course, winter brings its own set of traveling problems with snow falling. Chains are often required up top and you will be stopped by highway patrol to check you have the chains on your car before advancing on up the mountain if warranted for your and everyone else's safety.

Best Things Nearby:
These timeshare chalets sit on the side of the mountain overlooking Arrowhead Lake. It's perfect terrain for taking a hike. You can hike down to the village in about 15 minutes avoiding the narrow winding busy road along a path at water's edge. The village is small but entertaining for some light shopping and a few restaurants. If you go in winter, skiing is about 25 minutes away. A car is definitely needed to enjoy the local sights.

Best Things About the Resort:
For our family, the best thing about this timeshare was its size. We were all in need of a good place to "hibernate" over Easter break from school and work. This was our first three-bedroom timeshare we'd stayed in and we got very spoiled. Everyone had their own large bedroom and it was ever so quiet. The only activity we saw were the chipmunks and squirrels outside our windows.

Resort Experience:
Thank goodness our first visit to Lake Arrowhead Chalets was during daylight hours. The winding narrow roads leading into the village were fun but did require vigilance. When you are on the decline going into the village you take the road to the right and follow it around the lake for about 1/2 mile.

First however, you go into the village of Lake Arrowhead, and it truly is a village not a city or large town. Within the village in a second floor office over a real estate business you check in and pick up your keys and information for your stay. A map and directions will help you find the chalets.

Once at the property you find multiple wood sided units housing several timeshare condos each, scattered over the hillside. A pull off parking space is allotted for each unit, some have two, and you have to climb about 8-10 steps, which can be slippery in winter, up to you front door. This always makes for fun conversation and teamwork in hauling in all your groceries and paraphernalia for your stay.

The units are built up and you enter the second floor where a small landing gives you the option of going up or downstairs.

Upstairs (about 1/2 to 3/4 a flight of stairs) is a large dining area to the right, living room with fireplace to the left, and pullman (two-wall) kitchen ahead off the dining area and one bedroom off the living room with a private bathroom. The table and chairs in our unit were a heavy rustic wood and the set would have easily seated eight people. There was ample space around the table. The kitchen was smallest but amply supplied and equiped to meet your every need. It was very easy to prepare a meal in.

The living room contained a sofa and several chairs with tables and lamps. It was bright enough to read and play games on the coffee table. The fireplace was average sized, pleasant, but rather non-descript. The master bedroom, off the living room, was adequate but not large. It had a queen bed, nightstands, and dresser. A bathroom with tub and shower were off the bedroom. The decorating was pleasant though seeming a bit dated, but everything was clean, comfortable, and inviting.

Back downstairs was a wide hallway that contained a full sized washer and dryer. At the end of the hallway was a standard sized bathroom with tub and shower and sink vanity. To the left of the hallway were two VERY large bedrooms. One had a queen bed and the other two twin beds. Each of the kids claimed their respective room and we saw very little of them the entire time in the condo. They loved their huge rooms and could spread all their "stuff" out to enjoy and play.

Being downstairs, the bedrooms were ultra quiet for all the inhabitants. We got some serious sleeping done in this timeshare. The entire unit seemed more like a home than an apartment. Being in the mountains, it's rustic nature seemed fitting for the setting.

The downfall to the facility was a lack of things to do on-site. We walked over to the pool and "recreation center", but the outdoor pool had not opened for the season yet and the quality of the pool and the so called rec center left much to be desired. We never went back and we saw no staff or other visitors there. I was even concerned for youngster's safety with broken pieces of wood and sharp edges. It was dreary and dirty.

The location of these timeshare units is great, but they apppear to need some cosmetic facelifting if they are to continue to draw people. I'd give it another try and just avoid the pool and rec center. Our unit filled our needs for a week away from the rat race with plenty of room for all to enjoy.

• Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Poor
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

Casa Coyote's has it all - location is dockside on the lake, entertainment, great service, and delicious food. What more can a person ask for!

It bills itself as fresh southwestern cuisine. About half the menu is Mexican styled entrees with large servings, such as Nachos Grande Especial and Casa Coyote Chicken Wings, spicy or BBQ, but there are also everything from trout and lobster to burgers, sandwiches, soups (try their yummy Famous Chicken Tortilla Soup), and salads (Western Apple Salmon Salad). They even have great beverages ranging from cocktails, beer, Coyote Iced Tea (1/2 tea and 1/2 lemonade) and sweet peach or raspberry iced tea.

Desserts are no slouch either with Chocolate Lovers' Dream Cake, homemade cheesecake, fried ice cream, and flan. You can eat Sunday breakfast until 2pm.

