Alternatives to Big bear
We love rain in California ! for a million and one reasons, and of course all this precipitation turns into fresh crispy snow in the Mountains! Winter in southern California means that you can go surf and snowboard within the same day! Check out Lake Arrowhead off of Hwy 18.
Many will head to the big bear slopes, and the adjacent play areas such as the Snow Valley Mountain Resort and the Snowdrift Snow Tubing Park. Despite the popularity of these awesome recreational spots we discovered that you need relatively small hills to enjoy winter in California with little kids. Check out the alternative sledding hills that are totally Free on the way to Big Bear.
In either case, we all want to be awed by the magical feeling of winter, which lasts from end of November to early March in California’s mountains. We’d like to recommend that you actively monitor weather conditions in the Mountains of your choice and stay on the lookout for snow fall. It’s a simple fact that it can be hot enough to go to the beach somewhere in Santa Monica or the Newport Beach and it will be cold enough for skiing up in Sierras.
Lake Arrowhead village with kids
With all that being said, there’s one little village in the mountains that simply doesn’t get enough attention – Lake Arrowhead. The Southern California mountain attraction is an ideal destination for families during the winter or summer.
Kids swinging at the Play Ground next to the Village point
The little space near Arrowhead lake’s harbor is well designed to satisfy your needs. You have several restaurants to choose from with a wide range of affordability. All the locations are welcoming to families with children. We had a chance to check out the Belgian Waffle Works. OMG! these were best waffles we ever had. I don’t typically like to write about restaurants but his spot is worth mentioning.
You absolutely must check out the Play Ground at the Village point next to Lollipop Park. A perfect place for your toddler to work up an appetite. Btw Lollipop park has a quite a lot of awesome attractions for kids to enjoy, although it is seasonal and weather dependent.
What else to do near Lake arrowhead during winter?
Apparently you can go on a short boat cruise with Arrowhead Queen Tour Boat on the lake even during the winter, the tickets are a bit pricy though. There’s the Jurassic Fossils store – which houses an amazing collection of fossils, rocks, natural wonders and artifacts for your to gaze at. Check out Mountain Arts Gallery for some of the most amazing decorative pieces you should add to your collection.
Apparently you can go on a short boat cruise with Arrowhead Queen Tour Boat on the lake even during the winter, the tickets are a bit pricy though. There’s the Jurassic Fossils store – which houses an amazing collection of fossils, rocks, natural wonders and artifacts for your to gaze at. Check out Mountain Arts Gallery for some of the most amazing decorative pieces you should add to your collection.
Additionally, there are multiple turnouts on HWY 18 where locals and visitors go sledding with their children. You should check out our post regarding a Free alternative to Big Bear if you’d like to enjoy the mountains of Southern California with your kids. Little Children including toddlers don’t need elaborate descents with ski lifts and our sweet spot next to the local school is a perfect place to check out while exploring the area.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village
An eco-friendly theme park in the forest located 5 minutes drive away from the Lake Arrowhead Village! You might want to take time to investigate SkyPark at Santa’s Village. An absolutely dope place to go mountain biking, zip lining, rock climbing and do so much more with your family. Checkout their promo video which makes me want to get up and go there right now.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is a vibrant throbbing community entertainment center. You should plan a visit there during the winter or the summer. Explore their page for all the cool things you can do with your kids. It’s Southern California premier mountain biking park and you absolutely must add it to your itenariry while exploring the mountains near Lake Arrowhead or the Big Bear. Below is the address for Sky Park.
[…] the hills at the Charles Hoffman Elementary School you can head west on Hwy 18 to Lake Arrowhead Village. One you will be getting closer to the little town plaza there will be literally only one or two […]