Reservations & More Information: 310-780-3411

Five Star Vacation Rentals Is Amazingly Social (and other news)

Like Us On FacebookWe have to admit it.  Here at Five Star Vacation Rentals, we’re addicted to technology.  We’re that annoying customer who strolls the aisles at Frys until they start turning off the lights at closing time, and we’re back again in the morning waiting for them to unlock the doors.  We called everyone we know when we launched our company Facebook page, and we still get a little thrill every time we click that button to send out a new Tweet.  We can’t help ourselves.  Our company was birthed on the Internet, and we’re keenly aware that technology has helped our guests to more fully explore the truly amazing luxury we present in our vacation rental estates, cabins, and other properties.

So, you can imagine how excited we are to continue expanding into the realm of online social media.  We’re now building our presence on Pinterest, and we’d like to personally invite you to come over and check us out.  We’re loading up our newest batch of photos, and we’re sure you’re going to love them.  We’d also love to see your photos from any of your visits to our vacation rentals.  Please bookmark our page, www.pinterest.com/5starvacation, and check back often as we continue to add more content.  We’ve also started work on our Instagram page, so be sure to watch that grow at this link.

And we’re also excited to announce that we are now an affiliate with Action Segway Tours, Action Zipline Tours, and Action Aqua Flight. These activities have brought a whole new level of fun to Big Bear, and you’re definitely going to want to give them a try.  If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to take flight like Ironman, you’ve got to book a visit to Action Aqua Flight.  And the Zipline Tours are nothing short of amazing as you glide over the scenic hillsides of Big Bear.  When you call to book your next vacation with us, we’ll be able to get you a 10% discount on all the fun they have to offer.  These folks dole out adrenaline the same way Costco sells paper towels.

Be sure to Like us on Facebook and check back often for discounts we don’t offer anywhere else.  Visit our Facebook page today for some great discounts and details about an upcoming contest.  Think you might enjoy a free weekend in Big Bear?  Like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, and we just may be posting the story of your amazing free getaway in a future entry here.

Here’s the link to view all of our luxury rentals in Big Bear.  We can also help you book your getaway to one of our other destinations in Park CityPalm Springs/La QuintaSouthern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  We’re committed to making sure your vacation will be a great memory for your entire family.  Call us at 310-780-3411.

 

 

Plan the Perfect Summer Getaway to Big Bear

School is winding down in most areas, and most families are looking forward to the summer. It’s an exciting time, and you have lots of options.  We are pleased to offer some of the best vacation destinations anywhere on the planet, and we’ll be happy to help you put together a vacation that will have something fun to do for everyone in your family.

Big Bear is our most popular destination and offers a wealth of fun and relaxing activities.

The golfers in your family will enjoy the 9-hole mountain-style course at Bear Mountain. With an elevation of 7000 feet, you’ll feel like a pro watching your drives fly farther than you can imagine.  But the beauty of the course is reason enough to play a round or two.

Grab your bikes or rent them when you arrive for some of the best trail riding to be found anywhere.  In addition to all the old favorite Forest Service Fire trails on the back and sides of Snow Summit, there’s a new advanced trail called the Miracle Mile Trail opening soon. It zig zags down the ski run in and out of the trees. This trail is for advanced riders only and will feature 34+ berms, 6 rollers, 10 jumps and 4 wood features including a 30 foot bridge, diving board, and a big 45 degree wooden berm!  For more details, visit their website at http://www.bigbearmountainresorts.com/summer/index.php.

Grab your rods and reels!  It’s fishing season in Big Bear. The lake was stocked with fish twice during May, so your fresh dinner may be waiting for you to come and pick it up.  For all you trout fans out there, recent reports are that many anglers are reaching their limit.  Here’s a full fishing report: http://www.fishhound.com/fishing-reports/big-bear-lake-ca

As always, hikers have nearly limitless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Big Bear.  Many of our properties are adjacent to scenic hiking trails, and none of them is very far from great hiking.

And these are just a handful of examples. Big Bear Village is full of great shops with quirky gifts and momentos.  And of course there’s the part that excites us most:  our amazing luxury estate rentals.

