Rides and Destinations: Big Bear, California

By Joe Berk
Published on June 12, 2014
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The beautiful San Bernadino Mountains in Big Bear, California
The beautiful San Bernadino Mountains in Big Bear, California
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Sharp curve on Rim of the World Highway in Big Bear, California
Sharp curve on Rim of the World Highway in Big Bear, California

What: Big Bear, California. A glorious ride through Southern California’s very own Swiss Alps!
How to Get There:
There are five routes in: SR 18 from the north, SR 138 from the west, SR 330 or SR 18 from the south, and SR 38 from the east.
Best Kept Secret:
For an amazing breakfast, try the Old Country Coffee Shop in Running Springs (trust me on this one).
Avoid:
Riding in during the winter months without checking road conditions first (it snows up there) and speeding (the roads are heavily patrolled by the CHP).
More Info:Big Bear Info
More Photos: Moto Foto

Crisp, pine-scented mountain air. A light dusting of snow with dry and mesmerizing twisty roads. Picture post card vistas. The feel of the Alps. Quaint mountain enclaves with names like Silverwood, Fawnskin, Twin Peaks, Crestline, Running Springs, Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Arrowhead and Arrowbear. It’s not a single destination, but a visually arresting and intoxicatingly beautiful region. A motorcycle ride in California’s Big Bear region is as good as it gets on two wheels. It’s one of my favorite rides.

Located approximately 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles and a short 40 minutes north of San Bernardino, Big Bear is an outstanding destination. The short ride north from San Bernardino used to be a two-day horse-and-carriage trip, but an early entrepreneur named Kirk Phillips introduced bus service from the valley below using White trucks modified with added rows of passenger seats. Phillips’ idea drove early development of the region as a tourist destination.

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