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It’s Time For Some Very Important Excuses

We’re a bit more than three weeks past New Year’s and we’ve already found a way that a jumbo bag of M&M’s actually integrates well with our diet.  And we’re convinced that the renewed vigor we employ to launch ourselves out of bed each morning qualifies for “exercise.”  All in all, we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves.  With these stellar accomplishments in mind, we’re looking to reward ourselves for keeping up with our New Year’s resolutions better than ever before.  Or something like that.

And since we’re on the topic of excuses, may we ask what excuse you may need to plan a quick getaway to Big Bear?  As usual, we’re here to help with a few suggestions.

Did you know that March 1st is National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, National Pig Day, and Plan a Solo Vacation Day?  Yes, all three are celebrated on this day.  This is a perfect opportunity to book a Five Star Vacation Rental in Big Bear, and load up the car (alone) with your pig and a case of creamy peanut butter to munch on.  We’ll do our best to track down a pig-friendly cabin for you, but you may need to settle for just enjoying your peanut butter snacks. Alone.

See how easy this is?  If none of that appeals to you, feel free to hold out for April 2nd, which is National Peanut Butter and Jelly day.  It’s guaranteed to be twice the fun of Peanut Butter Lover’s Day.  We’re not currently accepting any reservations for December 30th, though.  That’s National Bacon Day, and the pig gets upset whenever we mention it.  But in keeping with the breakfast motif, we’ll gladly book your stay for May 4th (National Orange Juice Day) and for June 3rd (National Egg Day).  National Pancake Day is right around the corner on February 28th, though we may need some time to work that into the diet.  We’re checking if we can exchange some M&M’s for pancakes.  National Coffee Day falls on September 29th this year, but we really consider every day to be National Coffee Day.  You wouldn’t like us when we’ve skipped our coffee.

If you still need an excuse to book your getaway, we’ll gladly send one of our friendly staff members to your house to encourage you with mild interrogations like, “Are you kidding me?”  and “You CANNOT be serious.”  It’s really okay for any reason or no reason at all to book a getaway to one of our amazing luxury vacation rental cabins in Big Bear.  And whether you travel alone or with your entire family, we’re certain you’ll have the time of your life in your Five Star Vacation Rental Big Bear cabin or estate.   Did you know that there’s no National Excuse Day?

Check out all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  And if you’re in the mood for a getaway elsewhere, follow these links to view our other properties in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  A well planned weekend away in a Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate will recharge your batteries and equip the entire family for the challenges back at home.   Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

 

 

Winter In Big Bear With or Without Skis

Big Bear has always been our most popular destination, and with good reason.  Each season brings a new variety of activities and natural wonders.  Winter is our most popular season, because the addition of snow simply explodes the number of activities available.

Skiing is certainly at the forefront during winter.  Big Bear is fortunate to have two world-class ski destinations in Bear Mountain and Snow Summit.  The slopes share lift tickets and a free shuttle runs all day long between the two destinations, so you’re free to travel between them and enjoy double the amount of downhill runs.  No need to even stop for a rest.  Just relax on the shuttle for the few minutes travel time between the two slopes.   And be sure to end each day by relaxing in the luxury of your Five Star Vacation Rental cabin.

Off the slopes, there’s still plenty to keep you enjoying your stay in Big Bear.

Here’s a question for the physicists among us:  What do you get when you cross the forces of gravity with the smooth surface of a snow-covered hill and an inner tube topped with a giggling child? Well, pure fun!  Big Bear Snow Play is Southern California’s favorite downhill inner tube destination.  They’ve taken the age old combination of sliding an inner tube down a snowy hill to an entirely new level.  Their covered magic carpet lift that transports you to the top of the slope without wearing you out.  There’s just one flat rate entry price, and they’ll supply the tube.  With this, you’ll get unlimited runs down the hill.  This is a great choice for families with small children who want to play in the snow, but don’t want to strap skis on the little ones yet.  Visit their website for more details: http://www.bigbearsnowplay.com/

The Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain offers an entirely different sort of downhill fun. You kids will get wide-eyed when they realize that you’re taking them for a wild bobsled ride down a banked, twisty hillside track.  It looks and feels almost like the downhill runs in the Olympics, and there’s really nothing like it anywhere else in Southern California.  The runs are open year-round, so even if there’s no snow during your visit, the downhill bobsled runs will be open.  You can get more information on their website:  http://alpineslidebigbear.com/AlpineSlide.html

As you can see, winter in Big Bear is an amazing time, and it’s even more amazing to enjoy it while relaxing in the luxury and comfort of your Five Star Vacation Rental.  The only thing remaining is to call us or book your Big Bear getaway online at this link: http://fivestarvacationrental.com/area_BigBear.php.  Or give us a call, and we’ll be glad to book your getaway for you. Looking for a vacation somewhere else?  Check out our luxury vacation rentals in Park CitySouthern 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.

