The kids said they liked Big Bear more than Disneyland, which says a lot… This fact can help express how much we loved this place. I thought I would share some of the things we did just in case anyone else is planning on visiting. If you are doing Revel Big Bear in the future, staying in Big Bear was an excellent choice for us and made race morning very easy.
A huge highlight was going to the Big Bear Rehabilitation Zoo. It was the cutest little zoo, with snow everywhere and beautiful animals.
Our biggest animal lover gasped with each fox that she saw. She was in heaven.
Another big highlight was spending time at the lake. We went there twice, and they played in the mud, broke the ice, threw rocks, and the weather was perfect in the afternoon (40ish degrees).
We rented the coolest Airbnb. It had a pool table, plenty of beds for everyone and it was very close to the busses (I’ll send you the link if you ever want to stay there). It felt hidden in the trees and so cozy with two fireplaces.
We went to the grocery store on Thursday and ate most of our meals at the cabin because that is just the way to go with our family these days.
We had the best cronuts at Dank Donuts (the vegan coconut donuts were amazing too).
And another huge highlight was Big Bear Snow Play! This was a great warm-up for the kids before we ski NEXT WEEK! PS I have skied, mountain biked at Big Bear in the past too, and loved doing both here.
Andrew and I could have spent an entire day driving around on each street, drooling over the different cabins. They were all so unique and beautiful.
For a little reality check of traveling–> We came home to 10 loads of laundry, moldy food in our fridge, cleaning throw-up out of our car, and a house that was 52 degrees ha… We wanted to jump back into our car and go back to Big Bear.
What would you choose if you could choose between owning a mountain cabin or a beach house?
-Mountain cabin for me!
Please tell me what you are running today because I’m not running, and I need to live through you:)!
What is the best or most unique pie that you have ever had?
30 comments
Mariah
Aww looks like you all had so much fun!!!
I just downloaded the peloton app and am loving it! I know I’m late to the game haha. But today I did a treadmill workout with Jess Sims and it was amazing!!! Hills, speed, great music. I did a 30 minute 90s music class, and a core class after.
Molly S
Give me a mountain cabin with a hot tub over the beach!
I love staying at Air BnBs for marathons. I need to bring my slippers the next time though-good tip!
No run for me today. Still taking it easy after Indy. I did run yesterday for my first post marathon run. It was humbling!! 😂
Courtney Mick
Oh my goodness this is exactly the kind of vacation that I’m looking forward to going on with my family when my kiddos are a little bit older. I love the snow (we don’t get much here in Oregon) so this looks so fun and beautiful! I’ll have to keep Big Bear in mind for a couple years down the road.
Cabin vibes for me all the way. I just love being cozy. But then again, I would NEVER say no to a tropical beach vacation if someone offered me one. ;)
No running for me today either, but I’m gonna hop on my spin bike for a half hour of pain or so this afternoon!
Hope you have a great day Janae! Congratulations on your awesome marathon experience!
emily l
100% would love a mountain cabin. People think I’m nuts, but I’d choose mountains/cold over beach/heat any day. It looks like an amazing trip. Congrats on your marathon Janae!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I’m right there with you! Meet me in the mountains. Thanks Emily, have a great day!
Maureen
That AirBnB is gorgeous!
I would get a mountain house on a lake! Boom – best of both worlds since you can swim and boat but also be cozy by a fire when it’s chilly outside. Hope your quads are feeling a bit better today!
Jenny
This sounds amazing! I read your marathon recap yesterday but was in a hurry and didn’t comment- CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! I’m so excited for you, what a great race. i’ve been reading your blog for years and can remember you trying so hard to go sub-3…. and now look, you’re absolutely crushing it. I hope you’re able to relax now and enjoy the holidays!
Chelsea
This is so cool! Do you mind if I share images from your stay at The Yellow Door Cabin on my Instagram? @intothewildbbl
Best,
Chelsea. ☺️
Renee S
I grew up going to Big Bear! We loved it! My gramma owned a cabin there and the lake was beautiful! We loved the village too! I remember the drive up the mountain as a kid was so scary lol. Glad you had a wonderful time 😊
Charlotte
Love your trip. Also thank you for including the reality of traveling! Congrats on your marathon!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I need to follow up posts like these with a bunch of outake photos but I don’t usually think to pull out my camera during the low times of parenting haha. Have a beautiful day, Charlotte and thank you!
Beth
Big Bear seems amazing! Now this race is moving to the top of my list =)
I am so excited to hear about your ski season with your kids this year, we just picked up our ski gear last night!
