One of my favorite things about San Diego is that you can be at the beach, in the mountains, or in the desert pretty much within an hour’s drive. And since we didn’t do our annual big snow trip this year, we planned a last minute quick getaway to Big Bear Mountain with some friends. It’s not too far away from us and the girls always have a blast playing in the snow. I’ve included all our favorite parts about Big Bear below, along with a few other spots that offer snow even closer to San Diego.
Big Bear Mountain
Big Bear Mountain is a great option if you want to go play in the snow for a day or for a quick overnight trip! There is a cute downtown village with shops and restaurants, a big lake, multiple ski resorts, and cozy motels. They also offer multiple ski slopes and tubing parks.
Snow Play
There are two places you can go to pay for groomed snow and fun. Big Bear Snow Play and Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain offer tube sledding and “magic carpets” take you to the hilltops with ease.
Or if you just want to build a snowman and have a snowball fight, we found a great secret spot you can visit for free! If you go along Willow Ave, towards the MCCS Big Bear Recreational Facility, where the road comes to a fork/triangle, park along the road there and there is a ton of open space and hills to play on! This is where we found snow this past weekend when there was barely any in town and there was no one there!
Eat
Grizzly Manor Café – Great for breakfast and the pancakes are bigger than the plates!
Saucy Mama’s Pizzeria – Fun place to grab pizza for the whole family
Fire Rock Burgers & Brews – Rock n roll themed place with burgers and local craft beers.
572 Social Kitchen – American food with indoor and outdoor seating.
Stay
Big Bear Marina Resort – We stayed here a few years ago and loved the location! It is right on the lake and across the street from the downtown village area.
AirBnB – This is our favorite way to come visit here. There are tons of cozy cabins available and are great when you visit with kids or multiple families.
More Snow Close To San Diego
Mt. Laguna – About an hour east from downtown San Diego, this is a popular place for locals to come find some snow! It is actually known for getting the most snowfall in all of San Diego County. There is cross-country skiing and sledding throughout the area. Check out Mt. Laguna Lodge for snow play and reasonable accommodations.
Palomar Mountain – A windy 1 hour 45-minute drive up Palomar Mountain will transport you into a Winter wonderland, making you feel like you’ve left San Diego County! They have amazing snow hikes, but be sure to check which hikes require an Adventure pass in advance (shorter hikes won’t require this). Some of the most popular hikes include the French Valley Trail and the Weir Trail. Be sure to head to the nearby Palomar Observatory to take in the scenic views and check out the snow-covered observatory.
Julian – Only an hour and fifteen minutes from San Diego, we love coming to Julian in the Fall for their apple picking farms, but it is also a popular spot in the Winter to find snow! There is room to build a snowman, hike a snowy trail, or take in the panoramic views from one of the many lookouts. Don’t forget to grab one of their famous apple pies to bring home!
Tips Before You Go
Always make sure to check the weather conditions before heading up to the mountains.
Bring chains in case they are required.
Bring plenty of snacks for the road!
Where is your favorite place to find snow in San Diego County?