And if you’re planning a getaway somewhere else, be sure to check out our other properties in  Park City, UtahPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California Beaches Mammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  At Five Star Vacation Rentals, we’re dedicated to helping you create a great vacation.  We realize your vacation time is very valuable, and our goal is to make sure you enjoy it to the fullest.

Five Star Vacation Rentals Offers Possum-Free Luxury

By now you all know that we live much of our lives dedicated to creating the absolute best vacations possible for our guests.  We’re proud of the fact that we have a steady stream of repeat guests.  Our properties are among the most luxurious you can find anywhere.  They’re well maintained, furnished with all our guilty pleasures, and situated in some of the most amazing resort destinations in the world.

But sometimes we like to consider the possibilities that often befall those who are foolish enough to seek lodging any place else.  We’ve warned our readers about these pitfalls in previous blogs here and here, but it bears repeating:  Don’t risk your precious vacation time anywhere else.   You may end up losing sleep and having to share your accommodations with furry little animals.  Let us explain.

We had a few quiet minutes in the office the other day, so we decided to Google, “worst vacation ever.”  Oh my, was this a sad search. One of the first hits was a review of a hotel in Myrtle Beach.  The very unhappy patron of this hotel gave the place a one star review and noted among other things that, “the rooms were pitiful. Not clean, dirty sheets . . . Possums in the room.”  Yes, possums.

But wait, there’s more.  One hotel in Miami Beach, Florida is ranked 190th out of 199 hotels in the area.  The description offered by one guest gives us a hint at the quality they found there: “Carpeting is stained and dirty. Towels are old, stained, & dirty. Beds are old, dirty, and stained. Walls are old, dirty, and stained.”  I think we see a pattern emerging here.  Hotel number 191 has even more colorful reviews. Our favorite is titled, “Manager threatened PREGNANT wife with pepper spray!!!” Some are from international travelers.  You don’t need to learn a new language to understand these folks: “Der absolute Horror” and “ORRIBILE!!!!!!!!!”  I think it’s safe to assume that the memories and stories these folks brought home from their vacations were pretty sad.

Now compare their reviews with some of the feedback we receive from our guests. Dana C. wrote of her recent stay, “Everything was awesome. . . Thank you again, Kevin and Maria for the awesome weekend…can’t wait for next year!!” Yes, Dana used “awesome” twice. We really like the sound of that word. Awesome.   And when Tony K dropped us a line about his stay, he had the following to say, “I just wanted to say thank you for an amazing weekend. Every one of your staff that I talked to and met were extremely helpful and friendly; it really made our stay more enjoyable. ”

Better Rustic Motif. Better Furnishings.

We realize that you have many choices when it comes to your next vacation. Each of us has had our share of bad experiences staying in some pretty awful places in our time.  Your time away is precious, and you should not risk it with inferior accommodations. We work hard to make sure that all our vacation rental properties will have you feeling pampered and relaxed. And we guarantee that you’ll never share your luxury estate rental with a possum, and we’ll never chase your pregnant wife with pepper spray.

Be sure to look at our luxury rentals in Big Bear,  Park CityPalm Springs/La QuintaSouthern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  We’re committed to making sure your vacation will be a great memory for your entire family.  Call us at 310-780-3411 and we’ll be happy to help you find the perfect place for your next vacation.

More June Events In Big Bear

In a previous blog we covered some of the fun stuff to do in Big Bear during June.  And since June is always one of the most packed months on the mountain, we’re covering more in this week’s blog.

Ongoing each weekend are the animal feeding tours at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.  These tours are a great opportunity for your family to learn more about the workings of the zoo, and how they meet the diverse dietary requirements of the different animals. The zoo suggests that this may be a big hit with some little boys as they’ll get an up-close lesson on how little animals sometimes become the meals of big animals.  The tours take place each Saturday and Sunday starting at 3pm.

The 2013 season of the Bear Valley Farmer’s Market is bigger than ever.  The market takes place each Tuesday from 8:30 to 1pm and features fresh fruits, vegetables, and lots of fun crafts created by local artisans.  The market is a great place to stock up on fresh ingredients for the meals you plan on cooking in the gourmet kitchen of your Five Star Vacation Rental cabin.  You can impress the family with some great cooking using these fresh ingredients.  The market is located at the Big Bear Convention Center at 42900 Big Bear Blvd.

