Five Star Vacation Rental

Holidays in Big Bear

There’s a reason why Big Bear is our most popular destination. It’s simply one of the most beautiful places you can imagine, and this beauty is enhanced during winter when it takes on a magical feel. We love the sounds of kids giggling as they build their first snowman, have their first snowball fight, and learn the joy of warming frozen toes in front of a fireplace. It’s a family experience where you can turn off your phones and enjoy some truly amazing family time by celebrating the holidays in Big Bear.

Christmas in Big Bear is a great option both for a small family or a larger get together with extended family and friends coming together to celebrate. And we have options for groups of all sizes. For many Southern California families, Christmas in Big Bear can be the perfect opportunity to experience the special day with snow-covered hills and glistening trees surrounding you. There are few things more satisfying than Christmas morning with a fire going in the fireplace while the snow-covered trees fill the view out the windows.

New Year’s brings another way to celebrate the holidays in Big Bear as we ring in 2020. Bundle up and gather the family for the 55th annual Snow Summit Torchlight Parade. Watch over 100 skiers and snowboarders light up the night as they make their way down the face of the mountain in the dark with torches to create a spellbinding spectacle of light. The parade runs down the slope at Snow Summit and starts at 8pm.

Wyatt’s Family New Years Eve Party is happening at Wyatt’s Grill & Saloon and offers Big Bear’s only true family New Year’s Eve celebration featuring children’s activities, live music, and dancing. Doors open at 5 PM at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center. This year’s festivities feature the legendary Doo Wah Riders. Having appeared in concert with the likes of Garth Brooks, George Strait, Tim McGraw, and Dolly Parton, the Doo Wah Riders are country with a unique, original sound. It is high energy country with a Cajun twist. The Doo Wah Riders take the stage at 8:00 PM.

You can end this year better than ever by spending your holidays in Big Bear. Start by viewing all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your perfect holiday getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. We have offices in Newport Beach and Big Bear. Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

We’ve Got Snow, You’ve Got Skis, Let’s Talk

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to dig out your skis. We last spotted them hanging behind your tent and precariously close that old can of paint in the garage. This is the one time it’s truly fun to dig through the garage, because those slopes won’t ski themselves.

With the opening of ski season comes some of the best times in Big Bear. The holidays are magical in the forest, and there’s plenty of fun things to do off the slopes as well. Some of our properties have their own private sledding slopes where you can walk out back with the kids and start your snow adventures right away.

BigBearNightSnowTubing If you’d like to have a great time with the family snow tubing, Big Bear Snow Play is a great choice. They’re open daily from 10am to 4pm with night time glow tubing on weekends from 5pm to 9pm. We especially like Big Bear Snow Play because their “magic carpet” transports you back to the top of hill after your run to enjoy another wild ride down the hill. And the glow tubing after dark makes it even more fun.

A winter visit to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo can be another great excursion for the family. The animals often exhibit different behaviors during snowy times, and the keepers still schedule informative presentation in the amphitheater every day with one of the zoo’s animals. The zoo is a great opportunity to get up close with some of the wildlife that roams the forest and hill surrounding Big Bear. Visit their website for more info at this link.

Do you have fond memories of family bowling nights? We sure do, and it’s another great activity you can plan during your Big Bear stay. The Bowling Barn has 16 lanes with computerized scoring. There’s also an arcade for the kids and the Alley Oops Sports Bar with darts, pool tables, and HD tv’s to watch sporting events. And it’s all fun and games until somebody keeps throwing gutter balls. Check out their website at this link.

You can start your next getaway by viewing all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your perfect holiday getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. We have offices in Newport Beach and Big Bear. Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Have More Christmas Guests Than Beds?

We’re coming up on the season when many families face a good problem. They end up with more guests coming for the holidays than they have room for. If you have more Christmas guests than beds, it’s the best of all possible problems. But it’s also one that can add stress at a time when you’d really prefer to relax and concentrate on enjoying the season. This is a problem we help families solve with great results.

sleeping man Many of us have fun memories of large family get togethers that ended up with aunts and uncles sleeping on sofas with living room furniture moved to make way for rollaways and inflatable beds. While the memories are often fond ones, the aches, pains, and lost sleep from the makeshift sleeping arrangements are not. It takes just one guest like our Uncle Harry sawing logs all night to make the next day a bit more bleary eyed for the rest of us.

Sure, we’re biased, but we really do have a much better alternative. Keep all the fun family time, but get rid of the lost sleep and long bathroom wait times. Bring your family to one of our luxury Five Star Vacation Rentals in Big Bear this Christmas. We’re usually booked solid every Christmas, so it’s best not to delay.