The restaurant is cheery with vibrant southwest colors and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, 9:30pm to 1:30am for those over 21.

There is a lot going on here. Tuesday nights is Two-for-Tuesday entree specials and karaoke sings. Monday night football is viewed on a large screen TV accompanied by hot dogs, ribs, burgers, and the like. Thursday night is all biker and hot rodders.

They have a great location in the center of Lake Arrowhead Village where you can eat inside or on the wooden deck outside overlooking the lake. It's just an all around great place to grab a bite to eat and be entertained. No frills, just fun.

As you stroll lakeside along the water in Lake Arrowhead Village you'll see the beautiful historic paddlewheel boats right in the center. If you're a first time visitor to the village and area, this tour is enjoyable and informative.

Tickets are purchased at LeRoys, a clothing and trinket merchant dockside across from the boats. The boat holds approx. 15-20 people in a covered flat bed paddlewheel boat. The seats are padded benches lining the sides and center.

Your narrator is a local inhabitant who will tell you plenty of human interest stories, history, and who's who among the lakeside dwellers in the multi-million dollar gorgeous homes. You basically circle Lake Arrowhead, taking approx. an hour tour. It's very relaxing and you come away with a better appreciation for how the area developed.

Anyone dreaming of winning the gold in figure skating? Have we got a place for you.

Just down the road about 5 minutes from Lake Arrowhead, at the hairpin turn in the road, lies the Ice Castle. This is a world famous training center solely dedicated to ice figure skating.

Many Olympic stars from around the world have trained here, including Michelle Kwon. After 20 years of family ownership by the builders, as of May 1, 2003, the Ice Castle is under new management. It was split into the ice skating training center and Camp Arrowhead Ranch Outdoor Science School. Both are managed and run by former staff of the original center and Olympic and national stars in the field.

The facility consists of the Olympic sized ice rink, a lodge, dormitories, pool, Jacuzzi, dance pavilion, gymnasium, and cottages. There is a summer program where those of all ages interested in polishing their figure skating skills can attend one day or stay the summer. Personalized trainers of quality are available. It's high altitude indoor training at its best.

Wanted to list some of the exceptional places in Lake Arrowhead Village that should be mentioned but don't warrant an entire section for each one.

Let's start with the shopping sites not to be missed. For those who love Thomas Kinkade art, you'll be in seventh heaven at his art gallery located in the center of the village at E-100 dockside. There's a Lake Arrowhead Children's Museum for the younger group. Bass shoe outlet store, and My Favorite Things for all those collectibles.

No trip to the village is complete without a stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Suite C-200. They not only make the best chocolate varieites to sample, but some very interesting unusual items that can be used for entertaining. The Village Ice Cream and Sweet Shoppe needs no explanation.

For a special treat there's the historic Antler's Inn with it's log lodge design of high open beams and massive fireplace. The Raven's Nest is fine dining at it's best with artistically sculptured plate presentation. It boosts a 5 star chef and a local favorite. It is located in the historic and pricey Saddleback Inn high on the hill over looking the lake and village. The Belgian Waffle Works with it's patio dining overlooking the lake is a favorite breakfast and lunch spot. Chateau Gourmet Restaurant at 536 S. Dart Canyon Road in Crestline (about a 10-15 minute drive - 909/338-0212) offers wonderful food for a special occasion or just because.

Once you've finished your rounds within the village, a short drive takes you to Astronomy Village at 2001 Observatory Way, just west of the high school on State Highway 18. Stargazing in the clear mountain night sky is awesome.

There are a lot of activities taking place on the mountain throughout the summer months. July 11 through August 15 finds the Jazz Festival taking up residence in what once was the Santa's Village on Highway 18 in Arrowhead area. A Film Festival runs during the summer as well as a Wine Festival June 22-23.

Winter months finds snow activites at Snow Valley Ski Resort five miles east of Running Springs on Highway 18, about 18 miles from Arrowhead.

Farther afield, 27 miles via the Rim of the World Highway is Big Bear City. It is a much larger town than the Village at Lake Arrowhead and more casual and everyday styled. It carries an alpine village motif with carved wooden bear statues everywhere. Ski runs, boating and charter fishing can be had at Bear Lake. North of Big Bear is an observatory. There are ample places to eat and stay in and around Big Bear. Try some of the Bear jams and apple butter while there and to take home.

When you drive up the mountain into the San Bernardino National Forest you little suspect that there is all this activity and refreshingly different things to do than in the rest of Southern California. It's like a world unto itself.