Plan Your Winter Getaway!

The long summer and fall have come to an end, and it’s time to start preparing for your annual pilgrimage to the snow in Big Bear.  For some of us it’s far more frequent than just annually, but whatever may be your schedule, now is the time to book your getaway.

We’re already starting to see some promising snow reports, and there’s no real reason to delay your plan.  Here are a few tips to help make your getaway more enjoyable.

Buy your lift tickets in advance. Snow Summit and Bear Mountain share lift tickets and offer a free shuttle between the slopes.  It’s easy to fill your day with one great run after another. Here’s the link to buy tickets online: http://www.snowsummit.com/ski/rates/lift-tickets

Plan a weekday getaway. As the ski season gets into full swing, weekends will be get busier.  Both Snow Summit and Bear Mountain are well equipped for big crowds, but many of us prefer ski on lighter days.  Whichever is your preference, be sure to plan ahead.

Book a Five Star Vacation Rental luxury vacation rental cabin. Those first few days back on the slopes may well result in a few sore muscles.  But we’ve got the perfect solution for that.  Most of our Big Bear luxury rentals have hot tubs.  We’ll be happy to help you find the best vacation rental for your getaway.

Check out all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  And if you’re in the mood for a getaway in one of our other ski destinations, follow these links to view our other properties in Park City, and Mammoth Mountain.  Want to head to warmer climes for your getaway, check out our vacation rentals in  Southern California Beaches and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  Your family could use some time away to relax and enjoy some time together, couldn’t they?  Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan a great vacation or weekend trip.

Aunt Clarissa Called. She’s Coming For Thanksgiving.

We all love Aunt Clarissa.  And we’re pretty sure every family has their own Aunt Clarissa.  We really do love her.  She has an opinion about everything, and advice for almost anything.  She makes it a point to spend every holiday at our house, and we’re pleased to have her.  But she has a bad back, so she can’t be expected to sleep on the sofa.  Or the hideaway bed.  Or in a nearby hotel.  For the last couple of years we’ve abandoned our bedroom, so she can get the best bed in the house.  Somehow each year, it seems we end up sleeping on the sofa in our own home.  But we really love Aunt Clarissa.

This year we’re doing things differently and so should you.   Stop subjecting your family to the annual tradition of inviting all the relatives over for the holidays while you scramble for sleeping space on the various sofas, rollaways, or air mattresses on the floor.  In addition to making your home look like some new challenge on American Ninja Warrior, you end up with a week’s worth of work after everyone leaves just to get back to normal.  Be honest.  Don’t you sometimes dread the holidays when you know there’s going be so much extra work and lost sleep as a result of just wanting to spend time with your extended family?  Well, this is the year to put a stop to it.  This is the year you can finally start truly enjoying the holidays and relax with family and friends.

Call Five Star Vacation Rentals and let our specialists help you locate a luxury vacation rental cabin or estate in Big Bear.  We have a collection of the finest quality Big Bear cabins you can possibly find.  Our cabins range in size perfect for groups from a small family to a big multi-family reunion.  Aunt Clarissa can have her very own room without relegating you to the sofa.  We’ll help you choose the one that’s just right for your plans.  But don’t delay.  We usually get completely booked for the holidays.

Call us at 310-800-5454 and we’ll be glad to help you with your plans.  You can also browse our properties in Big BearMammothPark CityPalm Springs/La QuintaSouthern California Beaches or  Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. We realize that you put a lot of time and effort into planning your getaway, and we’re confident that your stay with us will be a great memory for everyone in your party.

Fall — In Love — In Big Bear

We can’t believe that summer is officially ending and the first day of fall is just a few days away.  Halloween candy is already popping up on the store aisles, and we’ve already had a couple of chilly mornings.  Time marches on, and waits for no man, and . . . lots of other cliches.  But have you allowed time to trample on your plans for a romantic getaway?  Well, we just double checked, and the clock is still ticking.  The longer you delay, the longer you’ll be delayed.  You may quote us on that.  You should really stop procrastinating, and give us a call.  We have more getaway specialists on hand than a convention of bank robbers.  And our getaway specialists will help you plan a romantic time away with virtually no worry about any jail time as a result.  They’re really that good.

