Best of Big Bear
Best things to do in Big Bear
Things to do around Big Bear Lake in winter and summer, ranked by our score out of 10: the experience itself 40%, value, crowds and wait, and setting and access 20% each.
Seasons are given as each operator publishes them. Checked September 21, 2026.
- Checked September 21, 2026
- Scores out of 10
- No paid placements
The short answer
- Top of our list: the Big Bear Discovery Center, a free first stop for exhibits and trail information.
- With young kids: the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
- On the lake: the Time Bandit pirate ship cruise from Holloway's Marina.
- In winter: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain for skiing, Big Bear Snow Play for tubing.
- Summer only: public tours of the Big Bear Solar Observatory.
The list
-
Big Bear Discovery Center
A consistently well-reviewed, free first stop for orientation and trail information.
- Type:
- Visitor and nature center
- Season:
- Year-round
8.2 /10
-
Time Bandit Pirate Ship
A relaxed, scenic novelty tour on the lake that suits families and groups.
- Type:
- Lake boat tour
- Season:
- Check the operator's dates
8 /10
-
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Small, but the animals and the staff are consistently well regarded.
- Type:
- Zoo and wildlife rehabilitation
- Season:
- Year-round
8 /10
-
Big Bear Solar Observatory
A unique stop for science fans, but tours run only on select summer days and fill up.
- Type:
- Solar observatory tours
- Season:
- Summer tours only
7.8 /10
-
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
A classic, scenic slide; go early in the day or outside summer weekends to avoid the lines.
- Type:
- Alpine slide and family rides
- Season:
- Year-round
7 /10
-
Snow Summit
A dependable mountain for skiing in winter and biking in summer; weekdays are quieter.
- Type:
- Ski resort and bike park
- Season:
- Winter skiing, summer biking
6.8 /10
-
Big Bear Marina
A solid, fairly priced way to get a boat on the lake.
- Type:
- Marina and boat rentals
- Season:
- Weather permitting
6.8 /10
-
Bear Mountain
A well-rated second mountain that gets crowded at peak times; golf in summer.
- Type:
- Ski resort and golf course
- Season:
- Winter skiing, summer golf
6.6 /10
-
Big Bear Snow Play
A no-frills tubing hill; go on a weekday or expect weekend lines.
- Type:
- Snow tubing park
- Season:
- Mid-November to Easter
5.2 /10
| Rank | Name | Type | Season | Score | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Visitor and nature center | Year-round | 8.2 /10 | A consistently well-reviewed, free first stop for orientation and trail information. | |
| 02 | Lake boat tour | Check the operator's dates | 8 /10 | A relaxed, scenic novelty tour on the lake that suits families and groups. | |
| 03 | Zoo and wildlife rehabilitation | Year-round | 8 /10 | Small, but the animals and the staff are consistently well regarded. | |
| 04 | Solar observatory tours | Summer tours only | 7.8 /10 | A unique stop for science fans, but tours run only on select summer days and fill up. | |
| 05 | Alpine slide and family rides | Year-round | 7 /10 | A classic, scenic slide; go early in the day or outside summer weekends to avoid the lines. | |
| 06 | Ski resort and bike park | Winter skiing, summer biking | 6.8 /10 | A dependable mountain for skiing in winter and biking in summer; weekdays are quieter. | |
| 07 | Marina and boat rentals | Weather permitting | 6.8 /10 | A solid, fairly priced way to get a boat on the lake. | |
| 08 | Ski resort and golf course | Winter skiing, summer golf | 6.6 /10 | A well-rated second mountain that gets crowded at peak times; golf in summer. | |
| 09 | Snow tubing park | Mid-November to Easter | 5.2 /10 | A no-frills tubing hill; go on a weekday or expect weekend lines. |
Side by side
| Name | Type | Season | Town | Best for | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Discovery Center | Visitor and nature center | Year-round | Fawnskin | Free first stop before a hike | 8.2 |
| Time Bandit Pirate Ship | Lake boat tour | Check the operator's dates | Big Bear Lake | Families on the lake | 8 |
