If you’ve ever had the pleasure of spending some time in one of our vacation rental properties, we’re pretty sure you’ll start nodding your head in agreement with us here in a moment. For those of you who have yet to experience that pleasure, we’re going to take some time over the next few weeks to feature some of the reasons our guests choose to stay with us.
A Brief History of Human Vacations
Humans have been taking vacations for about as long as we’ve been around. Somewhere long ago a cave dweller told his buddy, “Kreb, you go hunt and gather for me today. I’m going to stay home with the wife and do macrame. I’ll hunt for you next week.” And so it began: The eons-old yearning for a bit of relaxation and quality time with the family.
Over time, we became more sophisticated and learned to make our vacations a real event. We’d travel to exotic locations and stay in tall buildings full of strangers who make noise in the hallway outside our room at 3AM. We called these buildings “hotels,” and for a long time, there were few other options available for travelers.
But one day an enterprising young couple decided to turn the travel industry on its head by offering top-quality luxury cabins, estates, and condos for vacation lodging. Five Star Vacation Rentals was born, and since then hundreds of thousands of fun and luxurious nights have been spent in our properties. Families discovered the delight of eating their own fresh-cooked meals from a gourmet kitchen instead of stale chips and soda from a vending machine down the hall. One of the primary reasons to choose Five Star Vacation Rentals is that we’re not a hotel.
Hotels are fine for lots of travel, but if you want a truly memorable getaway, you’re going to need to bring home something other than a couple tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Bring home some memories of feeling pampered. Take with you stories of that night you and the kids jumped into your cabin’s hot tub and told scary stories late into the night. Snap a quick picture of the kids as they quietly sleep in front of the gently crackling fireplace of your vacation rental home. Never forget that moment you’re enjoying the sunset view off your deck and you look into your sweetheart’s eyes and tell her it’s been the best 10 or 20 or 50 years of your life 
since you two were married. And enjoy creating all these memories without the intrusion of a noisy neighbor, pounding footsteps from the room above you, and having the only people in the hallway be the ones you brought with you.
Most families get precious little vacation time, so we’re dedicated to making sure your time away is special. You’ll enjoy luxury at a level usually extended only to a very few. Check out all our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link, and if you’re in the mood for a getaway elsewhere check out our vacation rentals in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, 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.
Big Bear is also a great choice for your wedding. There are a number of beautiful venues in Big Bear for your nuptials. And with Five Star Vacation Rentals, you can invite your entire bridal party to be there for all the fun and last-minute scurrying leading up to the big day. The time can be that much more special when you’re enjoying creating a new family while relaxing with your extended family in the luxury of one or more of our Big Bear vacation rentals.
If you haven’t yet planned your November getaway to Big Bear, now is a great time. November is beautiful in Big Bear, and it marks the start of the holiday season. Thanksgiving in Big Bear will be a wonderful experience for the entire family. If you hurry, you may still be able to book one of our luxury Big Bear Vacation Rentals and have it be the destination for the entire extended family this year. Many of our properties sleep a dozen guests, so you can get comfy beds for everybody. Search our Big Bear vacation rentals at 
Want something to do Thanksgiving morning requiring a wee bit less exertion? Gather the family and head down to Pine Knot Marina to take the leisurely 90 minute Big Bear Lake tour on Miss Liberty, the beautiful 64′ paddle wheeler. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time as you ride this fully-equipped vessel. It’s a fun and informative adventure that is narrated with interesting local history and an occasional celebrity sighting. Get more details on their website: 
Continuing weekends through November are performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” There’s an amazing pool of local talent that puts together this show, and it’s certain to be a fun adventure for your whole family. Get more details and purchase tickets at this link: 
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” opens on November 18th and has performances weekends through December 2. This is the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Weber musical that has become one of the most popular plays in the history of theater. It’s a fun event for the entire family during your stay with us in Big Bear. Purchase your tickets in advance or get more details at this link: 
You have a few great options for enjoying your family meal on Thanksgiving. Several local markets offer a full turkey or ham dinner with all the fixins if you just want to relax and enjoy your time away. If you’re bringing the family gourmet along for your stay, all of our cabins have full kitchens, so you can cook right at your vacation home to combine those yummy aromas with your family and friends. There are also some restaurants that stay open each year offering both traditional turkey fare and a good selection of other cuisines. Whichever one you choose, you’ll have the backdrop of your Five Star Vacation Rental to enjoy the meal with your loved ones as you relax and watch some parades and football.
