Christmas and New Years in Big Bear

Posted on 11/16/2018 in New Year's Eve in a Five Star Vacation Rental.

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, but we want to give all our blog followers a head start on their Christmas and New Year’s in Big Bear plans. This is always our busiest season, and we’re often completely booked weeks in advance. More than half our properties are already booked, so this is a great time to make your reservation.

Christmas in Big Bear is truly magical. When the weather cooperates, it can be a winter wonderland. And even if there’s no snow, it still has the pristine beauty of the forest, lake, and mountain views. There’s a peacefulness and calm you’ll find on the mountain that is nearly impossible to duplicate in the crowds and streets around Southern California. This Christmas can be a true respite and a time to carve out some relaxing family time without the distractions that surround you at home. And if we get snow, it can also be a great chance to have some fun on the slopes with your extended family.

It’s always great to see the relatives, but the logistics of housing them all can be a challenge. Many of us grew up on homes that either served as the holiday destination for far-flung family members or a convenient nearby stop with an extra bedroom or couch to house the relatives. This year can be very different, and a real treat for everyone. Instead of making arrangements for relatives to sleep in questionable comfort at a variety of different locations, you can choose a luxury vacation rental with enough beds and space for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. Under one roof. It’s a real game changer.

Holiday mornings become an entirely different experience with your Five Star Vacation Rental. Rather than waiting for everyone to arrive from their various destinations, you can all just walk down the hall and meet in the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee while you take everyone’s breakfast orders. The kitchen is outfitted with all you need to create an amazing omelette for everyone’s needs. It’s relaxing, it’s a great time to bond with family, and it can really be a time you wouldn’t have unless you were all under the same roof together.

New Year’s Eve in a Five Star Vacation Rental is a great experience, and it’s another time we’re usually booked solid. The annual Snow Summit Torchlight Parade is a visual delight as over 100 skiers and snowboarders will make their way down the slope with torches illuminating the way. And one of our luxury cabins is a perfect way to assemble a group of family and friends to celebrate the New Year safely. You can all gather around the fireplace and count down to the New Year, and travel no farther than your bedroom down the hall to call it a night. It’s a fun, safe way to celebrate the occasion.

You can book your stay online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your spring vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Time's Running Out. Plan Your Thanksgiving Holiday Now

Posted on 11/09/2018 in Five Star Vacation Rentals Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away, and there’s still time to make this year unlike all those that came before. But time’s running out. We’re often fully booked, so we recommend you plan your Thanksgiving holiday now.

If your family is like ours, you grew up with some pretty creative planning for these big family gatherings. In our house it often involved collecting rollaway beds from neighbors and friends, covering sofas with sheets and blankets, and blocking floors with mattresses. In the morning, we usually entertained whispers of how loud Uncle Louis snores, and the inevitable polite smiles when we asked our guests, “how did you sleep?” It really doesn’t need to be this way, and we’ve got some really amazing alternatives.

We want to encourage you to take a moment to leave behind these memories, and set your mind on creating some new ones this year. Better ones. And with Five Star Vacation Rentals, we’re your partner for creating some of the most amazing holiday memories you can imagine.

As we write this blog, we still have over a dozen of our Big Bear properties available for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Several of them have enough space to comfortably accommodate 16 guests. Can you imagine the difference this will make? You can carpool to the property and enjoy the leisurely drive up the mountain to Big Bear. You’ll be greeted by a luxury vacation rental with plenty of room for everyone to sleep in comfort. Many of our cabins have full gourmet kitchens, so you may have some competition over who gets to do the holiday baking. You may prefer to take advantage of one of the local restaurants that will be open for Thanksgiving.

You can easily book your stay at any time online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your holiday vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

November Night Life In Big Bear

Posted on 11/02/2018 in FiveStarVacationRental.com News and Updates.

As the holidays approach, many of us look forward to catching up with family and friends visiting from out of town. It can be a perfect time to book your Big Bear getaway, so you can add a more relaxing atmosphere to your time together. We recommend you check out the November night life in Big Bear during your stay.

Our reservations typically spike this time of year as many families start making their holiday plans. We’re often completely booked for the holidays, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. And as part of those plans, we’re taking a look in this week’s blog at some of the nightlife you can enjoy with your guests while you’re spending time in one of our Five Star Vacation Rental cabins or estates in Big Bear.