For you wine aficionados out there, you’re definitely not going to want to miss the Village Business Association’s 5th annual Spring Wine Walk on Saturday, June 1st from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm in The Village.  This is a great chance to sample a number of wines from around the world as you walk in the cool of the evening among the fun shops of Big Bear Village. Light hors d’oeuvres will be offered along the way as well. You can purchase your tickets in advance at this link.

Bikers have lots to plan for in June as well.  The Big Bear Cycling Association sponsors rides 6 days a week throughout the month of June.  The rides vary from difficult experts-only, to fun family fare.  There’s really nothing like joining other riders to enjoy the cool crisp Big Bear air while pedaling around town and different trails.  You can get more information on the scheduled rides at this link.

Be sure to look at our luxury rentals in Big Bear.  We can also help you book your getaway to one of our other destinations in Park CityPalm Springs/La QuintaSouthern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  We’re committed to making sure your vacation will be a great memory for your entire family.  Call us at 310-780-3411.

 

June Events In Big Bear

It’s hard to believe that June is nearly upon us, and the kids will soon be out of school.  If you haven’t already made your plans, don’t delay any longer.  We’ll help you put together a getaway that is sure to have the entire family giggling with delight.

Summer in Big Bear is always amazing, so you’re in for a real delight.  While the temperatures are beginning to soar down in much of Southern California, Big Bear is a cool and crisp alternative.  You’ll want to pack light jackets for your June stay because it can get chilly in the evenings.  But this is really a treat.  Imagine your delight in settling down in front of a crackling fire with the family when just a couple days earlier you were all complaining about the heat at home.

While there’s never a shortage of things to do in Big Bear, June is an especially good month.  Here’s a sampling from our Big Bear Calendar of Events:

If you love live music  you’ll find lots of opportunities to satisfy your cravings this month.  Most weekends you’ll find great a great selection. The fun starts at about 7:30pm on June 1st with several excellent choices:

Skeleton Key Folk Music Center at 560 Pine Knot Avenue
B’s Boathouse at 350 Alden Road
Nottingham’s Tavern at 40797 Big Bear Blvd
Chad’s Place 40740 Village Drive

Funny little cars and big creepy clowns. It's the Old Miner's Parade!

Who doesn’t love a parade? Pack up the family, and have some fun at this year’s Old Miners Big Bear Heritage Parade on June 15th. This annual event is a small slice of Americana, and you’re sure to enjoy yourself. So grab some folding chairs, bottled water, and sun block. We’ll see you there.

And our avid cyclists will want to be sure to plan their Big Bear getaway in June. After keeping your bike in storage during the winter, it’s time to dust it off and hit the road again. The Big Bear Cycling Association holds Community Bike Rides every Saturday for riders of all levels. The rides start on June 1st and riders should meet at Copper Q at 645 Pine Knot Blvd by 9am.

Competitive cyclists will want to be sure to book their stay to correspond with the 2013 US Cup Big Bear Shoot Out. This annual event is an important stop on the race circuit. Visit http://www.uscup.net for more details.

There are many more upcoming events during June, and we’ll cover them in a later blog. If you’d like to view our Big Bear vacation rental cabins, visit our Big Bear page at this link.  Planning a getaway somewhere else?  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, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

Your Doctor Called. She Said You Need a Weekend Away In Big Bear.

Well, that may not be exactly what she said, but pay attention anyway.  A recent report out of the Mayo Clinic showed that stress has a tendency to invade virtually every area of our lives.  And when you take a close look at their findings, the results can be discouraging.

Many of us suffer stress due to increased workloads.  Stress causes a number of symptoms including decreased memory, various pains, fatigue, and less romantic interest.  But what is one of the primary effects of stress?  Decreased work efficiency.  So, you get stressed over having too much work, and the stress impairs your ability to complete your work.  How messed up is that? But don’t despair.  We’ve got a great solution for you.

