explorebigbearlake » dining

Big Bear Lake Village to Undergo 4 Million Dollar Update in 2012

explorebigbearlake — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:37:13 +0000

Starting in April, 2012 the Village, Big Bear Lake’s Shopping and Dining District on the South Shore of the lake, will begin a rejuvenation project replacing worn sidewalks, curbs and outdated lighting for streets and sidewalks and replacing and extending landscaping throughout the Village. All the scheduled work is within the Village Improvement District and is funded by Big Bear Lake Improvement Agency (IA) Property Tax Increment Funds received by the City’s Improvement Agency in past years. The work will not require any new bonds, taxes or assessments to property owners anywhere in the city. Just recently the California Supreme Court upheld Governor Jerry Brown’s democratically supported abolishment of all Improvement Agencies and the possibility of any community in California funding this type of improvement through existing property tax assessments via Improvement Agencies.

The 2012 Village Improvement Project implements several of the specific desired improvements developed as part of the Village Specific Plan Update process that started in 2009 and made part of the Capital Improvement Projects Plan for the City of Big Bear Lake in 2011.

The only other major work to the Village occurred in 1990-92 which included the first sidewalks, curbs and gutters in the history of the Village. Since then Improvement Agency Projects in the Village have included drainage, parking lots, and the extension of Improvements to Landscape and Lighting with the annexing of properties into the Village Assessment District (VAD) like the Northwoods Resort and The Club. The VAD assesses properties on Village and Pine Knot a Per Lineal Foot assessment collected each year to pay for a share of the cost of maintenance, utilities and replacement of curbs, gutters, landscaping and lighting within the VAD. No increase in the current assessment is anticipated in regard to the 2012 Village Improvement Projects.

The former Improvement Agency Board was made up of incumbant Big Bear Lake City Council Members, the current City Manager and supported by City Staff from Planning, Building and Safety and the City’s Economic Development Director. The Successor Agency charged with completing ongoing projects/commitments and unwinding the former IA has been formed by law per the new California Legislation.

2012 Village Construction hi-lites include the improvement of the former Knickerbocker Creek County Stormdrain Easement with construction of a mixed use trail for bicycle and pedestrian use from Village Dr. to Big Bear Blvd and adding Village Parking on Knickerbocker with a foot bridge over the drainage canal and a lighted path to Pine Knot Av. Construction features for the trail include various styles of fencing, lighting and landscaping elements. This portion of the construction is the beginning of an extensive trail system that will encourage pedestrian and bicycle use anc connect various neighborhoods in the city to the Lake, Village and Forest. More on the details of the various phases and segments of the 2012 Construction Project in the City of Big Bear Lake Presentation.

May Gray wearing you down? Big Bear Lake Offers Visitors Shopping, Dining & Entertainment – So Cal’s Getaway Destination! – Memorial Day Weekend May 26-28, 2012

explorebigbearlake — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:39:53 +0000

Big Bear Lake Bridge under Full Moon Photo by Greg Zook 2012

Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors of the San Bernardino Mountains,or the warmth of a toasty fire and a good bottle of wine, Big Bear Lake is a great choice for your next vacation, day-trip or special event destination. Spring-Like Weather has been in full force so far this year and the roads are in great shape! If you’re visiting for the first time in a while, your trip coming up the 330 from Running Springs will take you over the new 40 million dollar Caltrans Bridge into the Big Bear Lake area that spans Bear Creek just west of the dam. Travel safe and we’ll see you in the Village! Shopping has never been better than today in Pine Knot Village, the center of the Big Bear Lake Experience! A truly unique shopping destination that will inspire and reward with incomparable holiday shopping memories for the entire family. Find what you’re looking for at explorebigbearlake.com. All the best Lodging, Activities, Dining and Entertainment are all listed here! Have a great time on your Big Bear Lake visit and we do look forward to seeing you in the Village! Need to minimize Holiday Stress? You can make reservations at some pretty great places like Northwoods Resort or Knickerbocker Mansion Inn for a great Big Bear Lake Stay and a terrific dining experience without driving around town and looking for parking. Bonus… you won’t have to cook either!

Big Bear’s Best – Black Diamond Tavern – Big Bear Lake’s Newest Dining Experience

explorebigbearlake — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:44:58 +0000

Big Bear Lake’s Newest Restaurant and Bar is The Black Diamond Tavern. Lunch and Dinner menu is hearty comfort food from Burgers to Braised Short-Ribs, Salads, Soups and Deserts. I am confidant you will find something on the menu you are craving.

Drinks before dinner? Black Diamond has a great Bar & Lounge area with a separate menu for light dining or snacks, Beer, Wine and Cocktails at your table or at the long, fully stocked bar Just the ticket for Après Ski, Après Work or any occasion. Be sure to try them for Happy Hour and get Special Pricing on selected items off the Bar Menu and Happy Hour Drinks.

Service in the large Dining Room or in the Bar is un-matched on the mountain and with a casual and comfortable ambiance, The Black Diamond Tavern is a must dine experience for visitors and locals alike. The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.