In addition to spending the actual holidays with your family, your time in Big Bear can include some great nighttime experiences as well. Here’s a sampling:

Music lovers will enjoy their November nightlife in Big Bear with a visit to The Cave. This has emerged as Big Bear’s premiere live music venue, and they’ve got a full lineup for November. They’re kicking things off on November 2nd with the Monsters of Metal Night. You’ll enjoy the sounds of Maiden USA, Mr Crowley, Big City Nights and Dirty Deeds. The metal fest continues the following night on the 3rd with LA heavy metal standards by Dokken. Head over to The Cave on 9th for the “Big Bear Mini-Fest.” fundraiser for Big Bear High School Art Club in coordination with Bear Valley Go For the Arts! Music will be provided by Low Lake Mountain Fire, Quint & Loneship. Lorrie Morgan is launching her fist solo album in 5 years and will be appearing on the 16th. “Led Zepagain” Tribute to Led Zeppelin appears on the 17th. The
“Cash’d Out” Johnny Cash Tribute lands on the 24th. Los Lonely Boys are an American Chicano rock power trio from San Angelo, Texas, and they’ll be wrapping up November’s lineup on the 30th.

Theater fans will want to plan for performances of “Little Women” and “Wait Until Dark” at the Performing Arts Center. Purchase your tickets online for these local productions that will be sure to keep you spellbound. For more details check out their website here.

You can easily book your stay at any time online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your holiday vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

November Events in Big Bear

Posted on 10/26/2018 in Thanksgiving in Big Bear.

You’re probably not surprised that we think anytime is a great time to visit Big Bear, but November is an especially great time to plan your Big Bear getaway. Follow along with us and we’ll give you a handful of reasons.

In our last week’s blog we detailed some of the great reasons to plan your family’s holiday gathering in Big Bear. We have a lot of great choices with many options that will handle even very large families. It’s a great chance to stop fretting over roll away beds, fold out sofas, and just concentrate on having some quality time with your loved ones. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years in Big Bear can be truly magical. Check out all our Big Bear properties at this link. The holidays are popular, so we recommend you book your stay early.

Oktoberfest continues through the first weekend in November. If you’ve never been, you’ve been missing some great fun. You’ll enjoy some of the best beers from around the world as well as food that will have your mouth begging for more. There are bands, kids events, and a lot more. Check their website  for tickets and more info.

Theater fans will find a couple of great options for your November visit. The Big Bear High School Performing Arts Department is presenting the classic, “Little Women” at the Performing Arts Center on November 1st thru 3rd at 7:00 pm and a November 4th matinee at 2:00 pm. Suspense fans will want to plan for The Big Bear Theater Project’s presentation of “Wait Until Dark.” This thriller will take to the Performing Arts Stage from November 15th through 18th. Tickets are available online for both plays at this link.

What better way to start your Thanksgiving morning than with Big Bear’s annual Turkey Trot? This fun run raises money for the local food bank, and is a great way to work up an appetite for your feast later in the day. There are 3, 6, and 9 mile distances offered, and you’re encouraged to dress as wacky as you like. Get more details and register in advance online at this link: http://www.bigbearturkeytrot.com

The Friday after Thanksgiving is overflowing with events as well. Santa and Mrs. Claus make their annual appearance in the Village with the tree lighting ceremony as part of the festivities. It’s also a great day to get a jump on your Christmas shopping with the 34th Annual Mountain Christmas Boutique at the Big Bear Convention Center. This year’s boutique will feature over 40 arts and crafts vendors, fun events for kids, and lots of great food and drinks.

You can book your stay online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your spring vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Plan Your Holiday Getaway Early

Posted on 10/19/2018 in Thanksgiving in Big Bear.

We know it’s still early, but our holiday bookings tend to fill up pretty fast. So this is your early reminder that the holidays are on the way, and there’s no time like the present to make your plans.

The holidays are our favorite time of year. Families gather with loved ones often coming in from distant places to celebrate together. And we consider it a privilege to help many families find a great solution to keep all their loved ones together in a luxury vacation rental. Big Bear is a favorite destination for many family holidays, and we have properties there that can accommodate groups of 20 or more with adjacent cabins. And when the weather cooperates, it can be an amazingly beautiful time as well with snow on the ground.

Most of our properties boast full chef’s kitchens, so you can get your family’s best cooks to work on creating a feast everyone will enjoy. If you don’t feel like cooking, there are some great options for dining out for your family feast.

Nottinghams is a Big Bear staple. They have been serving Big Bear residents and visitors for decades. They offer Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts that are sure to keep everyone in your party glowing and satisfied. Reservations are a must. Visit their website for more details. You can book your reservation up to 30 days in advance.

The Peppercorn Grille is another Big Bear favorite. It has a menu ranging from sea food to pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. They’re open on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve this year. You’ll need reservations. Visit their website at this link.

Whichever option you choose, your family will enjoy the benefits of staying together rather than having different family members spread out across several different locations or hotels. It can be a real delight to have everyone share a relaxing breakfast together without first having to make arrangements for transportation. The holidays really should be a time spent enjoying your family rather than working out the logistics of collecting them all in one place. And with Five Star Vacation Rentals, you’ll have that part of your holiday taken care of.

