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More Big Bear Fun During August

In last week’s blog we encouraged you to enjoy some time at Big Bear’s annual Renaissance Faire.  It’s  great fun with lots of food, entertainment, and interesting people.  It’s taking place weekends August 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17.

Our regular Big Bear guests are well aware that there’s always more than just one big thing taking place on the mountain.  Big Bear packs in more fun and scheduled events than you can expect to cover in a single weekend or even a full week.  Here are a few more of the events you can enjoy during your Big Bear stay in August:

Special Cycling Event
Big Bear is one of Southern California’s favorite cycling destinations.  The pristine beauty of the mountain coupled with the cool, clean air make it a great ride.  This year the entire family can enjoy the Big Bear Cycling Festival starting on July 26th and running through August 3rd.  The event aims to combine the best that Big Bear has to offer along with events targeting the entire spectrum of cyclists.  Newbies and casual riders will enjoy the Wellness Slow Ride.  There are also sprints and rides up to 40 miles in length for the seasoned riders.  And nothing will make your enjoyment of these events better than relaxing in one of our Big Bear Vacation Rental cabins and estates at the end of a great day riding.  Check out the full schedule of events at BigBearCyclingFestival.com.

Hiking Eco-Tours at Snow Summit with the Big Bear Discovery Center
The snow is melted, but Snow Summit still has plenty of beauty to attract your family.  On Thursdays and Fridays throughout August, the Big Bear Discovery Center is offering a guided tour with a local naturalist to learn more about the about the amazing habitat among the pines on Snow Summit.  The tour includes a ride up the chair lift, and you’ll be treated to a 3 hour informative walk.  A box lunch is provided.  If you’re an avid skier, you’ll really want to take the ride up the hill when it’s not covered in snow.  The views from the top of Snow Summit are just amazing, and it’s great fun for all members of your family to learn about the diverse ecosystem of the area. The fee is $45 for 14 and over, $40 for Junior ages 7 – 13.  Visit the Snow Summit website for more info and to reserve your tickets online.

Night Life With Live Music
Big Bear has a bunch of lively night spots.  You can spend your days reveling in the natural beauty that surrounds you, and dive into some great live music at night.  Friday and Saturday nights are the best with a good selection of live music destinations to choose from.  Here are a few to add to your weekend itinerary:

Nottingham’s Tavern at 40797 Big Bear Blvd.
Chad’s Place at 40824 Big Bear Blvd
Whiskey Dave’s at 40740 Village Drive
Club Bombay at 672 Pine Knot

This is just a small sample of the fun that awaits you in Big Bear during August.   You can fill your nights and your days with amazing experiences.  And best of all, you’ll finish your day in one of our amazing luxury  Five Star Vacation Rental cabins or estates.  Each of our properties is lavishly furnished and well maintained to make sure your time with us is as close to perfect as possible.  We exercise this same care in all our properties, so you can confidently choose from our vacation rentals in in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan a great family getaway.

 

August In Big Bear Brings Jousting Fun

August is a big month in Big Bear, and there’s at least one upcoming event that always tops our “must see” list. We think you’ll agree.

If you have yet to visit a Renaissance Faire, you really need to do this.  It’s a throwback to a simpler time when folks would indulge in excesses of food, drink, and merriment.   Sort of like when we were in college.  And now the entire family can join in.  There are huge amounts of food, bawdy maidens and gents, and seemingly endless entertainment.  It’s actually better than your college memories because there are no classes and no exams. Just fun.

The Big Bear Renaissance Faire runs weekends August 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17. There are strolling entertainers and several stages with entertainment that ranges from mild for kids and families, to the downright wild for adults only. The food is just amazing with huge juicy turkey legs in abundance as well as a fine choice of ales to keep you smiling. Many attendees will be dressed in period clothing just adding to the sense that you’re transported to an entirely different time. You’ll get to watch knights engage in jousting tournaments and listen to the sounds of wandering minstrels scattered around the landscape. It’s a really fun event.

We can think of no better way to enjoy your time at the Renaissance Faire than while staying in one of our luxurious Big Bear vacation rental cabins or estates. It’s literally the best of both worlds. You’ll enjoy a couple of days filled with experiences from a long ago time, and spend the rest of the time enjoying a luxury they couldn’t even have dreamed of in renaissance times.  Yes, you can have the great fun of walking among a centuries-old setting during the day, and relaxing your tired feet in a hot tub overlooking Big Bear at night.  Get the picture?