If you want to work off some of those calories in advance, the 4th annual Big Bear Turkey Trot takes off at 9AM Thanksgiving morning. It’s a crazy event where you can run from 3-9 miles, dress like a turkey, and work up a real appetite for your feast a bit later on. There is a registration fee for this, and you can get more info on their website: 
In addition to the roulette of noisy neighbors, hotels also require more time and planning to do even the most simple things you do at home. With some rare exceptions, you cannot simply roll out of a hotel bed and make yourself a yummy omelette, some toast, coffee, and orange juice in the morning. Even hotels that offer a breakfast service would prefer that you don’t show up in your pajamas and slippers for the meal. Greeting the morning with the requirement that you get dressed and share the time with complete strangers is a major detraction from the enjoyment.
Five Star Vacation Rentals takes this concept light years beyond and lets you experience your vacation in a manner that is typically reserved only for the extremely wealthy. We have assembled top-notch luxury properties in some of the West’s most desirous locations. These properties offer craftsmanship and luxury furnishings that are intended to amaze our guests. And that’s the typical reaction we get. For the duration of your stay with us, you’ll experience a level of quality surroundings that are difficult to duplicate. Beyond the luxury and fine craftsmanship around you, you’ll get to spend more time with fewer distractions simply enjoying yourself with your loved ones during your time away. And isn’t that what you’ll appreciate most?
On Saturday, October 17, Big Bear will enjoy a rare treat. TV star Kiefer Sutherland brings his band to town for a performance at The Cave. Sutherland has been performing in clubs around the country for years, and this is a great opportunity to hear some great music while spending an evening with one of your favorite TV stars. You can get more information online at 
If you are looking for a fun, energetic night out, The Cave is the spot for you. In September, you will catch artists like Robby Kreiger’s Jam Kitchen and Y&T at the state-of-the-art venue, and you can enjoy fantastic concessions while you jam out to the evening’s tunes. The Cave is located at 40789 Village Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315, and shows begin at 6:30PM. In addition to the artists who have already been announced, you can expect to see impromptu and last-minute shows from artists traveling through town or staying in Big Bear. The Cave is just one of several spots you are sure to find a show going on.
There are plenty of chances to bring the kids to a concert and stage a family sing-a-long, too! This month, the Big Bear Discovery Center is continuing their Music in the Mountains Summer Concert Series, and kids 12 and under get free admission. The Discovery Center is located at 40971 HWY 38, Fawnskin, Ca 92333, and on September 5th you will see Jim Curry perform A Tribute to John Denver. You can rock out to the classics with your family and see whether or not your kids are old enough to be embarrassed yet! In all seriousness, the whole family will love the intimacy of the outdoor amphitheater, and you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.
The last gasps of summer are echoing around our homes. They take the form of rushed mornings, conflicting schedules, and the recognition that life would be simpler if we had a fleet of cars with drivers for the little ones. If school hasn’t already started back up for your family, it soon will. Even if you had a family vacation over the summer, Labor Day is a great way to have one last hurrah before fully settling in with the new schedule when school gets in full swing.
The Busy Bears Annual Quilt Show at Big Bear Middle School in on September 6th this year from 10am to 5pm. This annual event showcases some of the most amazing and creative works of stitchery you’ll find anywhere. It’s a great opportunity to see this centuries-old craft close up, and many of the quilts are on sale with proceeds benefiting local Big Bear charities. It’s a unique opportunity to walk away with an instant family heirloom lovingly crafted by a local artisan. There’s a $5 admission fee to benefit the charities. Visit their website for more info: 