Big Bear Lake is a four-season getaway in Southern California with endless outdoor adventures. In the summer, warm sunny weather attracts fishing and boating enthusiasts itching to take advantage of the water.
As fall sweeps over Big Bear Lake, the surrounding national forest comes alive with fiery colors creating a beautiful show for hikers and trail bikers. And before you know it, winter arrives in Big Bear Lake bringing blankets of snow that cover the San Bernardino Mountains. With the onset of winter, the city’s two ski slopes – Snow Summit and Big Bear Mountain – open to skiers and snowboarders.
No matter what time of year you visit, a Big Bear Lake VRBO rental offers the space, comfort, and privacy that’ll make your trip all the more special.
The 10 best vacation rentals in Big Bear Lake!
1. Best VRBO on Big Bear’s lakefront: Scenic Lakefront Home
This lakefront home in the Boulder Bay neighborhood boasts peaceful sunset views and a luxurious hot tub.
Fall asleep to the sounds of Big Bear Lake at this scenic lakefront home, a homey vacation rental for seven. This scenic VRBO is surrounded by beautiful giant boulders that encircle the two waterfront decks. The living room deck is furnished with a grill, dining table, and a hot tub.
The master bedroom has its own private deck for double the fun, plus an ensuite bathroom with a whirlpool jetted tub. Travelers with pups are welcomed for an additional fee.
- Sleeps: 7
- Pets: Yes with a $25/per pet fee
Rates average $355/night. Click here to book it!
2. Best dog-friendly Big Bear Lake VRBO: Eagle Cove Retreat
This family-friendly home boasts excellent views of Big Bear Lake and welcomes traveling pets.
The Eagle Cove Retreat is a spacious four-bedroom vacation rental for ten. It not only offers an excellent location along the shores of Big Bear Lake, but it also has a well-appointed interior. Tall chalet-style windows in the living room let in the surrounding views and tons of natural light.
This home also has a stone fireplace, a pool table, and a large, private master with an ensuite bathroom. Out on the property’s exterior, the large outdoor decks and the grassy yard are perfect for adults, kids, and even pets to play and relax.
- Sleeps: 10
- Pets: Yes, up to 2 dogs with a $90 fee
Rates average $475/night. Click here to book it!
3. Best for a secluded stay in Big Bear Lake: New Log Cabin
This outdoorsy log cabin can be found outside of the city in upper Moonridge within walking distance to the Bear Mountain Ski Resort.
Vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan, and tall ceilings help make this new log cabin a bright and airy vacation rental. This home can sleep up to nine people throughout its three bedrooms. Enjoy a bit of luxury during your stay with this home’s master room that features an ensuite bathroom with a large jetted tub.
The living room’s wood-burning fireplace offers a cozy place to curl up with loved ones. When the weather is warm, the spacious front deck has a covered dining area, a grill, and Adirondack rocking chairs. The San Bernardino National Forest borders the property, where hiking and biking trails can be easily reached by foot.
- Sleeps: 9
- Pets: No
Rates average $355/night. Click here to book it!
4. Best for a stay in Big Bear Village: The Village Chalet
This two-bedroom chalet for six is nestled in the central shopping district of Big Bear Lake, only a few miles from Snow Summit and Bear Mountain.
The Village chalet is a cute Big Bear Lake VRBO outfitted with lovely outdoor spaces. On the front deck, a bubbling hot tub, grill, and dining table stand ready to entertain. Behind the home, a balcony extends along the length of the house, looking out over the National Forest.
The home’s interior has quaint furnishings and accents that pair oh so well with the wooden ceilings and exposed beams. This property is located in the main village area of Big Bear Lake, where restaurants and shops are ten minutes by foot.
- Sleeps: 6
- Pets: No
Rates average $276/night. Click here to book it!
5. Best for a Big Bear Lake cabin stay: Charming Cottage
This cozy cottage for five can be found in a quiet and homey neighborhood just 1.5 miles from the village center.
For a classic cabin experience, this charming cottage is an excellent option. Knotty pine covers the walls and ceiling, bringing warmth to the interior, as does the brick fireplace and cushy furniture. The kitchen is stocked with the cooking basics and then some, including complimentary coffee and a Keurig machine.
Out front, a fenced-in patio offers a comfortable place to lounge and grill out. A hot tub sits in the backyard, perfect for after a long day on the slopes or any chilly evening. This Big Bear Lake VRBO is just one mile from the Alpine Slide and a quick drive to the Snow Summit.
- Sleeps: 5
- Pets: No
Rates average $278/night. Click here to book it!
You May Also Like:
6. Best for a unique Big Bear Lake VRBO: A-frame Mountain Cabin
This pet-friendly A-frame cabin is a rustic mountain getaway at the base of Summit Mountain.
This A-frame mountain cabin is a small ski chalet with a whole lot of personality. It’s one of the most architecturally unique cabins in Big Bear Lake, with its flat top A-frame roof and the recessed interior fireplace with bench seating. This home also features a lofted bedroom with a full-on-bottom bunk bed and a master.