Big Bear is an ideal destination for your getaway anytime of year.  It’s one of the few places in Southern California that you can actually see fall colors in abundance.  The colors usually arrive some time in October, and they’re really spectacular.  The brilliant oranges and reds are breathtaking and make for a really romantic time.  We highly recommend that you make some time with you sweetheart to have romantic getaway in the fall.  There’s really no better time to propose, celebrate your anniversary, or just reaffirm  your commitment.  We can’t imagine a more romantic moment than walking hand-in-hand down a colorful path, and pausing to propose, offer a surprise gift, or just look deeply in your mate’s eyes and say, “This is a beautiful place, but it pales in comparison with your beauty, and the joy you’ve brought into my life.”  Hand us a tissue, we’re getting misty-eyed.  So will you.

The romance of your special time in Big Bear will be greatly enhanced by the luxurious pampering you’ll experience in our Five Star Vacation Rental Big Bear cabins and estates.  Of course, true romance is unbounded by any geographic limits.  So feel free to take your romantic plans to any of our destinations.  Check out all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  And if you’re in the mood for a getaway elsewhere, follow these links to view our other properties in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  A well planned weekend away in a Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate will recharge your batteries and equip the entire family for the challenges back at home.   Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

October in Big Bear

October is just around the corner, and we’ve got plenty of good reasons for you to plan your next getaway with Five Star Vacation Rentals in Big Bear.

Oktoberfest is in full swing, and we’re certain there’s a stein or two just waiting for you to show up.  Beer is just the beginning of Big Bear’s Oktoberfest fun. This event keeps getting bigger and bigger each year and is a great destination for the entire family.  In addition to a wondrous collection of exotic international beers, there are events planned to keep everybody in the family occupied with something fun.   You’ll be humming polka tunes for weeks to come.  It’s one of those rare moments in your life you may well hear yourself utter the words, “You know, I think I’d like to learn to play the accordion.”

The rows of booths have lots of fun souvenirs and kid-oriented stuff like a bounce house, face painting, balloon creations, and spray-on tattoos.  Combine this with the nearly endless polkas and food, and you’ll see why so many people keep coming back year after year.   Oktoberfest runs weekends through October 25.

Anglers are going to love the annual Troutfest on October 4th and 5th.  Sponsored by Western Outdoor News, this event offers a great weekend of fishing with some great prizes and trophies offered.  You can fish from shore or on the lake, and there are several different categories you can vie for.  Visit the Western Outdoor News website for more details.

Regardless of the reason you choose for your Big Bear getaway, you time away will be much more enjoyable with a Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate as part of the picture.  We choose only the finest luxury vacation rentals in Big Bear, so you can enjoy an amazing getaway that promises to let you truly relax as you soak in your surroundings.

Check out all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  And if you’re in the mood for a getaway elsewhere, follow these links to view our other properties in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  A well planned weekend away in a Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate will recharge your batteries and equip the entire family for the challenges back at home.   Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

 

September in Big Bear. Plant This In Your Mind.

Well, the kids are back in school or will be in a few days.  It’s time to surrender to the more mundane aspects of a weekly schedule that includes early morning roundups of kids, backpacks, lunches, puppies and car keys.  Why is it that the car keys are always someplace new?  Maybe we should devote an entire blog to that topic.  But not this one.

Your bodies may well be going through the motions of a post-summer reality, but there’s really no reason to surrender your mind to this eventuality.  Much of your daily routine can be handled quite well without devoting your entire attention to it, right?  Spreadsheets and calendars already have boxes on them, and you just need to punch in a bit of text.  Heck, most of those reports you’re preparing can practically write themselves.  And unless you really are a brain surgeon or rocket scientist, this really isn’t brain surgery or rocket science.  So why not allow your mind to continue in summer vacation mode for a while longer?  We can’t think of any compelling reason to pull you back.  In fact, we’ve cooked up a few reasons that you should remain in vacation mode for at least another several weeks.  Take a look at some of the fun things that you can do in Big Bear in September:

Oktoberfest is back! It starts September 13th and runs weekends through October 25th.  This annual event if one of our most popular, and it’s absolutely a great time for the entire family.  There’s beer, brats, more beer, great ethnic costumes, more beer, games for the kids, dancing, beer, and pretzels.  And did we mention beer?  Even if you’re not a big beer drinker, Oktoberfest in Big Bear is great fun.  The food is just amazing, and there are so many fun things to do with lots of great little shops and stalls to visit as well.  Grab your sweetie, and prepare to polka! Will you please pick up one of those cool little caps with the feather in it for us?

September 19-21 also sees the arrival of the 15th annual Big Bear Film Festival. This is a great event for film buffs of all stripes.  You can rub elbows with industry leaders, and there’s usually some great star gazing if you can peer behind that sea of over-size sun glasses to pick out the “A” listers that fly into town for the occasion.  This is a very popular event, and you should get your tickets in advance.  This year there will be over 115 movies shown at different venues around town, and there will be a great selection of 3D films to choose from as well.  You can buy your tickets at this link.