August also brings lots of other great events to Big Bear including scheduled cycling and lots of great live entertainment.  We’ll cover some of those events in next week’s blog.

Regardless of what motivates your trip to Big Bear, you can rest assured that we’re working hard to make sure your experience is a great one.  We select only the finest Big Bear vacation rental cabins and estates, so you can have a great getaway enjoying a level of luxury that once was only available to movie stars and millionaires.  Many of those folks stay with us as well.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxing getaway elsewhere, be sure to check out the rest of our properties in  Park CityPalm Springs/La QuintaMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  Your family’s vacation time is important for relaxation and growing closer together through some great shared experiences.  We’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

How Are You Spending Your Summer Vacation?

The kids are all out of school now, and many mornings you’re faced with the prospect of finding something to keep them occupied.  You’ve been putting off planning a real vacation, so we’re here to give you a nudge.  What are you waiting for?  Don’t let this summer dissolve into another haphazard exercise with a trip to see aunt Edna in Duluth while stopping at multiple tourist spots on the way.  We hate to break it to you, but many of those hot spots just don’t hold the interest of kids today.  Sure, you were amazed by the stuffed carcass of the world’s largest frog, but be prepared for your kids to walk away from the experience without that same sense of wonder.  And just because each of the kids has an iPhone to keep them busy in the back seat, don’t think that grants you any real latitude to take them on another boring road trip.  This year you really need to plan something different.

Well, surprisingly enough, we just happen to have a few great ideas for your vacation this summer.  And there’s not a one of them that involve trying to pump up your kids’ excitement about the world’s largest collection of rubber bands.  We have actual, real-life, vacation opportunities that will make you a hero in your family and give all of you a truckload of great memories.

Try a “staycation.”  This term gained popularity a few years ago as more and more folks decided to start enjoying the sights and attractions in their own backyard.  It really makes sense.  We have a number of great options for Southern California residents that will fulfill your vacation dreams.  If you love the beach, we have some great weekly rentals at some of our most popular Southland beaches.  If you’re like us, your stress just evaporates the moment you start feeling the sand between your toes.  Take a look at our Southern California Beaches page to see these great vacation rental homes.

Take a short drive to Big Bear. Big Bear is a great destination virtually any time of year.  During the summer, you’ll enjoy a great respite from the heat and haze that can overwhelm you in Southern California.  Take a short drive up the mountain and you arrive in a lush wonderland with virtually unlimited opportunities for fun.  Rent a boat on the lake, or just enjoy a swim in the cool mountain water.  Take a walk in the forest or wander among the fun shops and restaurants of Big Bear Village.  And most of all, enjoy some relaxing downtime in your Five Star Vacation Rental cabin.  You’ll be surrounded with amazing luxury and the finest craftsmanship.  It’s a real delight for the entire family.  Check out our luxury vacation rental cabins on our Big Bear page.  We’re also happy to help you choose the exact right cabin for your getaway as well.  Just give us a call 310-780-3411.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxing getaway elsewhere, be sure to check out the rest of our properties in  Park CityPalm Springs/La QuintaMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  Your family’s vacation time is an important time for relaxation and growing closer together through some great shared experiences.  We’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

Calling All Bargain Hunters: We’ve Got Discounts and You Don’t Need Coupons

Sometimes we’re pulled in by the spectacle of some of those reality TV shows.  We were channel surfing the other night and landed on a program that showed a woman getting several thousand dollars worth of groceries for less than a $100.00.  She had a huge file folder with hundreds of coupons she sorted through.  It looked like this was something she worked on for hours every day and her shopping ended up being an all-day event.  While we’d much rather spend an hour watching a good action adventure show, this one held our interest due to the amazing bargain she landed.  And doesn’t everyone enjoy a good bargain?  Of course we do!

For most of us, we plan out our vacations months in advance.  We arrange our travel and make reservations after researching our options.  That’s the only way to make sure everything comes together when the long-awaited getaway finally arrives.  But some folks may suddenly get a few days off or just decide to take a last-minute vacation. One of the downsides of last-minute vacations is that your options may be limited and often more expensive. If you’ve ever booked a flight at the last minute, we see you nodding your head vigorously right now.  Well, w e have some good news for you bargain hunters out there.

