Reservations & More Information: 310-780-3411

How to Create a Once-In-A-Lifetime Big Bear Vacation

Big Bear is one of our most popular destinations, and there are plenty of good reasons for that.  We have some of the finest Big Bear cabin rentals you’ll be able to find, and it’s a short drive from anywhere in Southern California.  Also, Big Bear is a year-round resort with world-class skiing in the winter, and boating, fishing, hiking, and golfing the rest of the year.

Since many of our guests plan ahead for months to make their Big Bear vacation memorable, we’d like to throw in a few events and activities that are easily overlooked by many visitors, but very popular with Big Bear residents.

Let's Eat In Tonight!

Unleash Your Inner Gourmet!
From April through September the Big Bear Convention Center hosts a weekly Farmer’s Market. Each Tuesday from 8:30am til 1:00pm you can choose from a wonderful variety of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.  And since all of our cabins come equipped with full kitchens and cooking implements, you can plan out some amazing family meals.  The Convention Center is located at 42900 Big Bear Blvd.  Click here to view the map or get directions.

Enter Our Trout Tournament
The Big Bear annual trout tournament falls on Saturday and Sunday May 19th – 20th.  There’s a prize pool of $8000 to be split among the fishermen who land the biggest trout.   And new this year is a special tagged prize fish.  If a lucky fisherman lands this fish, he’ll win $10,000. Visit  http://www.maytroutclassic.com more details.

Welcome to All Pirate Families

Arrrrrh!, Be Pirates For a Day
Yes, once a year you can put on your best Jack Sparrow and join a bunch of crazy pirates during Big Bear’s annual Pirate Faire.   It’s a great time for the entire family.  The Faire puts on historical reenactments of battles and events.  Deck out the entire family in pirate garb and have fun watching the kids enter the costume contest.  There’s fun shopping, food, music, and plenty of grog for dad.  This year’s Pirate Faire is on June 2nd.  Click here for more details and ticket prices.

Enjoy Some Jazz on the Lake
Tickets have just gone on sale for the 7th Annual Big Bear Lake JazzTrax Summer Music Festival.  If you’re a jazz fan, this is a great event in an unmatched setting.  Each year name artists trek to Big Bear to perform on the lake in our annual Jazz Music Festival.  Bring the entire family to enjoy some amazing music along with great food and refreshments.  The Music Festival runs June 2-3 this year.  For more details and an updated list of performers, visit the JazzTrax website.

Be sure to book your cabin with us as far in advance as you can to ensure availability. Click here to view all of our Big Bear cabins, or just give us a call at 310-780-3400.

Planning a vacation somewhere other than Big Bear?  Be sure to look at our luxury rentals in Park City, Palm Springs/La Quinta, Southern California Beaches, Mammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

 

New Chalet Summit Is Our Biggest Multi-Family Cabin

9 Bedrooms, 9.5 Baths, and fun for everyone

We are always on the lookout for unique and distinctive properties, so our interest was immediately piqued when we first took a look at Chalet Summit.

Here at Five Star Vacation Rentals we get lots of calls from people who are putting together family vacations, retreats, or reunions and need a property that can accommodate multiple families. Big Bear is a great destination for group events, and Chalet Summit is a perfect cabin for large groups.  Located just 2 blocks from Snow Summit, it was clearly designed to make large groups very comfortable.  We think this is one of the finest Big Bear cabin rentals you could find.

We love the floor plan of this vacation rental with its 9 bedrooms — 8 of which are master suites so each guest can enjoy the comfort and privacy of their own bathroom.  With a total of 9.5 bathrooms, it’s a perfect home for a family reunion, office getaway or retreat for your church or Sunday school group.  This beautiful Big Bear vacation cabin is just completing renovations, so it will have new hardwood floors and upgraded appliances when we start renting it May 1st.

A pool table, foosball, PacMan . . . Why leave the cabin?

