Tucked down from the San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers some of the best lakeside living in Southern California. The community gets its name from the once-prolific population of grizzly bears. Over the years, it has become a popular resort destination, with the population surging to over 100,000 most weekends and holidays. Big Bear Lake residents often live close to serene hiking trails, resorts and kitschy local businesses. Almost everyone has excellent views of the towering mountains and the pristine lake. “It’s a very non-conforming market and area,” says Erin Lanza, a Realtor with REMAX Big Bear who has 10 years of experience selling homes in Big Bear. She is also a longtime resident. “Big Bear is different than every other market in Southern California. It is also the number one vacation market in California. And the community is growing.”Lanza says most of the housing stock consists of cabins built between 1920 and 1960, varying in style. It’s common to see log-style, Maltby, A-Frames, Sierra-style, and chalet-style cabins. The other predominant styles are custom homes, large mountain and waterfront estates and bungalows. Many homes are second homes or investment properties, but the area also has several full-time residents. Lanza points out that there is a healthy mix of residents like snowbirds, owners, renters and visitors and that Big Bear has a “small town feel” where everyone knows everyone. Residents live along winding mountain roads and on lakeside avenues fringed by fragrant pine forests and intersected by hiking trails. Most residents are on a short bike or car ride from hiking trails, local shopping centers and restaurants. Regarding home prices, dwellings cost $360,000 to $4.1 million. A 1,765-square-foot home will sit on a lot of 7,840 square feet. But Lanza points out that those numbers aren’t always the case. “Every kind of property sits on different-sized lots and the size and styles of the homes are different,” says Lanza. In addition, there aren’t too many HOAs because they tend to prevent owners from renting their homes. Residents are served by primary schools like North Shore Elementary, teaching students from kindergarten to sixth grade. Niche gives the school a B-minus grade. Students move on to intermediate and secondary institutions like Big Bear Middle and High Schools. Big Bear Middle also has a Niche grade of a B-minus. Big Bear High School offers several athletic programs, including a cross-country program that produced the U.S. record holder for the fastest half-marathon. Niche gives the high school an A grade.The San Bernardino National Forest has hiking routes that cross local streets and pocket parks, encouraging residents to exercise. Juniper Point Picnic Area has clearings for dog walks and Big Bear Lake picnics. Over 16 acres of playsets and athletic fields are at Ski Beach Park, another lakeside community park. Magic Mountain has summer water slides and winter bobsled tracks, including the Alpine Slide. Drive toward the lake on Pine Knot Avenue and locate some great local boutiques and stores for shopping. Big Bear Superstore sells themed clothes and knick-knacks, whereas Del Lago’s sells expensive purses and jewelry. Bear Mountain Jr. Market and Deli and Lakeview Market serve convenience store items and ready-made meals. Von’s sells fresh food and other necessities. Big Bear Lake is full of quirky restaurants serving unique flavors in rustic settings. A typical rock-and-roll restaurant and bar with musical instruments and artwork, Fire Rock Burgers & Brews serves juicy burgers and superb local beers on tap. Laguna Grill Restaurant delivers authentic Mexican food in a casual setting. The locally owned Himalayan Restaurant on Pine Knot Avenue serves tandoori lamb and vegetarian cuisine.Big Bear Lake does have some drawbacks. Lanza said traffic escalates when the renting community is in the area, and there can be long waits at eateries. While there are no fleas due to the altitude, subterranean termites are attracted to homes with wood touching the ground. There is also the danger of hazardous forest fires. Events in the area include a very popular Octoberfest and the New Year’s Eve Porch Light Skiing, where residents ski at night. Big Bear Lake has a CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10, which sits at the national average. Learn more on the Big Bear Lake city guide.