Lake Arrowhead, California is nestled in the lovely San Bernardino Mountains. Among the attractions in the area include pristine lakes, fascinating local zoos, exciting family fun centers, and beautiful ski resorts. When you book a stay at one of many incredible Lake Arrowhead vacation rentals, you’ll be just a short distance from all of the action. Look forward to learning to water ski, fishing for bass, and touring the area by ATV or helicopter. Here are the top things to do in and around Lake Arrowhead.
1. Arrowhead Queen Boat Tour
The Lake Arrowhead Queen is a sightseeing vessel with wide windows that offer you a great view of the breathtaking beauties of the lake and its forested shore while your guide narrates an interesting history of the lake. The Lake Arrowhead Queen departs from Lake Arrowhead Village each hour of the day all year long.
2. McKenzie Water Ski School
If you’ve ever wanted to learn to water ski, this is your chance. McKenzie Water Ski School based out of Lake Arrowhead Village offers classes in water skiing and wakeboarding for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners. Instructors ski right next to you to help you get started, and the school supplies all the equipment that you need.
3. Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildhaven Ranch, near the east end of Lake Arrowhead, is a wildlife sanctuary operated by the San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society. Animals on the ranch include black bears, raccoons, coyotes, eagles, and owls. Tours are by reservation only. On the Bear Watch Tour, you observe black bears as they interact with their trainer, and on the Wings and Things tour, you get up close to eagles, hawks, falcons, and native snakes.
4. Lollipop Park
Lollipop Park is a family fun center located in Lake Arrowhead Village. Its numerous attractions include bumper cars, go-carts, a horse carousel, train rides, and a high-swinging pirate ship. The facility also has a fun house, distorting mirrors, and a mini-golf course. When the kids are tired, they can re-invigorate themselves at the candy store.
Find the perfect Lake Arrowhead vacation rental on Tripping.com. Tripping.com is the world's #1 vacation rental search engine with over 10 million properties!
5. Mountain Arts Network Gallery
The Mountain Arts Network operates a gallery and a community arts center in Lake Arrowhead Village. The gallery displays lovely works by local artists and also rotates special shows and events. If you get inspired to create, the community arts center hosts lessons for children, teens, and adults on painting, photography, and decorative arts.
6. Snow Valley Mountain Resort
Snow Valley Mountain Resort, which lies just a few miles southeast of Lake Arrowhead, is a great place to go for skiing and snowboarding. Rental equipment is available, and if you’re inexperienced, licensed instructors offer lessons. If you’re looking for lighter and easier winter fun, you can go sledding and build snowmen.
7. Lake Arrowhead Family Fun Center
The Lake Arrowhead Deli, Pizza, and Family Fun Center, located in Upper Lake Arrowhead Village, is the perfect place to take the family. Relax and enjoy a delicious pizza while the kids hit the arcade and play their favorite video games. On a clear day, you can dine outdoors with a beautiful view of the lake.
8. Mountain History Museum
The Rim of the World Historical Society administers the Mountain History Museum, which lies on the northwest side of Lake Arrowhead. This small but fascinating museum has photographs, videos, exhibits, and artifacts on the history of local Native Americans, the logging industry, skiing, and the nearby Santa’s Village amusement park.
9. Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a few miles east of Lake Arrowhead, just south of Big Bear Lake. The zoo treats injured and orphaned animals and offers them a safe haven, and many of the animals later return to their natural environments. Among the approximately 90 North American species at the zoo are grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, mule deer, and wolves. The zoo also hosts a pair of Asian snow leopards.
10. SkyPark at Santa’s Village
SkyPark at Santa’s Village is an outdoor adventure theme park just south of Lake Arrowhead. The many things to do include a simulated ice climbing tower, a boulder climbing room, an archery range, a bungee trampoline, and a Polar Express train ride. For when you get hungry, the facility also has two restaurants, a Gingerbread House bakery, and an ice cream and candy shop.
11. Lake Gregory Regional Park
Lake Gregory Regional Park lies along the side of a small private lake about a mile west of Lake Arrowhead. The park has water slides, inflatable water structures, and a sandy swimming beach. On the shore is a safe water play park with spray nozzles for younger children. You can rent aqua cycles, belly boards, paddle boats, stand-up paddle boards, and kayaks to take out onto the lake.
12. Big Bear Charter Fishing
Big Bear Charter Fishing, located on the south shore of Big Bear Lake, offers you the opportunity to fish for bass, crappie, bluegill, and rainbow trout. You head out onto the lake with an experienced guide for an hours-long fishing expedition. The company provides fishing gear, drinks, and snacks.
13. Rim Nordic Ski Area
The Rim Nordic Ski Area lies just a few miles southeast of Lake Arrowhead in Running Springs. During the summer, Rim Nordic is a mountain bike park with numerous trails for beginning to advanced cyclists. In the winter, Rim Nordic prepares its trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You can rent the equipment you need on site.
14. Helicopter Big Bear
Helicopter Big Bear offers breathtaking aerial scenic tours of the San Bernardino Mountains. From a helicopter’s cockpit, you get a panoramic view of wilderness forests, lakes, and mountain peaks. The routes are negotiable in advance, so that you can even arrange to see your friends at their vacation rental from the air.
15. Enjoy the Mountain ATV Adventures
Enjoy the Mountain, based in Lake Arrowhead, offers wilderness tours in single rider quads or jeeps. Reservations for tours are online or by phone only. The company provides protective equipment and promotes safety as a top priority. The tours explore Maloney Canyon, Deep Creek, Devil’s Hole, and other scenic locations in the rugged area north of Lake Arrowhead.
Ready to go? Check out these amazing Lake Arrowhead vacation rentals on Tripping.com.