We’ve made sure that your large group won’t run out of fun things to do when just hanging out around the cabin.  When you’re not having a friendly pool tournament running, you can take turns playing a classic Ms. Pacman game, Air Hockey, or Foosball.  After the kids all get to bed, you can relax in front of the gas fireplace, enjoy a classic movie on the big screen TV, or slide into the spa out back.   It’s just a great place to catch up with friends and relatives while you enjoy the great outdoor activities that Big Bear has to offer.  It’s just a few minutes walk to Snow Summit and is also close to the lake, village and shopping areas in Big Bear Lake.

The cabin’s renovations will be completed by May 1st, and we’re taking reservations now.   Chalet Summit is going to be a cabin that is in great demand. Our summer dates are already starting to fill, so be sure to call us right away to secure your reservation. View more photos and details about Chalet Summit here.  Or call us at 310-780-3411 to book online with one of our helpful reservation agents.

 

 

Congratulations to Vanny Chow, The Winner of Our Oktoberfest Cabin Rental Contest!

We’d like to thank everybody who submitted an entry for our Big Bear photo contest. We had some really great entries, and it was very difficult to choose the winner.

Riley Chow, you're a winner!

Our judges selected Vanny’s photo because it seemed to capture the essence of a Five Star Vacation Rentals getaway to Big Bear. It’s clearly fun for the entire family and a memorable event.

The photo features Vanny’s son Riley. He was about 2 years old at the time, and was clearly delighted about something. We reached Vanny by phone, and she gave us some background on the photo:

“It was taken out in front of one of those great knick knack stores in the village. They had a little jelly bean vending machine out in front, and I bought some for Riley. I think it was the first time he ever had jelly beans.” She gave Riley one of the jelly beans right before she snapped the photo. Riley clearly approved of the treat.

And we learned that Vanny feels the same way about Five Star Vacation Rentals. She rented from other companies in the past, but found “some rentals we tried didn’t even provide the basic amenities.”

She has rented from us two years in a row and really likes our service and great selection: “Five Star has so many different properties, and we’ve tried a couple of them. We had our car get stuck in the snow in the driveway once when we were supposed to check out, but they extended our checkout time at no charge and even got us help to get out!”

Weekends from September 15th through October 27th

Vanny mentioned she really appreciates that our cabins are prepared so she can just arrive and relax. The cabins she rented both had all the necessary amenities so she could get settled in right away.

Vanny’s advice for anybody considering a Five Star Vacation Rentals Big Bear getaway is very straight forward: “Definitely do it. It was a great experience. No need to worry about anything. The cabins are very clean and all have full amenities, so you can enjoy your stay without having to worry about anything.” She adds that she had such a delightful stay “I told everybody about it – all my friends and family. I even put it up on my Facebook page!”

Well, Vanny, we appreciate your kind words, and are glad your stay exemplified the experience we strive to deliver to each of our guests. Congratulations again on your win, and enjoy your upcoming stay in Big Bear for Oktoberfest!

Oktoberfest is one of the biggest events of the year in Big Bear. There’s fun for the entire family with lots of great bands, shows, and exotic beers to sample. We’re currently accepting reservations for Oktoberfest which runs weekends from September 15th through October 27th. But be sure to book early as we sell out most years. You’re definitely not going to want to miss this!

Call us today at 310-780-3411. Browse our Big Bear cabins on this page.

Plan Ahead For Your Summer Getaway to Big Bear

The kids are just finishing up Spring break, and you glance at the calendar. Summer is just a couple months away! Now is the perfect time to start planning your summer getaway vacation to Big Bear with a Five Star Vacation Rental.

Throughout much of Southern California, the summer months bring stifling hot temperatures and smog alerts. But after a short drive up the mountain to Big Bear, you’ll find more moderate temperatures and smog-free skies. And there are plenty of summer activities to keep the entire family smiling for your getaway whether it’s just a weekend or several weeks.

Relax by the Lake

You’ll notice the kids will start to quiet down as you climb up the road leading to Big Bear. The choruses of “Are we there yet?” will usually be replaced with “oohs” and “ahhs” as they start to see the dramatic change in scenery as towering trees begin to appear and perhaps catching glimpses of local wildlife like deer and colorful birds.