Child playing with snow in winter. Kids outdoors. Christmas in Big Bear is truly magical. We usually have a good amount of snow. And there are hillsides and fields all around the area ready for your family’s downhill slides, snowball fights, and building a youngster’s first snow man. The Village is a great destination for great shopping, meeting Santa, and enjoying a fine meal.

cute cheerful girl in a Christmas hat on a colored background holding gifts in her hands But the best part of the experience is the time you’ll enjoy with your friends and family. Choose a property with plenty of room for everyone, and the morning grumbling will change from lost sleep and a line for the bathroom to the bad jokes dad is telling and shooing the kids away from the presents. It’s a great difference and a Christmas you’ll all remember with smiles.

To plan your holiday getaway, view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your perfect holiday getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. We have offices in Newport Beach and Big Bear. Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Plan Your December Big Bear Getaway

We’re entering our favorite time of year, and we’re standing by to help you plan your December Big Bear getaway. Use our online booking and search feature to see what properties are available at this link. The holidays are upon us, and Big Bear is a favorite destination for many of our guests. The winter weather transforms Big Bear into a beautiful and whimsical destination. It’s a great time for many southern California kids to get their first chance to build a snowman, slide down a snowy hillside, and engage in a family snowball fight.

Christmas in Big Bear can be the start of a new family tradition. Since many of our properties can easily accommodate a dozen or more guests, it can be a perfect option for gathering extended family and friends together in the luxury and comfort of a Five Star Vacation Rentals cabin or estate. And if the weather cooperates, you may all find yourself waking on Christmas morning to a wintery snow fantasy right outside your windows. It’s an entirely different experience when Christmas morning involves gathering everyone from their different parts of the cabin instead of waiting for them all to arrive from different parts of town or across the country.

After you finish opening your presents on Christmas morning, you may want to head over to Stillwell’s restaurant for the Christmas buffet running from 12 to 3. Choices include signature entree items, a carving station, omelettes, a waffle and pasta bar, hot and cold sides, soup and salad, home made desserts and unlimited champagne or mimosas for the adults. Reservations are needed, so plan ahead and visit their website at this link.

The skiers in the family usually find the slopes are great right around Christmas time, and they will be open all through the holiday season. In addition to skiing, Big Bear Snow Play is a great place for the entire family to enjoy inner tubing down their slope and riding their “magic carpet” back to the top again to do it all over again. Head to The Village to take holiday pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus every weekend from 10 AM – 4 PM through December 22. And all season long The Village will be decorated with twinkling lights.

Do Thanksgiving Differently This Year

We really love Thanksgiving with the family. It’s one of the few times of the year we get to spend time with friends and relatives from all over and get caught up. This is a holiday built around a meal, so time in the kitchen is a usual extension. And while many of us enjoy the cooking, you may want to do Thanksgiving differently this year. Big Bear has several great restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving day, and it’s a great opportunity to spend more time with everyone, rather than have your handful of cooks disappear for the hours leading up to the feast.

Peppercorn Grille enjoys some of the best reviews in all of Big Bear, and they’re serving a traditional turkey and trimmings meal on Thanksgiving day. They’re located in The Village at 553 Pine Knot Avenue in Big Bear, and you’ll want to make your reservations as early as possible. Your hosts are Julie and Mike Hastings. Julie is a lifelong Big Bear resident, and opened the restaurant with the goal to provide great food and great service in a great environment. Most diners agree she pulled it off. Reserve online or give them a call at 909-866-5405.

If your group is inclined to enjoy a Thanksgiving journey down a barbecue path, our choice in Big Bear is Jasper’s Smokehouse and Steaks. They’re offering their full regular menu on Thanksgiving, so you can choose from a great selection of barbecue ribs, chicken, steaks, sandwiches and all the fixins. They’ve got a selection of domestic and imported beers, or just settle in with a frosty glass of southern sweet tea. Be sure to grab a slice of the chocolate bliss cake before you leave. You’ll thank us. Jasper’s is located at 607 Pine Knot Ave. Or give them a call at 898-866-2434.

In the mood for some Asian food this Thanksgiving? Dynasty has an amazing menu featuring most traditional asian dishes but also Maine lobster and Peking duck. They also have a great wine selection and a full bar. This will be a great option if you have vegetarians in your group, as they have a good selection of entrees for them as well. They’re located at 40989 Big Bear Blvd, or give them a call at 909-866-7887.

Of course, nothing will make your family time more enjoyable than the hours you’ll spend together relaxing in front of the fireplace at your Five Star Vacation Rentals cabin or estate in Big Bear. To plan you holiday getaway, view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your perfect holiday getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. We have offices in Newport Beach and Big Bear. Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Plan Your Holiday Getaway

As we welcome the month of November, our thoughts necessarily turn to the holidays. We’ve been not so subtly reminded of their pending arrival as we go about our usual shopping with their yearly push of holiday merchandise. But now really is the best time to plan your holiday getaway.

