Big Bear, California

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Big Bear, California is
one of the most scenic
areas in the state.

The mountain community of Big Bear, California has been a magnet which draws thousands of visitors each year to this pristine location. It sits right in the middle of the San Bernardino National Forest and features the largest lake in all of Southern California. Big Bear Lake is seven miles long and 2.5 miles wide (at its widest point). It is located at an elevation of more than 6,700 feet (higher than the city of Denver, Colorado). The lake is surrounded by much higher mountain peaks. To the south, Mount San Gorgonio rises 11,502 feet making it the tallest mountain in Southern California. The lake is entirely fed by snowfall which can be quite heavy at times during the winter months. Yet it also receives more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Near the Big Bear Lake dam on the west side, the lake has a depth of 72 feet.

Snow blankets the surrounding forested hillsides around Big Bear Lake.

A portion of Big Bear Lake is frozen over in this wintertime view.

Of the many lakes in California, I would rank Big Bear Lake second only to Lake Tahoe in scenic beauty. And despite the fact that it sits in the middle of a very populated southland region, it has nevertheless retained it's charm and appeal over the years. My dad used to go camping at the lake as a kid and says that it hasn't changed all that much from those earlier days. Big Bear, California is a perfect place to capture excellent landscape photos no matter what time of year it is. For those who like to ski, a visit to a Big Bear ski resort is a must during the winter months. After a day of skiing, there are a number of excellent restaurants to dine at in the city of Big Bear Lake. There are also many unique shops to explore in an area of the town known as "The Village".

Summertime is a perfect time for boating on the lake.
This photo was taken in August of 2011.

Looking east over Big Bear Valley from Highway 18
(known as the "Rim of the World" highway).

Looking south from Highway 18 toward Mount San Gorgonio.

Big Bear, California originally got it's name from the large number of grizzly bears which lived in the area. That was back in the 1800's. There are no more grizzly bears to be found in these mountains, although there are black bears. Hollywood discovered this scenic mountain location in the mid 1900's and has used it as the setting for numerous movies and television shows over the years. There are several other pretty lakes in the area as well such as Baldwin Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, and Cedar Lake. The old TV western "Bonanza" (one of my all-time favorites) filmed a number of episodes at Cedar Lake.

Boulder Bay is my favorite area around Big Bear Lake. It is located
on the south side of the lake not far from the dam. These
small rocky islands are not far from shore.

A lone ponderosa pine tree stands tall on top of Boulder Bay island. There are several rocky coves for boaters to explore on the southwest end of Big Bear Lake.

Mountain homes and cabins dot the hillside on the north shore of the lake. Big Bear, California is a popular vacation destination for many people.

During the summer months, swimming and boating are very popular activities at the lake. You can also go hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. And fishing is (of course) popular at any time of year. Big Bear, California features an abundance of activities for the outdoorsman. For the photographer, the changing seasons bring plenty of opportunities to take some good landscape photos of the lake and surrounding mountains.

View of a marshland on the north side of Big Bear Lake.

Ponderosa pine trees grow on a hilltop overlooking the lake.

Looking out on Big Bear Lake from a pine tree covered hilltop.

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There are many California lakes one can visit and photograph. But most of these lakes are found in the northern half of the state (such as Lake Tahoe and Shasta Lake). It is actually amazing to me that there are so many beautiful lakes located right here in the middle of a very populated southland (in fact, the most populated area of the state). Yet Big Bear, California is a world apart from the traffic and congestion that lies below it at the foot of the mountains.

big bear california

A look at Boulder Bay island in the wintertime.
The lake around the island is frozen.

A closer look at Boulder Bay island in the wintertime.

Many people like to fish off of this small pier on Boulder Bay.

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Big Bear, California is one of the most scenic areas in the state.

Big Bear, California is
one of the most scenic
areas in the state.