Five Star Vacation Rentals has streamlined your check in process, so before you know it you’ll be unlocking the door to your luxury cabin and listening to the kids run off to claim a bedroom. Many of our cabins have extensive collections of games, so the kids may start a playing Foosball as you unload the car. If you choose one of our cabins with a spa, you may all end up laughing and splashing together as you take deep, full breaths of the amazingly crisp clear air you’ll find in Big Bear.

When you finally crawl into bed that first night, you’ll probably vow to sleep late the following morning to start enjoying your Big Bear vacation. But you should expect that the kids will have other plans, and they may well start tugging at you early to get your day started on one of the many fun activities that Big Bear offers. Here’s just a sample:

Rent a Paddle Board on Big Bear Lake

Action Zip Line Tours can send your entire family flying among the treetops in Big Bear. They offer exhilarating zip line adventures that will have you all squealing with delight as you each do you personal impersonation of Superman flying through the trees. Be sure to visit their website before you leave home to get pricing and reservations: http://www.actionziplinetours.com

In the mood for some water adventure? Head over the the Big Bear Marina and check out their big selection of rental boats. You’ll have a variety to choose from. If you want a quiet day on the lake for the entire family, you can rent one of their larger pontoon boats. If you’re in the mood for a bit more active fun on the lake, take a look at their kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. Whatever you choose, you’ll soon see the entire family laughing, splashing, and having more fun together than you’ve had in a long time. Here’s their website for rates and availability: http://www.bigbearmarina.com/boats.html

Take a hike! There are over 50 miles of improved trails in and around the Big Bear area, and summer is a wonderful time to enjoy a family outing among the trees and wildlife. You can make a day of it by packing a picnic lunch. You can start your day at the Big Bear Discovery Center (http://www.nationalforestassociation.org/bigbeardiscoverycenter.php ). They have maps and information available there on the best trails to choose for your family.

Big Bear also has a wonderful 9 hole golf course with a pro shop and great restaurant on premises. You can also make a day of it by booking to play a full 18 holes by arranging to play through twice. It’s one of the most beautiful golf courses in Southern California with fairways surrounded by towering pines and amazing mountain views in the distance. Big Bear’s 7000 foot elevation will turn many duffers into instant pros as their balls soar to new distances in the clean thin air.

Miles and Miles of Hiking Trails

These are just a handful of the fun activities available during your stay in one of our Five Star Vacation Rentals. Our helpful staff can also give you more ideas. And if you’re planning a stay of a week or more, please be sure to call us, so we can help find a discounted weekly rental rate.

So don’t delay! Visit our Big Bear Rentals page.  Many of our properties get booked early, so book online or call us at 310-780-3411 to plan your summer vacation in Big Bear.

There’s still time to enter our Big Bear photo/video contest!
We’re offering one lucky winner a free cabin rental for Oktoberfest in Big Bear.  Just visit our Facebook page and submit your original photo or video depicting a stay you’ve had in Big Bear. The winner will get a free cabin rental and free tickets for Oktoberfest.  Visit our Facebook page here, or read more details about the contest on our blog here.

Ocean View Vacation Rental in Beautiful Monarch Beach Just Added

Ocean View From Tampico Great Room

Some of us are old enough to remember that old show from the 80’s and 90’s, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  And more recently we have MTV’s show, “Cribs.”  It’s natural for us to wonder how the rich and famous live.  Well, imagine how excited we were when we learned that our newest property was recently owned by a certain very tan weatherman on a Los Angeles television station.  When we got our first look at the Tampico home, we found out that he not only has a talent for predicting the weather, but he’s also spot-on when it comes to choosing a luxury getaway.