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and it’s one of our busiest times. Many families make a yearly trek to one of our Big Bear vacation rentals to assemble their far flung family members in the comfort and luxury we offer. It’s an entirely different holiday experience to have a rambling luxury home or estate with enough room for everyone to have a bedroom or bunks for kids compared to years past with various nearby motels, and mattresses and rollaway beds scattered throughout our homes creating an obstacle course in the process. We love spending time with our families, and the fewer obstacles we encounter, the better.

Big Bear is our most popular destination, and Thanksgiving usually finds snow on the ground making the experience that much better. If you’ve never greeted a Thanksgiving or Christmas morning with a snow-covered view out your windows and a roaring fire in the fireplace, it is truly an experience you should put on your bucket list. With cups of steaming coffee and hot chocolate shared among your family and friends, it’s impossible to stop the great stories of shared childhood experiences, loving memories of those we miss, and excitement about what our shared futures hold. It’s just a better experience. As the season progresses our availability gets scarcer, so it’s wise to make your plans early.

All of our properties come with fully-equipped kitchens, so you can encourage the chefs in your group to dive in, and create a great Thanksgiving or Christmas morning buffet. After your meal, bundle up and go for a great walk through the pines as the kids tag along throwing the occasional snowball or pleading with you to build a snowman back at the cabin. It’s a holiday time everyone will fondly remember and want to repeat every year.

Our goal is always to create a pampered feeling that will enhance your visit to Big Bear. To plan you holiday getaway, view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your perfect holiday getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. We have offices in Newport Beach and Big Bear. Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Halloween in Big Bear

Little boy in halloween costume with basket for candies in the p It’s starting to feel pretty spooky. We’re seeing ghouls and ghosts around every aisle in the market, and bags of candy are magically appearing (and just as magically being torn open and beginning to disappear). But we’re on the job, and we’re here to help you navigate your amazing Halloween in Big Bear.

Halloween is great in Big Bear, and you’ll be glad you made the drive. It’s a fun day, and there’s a lot you can do. Our annual favorite is Halloween in the Village. The 50+ shops of Big Bear Village open their doors to all your little goblins. They’ll collect a great assortment of treats as they wander in the safety of The Village. It’s a perfect family night where you can stroll among all the shops with mom and dad finding their own treats to complete the experience.

Halloween, orange pumpkin with a scary luminous face on a dark background. Thick gray smoke comes out and spreads across the black table. A close-up of a flashlight on the eve of all the saints But wait, there’s more! From 4pm to 9pm you can take the short drive over to Fawnskin where you’ll be treated to the Big Bear Moose Lodge’s 2nd Annual Mystery Maze. This positively petrifying event will have you wandering through darkened spaces, mirrors and finally (if you’re lucky) finding freedom from these fantastic frights. There is a small charge, but head over for great fun. The lodge is located at 39247 North Shore Dr.
Fawnskin, California 92333.

Halloween Still Life Colorful Theme: Scary Decorated Dark Room with Table Covered in Spider Webs, Burning Pumpkin, Candlestick, Witch's Hat and Skeleton. In Background Silhouette of Monster Walking By And as if that weren’t enough, Mountain Room Escapes’ Alpine Ski Lodge game gets a creepy make over Oct. 30 through Nov. 2. This is a 4-day only “pop up” escape room located at 1121 W Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, California 92315. A fun and creepy (but not too creepy!) experience perfect to get into the Halloween spirit. The plot for the event supposes that after a snow in, no one has heard from the guests staying at the ski lodge. Is the power out, or is there something more sinister at play? What could go wrong? Find out, if you dare. Visit their website for more details to add to your halloween in Big Bear.

Check out all our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link, and if you’re interested in spending your holidays elsewhere, check out our vacation rentals in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta. No matter what city you are visiting, staying in a Five Star Vacation Rental property allows you to experience the absolute best in luxury accommodations. We would be glad to help you plan your getaway to Big Bear or elsewhere, so if you would like more information, you can reach out to us by calling 310-780-3411.

November in Big Bear

We’re rapidly approaching the holiday season, and this is a great time to plan a getaway for November in Big Bear. Snow often starts falling in November, and that means we get booked up fast with skiers and winter sports fans.

Oktoberfest continues weekends through November 2nd ending with America’s Heroes Weekend offering free admission for past and present military, law enforcement & fire fighters. Oktoberfest is a great event for the entire family. In addition to a robust assortment of international brews, it’s a cultural event that celebrates some of the truly fun elements of German life. You’ll enjoy great music, dancing, contests, and more. And many events are designed with kids in mind including a bounce house, face painting and a fun mechanical horse.

Celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11th at 11am with The American Legion Riders. Everyone is invited to join in at Veterans Park with veterans and families of service personnel – past and present – to participate in a procession and ceremony. The American Legion Riders Chapter 584 and the City of Big Bear Lake will host this special program that honors our Veterans who have served and who are serving in the Armed Forces to protect our nation. For any additional information, please email alrchapter584@gmail.com

The Cave is featuring a month packed with some of the best original and tribute bands around. Bruno Mars fans will want to catch 24K tribute on November 9th. On November 15th, catch Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist, occasional lead vocalist and co-founding member of the rock band Kiss.The Who Experience arrives on November 16th. And on May 19, 2019, Laine Hardy performs. He was crowned winner of American Idol season 17 at 18 years old. Since the show, Laine – now 19 – has spent much of his time writing songs and preparing his debut project.

November 29 through December 1st enjoy the 35th Annual Big Bear Mountain Christmas Boutique at the Big Bear Convention Center. With over 50 arts and crafts vendors, the Mountain Christmas Boutique offers a variety of truly unique, handmade gift items and collectibles. And the kids will enjoy free visits with Santa and holiday arts and crafts.

As you can see, we’ve got a great November in Big Bear ready for your enjoyment. You can book your stay online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Winter is on the Way

Are you feeling it yet? Winter is on the way, and with it will come our favorite time of year. Winter brings so many fun things to Big Bear, and we often get booked solid as a result. There’s no time like the present to book your reservation for this great time of year.

The ski season officially opens this year on November 23rd. Early snow can push this forward, but late snow usually means the slopes will be machine groomed to start. Either way, our skiers will want to make sure they grab one of our great locations for the season. If you’ve ever skied Snow Summit or Bear Mountain, you’ve surely noticed there are cabins lining the slopes and a community of cabins within walking distance. As you can imagine, these are ideal for skiers, and here are a couple we rent:

Our Cabin #9 is a short walk to the slopes at Snow Summit. It’s on a quiet cul-de-sac with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and room for 11 guests. And when you’re not on the slopes, it’s a perfect retreat with a spa and all the comforts to let you relax and recuperate after a full day on the slopes. The master features a Jacuzzi tub, and there’s a spa for you all to share as well. It has a pool table, foosball, and granite counters in the kitchen.

Located right on the slopes at Bear Mountain is our Cabin #13. This features 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and room for 14 guests. That first morning you’ll find the amazing advantage of avoiding the long lines and frenzied parking when you can just strap on your skis and head right out your back door. There’s really nothing quite like it. And this one also caters to your relaxation off the slopes with a pool table, foosball, and spa.

We have plenty more luxury properties to choose from that are a quick walk or drive to the slopes. You can book your stay online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your winter vacation or getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta and La Quinta.

Have Some Fun in La Quinta

Over the past several years we’ve built up an impressive presence in La Quinta, just a short drive away from Palm Desert and Palm Springs. Our properties are mostly on the world-class golf courses found in the La Quinta area, but there are lots of great attractions in the area off the links as well. If you’re not a golfer, you can still have a great time. Here are a few activities we’ve heard good things about.

Jeep Tours Native Californians will likely be keenly interested in learning more about the San Andreas fault. It’s something that’s jolted many of us awake at night, and it runs directly through Palm Desert adjacent to La Quinta. Desert Adventures is offering a fascinating San Andreas Fault Jeep Tour from Palm Desert that takes you along the fault where you’ll learn amazing insights about its geology and history. See an oasis on the fault that’s fed by an underwater spring, and visit a Native American site to learn about early inhabitants of the area. They also offer sunset and stargazing tours after dark. Check out their website for more details and to book your trip: https://red-jeep.com/tours/san-andreas-fault-jeep-tours/

Palm Desert Downhill Biking Another great way to get up close and personal with the beautiful surroundings in the desert is with the Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bike Adventure. As the name implies, this is a mostly downhill ride. They supply the bicycles and your tour takes you through a protected wilderness zone running along the San Andreas Fault, to areas inaccessible by traditional tour vehicle. Along the way, you’ll snap photos of the Salton Sea, Mt. San Jacinto, the All-American Canal, and the eastern Coachella Valley. The 20-mile (32-km), paved route is mostly downhill with no cross roads, no turns, and very little traffic, making this a fun and scenic adventure suitable for all ages. More info at this link.

Camel Connection Everyone in the family will enjoy a visit to Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. You can feed a giraffe, meet a camel, and watch some butterflies flutter by. Pay a visit to the petting zoo, or spend some time with one of the zookeepers learning more about the animals and their natural surroundings. You’ll delight in the massive G-Scale model railway, and see how the zoo is helping injured and displaced animals mend in their hospital. The zoo has been a fixture in the Palm Springs area for 50 years, and it’s a great way to spend the day. Visit their site for more details at this link.

You can book your stay online or view all of our La Quinta properties at this link. Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your next vacation or getaway. And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway. Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta and Big Bear.