If you realize during your lunch on Thursday that you may actually be able to cut work on Friday, give us a call.  We may have one of our luxury vacation rental units available.  If we do, we may well be able to give you a bit of a discount, so the rental won’t sit vacant over the weekend.  It’s a win-win. You can pay a bit less, and we’ll avoid the vacancy.  We can’t promise we’ll have anything available, but it’s certainly worth a try.  If you’d like to get an occasional email from us with last minute specials, drop us a line at fivestarvacationrental@gmail.com.  We’ll let you know when something comes available.  Be sure to add our phone number (310-780-3411) to your contacts, so you can call us as soon as you may get a few days off.  No coupons to collect, and no long lines at the market.  Just call us, and we’ll try to track down a bargain for you.

Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Big Bear,  Park CityPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

 

July In Big Bear: Fun Nights and Fun Days!

At about 3pm yesterday, we announced that summer is officially here.  We didn’t use those exact words; the actual words we used would be best left unrepeated.  But that was the moment we realized the air conditioning in our car was struggling to keep up with the heat beating down on us while we were parked on our favorite freeway.  This uncomfortable moment arrives about this same time each year, and lasts for the several months of summer until things start cooling down a bit.  We shouldn’t really complain because we have it much better than most folks, and so can you.  You can abandon the heat and pressure of the city freeways to join us in the cool, refreshing, and relaxing atmosphere in Big Bear.  And July is the perfect time to plan this short trek.

We still have a few vacancies available for the July 4th weekend, so be sure to call us right away if you’d like to grab one of them.  As we’ve mentioned in recent blogs, the Big Bear annual fireworks display is one of the best you can see anywhere.  Combine this great display with a stay in one of our luxury vacation rentals, and it has the makings of a perfect weekend getaway.

One of our favorite spots in Big Bear is the Discovery Center.  They’ve packed their July schedule with a bunch of fun and informative events.  Here’s just a sampling of the fun you can enjoy:   Each Friday, head over to the Center at about 7pm for a campfire presentation that will have you learning some of the more quirky history of the region.  On Saturday, July 5th, head over to the Discovery Center at 10am, and you can choose between building your own birdhouse, or trying your hand at gold panning.  The gold panning is always at the top of our list.  Every Saturday and Sunday, you can head over for their weekend nature walks.  These weekly guided walks are not strenuous, and you’ll learn a bunch about the local history and flora.  We highly recommend it.

If you’re in the mood for a relaxing getaway elsewhere, be sure to check out the rest of our properties in   Park CitySouthern California Beaches, Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, and Mammoth Mountain.  We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

 

Plan a Summer By the Beach

If your kids aren’t already out of school, they will be in the next week or so. In no time at all, you’ll be facing that annual challenge to find something fun for the family while the kids are off school.  No need to worry about bedtimes or homework.  Boredom is usually the biggest challenge in many families over the summer.  And we’ve got a couple of great options that will certainly keep everybody happy.

How about planning a family getaway to the beach this summer?   It’s a great option, and there’s never a lack of fun things to do near the beach.  We have a couple of great beach options that are sure to make your vacation a great one.

Rent one of our luxury Southern California vacation rentals.  We have a great selection to choose from, and most are available with weekly rates.  Choose one that is within walking distance of the beach, and you’ll be all set enjoy some relaxing time where the only thing you’ll be working on is your tan. We have properties in Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, Manhattan Beach, and Newport Heights.  Choosing to stay near home for your vacation brings more benefits than you may imagine.  Your kids can likely invite friends to come along for part or all of the vacation, and you’ll be able to invite friends and family to get some much-needed quality time.  Choose one of our larger properties, and make your getaway a family reunion by inviting all your local family members to come along.  Click this link to view all our Southern California beach vacation rentals.

Choose a more exotic beach getaway to Villa la Estancia in Mexico.
If you’ve got an urge for some beachside relaxation and are in the mood for something exotic, call us to book a getaway in Villa la Estancia.  Located just a short cab ride from the Puerto Vallarta airport, this resort will astound you by all the luxury options you’ll enjoy.  There are two award-winning restaurants on the property, and the great local cuisine of Puerto Vallarta is a short ride away.  The beach is just footsteps away from your room, so you can split your time between relaxing on the beach and heading into Puerto Vallarta for some amazing shopping and great food.  You’ve never tasted lobster so amazing as you’ll find in Puerto Vallarta.  You can see all our luxury units in Villa la Estancia at this link.

Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

Stop Putting It Off . . . and Save!

We’re starting to see our first really warm days, and that should serve as a reminder that you need to plan your summer getaway.  Well, your timing is great if you call us right away.  We’ve got a couple of last minute events that are a perfect excuse for you to head for a great family vacation.

Father’s Day is just a week away, and we still have some openings available in Big Bear.  What better way is there to show dad how much you love him than by whisking him away to the luxury of a Five Star Vacation Rental in Big Bear?  We have yet to meet a dad who doesn’t love spending time in Big Bear.  This time of year the short drive up the hill brings you into a cooler climate with breathtaking views of the surrounding forest.  Couple this with great opportunities for fun on the lake, hiking, biking or just relaxing, and it’s sure to be a Father’s day he’ll always remember.  Since all of our Big Bear vacation rental cabins come with full kitchens, you can plan ahead to make him a truly gourmet breakfast on Father’s day.  Then follow that up with a day filled with his favorite activities.  He’ll be happy, and the entire family will certainly benefit from that.  Pampered dads have been known to pamper their wives even more, and he just might raise the kid’s allowances too.  Everybody wins.

The Independence Day holiday is also just around the corner.  July 4th on Big Bear Lake is something many families want to repeat again year after year.  It’s always one of the largest fireworks displays in Southern California, and its beauty is magnified by the cool evening and spectacular reflections off the lake.  Many of our cabins have barbecues on the deck, so you can just imagine the great taste you can enjoy that day as well.  Enjoy an afternoon filled with your own tasty barbecue fixin’s followed by an evening of spectacular lights and explosions in the sky.  Finish it off with some hot chocolate while relaxing in the hot tub, and you’ll have a weekend that will have the family smiling for weeks to come.

July is also a great time to enjoy a getaway to one of our other destinations.   If you can make your plans on short notice, we may be able to book you into a vacant cabin with one of our last-minute specials.  Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for you and your family.  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

 

Summer Events and Great Family Getaways

The official opening of summer is just  days away, and we’re devoting this week’s blog to giving you more reasons to book your family reunion or getaway with us. Summer is the traditional time for families to gather, and there really isn’t a better way to enjoy the family than in one of our great Five Star Vacation Rentals.  Let’s plant a few seeds here and why don’t you see how you can make these grow?

If you’ll recall the last family reunion, Uncle Jerome was assigned to sleep on the couch.  This would be fine with most other relatives, but we must remember that Uncle Jerome is really not like your other relatives.   His bedtime is 8PM sharp, so he chases everyone out of the living room.  He takes command of the sofa and  falls asleep quickly.  His snoring commences within minutes.  And that’s when everyone remembers that Uncle Jerome’s snoring is simply epic.  Those trying to sleep in adjacent rooms endure a sleepless night.  Thankfully,  you’ve prepared your home for earthquakes, so there’s a relatively small amount of property damage.  But what if you could make this year’s reunion entirely different?

Well, we have just the solution.  Rub the sleep out of your eyes, and imagine this year’s reunion entirely differently.  This year, you’ll be renting one of our luxurious Five Star Vacation Rentals.  One of our larger estate properties will have enough bedrooms and beds for each and every family member.  Uncle Jerome’s snoring remains epic, but it is muted behind the door of his oversize room.  When you get up for your midnight snack, it’ll sound like a muted, distant roar as you tiptoe past his room.  Nobody will lose any sleep, and our vacation rentals can withstand the shaking.

Another wonderful part of renting from us is the great choices you have for your destination.  Big Bear is our most popular getaway.  The weather can be sweltering in Los Angeles or Orange County, but most of the summer in Big Bear is cool with crisp mountain breezes.  Everyone in the family will have  something fun to do.  You can go boating on the lake, cycling through town, or hiking in the hills.  But your favorite activity may be just hanging out at your amazing Five Star Vacation rental estate.  You’ll drink in the luxury of your surroundings both inside and outside during your stay.  Check out all our Big Bear properties at this link.