| Big Bear Alpine Zoo | Zoo and wildlife rehabilitation | Year-round | Big Bear Lake | Families with young kids | 8 |
| Big Bear Solar Observatory | Solar observatory tours | Summer tours only | Big Bear City | Science fans in summer | 7.8 |
| Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain | Alpine slide and family rides | Year-round | Big Bear Lake | Kids over 36 inches | 7 |
| Snow Summit | Ski resort and bike park | Winter skiing, summer biking | Big Bear Lake | Skiing and snowboarding | 6.8 |
| Big Bear Marina | Marina and boat rentals | Weather permitting | Big Bear Lake | Renting a boat | 6.8 |
| Bear Mountain | Ski resort and golf course | Winter skiing, summer golf | Big Bear Lake | A second mountain | 6.6 |
| Big Bear Snow Play | Snow tubing park | Mid-November to Easter | Big Bear Lake | A first snow day with kids | 5.2 |
Each place in a few lines
Big Bear Discovery Center
The valley's largest visitor center, run with the US Forest Service on the north shore in Fawnskin, with exhibits, trail and permit information and guided nature walks. A free first stop before a hike.
Time Bandit Pirate Ship
A 90-minute narrated sightseeing cruise on a one-third-scale replica Spanish galleon, leaving from Holloway's Marina. Reviewers like the costumed crew and the slow pace; the boat shows its age. Check the operator's dates before you go.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
A small zoo and wildlife rehabilitation center in the Moonridge area that houses animals that cannot return to the wild. Its presentations and well-kept grounds draw steady praise, and it suits families with young kids.
Big Bear Solar Observatory
An active solar research observatory on the north shore, run by the New Jersey Institute of Technology and open to the public only for guided tours on select summer days. Book well ahead; not recommended for children under 5.
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Ride a chairlift up and control your own speed down a quarter-mile slide, with go-karts and a mine shaft coaster on site. Riders must be at least 36 inches tall, and lines get long on summer weekends.
Snow Summit
Skiing and snowboarding in winter on terrain for beginners through advanced riders, and a lift-served bike park in summer. Weekdays are quieter; lift-ticket prices draw complaints.
Big Bear Marina
Rents pontoon and fishing boats and waverunners, runs guided charters and sells tackle. Reviewers call its prices competitive; it gets busy on weekends.
Bear Mountain
The resort's second ski mountain, with a nine-hole golf course in the warmer months. Crowding at peak times is the common complaint.
Big Bear Snow Play
Lift-served snow tubing from mid-November to Easter, with go-karts and a ropes course in the warmer months. Tubers must be at least 36 inches tall; weekend lines and uneven organisation are common complaints.
How we score things to do
Every place on this list gets a score out of 10. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 10 and weighted as below.
- The experience itself — 40%
- Value — 20%
- Crowds and wait — 20%
- Setting and access — 20%
Facts come from each business's own website and OpenStreetMap. Public reviews on Google, Yelp and Tripadvisor are read for what repeats and never copied. No business pays for a place on this list.
Questions about this list
What are the best things to do in Big Bear?
On our list the Big Bear Discovery Center, the Time Bandit cruise and the Big Bear Alpine Zoo score highest.
What can you do in Big Bear in winter?
Ski or snowboard at Snow Summit or Bear Mountain, go tubing at Big Bear Snow Play from mid-November to Easter, or visit the Alpine Zoo, which is open all year.
What is there for kids?
The Alpine Zoo, the Alpine Slide for kids at least 36 inches tall, Big Bear Snow Play in winter and the Discovery Center's programs.
What is open only in summer?
Public tours of the Solar Observatory run on select summer days, and Snow Summit's bike park runs in the warmer months.
Who compiled this
Jenna Whitcomb
Local guide editor
Jenna Whitcomb edits Near Big Bear. Every place on this page was checked against the business's own website and OpenStreetMap on the date below.
- Updated
- September 22, 2026