Big Bear may be known as Southern California’s playground, but it looks and feels nothing like Los Angeles or San Diego
I first heard about Big Bear Lake, California, from a fellow Cave Creek resident who takes his kids and grandkids there during the summer to escape the Arizona heat. But Big Bear is also a fine destination in winter. When enrobed in white, the main village takes on enchanted alpine warmth as downtown fire pits are lit at dusk, glowing orange.