Just two hours east of Los Angeles, Southern California's Big Bear Lake is a small but beautiful alpine town tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forest. Home to the indigenous Serrano people for over 2,000 years and named after the large grizzly bear population that flourished there before settlers came to the area in the 1800s, today Big Bear is known for its panoramic mountain and lake views, family-friendly ski resorts, pine-scented mountain air, and year-round outdoor activities.
Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Ski Resorts are big draws for visitors, as they sit just a short drive from the Village-the town's popular hub of dining, entertaining, and shopping. A-frames, log cabins, mountain chalets, and whatever this wild thing is, provide ample opportunity for winter, spring, summer, and fall getaways, so there's truly something for everyone in this SoCal vacation destination.
The following 18 Big Bear vacation rentals are our top picks for the best cabins in the area, selected for a combination of aesthetic prominence and proximity to outdoor recreation.
[Looking to escape elsewhere in the nation? Check out our other curated cabin rental lists.]