|
|
|
|
THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
|
|
|
Lake
Arrowhead California
|
|
By Matthew Martz |
|
Situated at 5,100 feet
and tucked away in the pine forest of the San Bernardino
Mountains is majestic Lake Arrowhead. This small resort
town is the perfect escape when Europe is not in the budget
or time is an issue.
Known as “the Alps of Southern California,"
Lake Arrowhead provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor
adventure, or just the place to relax with a book to recover
from your daily hassles.
While the 782-acre lake is considered private property
to those communities surrounding it, there are a number
of ways for visitors to enjoy the wonders of the area.
One way is by staying in one of the area’s charming
and comfortable lodging accommodations. A good choice
is the newly renovated Lake
Arrowhead Resort. It is the biggest and best-located
resort in the area with 173 guest rooms, a restaurant,
bar and spa. Some of the rooms have gorgeous views of
the lake while others look out on the alpine forests.
The restaurant, BIN189, is top notch as executive chef
Stewart Redhead treats diners to a wonderful array of
foods inspired by his New Orleans’ influences. This
is a beautiful restaurant with a cozy bar area and great
views of the Lake. The Signature Shellfish Chowder filled
with clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, tarragon, and a
puff pastry on top is delicious, and a must for any seafood
connoisseur.
Other lodging in the area includes the North Bay at Lake
Arrowhead, Lakeview Lodge, Lake
Arrowhead Chalets, and the Arrowhead Tree Top Lodge.
All create a different atmosphere and experience altogether
with various amenities and scenic views of the lake or
forest. |
|
|
Lake Arrowhead San Bernardino Mountains |
Just a five-minute
walk from Lake Arrowhead Resort is the community’s
business district called the Lake Arrowhead Village. This
quaint village is not your typical shopping center, but
rather combines high-end boutiques with tourist shops and
carnival rides to appeal to just about any type of person
who may visit.
Guests can also enjoy several different eateries and, in
the warmer months, listen to live music in the outdoor concert
area.
If you want a better view of the lake, visitors can board
the Arrowhead Queen Paddleboat for a 50-minute tour that
skirts around the perimeter of the lake allowing you to
take in the breathtaking waterfront homes that line the
14 miles of pristine shoreline.
There are plenty of things to do in Lake Arrowhead and the
changing seasons offers residents and visitors alike the
opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities
including waterskiing, fishing, boating, and swimming.
Hiking is a desired pastime and there are plenty of well-kept
trails in the Lake Arrowhead area with trips of various
lengths and degrees of difficulty. A favorite being the
Pacific Coast Trail, located about seven miles away and
running from the Mexico border to Canada.
A nice side trip is Wildhaven. Located just three miles
from the Lake Arrowhead Resort, this 30-acre compound houses
a variety of animals indigenous to the San Bernardino Mountains
and is operated by Roger and Diane Williams. The facility
offers visitors a unique perspective into the rehabilitation
process of the resident creatures.
There are deer, owls, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, and eagles
to observe during your visit. The facility offers a complete
presentation in a small theater where they bring out various
small creatures and explain where they came from and how
they are progressing in their treatment. All and all, this
is a great stop for the entire family and is an activity
that is both fun and informative. |
Lake Arrowhead Village |
Lake Arrowhead |
| Whether you're
looking for a romantic get away from Los Angeles, a relaxing
family escape, or a thrilling outdoor adventure Lake Arrowhead
delivers. With plenty of luxury and ambiance for the adults,
but also a chance to visit the great outdoors and teach
your children a little bit about how it all got there.
Located just 1.5 hours from Orange County, 1 hour 45 minutes
outside Los Angeles, and two hours from the San Fernando
Valley.
Lake Arrowhead is a complete contrast from the southern
California climate and lifestyle, and truly offers a reminder
of why the area has been chosen as a backdrop for so many
motion pictures as well as a hideaway for the rich and famous.
|
Pineknot
Campground - Pineknot Campground is located
in the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear Lake. At an
elevation of 6,900 feet the campground is situated in a
fir, pine and oak forest setting. Popular activities include
sight-seeing, shopping, mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
A marina and water recreation areas are five miles from
the campground. |
Green
Valley Campground - Located near Arrowbear,
the midway point between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Green
Valley lake, known for it's exceptional trout fishing, is
located only blocks from this beautiful mountain campground.
Great fishing at Green Valley Lake. This facility is operated
by California Land Management. |
Hanna
Flat Campground - Hanna Flat Campground is
located in the San Bernardino mountains, three miles from
Big Bear Lake and situated in a pine forest. Popular activities
in the area are hiking, mountain biking, boating and fishing.
Markets and restaurants are within convenient driving distance. |
North
Shore Arrowhead - North Shore campground is
located 23 miles northeast of San Bernardino in the San
Bernardino National Forest, 3 miles from Lake Arrowhead
Viggage. Lake Gregory is 20 minutes away and offer fishing,
boat rentals and a water slide park. |
|
|
|
|
|
Big
Bear Lake resorts
offers year round fun for the whole family. |
|
|
Lake
Cachuma popular Santa Barbara lake
for camping and fishing. |
|
|
|
|