A recent New York Times article showed that sufficient sleep, relaxation and vacation time can counteract virtually every adverse symptom you may be facing due to the stress in your life.  And here at Five Star Vacation Rentals, we just happen to be world-class experts at helping folks like you dive into depths of soothing relaxation unlike anything you’ve ever known.  Think of us as the “Vacation Doctors.”  Here’s what we prescribe:

Take at least two nights. Repeat as needed for relaxation:
For a romantic getaway, try our Slope Side at Bear Mountain cabin.  This is consistently one of our most popular cabins and once you arrive, you’ll see why.  The cabin is located just a few lots from the edge of the National Forest, so you’ll feel like you’re right on the edge of a forested wilderness.  Imagine the tranquility of an early-morning walk through the woods as you feel the crisp mountain air fill your lungs and listen to the muted symphony of birds.  Sit on a log for minute, and you’ll be able to watch the squirrels scurrying across the forest floor jumping from tree to tree.  No phone calls, and the nearest spreadsheet is a million miles away.  You’ll feel your blood pressure getting lower as your mood gets progressively higher.  You can view a virtual tour of this luxury cabin at this link.  See more details and photos here.  Or quickly grab the next available slot with our online booking calendar at this link.

Maybe you could use some away time with your extended family or a close group of friends.  Our Castle Glen Dream Estate is a huge hit with larger groups.  This rambling estate boasts 8 bedrooms with 7 bathrooms in 6700 square feet of space.  Grab a handful of your favorite movies and settle in for a movie night with the gang in the theater room.  Sink into the luxurious theater seating as the music rises during the opening credits, and you’ll see why this amazing cabin is quickly becoming a favorite with our guests. With room for 16 guests, a spa and amazing views, the only stress you’ll feel during your stay is when you start back down the hill to go home.  But don’t worry.  We’ll be ready for your next visit as soon as you are.  You can take a walk through with our virtual tour at this link.  This page has more details and photos.  The online calendar to book your stay right now is at this link.

And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be confident that we’ve worked with equal diligence to make sure all of our properties provide a level of luxury and relaxation that you just can’t find anywhere else. Here are links to our other properties in  Park City, UtahPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California Beaches Mammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  Call us at 310-780-3411, and we’ll be happy to help you create the perfect getaway to relieve the stress in your life.  And be sure to follow us on Twitter and  Facebook.  This way you can be the first to know when we offer any last minute specials and discounts.

Calling all Golfers. Five Star Vacation Rentals Has a Getaway For You

We’re just finishing up ski season in most of our destinations, and skiers are some of our favorite guests.  But we see many of these same folks come back during the spring and summer to pursue their passion for golf.  The reason for their return visits is pretty clear:  We have some of the best destinations with the finest courses that you can find anywhere.  Whether you’re an avid golfer or just interested in starting, we’ve got the perfect choice for you.

Our Palm Springs/La Quinta properties offer real luxury during your golf vacation.  These properties are located right on the fairway of the most popular golf courses in the Palm Springs – La Quinta area.  And with the many other activities nearby, you may want to book your stay for the entire summer.  The golfers in your family can hit the links every morning while the rest of the family can enjoy the shopping, theater, and other great local activities.

We can’t think of a better way to spend our summer vacation than booking a week or month at the beach while staying in one of our luxury Southern California Beach estates.  And since Southern California boasts some of the nation’s finest golf courses, you can be sure your golf craving will be satisfied.  You have a number of top courses to choose from, but our favorite is the Monarch Beach Golf Links.  You’ll enjoy a day full of “it just doesn’t get any better than this” moments while you take in the lush green fairways that stretch out to the azure ocean views beyond.

Puerto Nuevo Golf

Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico is one of our favorite golf destinations.  While most of our guests choose this resort because it is located right on the beach, avid golfers will feel their pulse quicken when they get a look at the local golfing opportunities.  You can’t beat the convenience of the par 72 Flamingos Golf Course that’s a quick 5 minute cab ride from your luxury condo.  After you enjoy a few rounds there, be sure to take the brief 30 minute drive to the Vista Vallarta Golf Club where you’ll enjoy play on courses bearing the names of Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.  There are daily flights from all Southern California airports, so you can be on the course this afternoon.

While the Mammoth Mountain ski season often runs through June, come July, you can enjoy some of the most beautiful golfing found anywhere in the world.  The Sierra Star Golf Course is situated in the soaring pines at 8000 feet above sea level. This par 70 championship course was designed by Cal Olson, and many golfers find the altitude gives them some of their longest drives ever.

