Summertime in Big Bear City

Best Things Nearby:
Big Bear Lake is next to your door. If you're lucky enough to visit over the 4th of July, everyone gathers on the grass at water's edge and, en masse, watches terrific fireworks over the lake. It's a very memorable place to celebrate the holiday.

Best Things About the Resort:
Our satisfaction was all about location, location, location. Our particular unit we exchanged for had a balcony overlooking the sandy volleyball court and the lake on the first floor. It was perfect. There is a nice rec room with pool table that they let the kids/teens use as well, unlike many resorts. The indoor pool is great for cool late night swims.

Resort Experience:
This resort is located along a small street of other resorts and houses owned and rented. It's on the east side of Big Bear City so you don't have to go into or through town to get to it from the west incline up the mountains.

The resort is very compact with parking being a real problem. You usually can find a place, just not always close to your unit.

The one bedroom unit we had was adequate, but nothing to write home about. There was a small living room with angled stone fireplace. The sofa made into a bed to accommodate the third and fourth persons. A bar with stools separated the living room from the kitchen. The kitchen was adequate but basic. The one bedroom was small with clean but basic furnishings. The decorating seemed a bit dated but all were clean. The square footage was on the small size, seeming like an older styled timeshare condo, unlike many of the newer large units for families.

The best part was this particular units location with its balcony with two chairs overlooking, almost on, the small volleyball court. We could sit there and be part of the play and conversation at the court with our children. The lake was unobstructed from our balcony. It was great.

Having a smaller unit might have been more bothersome if we'd had one of the units not facing the lake, but with this view and openness, we had no complaints.

The staff seemed very friendly and willing to please. Being the Fourth of July holiday, the resort through a larger picnic with BBQ foods and old-fashioned games, music, and dancing before the fireworks started. It was very small town, and a lot of fun.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Best Things Nearby:
Big Bear City is a very family oriented place to stay. It has enough to do, but not too much to make you feel like you have to exhaust yourself on vacation. It is within minutes of the ski runs.

Best Things About the Resort:
Snow Lake Lodge has quality furnishings. The fireplace was a beautiful rock style in the bedroom. The sofa made into a bed for the third and fourth persons, but it was very tight in there once opened. The bathroom was between the living room and bedroom with doors on both so that either room could access the bathroom privately.

Resort Experience:
The first thing I always think about when I recall our stay at Snow Lake Lodge was how tiny the one bedroom unit was. There were three of us, two adults and a toddler. It seemed almost claustrophic in the dark living room and the kitchen and living room were barely adequate for us three. I can't imagine if there were four adults in there.

The bedroom was moderately sized and lighter so it was more inviting. The bathroom was average sized and nicely appointed. The kitchen was so tiny you almost had to walk out of the 2 foot by 4 foot area to turn around. Thank goodness it was open with a bar area on one side.

We were upstairs, third level, accessed by outside stairs in winter, difficult carrying a baby and all their stuff. There was really nothing wrong with the unit other than it's tiny size, probably made worst with an active toddler. It would probably be great for two adults who plan to be out skiing all day and just watching TV or videos at night.

This timeshare is located right on the busy main road coming into Big Bear City. This made for a rather noisy location, cramped parking area, but great for walking to many small restaurants and shops along the way close by. There wasn't any activities that we were aware of at the resort. It was just a place to stay.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Not Available
• Amenities: Not Available
• Unit Satisfaction: Fair
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Good

Over the years, we have spent two Fourth of July holidays in Big Bear City. They were both memorable for different reasons.

The first time we were staying at Lagonita Lodge (see my other entry in this journal) and our unit's location was superb overlooking the lake. After a fun old-fashioned picnic and entertainment the evening settled in with everyone oohing and aahhing at the fireworks display over the lake. It was one of those moments in time that you always remember. Laughing with a large group of people you've never met before seems to bond you together.

The second time we were there for the Fourth was to observe the downtown parade, carnival and happenings for the holiday. It really was homey with everyone sitting on the curbs or in or on their cars to watch the parade. The shear delight at being able to drive to a side street just minutes before the parade started and finding a parking place was unbelievable. We got a great place to stand/sit in the shade and weren't elbow to elbow with others observers. It was quite unusual.

The town throws a mean party with various competitions happening through out the day. Pie eating contests, watermelon spitting contests, etc. The carnival held on open land down by the lake was a bit disappointing with limited activities for anyone over the age of five. The parade was not very long or impressive, but it was definately small town America where people watching were conversing with their friends and neighbors marching in the parade. At night as the kids attend the downtown theater, the parents can stroll from store to store taking in all the tourist and not so touristy sites. I felt like we were back in a small town in the midwest.

Both of our experiences in Big Bear City for the Fourth of July leaving ready to go back for another try. Somehow it just wasn't as jaded as big city life seems. The small simple pleasures seemed enough for all to enjoy themselves.