You can easily book your stay at any time online or view all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your summer vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Oktoberfest in Big Bear

Posted on 10/12/2018 in Oktoberfest Big Bear.

Oktoberfest is one of Big Bear’s most popular events, and this year its slated to be bigger than ever. The festivities are running weekends through November 3rd, and there’s something for the entire family. This video will give you a small sample of the fun that awaits.

One of the reasons Big Bear is such a popular destination is the combination of a beautiful surrounding and lots of fun activities. Oktoberfest is a perfect combination of great beers, great food, and lots of fun entertainment.

The festivities kick off September 8th and you’ll enjoy Brats and Knockwursts direct from the German butcher and enjoy the very same beers poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest for the past century and a half. German bands contribute to the festive atmosphere. The fun and games include log sawing, beer stein holding, beer pong, and the ever popular yodeling contest. Kids will find lots of fun things just for them as well. There are game booths, a bounce house, face painting, and crafts.

And we can’t forget to mention that your visit to Oktoberfest is going to be even more enjoyable when you end each day back at your luxury Five Star Vacation Rental. View all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for special getaway with your family.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your getaway whatever the occasion may be.  Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Fall Fun in La Quinta

Posted on 10/05/2018 in La Quinta Vacation Rental.

La Quinta is located about a two hour drive east of Los Angeles and offers some of the best Fall fun in all of Southern California. Long a luxury destination for the rich and famous, La Quinta now has great options for families looking for an entirely new way to enjoy some time away. And with Five Star Vacation Rentals, you can be sure your getaway will be full of luxury and pampering. We’ve compiled a few fun events to keep you occupied during your next visit.

Golfing is one of the most popular activities in La Quinta, and most of our properties sit right on the fairway of some of these courses. With a little advance planning, you can book a tee time at one of the many nearby courses, and enjoy a full day on the links.  There is a great selection of world-class courses in the La Quinta area designed by pros like Nicklaus, Weiskopf, Norman, and Palmer. Choose one of our properties that sits on the fairway, and your golf excursion will be complete. Check out available tee times and book your tee time online at this link. 

Do you love a mystery? We sure do. A short drive away in Rancho Mirage, you’ll find a brand new activity that is sure to have your entire family smiling. Escape Games at the River is an interactive adventure for families and small groups to participate in solving a mystery. You’ll be taken to a room where clues will unfold according to the mystery you choose. Work out the solution within the time deadline, and you may end up inheriting great wealth, escaping a pharaoh’s curse, or rescuing a fortune teller trapped in the netherworld. It’s more fun than you can imagine. The games carry a variety of difficulty levels, so even the kids can get involved.  Check out more details at this link.

You can book your stay online or view all of our La Quinta properties at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for your next vacation or getaway.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your next vacation getaway.  Here are links to our other properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and Big Bear.

Got Summer Plans Yet?

Posted on 07/27/2018 in Luxury Big Bear Cabins.

Have you made your summer plans yet? The time is slipping away, and we’ve got some great choices to help make your getaway truly special this year.  Here’s a small sample of some of the fun events and activities you can enjoy when you book your summer getaway in one of our Five Star Vacation Rentals in Big Bear:

Hiking Big Bear is a great opportunity for your family to turn off your phones, pull on some good walking shoes, and enjoy some great family time. There are trails throughout the Big Bear area with a variety of distances and exertion levels designed to fit every hiker. They range from hikes lasting less than an hour to hikes designed to challenge even the most seasoned hiker. Some of the paths are wheelchair and stroller accessible and feature stops along the way to learn more about the botany, geology, and wildlife of the area. There’s more info on the available trails at this link.

Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts will want to pay a visit to the Big Bear Discovery Center. They have fun programs scheduled throughout the summer including night hikes, campfire presentations, gold panning, and more. Many of their activities are scheduled with volunteer naturalists to answer questions and provide fascinating insight in to the beautiful plants and wildlife that surround us here in Big bear. Check out their calendar for more info on the many fun events they have available during your visit.

There’s still time to catch this year’s Renaissance Faire running weekends through August 12th. This annual event offers a great collection of costumes, period entertainment and some of the best foods found anywhere on the planet for the past several hundred years. This is a family event where you can stroll among minstrels, royalty, and enjoy stage shows featuring magicians, period music, and some very funny acts.

We’re really proud of our lineup of luxury cabins and estates in in Big Bear. We learned long ago that vacation time is a rare and special time for most families, and we dedicate ourselves to making sure your time with us is the best possible. You can view them all our Big Bear vacation rentals at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for special Father’s Day with your family.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your getaway whatever the occasion may be.  Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Big Bear Renaissance Faire and Other August Events

Posted on 07/20/2018 in Big Bear Vacation Rental.