Want to plan your family getaway someplace else?  Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for your and your family.  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan a great family reunion.

 

Planning the Perfect 4th of July In Big Bear

School is almost out, and if your household is like ours there’s already been lots of talk about what to do this summer.  And at our house, there’s always a tug to go in different directions.  Some want theme parks; some want the beach.  We’ve also got our “Road Trip Faction” that argues every year for driving as far as we can for half the summer and then turning around and driving back.  Like that’s going to happen.  But every year, we can all agree on one thing:  Let’s plan to see the best fireworks on 4th of July!  Now this is something that our Five Star Vacation Rental family is expert at.

July 4th at Big Bear Lake is the sort of thing that many families do over and over again every year and with good reason.  The Big Bear Rotary Club makes sure they keep the display as one of the best you can see anywhere in the western United States.  The show lasts about 30 full minutes and the  explosions take place about a mile above the glimmering surface of the lake.  It’s an event to remember as the dazzling lights in the sky are reflected in the waters of the lake.  If you’d like to enjoy some great food and the best seats for watching the fireworks, the Kiwanis also have an annual barbecue with great hot dogs, burgers and steaks to enjoy.  They’re also offering packages that include VIP seating that will have you squealing with delight as you watch the colorful explosions in the cool night air.  For more info on the Kiwani’s Barbecue and seating, visit their site at this link.

If you needed any further reason to get away this weekend, there’s also the  great Big Bear climate to enjoy.  July in Southern California can be, well, stifling at times.  But that’s never a problem in Big Bear.  July is the warmest month of the year here, but the average July temperature is just shy of 65°. As temperatures go, this is one we can all live with.  And you will really be living when you spend the holiday in your Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate.   Imagine the great fun your family will have  as you spend the long holiday weekend tucked away in your luxury vacation rental.  Many of our cabins have hot tubs, so you can spend the evening relaxing with a cool drink.

We usually sell out in advance, so be sure to book your cabin early.  View all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  Please also check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park CityPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for your and your family.  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

Calling All Anglers. What Would You Do With $50,000?

For avid fishermen, there’s nothing quite like the thrill you feel with you get those first few tenuous taps on the end of your line.  The adrenaline starts pumping, and you wait anxiously for the follow up pull indicating you’ve got one on the line.  Now combine that thrill with the possibility that the fish you’re pulling in may bring a $50,000 payday with it, and it’s a level of excitement that will make your head spin.  And that’s exactly the thrill that awaits you in Big Bear at the 50K Trout Derby the weekend of June 7th and 8th.  In addition to the grand prize there are other cash and merchandise prizes being handed out as well.  It’s going to be great fun, and you should plan to be here.

This event draws anglers from all over the Southland, and with good reason.  Big Bear Lake has some great fishing, and the surrounding scenery is just amazing with the towering pines and mountains.  At Five Star Vacation Rentals, we help make the occasion even better with the finest cabins and estates available in all of Big Bear.  It’s easy to imagine your family enjoying a fun day fishing at the lake.  And even if you’re not one of the big winners, you can take your catch back to the Five Star cabin to cook up some of the freshest and tastiest fish you’ll ever have.  All of our luxury vacation rentals have full kitchens with all the pots and pans you’ll need to bring a real gourmet dinner to the table from your catch of the day.

Even if you’re not much of a fisherman, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in Big Bear.  With spring in full bloom, the mountain takes on a crisp and beautiful scent at every turn.  Hiking along the miles of trails will have you spellbound by the beauty there.  Couple that with the amazing luxury you’ll enjoy in your vacation rental cabin, and it’s a getaway that will have you smiling for your entire stay.  And the only bad part of the experience will come when you have to start packing to go back home.  But don’t despair, we’ve got dozens of great cabins for your enjoyment, and you can come back as often as you wish.

If you do head up for the $50K Trout Derby, you can call the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center for info and to enter.  Their number is 800-424-4232.  And call us at 310-780-3411 to book your getaway.  To view our Big Bear vacation rental cabins, visit our Big Bear page at this link.  We can also help you plan your holiday in one our other destinations as well. Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park CityPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you get very little vacation time each year, so we’re dedicated to ensuring that your time spent in one of our luxury rentals will be a great value for your and your family.