Tampico is located in the exclusive gated community of Niguel Shores in Monarch Beach.  It has direct ocean views and a breathtaking floor plan.  When you walk in the front door, you’re immediately greeted by the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows that face the ocean.  There’s a large wrap around deck with plenty of seating so you and your guests can watch the sunset while you enjoy the cool ocean breezes.  Here’s a virtual tour to give you a taste of what  you’ll be seeing during your stay here: Tampico View Virtual Tour

Private Beach a Short Walk Away

With the dramatic windows in the great room, you’ll never feel very far away from the ocean.  So enjoy the great gourmet kitchen and cook up some steaks on the barbecue.  Relax in the Jacuzzi, or take in a quick game of tennis at the clubhouse.  With 4 bedrooms including two full master suites, there’s plenty of room for up to 12 guests.

Pull on your flip flops and take the short walk down to the members-only area of Salt Creek.  You’ll find great surfing, swimming, and benches where you can sit and listen to the waves crash on the beach as the sun slowly sets at the end of the day.  There’s a slate-lined outside shower when you return to wash off the sand before you go back inside.  On the cool evenings, you can all gather in the great room and light up the custom glass fireplace to create a wonderful relaxing glow.  Enjoy a movie on one of the three flat screen TV’s as well.

The time you spend in Tampico will always be remembered as scenic, relaxing, and something that you’ll vow to do again.  Call us today for details on this rental in Monarch Beach.

Click here to view more info and details about this great Five Star Vacation Rentals property.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411.

There’s still time to enter our Big Bear photo/video contest!
We’re offering one lucky winner a free cabin rental for Oktoberfest in Big Bear.  Just visit our Facebook page and submit your original photo or video depicting a stay you’ve had in Big Bear. The winner will get a free cabin rental and free tickets for Oktoberfest.  Visit our Facebook page here, or read more details about the contest on our blog here.

Win a Free Cabin Rental in Big Bear!

About the only thing we can imagine better than a Five Star Vacation Rentals weekend in Big Bear, is getting that weekend for FREE!   And right now you have the chance to win a great weekend stay at one of our Big Bear Cabins.

It’s simple to enter and no purchase is required. Just visit our Facebook page and submit your original photo or video depicting time you’ve spent in Big Bear. We’re looking for photos or videos that will highlight great times you’ve had there. They can be from any season and any activity in Big Bear. Submit your entries on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Fivestarvacationrentals

Here are a few ideas to stir your imagination:

  • Depict family activities in any season
  • Send a video of fun you’re having in one of our Five Star Big Bear Cabins
  • Have any good videos of your first time skiing?
  • Have you taken any video or photos of Big Bear wildlife?

The contest runs from March 16th-April 16th, and we’re looking for your original photos and videos. We’ll announce the winner on Facebook on Monday April 23rd, and the lucky winner will receive 8 Oktoberfest tickets and a free weekend in a 3 bedroom cabin during Oktoberfest.

Join us for Oktoberfest in Big Bear

Oktoberfest in Big Bear is a great time for the entire family. Every year there are amazing bands, festivities, and – of course – beer! There’s an expanded bier garten with big screen TV’s to watch the NFL, or college ball games while you relax with friends. The kids will love the game booths and petting zoo, while you can sign up for the log sawing or beer drinking contests.

At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy the luxury of one of our 3 bedroom cabins that will sleep up to 6 guests. You can relax in front of the fireplace or enjoy a movie.  It will be a weekend that you’ll always remember.

Contest Rules: No purchase is necessary. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States aged 18 or over. To enter, just visit our Facebook page between March 16th and April 16th, 2012 and submit an original photo or video that you personally created in or around Big Bear. The winner will be selected by Five Star Vacation Rentals and announced on our Facebook page on April 23rd.

Plan a Perfect Golf Getaway to La Quinta

httpv://youtu.be/0mHrJZILZrA

We’re excited to announce the newest member of our Five Star Vacation Rental family of properties. It’s a pristine golf getaway located on the Fourth Fairway of the Weiskopf Golf Course at the world-famous PGA West in La Quinta.

The weather in La Quinta this time of year is just perfect for long, relaxing days on the links. And with PGA West’s six championship courses, you can have nearly a full week of golfing on a different course each day. These courses are designed by five golf legends: Arnold Palmer, Tom Weiskopf, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, and Jack Nicklaus. And if you want to take your golf to the next level, the Jim McLean Golf School is located at The Tournament Clubhouse and offers instruction to beginning and advanced players.

