If your house is like ours, your mornings have gone through a big change over the last couple of weeks. School’s back in session, and the lazy days of summer are quickly receding into just a fond memory. The early morning quiet you enjoyed through the summer is now punctuated with a chorus of grumpy kids getting ready for school, and an impossibly full schedule. If you allow it to happen, this can be a really depressing time of year.
So don’t let that happen.
Remember when you were 14 and knew so much more about life, love, and philosophy than anyone else? Those were heady days, and our ability to reject virtually any offered advice or criticism was epic. We would grow our hair long or short depending upon what most aggravated our parents, and our music had too many drums played too loudly. We were in rebellion, and our parents regretted ever having children.
Well, we’ve likely grown out of many of these bad behaviours, but we can still exercise some rebellion. And we can now direct our rebellion into pursuits that are far more enjoyable than bad clothing or a new tattoo. While all your friends and neighbors are surrendering to the rigors and pressure of the back to school schedule, you can break out and enjoy life as if you were 14 again. Plan a weekend getaway to Big Bear!
We just happen to have some rebellion-ready luxurious cabins nestled in Big Bear. If you want to be really rebellious, add a Friday, Monday, or both to your weekend getaway, so you can make a real vacation out of it.
Every Five Star Big Bear Vacation Rental is a luxurious destination designed specifically to offer a level of comfort and quality design that will have you shedding your pressures as you unwind. Some of our cabins can accommodate a dozen guests, so you can bring the whole neighborhood if you want. Or invite the in laws, and have some great family time together.
Browse all our Big Bear properties at this link. Call us at 310-800-5454 and we’ll be glad to help you plan a great getaway. Interested in a getaway at one of our other destinations? Browse our properties in Mammoth, Park City , Palm Springs/La Quinta, Southern California Beaches, or Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway for rebellious weekend away or a week-long vacation, we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect cabin or estate.
The vibrant nature of Big Bear make it a natural draw for sports of all kinds. Throughout the year, you will see snowboarders, cyclists, and runners—just to name a few—visit Big Bear to compete, train, or simply play in the beautiful environment that surrounds them. In the warmer months of summer and spring, water sports dominate the local activities, but in the cold of fall and winter, you get to see the gorgeous snow that entices snowboarders and other cold weather sportsmen!
If you are visiting and get the chance to check out the festivities, you won’t regret it, but you don’t have to watch by the sidelines and watch others have all of the fun. You can take advantage of the snow and enjoy some sports of your own! As the winter season gets underway, ski resorts will begin opening their slopes to visitors. Skiing is a great way to exercise, see the best of Big Bear nature, and have a truly unique experience during your vacation. Snowboarding, similarly, is a fun way to enjoy the upcoming winter weather and get a vigorous workout in the process!
If you are looking for a fun, energetic night out, The Cave is the spot for you. In September, you will catch artists like Robby Kreiger’s Jam Kitchen and Y&T at the state-of-the-art venue, and you can enjoy fantastic concessions while you jam out to the evening’s tunes. The Cave is located at 40789 Village Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, and shows begin at 6:30PM. In addition to the artists who have already been announced, you can expect to see impromptu and last-minute shows from artists traveling through town or staying in Big Bear. The Cave is just one of several spots you are sure to find a show going on.
There are plenty of chances to bring the kids to a concert and stage a family sing-a-long, too! This month, the Big Bear Discovery Center is continuing their Music in the Mountains Summer Concert Series, and kids 12 and under get free admission. The Discovery Center is located at 40971 HWY 38, Fawnskin, Ca 92333, and on September 5th you will see Jim Curry perform A Tribute to John Denver. You can rock out to the classics with your family and see whether or not your kids are old enough to be embarrassed yet! In all seriousness, the whole family will love the intimacy of the outdoor amphitheater, and you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.
The last gasps of summer are echoing around our homes. They take the form of rushed mornings, conflicting schedules, and the recognition that life would be simpler if we had a fleet of cars with drivers for the little ones. If school hasn’t already started back up for your family, it soon will. Even if you had a family vacation over the summer, Labor Day is a great way to have one last hurrah before fully settling in with the new schedule when school gets in full swing.