There’s really no better way to enhance your enjoyment of these September events in Big Bear than with a luxury vacation cabin or estate from Five Star Vacation Rentals.  We have assembled dozens of the finest, most luxurious properties to be found anywhere in Big Bear.  You can spend your days taking in some of the cutting edge films or sampling international beers, but spend your nights in the comfort and luxury of your Five Star Vacation Rental.  It’s a perfect combination.  Spend all day on your feet having fun, and prop up your feet at night in your luxury vacation rental.  Check out our Big Bear vacation rental cabins and estates at this link.

Give us a call, and we’ll be glad to book your getaway for you. Looking for a vacation somewhere else?  No problem! 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.

Back To School Blues? Take a Deep Breath and Give Us a Call

It’s so hard to believe that school is starting up again.  It seems it was just a few days ago we were all getting excited about the onset of summer, and now we’re seeing Back to School sales and backpacks magically appearing on young shoulders again.  While it’s impossible to get the time back, we can certainly refuse to surrender all of our fun over to the relentless new schedules that face us each fall.

Thank heaven for weekends.  Even when our schedules face the pressures of shoehorning in school events, sports, dance, and work, we can still count on having a couple days that are available for reworking each week.  Yes, even the weekends tend to fill up, but you usually have a larger canvas to paint on each Saturday and Sunday, don’t you?  Well, grab those paints and help your family’s mental health skyrocket by planning a fun weekend getaway for September in one of our Big Bear vacation rentals.  We have dozens of luxury vacation cabins and estates to choose from, and we can recommend any of them for your getaway.

September is such a great time to escape to Big Bear.  While the heat in much of Southern California can quickly turn oppressive, Big Bear’s climate is almost always crisp and cool.  As you crest the hill, you can smile and utter those words you would never say elsewhere:  “Kids!  Roll down the windows and smell the air!”  And as that rush of clean, chilly air fills your car, the relaxation will begin to set in.   Even before you set foot inside the amazing luxury of your Five Star Vacation Rental cabin, your entire family will start to feel the glow.  Your jaw muscles slacken, your neck feels a bit looser, and your affections towards each other will increase.  Soon the car will start to fill with the excited conversations of what to do first:  Take a walk in the woods, head down to the lake, go shopping in the village, and more.

But you may well find all your other plans put on hold once you cross the threshold of your cabin.  First-time guests are always amazed at the luxury and craftsmanship that is apparent in virtually all of our Big Bear vacation rental cabins and estates.  Many of our vacation rentals have forest and lake views.   Each is furnished with an emphasis toward luxury and relaxation.  We have an abundance of chairs and sofas that are specifically designed to swallow you up in great comfort.   You may well find your conversation changing to, “Let’s just hang out here for a while.”  We understand.  That’s exactly what we were hoping you’d say.

Check out all of our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  And if you’re in the mood for a getaway elsewhere, follow these links to view our other properties in Park City Southern California BeachesMammoth Mountain, and Villa la Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  A well planned weekend away in a Five Star Vacation Rental cabin or estate will recharge your batteries and equip the entire family for the challenges back at home.   Call us today at 310-800-5454, and we’ll help you plan the vacation of a lifetime.

Welcome Our Newest Luxury Vacation Rental

We’re always excited when we welcome a new property into our vacation rental family.  Our new 3700 square foot Eagle Ridge Lodge is no exception.  It’s spacious 5 bedroom floor plan has room for 14 guests, so you can plan for a multiple family getaway,  or a retreat for your extended family and friends.

You’ll love both the look and feel of this amazing log cabin.  The woodsy aroma and full log interiors will captivate you immediately.   It’s a folksy feel that’s steeped in luxury, and will surely draw you into a great, relaxing family time.

Be sure you schedule a match for both the mini pool table and the foosball table.  You’ll all soon be squealing with delight as you leave your cares behind down the mountain and immerse yourselves in some Big Bear-style relaxation.  You’ll exchange counting cars for counting squirrels, and you’ll enjoy tree and lake views instead of pavement and smog.  It’s a perfect time to recharge your batteries right before the end of summer.

Enjoy your evenings in the cabin by gathering around the rock fireplace and enjoying some hot chocolate together.  Be sure to relax for a while in the hot tub before you call it a night.  That warm water washing over you will get you so relaxed that you’ll drift off to sleep right away.  And be sure to skip setting the alarm.  Sleep in as late as you want.  Or until the kids head in and start bouncing on the foot of the bed asking for breakfast.  But even that will be a delight as you enjoy the granite counters in the kitchen.  Your pancakes never tasted so good!

View more details about Eagle Ridge Lodge at this link.  Or give us a call, and we’ll be glad to book your getaway for you. Looking for a vacation somewhere else?  No problem! 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.

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.