Relax in the pool . . . on the golf course

After a day on the golf course, our La Quinta vacation rental home offers the perfect retreat to relax with family and friends. The great room is furnished with comfy furnishings, or grab a cold drink and relax in the twilight overlooking the fairway. As evening approaches, increase the relaxation by lighting up the fireplace on the covered patio.

But your passion for golf will be distracted by the amazing luxury of our new La Quinta getaway. This custom home offers southern double fairway views over the Weiskopf Golf Course. The great room floor plan boasts floor to ceiling windows which overlook the golf course and the Santa Rosa Mountains.

With 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths, this home has plenty of space for a group of golfing buddies or two families to enjoy resort living. It has a den, casita, fireplace on the covered patio, custom made furniture, and electronic window treatments. Before you head out to the links for the day, start out with coffee on the private gated courtyard overlooking the fairway.

Amazing Family Fun at Knott's Soak City

The La Quinta area has so much to offer in terms of nightlife and family entertainment, so you may want to take advantage of our monthly rate for a family vacation that will create a lifetime of memories. The golfers in your family can head out for any of the PGA West courses while the rest of the family can grab their swim suits and head to Soak City (March – October http://www.soakcityps.com).

Here are some other fun ideas for your stay:

Palm Springs Air Museum
http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/

Agua Caliente Indian Canyons
http://indian-canyons.com

Palm Springs Art Museum
http://www.psmuseum.org

Call us at 310-800-5454 today for booking information on this amazing home.  Or for more details and online booking click here.

Our Newest Big Bear Vacation Estate In Castle Glen

Castle Glen Estate offered by Five Star Vacation Rentals
Our Newest, Most Luxurious Castle Glen Estate

We always get excited when we locate an exceptional new home to offer our guests.  But this one is really special. We’re calling it “The Grand 8 Bedroom Estate At Castle Glen,” and it’s 6700 square feet of unmatched luxury.

Imagine spending an exciting day on the slopes at Bear Mountain or Snow Summit and returning home to our newest estate.  After you park the car, you walk in and allow your eyes to drink in the full 35 foot ceiling in the great room.  The dramatic fireplace in the great room hugs the wall up to the full height of the open beam ceiling.  The glow from the fireplace fills the room with a warm light as you walk to the windows and watch the growing shadows across the treetops out to the lake.  Step out on the deck and get a closer look at the view as you slowly inhale the crisp, clean air that draws so many people to Big Bear.

It will be tough to leave the amazing luxury you’ll find with this Big Bear vacation rental.  After you eat a great meal cooked in the gourmet kitchen, you’ll need to decide if you want to play pool, foosball, ping pong, or gather up the family and head into the theater room to watch a movie on the 10 foot screen.

Amazing 35' Ceiling. New Furnishings Arrive March 25th

The attention to detail is evident at every turn in this home.  You’ll delight in the touches of marble, granite, hardwoods and stone that are integrated in the design.  With 3 master bedrooms and a total of 8 bedrooms, this is an ideal choice for large groups or multiple families to share — up to 16 guests.  And with 7 bathrooms, your entire party will be able to get ready for the day with no waiting.

Our designers are spending the next few weeks finding distinctive furnishings to match the amazing decor and craftsmanship of this extraordinary estate. When we start renting this on March 25th, you’ll be greeted with a level of comfort and luxury that you simply cannot find in any other vacation rental.  So call us today at 310-780-3411 to book a vacation that your family will never forget.  Click here to view more details or book your stay online with Five Star Vacation Rentals.

