We’ve been in this business so long, sometimes we lose sight of the main reasons people come to us instead staying at a hotel. We’re aware there are many good hotels out there, and many offer great amenities. So what’s the difference, and why choose a vacation rental instead of a hotel? There are quite a few good reasons, and here are our top ones.
Vacation Rentals Offer More Privacy
A common feature of every hotel is the fact that you’re sharing the space with other people. And sometimes you’re sharing the space with a lot of other people. Even the finest hotels have common hallways, and if you’re unfortunate enough to get a room adjacent to the elevator or stairwell, you can count on a steady flow of traffic past your room at all hours. This is especially bad if you have the misfortune to choose your stay at the same time as a group like the Duluth Yodeler’s Association. They’re a fun group, but a bit less fun when they’re yodeling in the hallway outside your room at 3am.
Vacation Rentals Offer More Convenience
Sometimes a hotel is the best choice if you’re staying in a downtown area, but with the right planning, you can often find a good vacation rental even in those locations. Mornings in most hotel rooms start with formulating a plan for breakfast that typically involves going to a local restaurant. And during busy times, it involves waiting for a table at that restaurant. With your vacation rental, you greet each morning with all the conveniences of home. A quick stop by the market on your way in, and you’ll have a full kitchen stocked with all you need to make your own breakfast. While you’re still in your pajamas, and without waiting for a table.
Vacation Rentals Offer Better Value
This is especially true when you plan a big family, work, or church event around your vacation rental. Finding rooms for a dozen people can be very expensive and involves lots of logistics to get everyone in the same place at the same time for meals, meetings, and activities. Many of our properties have room for a dozen guests or more, so even our most expensive properties suddenly become less expensive than a basic motel room when the cost is shared across a large group. And you’ll have the added benefit of spending more time together, which is probably the main reason you planned your event anyway, right?
Big Bear is our most popular destination, and 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.
The Budenstrasse (Avenue of the Booths) is designed for the entire family with lots of special treats just for the kids. You’ll find arts, crafts, collectibles and trinkets for mom and dad. The kids will love the carnival games, taking a turn on Samson the Mechanical Bull, the bounce house, balloon artist, face painting and airbrushed tattoos.
Spring relaunches Big Bear’s cycling season, and there are a bunch of events planned all month long. The events start May 1st. with a twilight ride starting from Maggio’s Pizza at 5:30pm. Many consider Big Bear to the cycling capital of Southern California, and the Big Bear Cycling Association is one of the most active cycling groups anywhere in the country. Owing to Big Bear’s natural beauty and varied terrain the association offers a broad spectrum of rides for all skill levels and some planned specifically as family events. Visit their website for more details on upcoming rides: 
Big Bear’s night life is jam packed throughout May with some really great choices sure to delight everyone in the family. For a fun night of comedic relief, and family-friendly slapstick, head over to the Big Bear Performing Arts Center for the Big Bear High School Performing Arts Department’s presentation of a Panto version of “The Wizard of Oddz.” Inspired by the comedic style started in England, this loosely follows Dorothy and her friends trying to get back to Kansas with some very funny changes and audience participation along the way. You’ll want to 
Hiking in Big Bear is a passion for many of our guests, and it’s easy to see why. There are hiking paths ranging from wheelchair and stroller accessible paved ones to expert-level paths up to 15 miles long calling for navigation skills and significant exertion. The paths navigate a variety of the terrain and views found throughout the Big Bear area. Hiking in the spring is especially rewarding and will usually bring some close up interactions with some of the local wildlife as well.
Fishing in Big Bear Lake starts up again this month as well. And whether you’re looking for a lazy afternoon relaxing on the banks of the lake or a serious angler intent on bringing home something fresh for dinner, Big Bear Lake fishing is a perfect fit. Rainbow trout, bass, and catfish can find their way to the end of your hook on a typical day. And with the gourmet kitchens you’ll find in most Five Star Vacation Rentals in Big Bear, they can end up deliciously prepared for everyone in your group. As any fisherman will tell you, there’s really nothing quite as tasty as a fresh caught and prepared fish dinner. Add some sides from the local market, and you’ll be serving up smiles all around.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with candy and flowers, but they can be a bit lacking in a full expression of exactly how much that special someone actually means to you. And while these may be an important part of your loving celebration, there’s so much more you can do to make sure Valentine’s Day is a memorable event that more fully expresses your feelings. This is where we come in, and how we can revolutionize your celebration.
Imagine a great day alone with your sweetheart. You started the day with a gourmet breakfast in one of the little cafes in Big Bear Village. You strolled among the great little shops afterward picking up a few little souvenirs to remember the day. You found a great bottle of wine in one of the shops, and you bought it to enjoy later while you relax in the hot tub at your Five Star Vacation Rental. It was a bit cold outside, so you returned to the cabin and started a nice fire going in the fireplace. Later, you cooked her favorite dish in the gourmet kitchen of your Five Star Vacation Rental. You smile that the flowers and candy you bought are sitting on the table nearby, and are glad you choose to much more this year.
Big Bear’s annual bald eagle count continues during February. This event is a great chance to get out in the forest and catch a glimpse of these majestic birds. You’ll be volunteering for the Forest Service to count the number of bald eagles wintering in the San Bernardino Mountains. Dress warm, and bring your own binoculars. Meet at the Big Bear Discovery Center between 8AM and 8:30AM. For more details, call 909-382-2790.
The Cave has some amazing live bands appearing during February. The fun kicks off on February 2nd with an evening devoted to “Beatles versus Stones.” Also this month you can catch Joshua Radin, Yachtly Crew, Orleans, and more. Get more info on tickets and showtimes on their website: https://thecavebigbear.com/
We’re excited that snow is already falling in Big Bear, and the ski slopes are open. This means your Christmas visit to Big Bear can include some fun skiing, snow boarding, or just having some fun family snow play. And there’s really nothing quite like having the family wake up on Christmas morning to a snow-covered landscape outside. If conditions allow, you may even have get the chance to build your family’s first snow man. And that is a moment most kids will remember for the rest of their lives.
Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will want to pay a visit to the 
There’s still time to catch this year’s Renaissance Faire running weekends through August 12th. This annual event offers a great collection of costumes, period entertainment and some of the best foods found anywhere on the planet for the past several hundred years. This is a family event where you can stroll among minstrels, royalty, and enjoy stage shows featuring magicians, period music, and some very funny acts.
Our favorite event is the annual 
Big Bear boasts one of the most beautiful venues for cyclists in all of California. The Big Bear Cycling Association is hosting cycling events all month long culminating in the Big Bear Cycling Festival from July 28 through August 5th. This is the only week-long cycle festival in the United States. Events are scheduled in the dirt and the road with offerings geared toward all skill levels. You’ll find altitude acclimation rides, kids events, and a cycling expo displaying the best in cycling gear and technology. There are a number of events scheduled including Crafts N Cranks, which combines your passion for mountain biking, and craft brews with a fun run at Snow Summit, the mountain biking Mecca of Southern California. Visit 
Your family can learn more about ecotourism in Big Bear during Big Bear Valley Outdoor Adventure Days on July 29th and 30th. This event takes place at the Big Bear Discovery Center and features nature, history, discovery and more. Visitors will be able to visit a Big Bear wetland area, explore Big Bear Lake on paddle boats, and learn more about Big Bear’s rich Native American history. Nature walks and bird watching tours will also be offered. It’s a great way to enjoy Big Bear and learn about how we can preserve its beauty for future generations.