Big Bear seems to be an endless source of fun for most of us, and it’s no different for golfers.  Book your stay in one of our luxury vacation rental cabins, and you’ll enjoy Big Bear’s 9 hole Bear Mountain course.  Golfing usually starts in the middle of May, so give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you pick out the perfect cabin for your getaway.

As you can see, we’ve got some amazing choices for the golfers in your family.  Call us at 310-780-3411, and we’ll be happy to help you choose the best one for you.  And whichever one of our golf destinations you may choose, you’ll have the assurance that we’re working hard to make sure your golf vacation is a great one.

Prudent Tax Planning With A Great Vacation Getaway

Tax time is just about over, and we’re all breathing a sigh of relief.  If you had to pay, the pain will be subsiding soon.  If you’re getting a refund, well, let’s just imagine a few of the possibilities.

Most of us treat our tax refund as a gift from heaven, and that’s almost how it seems.  Though upon closer examination, we find the postmark betrays a much earthier origin.  For many of us, it’s perhaps the only piece of mail coming out of Washington that we actually enjoy opening.  All year long we labor and watch the numbers on our paycheck continue to grow larger in that column devoted to our taxes.  It’s nice to finally get a few of those dollars back.  And here at Five Star Vacation Rentals, it always puts us in the mood to celebrate.

We can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than with a stay in one of our luxury vacation rentals.  Our avid blog readers are well aware that we have some of the finest luxury estate getaways for you to choose from.  Big Bear is our most popular destination, but we’ve got great properties in  Park CityPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California Beaches Mammoth Mountain, and  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico as well.  And regardless of which one of our destinations you choose, you’ll have the comfort knowing that we’ve devoted ourselves to providing you with only the best quality properties to ensure you feel pampered and relaxed for the duration of your stay with us.  Here are a few suggestions we have for prudent investments with your tax refund.

1.  Make sure you spend the money in a way that is the polar opposite of how you actually feel about taxes.
This is perhaps the most fun of all.  We cringe and grumble over our tax burden.  When we’re together with friends, it’s often the topic of our conversations. We would love to pay less taxes, and our tax refund check is a small reprieve toward that end.  So, it can be amazingly delicious to use that money to pamper your family.  We see near daily reports of how the government spends our taxes frivolously, so what better response than to invest that money into the pure delight of our family?

2.  Book a stay at one of our getaways for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
You really don’t need an excuse to plan your getaway to one of our luxury vacation rentals.  As the ancient Greek historian Herodotus wrote in the 5th century BC, “If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.” For the sake of your sanity, please call us today to book your getaway for no other reason at all.  We value your stability and sanity, and we’re here to help.  Please call us before it’s too late. 310-780-3411

3. Book a stay with us to celebrate some of your most important occasions.
Our lives are filled with milestones that we mark to help us remember the most important events.  We all have a birthday, and there’s really no better way to celebrate it than booking a luxury getaway in one of our vacation rentals.  But that’s just the start.  We have anniversaries, graduations, honeymoons, promotions, engagements and much more.  Pack your bags, and grab a camera, because your stay with us will become one that your entire family will remember and yearn to repeat.

As you can see, Five Star Vacation Rentals has some great luxury destinations ready to help you relax like you’ve never been able to before.  You can choose a luxury Big Bear Cabin, or a condo on the beach in Villa la Estancia.  Whether you’re looking to getaway for some upcoming event, or for no reason whatsoever, please call us at 310-780-3411.  We’ll be happy to help you create a fantastic getaway that will delight your entire family.

 

More Fun Events in Big Bear for May

In last week’s blog, we detailed a few of the great events happening in Big Bear during May.  You can see that blog at this link.  But we really only covered a handful of the fun things you’ll have to do during your stay with us in May.

Mother's Day is May 12th

We mentioned it last week, but it bears repeating.  May 12th is Mother’s Day, and it’s time you really showed her how much you appreciate all she does for you.  We understand that our wives often do things for us out of a sense of duty.  And other times their actions are simply because they love us.  You don’t have to be Dr. Phil to realize that if you take this opportunity to provide her with a spectacular demonstration of how much you really love her, she’ll have more of her thoughts toward you filled with love rather than duty.  Trust us.  The loving thoughts are much, much better.   You really need to do this.  Call us at 310-780-3411 to book your getaway for Mother’s Day.  But don’t delay.  We often sell out over that weekend.  Use this link to explore all of our luxury Big Bear estate cabins.

