Find your ideal mountain escape with our Big Bear, CA, cabin rental guide.
Renting a cabin in Big Bear is a perfect idea if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway.
This small Southern California town offers a peaceful escape from the stress of daily life with its natural mountain beauty, easygoing lifestyle, pure air, breathtaking views and abundance of outdoor activities – including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and skiing.
When visiting Big Bear, many in the know opt to rent a cabin or vacation home, as it allows you to enjoy more solitude and quality time (especially if traveling in a group) than you would in a motel or traditional hotel.
The greater Big Bear area offers a wide variety of cabins and vacation homes, and the sheer number of options can be overwhelming when planning a trip here. So, we’ll provide you with some tips in this post on how to rent the best cabin for your vacation.
6 Tips to Help You Rent the Perfect Cabin
By following the tips below, you can identify the ideal vacation rental to fit your needs and enjoy a relaxing, rejuvenating mountain getaway.
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Start Your Search Early
Millions of tourists visit Big Bear annually, and popular cabins in and around town fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
So start looking and making reservations early – ideally a few months before your trip – to ensure that you snag the best Big Bear cabin! It’s possible that you won’t find accommodation that fits your preferences if you wait until the last minute.
The summer months of June through August and the winter months of December through February are Big Bear’s peak seasons.
In winter, the ski resorts are open and snow is the main attraction, making it a prime destination for Southern California winter enthusiasts. Given it’s also the holiday season, expect that lots of families will be filling up available cabins at that time. Peak season is when it’s hardest to find cabin rentals, and because of the increased demand, rates may go up.
April through June and September through October are considered the off-season in Big Bear. This is a terrific time for outdoor activities like hiking and biking because the ski resorts are closed and weather is warmer.
The off-season is the best time to visit Big Bear if you’re on a budget because it tends to be less crowded and more affordable, with many cabin rentals often offering discounted rates.
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Set a Big Bear Trip Budget
Decide how much you want to spend on accommodation before you start looking for a cabin.
The cost of renting a cabin in Big Bear can vary significantly depending on several factors — including the season you’re visiting, the amenities provided, the cabin’s location, and its size. Also, some cabins charge extra for services like cleaning or additional guests (be aware of cleaning fees especially on platforms like Airbnb).
A predetermined spending limit will allow you to narrow your search and find a cabin that won’t break the bank.
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Choose a Big Bear Location
Big Bear has several neighborhoods, so we advise picking one where the activities you want to do while on vacation are easily accessed.
For example, Moonridge might be a good fit if you’re interested in some golfing while you’re here, because it boasts a golf course.
If you want to spend your vacation fishing, boating, and sunbathing on the beach, you should rent a cabin on Big Bear Lake. Many cabins here also give you stunning, expansive views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Consider Sugarloaf, a 20-minute drive from Big Bear Lake, if you’re yearning for a quiet retreat in the woods with forest trails nearby.
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Decide the Cabin’s Size and Your Must-Have Amenities
When looking for the best lodging in Big Bear, other essential considerations are cabin size and amenities. Cabins come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy one-bedroom cabins to large multi-level cabins that can accommodate large groups. Here at Sky High Cabins, we also offer a range of pet-friendly cabin rentals, so you don’t have to leave the family dog at home!
To establish how much cabin space you’ll need for your trip to Big Bear, take into account how many people will be traveling. Keep in mind that larger cabins can be more expensive, so you might need to balance your desire for space with your budget.
Some cabins have all the conveniences you could possibly want for a comfortable stay, including full kitchens, fireplaces, swimming pools, game rooms, outdoor space, hot tubs, and Wi-Fi. Others are simpler, offering only the necessities.
You can quickly find a cabin that suits your particular requirements by making a list of the features you desire in your cabin.
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Read Cabin Online Reviews
Before renting a Big Bear cabin, be sure to read guests’ reviews on Airbnb, Vrbo, or the property’s official website.
While it’s common to encounter a range of reviews all across the board, they do tend to give you a good general idea of what to expect and can help you avoid unpleasant surprises. Look for reviews that mention the location of the cabin, the responsiveness of the rental agency or host, and any issues with the amenities.
Needless to say, you want to rent a Big Bear cabin that has mostly positive feedback. For example, if you read Sky High Cabins reviews, you’ll discover that most vacationers who rent from us have given us five stars.
Here’s a sampling of some of our reviews.
“Beautiful and comfortable place- super thoughtful touches throughout the home that were very appreciated. Highly recommend and hope to be back!”- Corey
“We had such a great stay and plan to come again. Perfect for our crew of 2 families (kids 2, 5, and 7). Loved the game room and hot tub. Location was superb-a 5-10 min walk to the snow summit.”-Polly
“Great location, not a far drive from the slopes. We had fun playing the games provided in the house. The jacuzzi was easy to use. There is no oven, but we did use the stovetop. The bed was comfortable. The host was responsive. I would stay again.”– Ciera
“We came up for ski week with our 2 kids. The best thing was the beds, they’re so comfortable and it made us feel like home! – even the kiddos. There’s also lots of board games and toddler toys. Everything was clean, and we felt comfortable. Leanne /Esther was super responsive through texting in the app! Location is very convenient as well, and just as private enough so it’s not right next to downtown but just 3-5 mins away. We came at the peak season and booked late so the price was higher than normal. Overall we loved our stay and would love to come back!” – Venice
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Think Twice about Airbnb and Vrbo
You can find fantastic Big Bear cabin options on many travel and vacation rental websites and platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Agoda, and TripAdvisor. We’re Airbnb & VRBO hosts, too, – and we pride ourselves on our Airbnb Superhost designation.
However, directly renting a Big Bear cabin via the property’s website is usually the smartest option for several reasons, including:
- Better rates. You’re highly likely to get a better deal when you book directly with the property management or owner rather than using a third-party vacation rental marketplace like Airbnb or Vrbo. This is because third-party platforms impose commission or service fees that can add up to a sizable sum.
- More personalized customer service. Property managers are typically more knowledgeable about their properties and the local area and can offer more specific recommendations for activities and restaurants. Also, they’re easier to reach if you have any queries or worries before, during, or after your stay.
- Greater flexibility. In terms of cancellations or changes to your reservation, booking directly on a cabin’s website can give you more leeway. Many third-party platforms have strict cancellation policies that might not be as accommodating as those offered by vacation rental providers.
- Smoother booking process. Making a direct Big Bear cabin reservation can also lead to a quicker, more straightforward booking process because you can more easily get in touch with the property manager and go over the specifics of your travel arrangements.
Sky High Cabins: #1 in Big Bear Cabin Rentals & Management
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay while on vacation in Big Bear, look no further than Sky High Cabins.
We are a premier provider of cabins and vacation rentals in Big Bear, offering a wide range of cabins to suit your needs, including lakefront cabins, well-maintained luxury cabins, rentals with hot tubs and breathtaking views, and pet-friendly cabins that allow you to bring along your dogs or cats.
So, whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin for two or a spacious home for a family vacation, Sky High Cabins has you covered.
One advantage of booking directly with Sky High Cabins is that you can save on Airbnb or VRBO fees. Plus, Sky High Cabins has a property management service, so you can rest assured that our Big Bear rental cabins are well-maintained, and we’re available at any time to help you in any way before, during, and after your visit.
You can book one or more cabins right away, or if you have any questions about cabin rentals in Big Bear, call us at 909-366-0706 or fill out our online contact form, and we’ll be happy to help with your inquiries!