This past weekend, my husband, our 11-month-old daughter, and I took a short trip to Arrowbear Lake. It’s a small mountain community not too far from Big Bear. A much closer and more peaceful drive compared to our usual trips to Palm Springs. The scenic mountain route took us about an hour to reach, followed by a 30-minute drive up into the mountains. The best part? No traffic!
As we climbed higher, our ears popped with the change in altitude, and we couldn’t help but admire the stunning views. It’s incredible how people have built roads and cozy cabins tucked into the mountainsides. The fresh mountain air felt amazing, and even though temperatures were in the 60s, it didn’t feel cold at all compared to being down in LA.
We stayed at an Airbnb for the first time — a charming three-bedroom, one-bath cabin. We met up with my in-laws, my husband’s siblings, and their kids, making it a fun family gathering. Since our daughter isn’t used to long car rides, we planned our drive around her nap time. Although the trip was supposed to take 1.5 hours, it stretched to about 2.5 hours with a couple of quick stops to let her stretch and change her.
There are plenty of places to pull over and explore along the way. That whole area heading toward Big Bear is really developing. We arrived Friday and stayed through Sunday. Friday was warm and pleasant, but by Saturday, the weather had completely shifted. We visited a local farmers market around 11 AM, and the air was so misty that locals joked we were “inside a cloud.”
One of the highlights of our trip was stopping by the Running Springs Branch Library. It was adorable! They had someone painting faces and making balloon animals for the kids! Our daughter was a little too young for those activities, but it was sweet to see all the kids having fun.
Although we were only about 30 minutes from Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, we chose to stay local and relax at the cabin. The hillside cabins are incredibly steep, and climbing up and down stairs is definitely a workout. Y You will stay in shape whether you plan to or not!
We’re already thinking about going back when our daughter is older, maybe when there’s snow. What we loved most was the fresh air and slower pace of life. If you’re looking for a quiet, family-friendly mountain escape that’s closer than Big Bear or Palm Springs, I highly recommend Arrowbear Lake. There’s even a little village nearby with plenty to do if you have the time.
Have you even stayed at a cabin? What did you do? What cabins do you recommend in the Southern California area?
