We’ve been raising our steins at Big Bear Oktoberfest for years, and now the rest of the country is finally catching on to the magic of this mountain paradise!
USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards just named Big Bear Lake the #1 Lake in the U.S. — and it gets even better: it also placed #3 for Best Lake for Water Sports. That’s right, America’s favorite lake isn’t in Michigan or New York… it’s right here in SoCal.
Outshining some major players in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond, Big Bear Lake floated to the top thanks to a panel of travel experts and—most importantly—you, the voters. The awards are fan-powered, which makes the win even sweeter for the tight-knit Big Bear community.
“This is a very proud moment,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott. “We have a deep appreciation for our lake, which is a rare treasure indeed.” Hear, hear!
Let’s talk lake life: Big Bear stretches seven miles long, with 22 miles of shoreline to explore. Dive into just about any water sport your heart desires—wakeboarding, paddle-boarding, kayaking, jet skiing, tubing, and fishing. And yes, you can tour the lake by pirate ship, paddlewheel boat, or cruiser (Miss Liberty, anyone?).
With two public boat launch ramps and six full-service marinas, it’s as easy as grab-and-go summer fun. Rentals, charters, snacks, gas—check, check, check.
From epic lake days to cozy nights in the mountains, Big Bear Lake is the ultimate year-round getaway. And this summer? It’s officially the best place to be.
Book your lakeside adventure now at BigBear.com.