Black Diamond Tavern

42172 Moonridge Rd. 909-366-0871

http://www.facebook.com/BlackDiamondTavern

Big Bear’s Best – Dining at Big Bear Lake’s Knickerbocker Mansion

explorebigbearlake — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:52:12 +0000

One of Big Bear Lake’s best kept secrets for dining is the Knickerbocker Mansion Inn. Open for seating on Friday and Saturday evenings only, the Mansion’s dining room is supported by one of the best staffed kitchens in town.

Give the Knickerbocker a call to make your reservations and you will surely be surprised at the quality service, great food and the extensive wine list Stanley and Thomas have to offer you and your guests.

Cheers!
869 Knickerbocker Rd
PO Box 1907
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone: 909-878-9190
FAX: 909-878-4248
e-mail: knickmail@knickerbockermansion.com
Toll Free 800-388-4179
http://www.knickerbockermansion.com

Big Bear’s Best – Sweet Basil Bistro

explorebigbearlake — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:16:27 +0000

Tamara's favorite... the fabulous Sweet Basil Mojito

Sweet Basil has been our favorite food experience here in the Village since opening night and we continue to enjoy the passion and expertise Sally has brought to the Big Bear Lake marketplace!

Now rated the number 1 restaurant in the Big Bear Valley, Sweet Basil is the must eat there for your next visit to the Village.

Family owned and operated by Chef Sally Hill, Sweet Basil Bistro has a varied and delectable menu for Lunch, Dinner and Sunday Brunch. Wine list and cocktails always.

40629 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 909-866-9212

http://www.sweetbasilbistro.net

Main Street Shopping Experience in the Village. Holiday Shopping in Big Bear Lake!

explorebigbearlake — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:37:04 +0000

A truly unique shopping destination with dozens of shops offering Gifts, Decor, Art and Collectibles and lots of dining options make a complete Shopping Experience!

The Village shopping district in Big Bear Lake CA is about 100 miles east of Newport Beach and about one hour from anywhere in the Inland Empire.

At nearly 6800 feet in elevation in an alpine forest landscape, the quaint village sits next to Big Bear Lake, in the San Bernardino Mountains and has dozens of shops to browse and find your every shopping need. Getting to Big Bear Lake by car is awe-inspiring using any of the three highways that lead in and out of the Big Bear Valley. Always check road conditions with Caltrans of the CHP before traveling in the winter months.

If hiking and biking is your thing, add some to your day on the many miles of off-road trails or stay on the dedicated bike routes through the mountain community.

Always plenty of free parking in the Village at the Bartlett Ave Public Parking lot or on Village Dr, at the Indian Village Parking lot behind the former Mandolin Bistro.

Bike Trail Maps are available at http://www.goboguides.com/ and Bear Valley Bikes.

With more than 60 shops and restaurants to browse and enjoy, you can definitely find what your looking for it in the Village!

Art Gifts Clothing Dining

Cowboy Express Steak House

explorebigbearlake — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 03:52:42 +0000

More Great Dining at the Cowboy Express Steakhouse!

Now under New Ownership, Try us for Lunch, Dinner, Cocktails

40433 Lakeview Dr. Big Bear Lake, CA 909-366-5154

Winter in Big Bear Lake – Lift Tickets, Snowshoeing and more

explorebigbearlake — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 17:43:41 +0000

Winter in Big Bear Lake means Skiing, Snowboarding and the Alpine Slide but everyone knows… ‘Tricks are for kids’. That doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t enjoy getting out in the fresh air and getting some exercise. Tamara and I have really enjoyed our time snowshoeing in the Big Bear area for several years now. The cost of getting set up is very manageable and we can break away from work for a couple of hours and get a great winter workout at any level we choose. Today’s snowshoes are easy to use, reasonable in price, lightweight and durable and really work.

So while the kids are on the Ski Slopes, you can get out and do some Snowshoeing on the many accessible trails in the Big Bear Lake area.

Purchase Lift Tickets at either Big Bear Lake Ski Resort at the link below.

Big Bear Resort Lift Tickets

Amangela’s Sandwich and Bagel House

explorebigbearlake — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:55:39 +0000

Awsome Bagels and Sandwiches in the Village!

Longtime Fawnskin Coffee and Eatery has made the move to the Village! Located in the Village Mall on Village Dr. in the Village, Big Bear Lake.

Coffee, Sandwiches, Soups, Breakfast and Lunch. Open til 5:00 PM. Free WiFi, Beer, Wine and lots of goodies to enjoy!

Village Dr in the Village Mall. 909-878-0015

Saucy Mama’s Pizza

explorebigbearlake — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:58:27 +0000

More great dining in the village at Saucy Mama’s Pizzaria! Fresh hand tossed crust and fresh ingredients. Pizza, salads, sandwiches, specialty dishes. Beer, wine. Dine in or take out. Lunch specials.

618 Pine Knot Ave. Big Bear Lake, Ca

909-866-6600

Saucy Mama’s Pizzaria