Family adventures in Moonridge and Big Bear Lake.
Where we'd take our own family: snow days, trails, lake time, and a few favorite meals, all near Pine Grove Cabin in upper Moonridge.
Moonridge vs. the Village
Big Bear Lake covers a lot of ground, and Moonridge is its own pocket — up in the pines above the lake, closer to Bear Mountain Resort and the Alpine Zoo than to the restaurants and shops of the Village strip along the water. It's a quieter base: fewer crowds, more forest, and a short drive down to the lake or the Village when you want them. From the cabin it's about 5 minutes to Bear Mountain and the Alpine Zoo, 10 minutes to Snow Summit, and 12 minutes to the Village and Big Bear Lake.
A perfect family weekend
Not sure where to start? Here are two easy weekends built from our favorites on this page. Mix, match, and leave plenty of time for the hot tub.
Winter weekend
Friday evening. Arrive, settle in, and soak in the hot tub under the string lights. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive up.
Saturday. Breakfast at Grizzly Manor Cafe (expect a weekend line), then a day of skiing, snowboarding, or snow play at Bear Mountain. Warm up by the fireplace, then head to 572 Social Kitchen & Lounge (kid and dog friendly) or Saucy Mama's Pizza for dinner.
Sunday. A slow morning with the sleds we keep at the cabin, then the Big Bear Alpine Zoo before the drive home.
Summer weekend
Friday evening. Unload, hot tub, then s'mores at the gas fire pit. Grab the s'mores station from the kitchen.
Saturday. The 2N05 Loop Trail is walkable from the cabin and good for all skill levels. Afternoon at the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, then back to fire up the BBQ for dinner on the deck.
Sunday. Breakfast at Grizzly Manor Cafe, a stop at Castle Rock Trail for big views over Big Bear Lake, and the Alpine Zoo on your way out.
Getting outside
Big Bear 2N05 Loop Trail
A 3.2-mile loop within walking distance of the cabin — head up Columbine, turn left on Yosemite to the dead end. Good for all skill levels.
Castle Rock Trail
Moderate difficulty, with standout views over Big Bear Lake.
Bear Mountain & Snow Summit
World-class skiing and snowboarding in winter, mountain biking and scenic lifts in summer.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Home to native California wildlife including bears, mountain lions, and birds of prey.
Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
Alpine slide, mineshaft coaster, and more — a local family favorite.
Action Zipline & Segway Tours
Ziplining and Segway tours in Big Bear Lake.
Where to eat & drink
A few local favorites, straight from our own guest guidebook.
572 Social Kitchen & Lounge
Hand-pressed burgers, poke bowls, steaks, and live music. Kid and dog friendly.
Grizzly Manor Cafe
The classic Big Bear breakfast spot. Expect a weekend line — worth it.
Saucy Mama's Pizza
Pizza night in the heart of the Village.
Tropicali
Creative, Hawaiian-inspired comfort food in a rockin' setting.
Murray's Saloon & Eatery
Family owned for over 25 years — a local favorite for bikers, skiers, and hikers, with nightly karaoke.
Elevation 6752
A hidden gem for craft brews and wine.
When to visit
Winter (Dec–Mar)
Skiing and snow play at Bear Mountain. Sleds are provided at the cabin. Roads can require chains — check conditions before driving up.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Cooler than the valley below, with hiking, mountain biking, and lake access. The cabin has no A/C, but Moonridge evenings rarely need it.
Fall & Spring
The shoulder seasons are quieter and cheaper, with fall color and fewer crowds around the Alpine Zoo and Bear Mountain trails.
A few things we tell every guest
Watch the altitude
Pine Grove Cabin sits at 7,400 ft. Take it easy your first day, especially with hiking or the hot tub — the altitude sneaks up on you. Stay hydrated.
Cell service can be spotty
Download offline maps before heading out for the day.
Evenings cool down fast
Even in summer. Pack a layer for after sunset.
Winter driving
Check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive up — Hwy 18 and Hwy 38 conditions change quickly.
Owner-operated, not a management company
We're Derek and Erica, based in Orange County. Like a lot of busy families, life moves fast at home — Big Bear is where we slow down, and we've stocked Pine Grove Cabin with everything we'd want as guests ourselves. If anything isn't right during your stay, you're messaging the actual owners, not a call center.
Base yourself in Moonridge
Pine Grove Cabin sleeps 7, with a hot tub, the Sasquatch Den, and a wraparound deck close to Bear Mountain and the Alpine Zoo.
Check availability