The Busy Bears Annual Quilt Show at Big Bear Middle School in on September 6th this year from 10am to 5pm. This annual event showcases some of the most amazing and creative works of stitchery you’ll find anywhere. It’s a great opportunity to see this centuries-old craft close up, and many of the quilts are on sale with proceeds benefiting local Big Bear charities. It’s a unique opportunity to walk away with an instant family heirloom lovingly crafted by a local artisan. There’s a $5 admission fee to benefit the charities. Visit their website for more info: 
Want to unleash the inner aviator in your son or daughter? Join Young Eagles at the Big Bear Airport on September 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Children between the ages of 8 and 17 are offered a free airplane ride around the Big Bear area by pilots from the Pilot’s Association. Each child will be given a preflight review of the basics of flight and the main parts of an airplane prior to the flight. It’s a unique opportunity to expose your child to the excitement of civil aviation. Contact the Young Eagles for more info at (909) 547-0832. Visit their website at: www.youngeagles.org
September is an especially full month in Big Bear. We’ll cover a few of the highlights here.
History buffs will have a great time with the 32nd Annual Big Horn Mountain Men Holcomb Valley Rendezvous. The Big Horn Mountain Men are a group of historical re-enactors who set up a living history encampment of the fur trade era of the American West, spanning the time period of the French and Indian War (1700) to 1840. You’ll enjoy great period food, crafts, and colorful characters from this time period. This event takes place a few miles outside Big Bear at the Holcomb Valley Scout Ranch. Download the flyer at 
Sometimes unlocking the mysteries of life is as simple as taking a closer look at everyday items around us. We look at trees, and we see metaphors for strength through strong roots. Many flowers rise early, follow the light all day, and gently close each night. Even our computer keyboards can offer insights.
In the lower left and right corners of most keyboards is the “Ctrl” key, which stands for “Control.” This is one of the best things about a Five Star Vacation Rental. Unlike subjecting yourself to the confinement of a hotel, with our vacation rentals, you’re in control. Feel like eating something in the middle of the night? No problem. All our units come with full kitchens. Just stock them up with your favorites upon your arrival, and you can pull on your robe and slippers for a midnight snack whenever you wish. Try doing that at a hotel. Want to bring along the kids, but still have some privacy for the adults? Give the kids their own bedroom just down the hall, without the bother of strangers walking just outside in the hallway. Many of our properties have full decks with barbecues as well. Try grilling a couple of steaks in your room at the hotel, and you’ll soon be facing the wrath of the local fire department.
We devoted last week’s blog to the upcoming 
Plan a visit to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo to enjoy their annual Ice Cream Safari on August 1. As you all know, ice cream goes with virtually anything, and we can think of no better mix than ice cream and wild animals. This annual event is always a big hit, and a chance for the family to take in a yummy treat while enjoying the sights and sounds of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
We’re just a few weeks away from one of Big Bear’s most popular events. Yes, cast out your foolish modern grammar and manners. It’s time for Big Bear’s annual Renaissance Faire, so pull on your metal pants, chainmail vest, and join us for the weekends of August 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16. You’ll want to make your reservation early, because many of our properties get booked quickly.
If this is your first visit, we suggest you arrive hungry, and be prepared to consume some of the most outrageous foods you’ve ever seen. The rumors are true. You can actually get an endless supply of roasted turkey legs that clearly come from turkeys the size of an emu. The ale flows freely, and the cooking aroma in the air is combined with the pleasing sounds of wandering minstrels and occasional shrieks of delight. Many of our guests keep returning each weekend because it’s just too much fun not to.
We are constantly amazed at the amount of effort that goes into creating a true work of luxurious craftsmanship. Things that come easy are seldom great, and great things never come easy. Our cabins and estates are a prime example of this adage. Take a look at our newest property for a great example.
This estate cabin boasts 5 bedrooms, 5-1/2 baths, and three fireplaces spread over a sprawling 5500 square foot floorplan. The huge master suite upstairs is furnished with a king size bed and has its own fireplace. It’s a lakefront property as well, so you can wander out on the back deck and enjoy views of the lake spread out in front of you. Two additional bedrooms are outfitted with private baths, so this is an ideal destination for larger groups or multiple families.
You can view all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at 