One of the questions we get the most is- what is the difference between Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead?
As someone who “ran for the hills” from Los Angeles to Lake Arrowhead- I am "Team Arrowhead" all the way. The number one difference between the two is that Lake Arrowhead is a private lake while Big Bear is public. What does this mean? Lake Arrowhead is a private lake to homeowners within Arrowhead Woods. If you purchase property in Arrowhead Woods you have “lake rights”. You and your personal guests have access to all our pristine lake has to offer- swimming, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, walking the lake trails, use of the private beach clubs and parks etc. Did I mention we have Arrowhead water coming out of our taps?
Lake Arrowhead is half way up the mountain so is a shorter drive for most people from “down the hill” or DTH as the locals refer to it. Although Big Bear has more restaurants and winter sports activities close by- Arrowhead has the magical Skypark at Santas Village and proximity to all the winter sports at Snow Valley in Running Springs. Arrowhead is a smaller and more exclusive community and very family friendly. During normal pre-Covid times we have free concerts all summer long at the Centerstage in the Lake Arrowhead Village as well as other fun events throughout the year. We have recently had a change of ownership of the village and are excited to see the fresh infusion of new businesses and events that are in the works.
Some of the best restaurants on the mountain are in and around Lake Arrowhead such as LouEddies pizza, Stone Creek Bistro, Puglia- an authentic Italian restaurant and the Lakefront Tap Room which has the best view in town.
Although Lake Arrowhead is private- if you are looking for a property that could also be used as a vacation rental you can do that too! Your renters can enjoy being lakefront at the Lake Arrowhead Village, take a ride around the lake on the Arrowhead Queen and enjoy the numerous hiking trails in our national forest including the hot springs at Deep Creek. They will also be able to take day trips to Lake Gregory and Big Bear Lake- both public lakes- as well as easily access all snow activities in both Big Bear and Running Springs.
If you’re looking to golf- Lake Arrowhead is home to the private Lake Arrowhead Country Club that has several levels of membership available. Arrowhead is also home to the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club and to the Wildhaven Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary-an education and visitation center for endangered and indigenous wild animals for the San Bernardino Mountains.
Whether you are Team Arrowhead or Team Big Bear- the Rahill Real Estate Group has you covered. We also service the mountain communities of Crestline, Running Springs, Green Valley Lake, Twin Peaks, Cedarpines Park, Sky Forest and Cedar Glen. Please reach out to our team so we can help you find the perfect mountain property. The mountains are calling...
Sarah Lassez
Director of Lake Arrowhead
Rahill Real Estate Group
sarah@willrahill.com