Sun’s Out, Surf’s Up: Sunny So Cal Beach Escapes

Pack the swimsuits, grab the sunscreen and toss on your shades! From San Diego to Santa Barbara, the sunny Southern California coast is the perfect beach getaway destination. Whether you catch a few waves or work on your tan, SoCal beaches offer the perfect blend of fun in the sun and relaxation.
From family-friendly visits to romantic getaways, a luxury vacation rental is the best way to enjoy the sun-soaked SoCal beaches. Vacation rentals allow the discerning traveler to stay in the most sought-after SoCal beach communities. After all, nothing beats stepping out your front door each morning and feeling the sand between your toes! Live like the locals and enjoy exclusive beachfront access without paying a premium for overcrowded, overpriced hotels. After a day on the beach, watch the sunset from your private hot tub while sipping a glass of California wine.
Not sure which SoCal beach is right for you? Check out three of our favorite SoCal destinations.

Laguna Beach Luxury

Laguna Beach

For clear waters, beautiful coves, and equally beautiful people, head straight to picturesque Laguna Beach. This picturesque seaside village started as an Art Colony in the 1900s. Today, it boasts seven miles of spectacular coastline, with more than 30 unique coves and beaches. Palm trees, colorful bougainvilleas, and tropical gardens adorn the charming cottages along the beach. A vacation rental in one of the charming beach cottages is the perfect way to feel like a local.

 

Monarch Beach
This exclusive community in Dana Point not only gives vacationers private beachfront access, but also boasts some of the area’s best golfing and tennis. Discerning travelers enjoy the exclusive privileges that come with a gated community by staying in one of Monarch Beach’s popular vacation rentals. Visit the Dana Point Yacht Club and charter a sailboat or yacht and watch the sunset over the Pacific. Don’t miss the family-friendly Festival of Whales held every March over two weekends or the Dana Point California Wine Festival held each April.

 

Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Shoreline

Enjoy the small-town feel of this family-friendly beach that’s a paradise for surfers, beach volleyball players and sun worshipers alike. Take in the coastline while biking along the 22-mile South Bay Bicycle Trail, or take a stroll along the “Strand”, a paved pedestrian walkway. Like all the SoCal beaches, Manhattan Beach is lined with luxury condos and homes. Fortunately, you don’t need a star on the walk of fame to live like a Hollywood star during your stay. A beachfront vacation rental brings the beach to your doorsteps. Watch the sunset from your private balcony and fall asleep to the crashing surf – a SoCal beach vacation doesn’t get any better than this!

Call Five Star Vacation Rentals at 310-800-5454 today to book your getaway to the beach.

A November Wedding . . . Relaxing Family Time . . . And Amazing Laguna Beach Views

Laguna Beach Sunset
A Five Star Sunset

We recently received a note from one of our guests who stayed at our Laguna Beach Gem.   Jessica rented this beautiful home for her entire family to spend the week of her wedding together. They had a great time. She notes in her letter that they found the house to be “absolutely amazing” and it was a great home base for the entire family.

View From Kitchen
Drink In the Kitchen View

We pride ourselves on our professional photography, but she said our photos don’t do justice to the property. Of course, you’ll have to judge that for yourself after you spend some quality time soaking up the sunsets, ocean breezes and luxurious appointments that you’ll find in this stunning property.

Take a closer look at some of the amenities that Jessica noted in her letter: She says “the kitchen has GIANT windows with unobstructed views of the ocean so every sunset was enjoyed over wine while making dinner.” She also loved the floor plan and overall roominess of the property: “It gives enough space and you never feel cramped.”

And while the amenities at our lovely Laguna Beach home will keep you smiling all day, Jessica notes that the luxury continues to impress even when you sleep: “The beds are VERY comfortable.”

A short walk to the beach
A Short Walk To The Beach

The experience continues if you want the party to expand outside. This unique property has three ocean-view decks and a back yard. It’s a short walk to the beach, or a short drive to downtown Laguna Beach with its art galleries, world-class restaurants, and unique shopping.

Our Laguna Beach Gem has 3 bedrooms,  2-1/2 baths with room for up to 11 guests.  We usually rent this home on a monthly basis, but we can sometimes carve out a weekly rental.  Click here to view more details on this home. Call Five Star Vacation Rentals at 310-780-3411 to start planning your amazing getaway. But don’t delay, our summer schedule is already starting to fill.