Get a Scare in Big Bear!

Returning for its third year on May 18th and 19th is the Big Bear Horro-Fi Film Festival at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center (39707 Big Bear Blvd). This is just too much fun. If you enjoy campy, funny, and occasionally terrifying films, you’ve really got to be here for this one. The events include panel discussions with the film makers and past years have seen some famous actors showing up as well.  If you’re a film buff, a film maker, or just want to have some great fun, be sure to get your tickets for this one.  You can get more details and a calendar of events on their website at www.bigbearhorrorfilmfest.com.

And for all you runners out there,  be sure to book your stay for the Big Bear Lake Memorial 5K Fun Run to Benefit “Wounded Warrior Project.” The 5k Fun Run is set to take place Sunday May 26, 2013 in The Village of Big Bear Lake, CA. The 3.1 mile road run starts in The Village and takes you through some of the scenic areas and neighborhoods of Big Bear. It’s a great way to support a great cause. Visit www.bigbearfunrun.com for more details.

Browse all of our Big Bear cabins on this page.  If you’re planning a getaway somewhere other than Big Bear, please 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.  Regardless of where you may go, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that Five Star Vacation Rentals is working to make your vacation relaxing and memorable.  Don’t risk your precious vacation time by booking anywhere else!

May Events in Big Bear

May in Big Bear is packed full of great excuses to sneak away for a relaxing time in one of our luxury vacation rental estates.  Of course, we’re convinced our wonderful cabins are excuse enough to beat feet to the mountain.  But in case you needed a bit more of a nudge, here are just a handful of great events coming up in May.

Number one is Mother’s Day on May 12th.  Okay, dad, we know she’s always pleased to get a nice dinner, flowers, and some candy.  She’ll never complain about that.  But isn’t it time to set the mark a bit higher?  Make this year the one that she’ll always remember and tell all of her friends about.  We’ll be glad to work with you to create a romantic getaway in one of our amazing cabins.  Which do you think she’d prefer:  Going out for a nice dinner and then going back home to watch TV, or going out for a nice dinner, and then returning to your luxurious estate cabin for a relaxing night in front of the fireplace and in the spa?  Call us at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you get this romantic getaway started.

On May 4th, you’ll have a chance to combine a fun getaway with a worthy cause.  The annual Big Bear MS Walk takes place on Saturday May 4th on the North Shore’s Alpine Pedal Path. It’s a great opportunity to have the entire family help out a great charity while enjoying the beauty of Big Bear. For more details, click this link to visit the Walk MS website.

Weekends throughout May, enjoy the free nature walks offered by the Big Bear Discovery Center. These 30-minute Nature Walks are offered on Saturdays at 1pm and 2 pm and Sundays at 11 am and 12 noon. You’ll learn about the local plant life, wildlife and interesting historical facts. This is a great time for the entire family. The nature walks are not strenuous and designed for all levels of physical conditioning.  More details at www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com.

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo offers animal feeding tours on weekends.  This has quickly become one of Big Bear’s most popular events, and the kids really love it.  You’ll get to walk along with one of the zookeepers as they make their rounds feeding the various animals.  It’s a great learning experience, and a rare close-up encounter with these animals.  The tours start at 3:00 pm each Saturday and Sunday.  Visit www.bigbearzoo.org for more info.

On May 18th, you can break out your fishing gear and head over to Big Bear Lake for a chance at some of the $10,000 purse in this year’s Jim Hall Memorial May Trout Classic.  Last year’s winner landed an 11 pound trout and went home with a $2500 cash prize.  That sounds like fun to us.  Get more information on their website at www.maytroutclassic.com.

This is just a sampling of the great fun coming up in Big Bear during May.  Call us at 310-780-3411 to book your getaway.  You can view all of our Big Bear vacation rental cabins on this link.

And if you’re planning a getaway somewhere else, be sure to check out our other properties in  Park City, UtahPalm Springs/La Quinta Southern California Beaches Mammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  At Five Star Vacation Rentals, we’re dedicated to helping you create a great vacation.  We realize your vacation time is very valuable, and our goal is to make sure you enjoy it to the fullest.