Big Bear’s Renaissance Faire is in full swing, and continues weekends through August 12th. This is such a fun event, we see many guests return year after year to enjoy both the spectacle and the amazing array of entertainment and food choices. You’ll delight at the wandering performers, and you’re invited to dress up in period clothing as well. We’ll tell you there are few things as satisfying as a cup of cool grog or mead to round out your immersion into this fun and historic event.

This year there are 5 stages with a nearly endless supply of entertainment. You’ll see live jousting, comedy, dancing, music, bird of prey, belly dancing, and parades.  With the changing acts, amazing foods, and entertainment, you can make a full weekend of it for the entire family.

The 6th annual Kodiak Ultra Marathons will take place August 17th-18th. This is a competitive run that features a cash prize on one of the featured runs this year. It’s a great opportunity to participate in 100 mile, 50 mile, and 50K runs. The course circles Big Bear Lake, and is an amazingly beautiful run. For more information and to register online, check out their website here: http://www.kodiak100ultramarathon.com/race-info

The Music in the Mountains 2018 Concert Series continues at the Big Bear Discovery Center in August. On Saturday, August 4th, you’ll enjoy the sounds of Journey’s best ballads as DSB performs with special guest Live From Earth. And on August 18th, Mirage, Visions of Fleetwood Mac, with special guest Petty and the Heartshakers will appear to recreate the Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty experience. On Saturday, September 1st The Long Run recreates the sounds of the Eagles with special guests Shannon Rae and 100 Proof. These events will take advantage of the cool Big Bear evenings in the Discovery Center’s amphitheater. For more details and to purchase your tickets online, visit this link.

View all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for special getaway with your family.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your getaway whatever the occasion may be.  Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.

Plan Your August Big Bear Getaway

Posted on 07/13/2018 in Five Star Vacation Rentals Big Bear Cabins.

Big Bear’s event calendar is full of great things to keep your entire family occupied and smiling during August. And all of these events will be even more enjoyable when you retreat to the comfort of your luxury Five Star Vacation Rental at the end of each full day’s activities. Here is a sampling of the activities you can enjoy during your August stay in Big Bear.

August opens with the continuation of Big Bear Cycling Festival. The festival opens on July 28th and continues through August 5th. This is the only week-long cycling festival in the United States, and it’s an experience that offers events geared for all ages and skill levels. The 8th annual Tour de Big Bear is part of the activities and it takes place on Saturday, August 4th. This has been voted as “Southern California’s Favorite Ride.” This 25 mile ride circles the beauty of Big Bear Lake, and keeps you immersed in the San Bernardino National Forest with a total climb of about 1300 feet that include views of the San Gorgonio mountains.  Experienced riders may want to choose “The Climb” and embark on this challenging 107 mile route with its 9000 foot climb. Other events during the week cater to more casual riders and there’s rides planned just for the kids as well. Check out all the events and register online at www.BigBearCyclingFestival.com.

Star gazers will want to take advantage of Big Bear’s unique night sky at First Friday Under the Stars at Bear Valley Farms on the evening of August 3rd. This is a great opportunity to experience the night sky in a way most city-dwellers never enjoy. Local astronomers will talk about the stars and share their telescopes with attendees. Pack some blankets and chairs, and get ready for a fun and informative evening under the amazing night sky in Big Bear.

Snow Summit is offering outdoor Movies in the Meadow this summer with family-friendly movies offered for free. You can enjoy screening of “WALL-E” on Saturday August 4th and “A Wrinkle In Time” on Saturday August 11th. Load up the kids and bring some blankets and folding chairs for a relaxing evening on the meadow at the base of Snow Summit. These screenings are a popular event in Big Bear, so you’ll want to plan to arrive early to stake out a good spot. Visit their website for more information on the movies and schedule.

And the Renaissance Faire continues weekends through August 12th. Get dressed up, or just come as you are. Themed weekends this year include Fantasy Weekend July 21-22. July 28-29 is Pirates Weekend, and  August 4th and 5th is Steampunk Weekend. The fun closes out on August 11th and 12th with Royal Weekend. This annual event is one of the best Big Bear offers, and one that many of our guests keep coming back for every year. Visit the faire’s website for more details and to purchase tickets.

View all of our Big Bear cabins and luxury estates at this link.  Or give us a call at 310-780-3411, and we’ll help you choose a great property for special Father’s Day with your family.  And if you’d like to explore any of our other destinations, you can be assured that we’re committed to providing top quality cabins, estates, and condos for your getaway whatever the occasion may be.  Here are links to our properties in Nuevo Vallarta, Mammoth Mountain, Park City, Southern California Beaches, and La Quinta.