Around the house is a fenced-in yard that offers a safe space for furry friends to frolic as well as a relaxing hot tub for five. The lake and main village streets are a quick five-minute drive away, and there are local hiking trails within walking distance.
- Sleeps: 5
- Pets: Dogs are allowed with a $20 fee
Rates average $265/night. Click here to book it!
7. Best for a stay in Moonridge, Big Bear Lake: Pine Rock Cabin
This classic Big Bear Lake cabin is perfect for larger families seeking a quiet rental near the city’s main attractions.
Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, the Pine Rock Cabin is a family-friendly four-season home for seven. Warm and inviting knotty pine fills this two-bedroom that also features a family room with a sofa sleeper and futon. Multiple decks and a spacious yard provide plenty of room to play outside.
You’ll find amenities galore inside, including onsite laundry, a comprehensive offering of books and board games, a pool table, and a wet bar! This cabin is within walking distance to the Bear Mountain Ski Resort and the Bear Mountain Golf Course. The main village streets are a quick ten-minute drive away.
- Sleeps: 7
- Pets: No
Rates average $196/night. Click here to book it!
8. Best for couples visiting Big Bear Lake: Twice as Nice
This eclectic one-bedroom cabin has all the makings for a romantic trip to Big Bear Lake with its private hot tub, wood-burning fireplace, and homey interior.
Vintage touches fill the quaint Twice as Nice cabin, where two outdoor decks offer double the opportunities for lounging in the fresh air. The home’s side deck features a semi-shaded hot tub and a sunny seating area. Out back, a second deck is furnished with a cafe table and chairs for dining al fresco.
The hosts provide guests with the kitchen basics, as well as a fully-stocked coffee nook with everything you could need for your morning cup of joe. From this Big Bear vacation rental, guests can easily walk to see Meadow Park, Pine Knot Lake, and Big Bear Lake.
- Sleeps: 6
- Pets: No
Rates average $106/night. Click here to book it!
9. Best for ski enthusiasts: Snow Summit Home
This pet-friendly home for six puts guests right at the base of Snow Summit for easy access to the ski slopes.
This Snow Summit home has top-notch amenities that make it a perfect choice for visitors looking to enjoy close proximity to the mountains. Tucked away in the Summit Estates neighborhood of Big Bear Lake, walking to the slopes or nearby local mountain biking and hiking trails is a sinch.
The home even has a hot tub out on the back deck to soothe your tired muscles after a long day of outdoor adventures. The interior of this three-bedroom home is also worth mentioning, with its tall wooden cathedral-style ceilings, brick fireplace, and brand new plush furniture.
- Sleeps: 6
- Pets: Yes with approval
Rates average $750/night. Click here to book it!
10. Best for families: Hilltop Haven
This home is well-equipped for families excited to visit the village, lakefront, local hiking trails, and ski slopes.
Hilltop Haven is a wonderful home located conveniently close to the bustling downtown streets of Big Bear Village, where popular restaurants and souvenir shops stand by to entertain the entire family. This spacious three-bedroom home has enough room for up to eight guests and also welcomes traveling pups.
The home’s two lovely balconies look north towards the lake and are furnished with tables, chairs, and a grill. The kids, and kids at heart, will also have fun competing over a game of foosball, darts, and a corn hole set up in the garage game room.
- Sleeps: 8
- Pets: Yes, up to 2 dogs with a fee & prior approval
Rates average $570/night. Click here to book it!
This post is contributed by Brittany Varano. Brittany is a freelance travel writer and avid photographer with a love of hiking and solo travel. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, she fell in love with travel blogging after living and teaching English in South Korea. You can follow her adventures on Instagram or her travel blog lifeofbrit.com, where she shares helpful travel guides and budget tips for solo travel in Asia and beyond.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Be sure to check out some of our other popular travel posts below!
- 9 Wonderful Activities To Do In Big Bear Lake In Fall
- Review Of The Honey Bear Cabin: Cozy Airbnb In Big Bear
- Visiting Alabama Hills? Here’s All You Need To Know!
- Hiking Wall Street Mill Trail At Joshua Tree National Park
- Guide To Hiking Barker Dam Nature Trail In Joshua Tree
Interested in stepping up your photography skills? Here is the camera gear that I use and recommend to create amazing travel photos:
- Main camera: Sony a7II Camera With 28-70 mm Standard Lens
- Polarizer Filter for the standard lens (helps eliminate reflection and enhance color especially on super bright days): Amazon Basics 55 mm
- Wide Lens (great for nature shots): Sony 16-35 mm F4
- Polarizer Filter for the wide lens: Amazon Basics 72 mm
- Small Tripod (to stabilize photos and eliminate blur): JOBY Gorrilapod
- Memory Cards: SanDisk 32 GB
- Batteries: Sony Camera Charger Set
- Camera Bag: Lowepro weather-resistant bag
Some of the links used in this blog may be affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission when you book through these links for which I am very thankful! Please see the full disclosure here.
Related Posts