Coming home after a trip is always the worst, so much work to unpack and try to get back to normal. It’s especially hard when your legs don’t work correctly LOL.
I hope your recovery goes well and you get some rest as well.
Blaire
Oh my gosh we used to go to Big Bear all the time when I was little because we lived in Laguna Hills!! We moved to SC and now I live in Charlotte, NC but I miss California so much!! I’m so glad y’all had the best time :)
I ran a half on Saturday (first one in 8 years and first half postpartum woo hoo!) so I was going to take a couple of days off but honestly I feel good today so I might do a few miles on the treadmill!
Wendy
Ha ha… My husband and I have the mountain/beach house debate all the time! It’s a tough one. There’s a town up near the bay area that is the perfect blend of mountains and beach. That would be perfect!
So glad you had a great time and were able to really enjoy being in Big Bear. We are always in Lake Arrowhead, which isn’t quite as high as Big Bear. Yes, please send me the link to the Airbnb! That looks so perfect for a little getaway.
Today’s run will probably be some sort of intervals or a HIIT run with the Peloton app, followed by the Barre class.
Keep enjoying your down time and recovery!
Jessica R
That sounds exactly how our trips end, too. Including the vomit…
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hahaha thank you for letting us know we aren’t alone! I hope you have a great day, Jessica!
Dona Abel
I couldn’t choose, I’ll just have to take more vacations to have the pleasure of mountains and the ocean. I’m just getting back into running again after a broken rib and a sprained ankle. I was up and out the door this morning, in the first snow of the year for an easy 3 miles.
Erica
Mountain home for sure!
unique pie: Peach blueberry
Ran 30 minutes on the treadmill finishing up dancing with the stars………nothing to vicarious about that.
Abbey Payne
Janae! Our family just took a trip very near to Big Bear! Now I want to go visit even more!
If you go back, check out the Wolf Mountain Sanctuary in Lucerne Valley (the next town over from Big Bear). It is a rescue center for wolves and you even get to meet/pet/get pictures with a wolf! It was an incredible experience. I didn’t have my phone on me for pictures with the wolves and me and my kids and I am still kicking myself haha. Just means we have to go back I think!
Such a fun post I officially want to go back asap!
Amy S
Hi Janae! What a fun trip! Looks awesome! We used to go to big bear sometimes for church retreats when I was a kid!
I love savory pies, especially when it’s cold out.
Have an awesome day!
Corey
That looks like SO much fun and reminds me of a wonderful ski trip we used to take with a big group every February…but it’s beach house for me.
I’m sure I’ll regret the miles I’m not running now, since I have a half marathon in a few weeks, but my plan is run/walk with no goals and mostly friend time :) I’m doing a core and rowing workout today, though.
Not really unique, but I do love peanut butter pie…MMmmmm! Oh, and I saw a recipe for a butterscotch pecan sauce to go on pumpkin pie, so I’ll try that next week!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I bet those memories of your ski trips are the best! Friend time goals are the best goals and you guys are going to have the best time together. Ummm core and the rowing machine? The rowing machine kills my core, you are amazing. And now I need that pecan sauce. Yum. I hope your day is a beautiful one!
Jenny
Beach house for me!! I laughed when you said the weather was perfect at the lake — 40 degrees…I would FREEZE.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hahah Utah messes up my perception! I hope you get to a beach house soon! Have a beautiful day, Jenny!
Erin
Mountain cabin 💯!!! Love the mountains! My kids are the same way…they get more excited to go to the mountains than Disney!
I did a 5 mile treadmill run (love my treadmill) and it felt SO good!!! I definitely run for my mental health above all else!
The Hungry Runner Girl
YES YES YES… mental health is my #1 too. Great treadmill run (love the treadmill too). I hope you guys get to a cabin soon!
Beth T.
First off congrats on your race. That is so exciting! If you have this blog post already I apologize for asking. But you mentioned the other day how you didn’t run in high school or college. What did/have you done to improve so much?
As I’m getting back into shape and trying to build a strong base, I reached back out to the local running club I’ve been a part of for years. Kids and life have made it hard to be consistent with them, but now my kids are old enough to stay home alone… I promise it comes more quickly than you’d think. Today we did speedwork on a local trail- 1,000, 800, 600×2, 400×2, 200 m recovery in between each, 1 mile wu, cd. I am tired and it was hard, but I did it. So grateful for running friends who encourage me no matter where I am currently in my fitness .
As for a cabin, while I love both it would be in the mountains. We love Lake Arrowhead, which is close to Big Bear, and Mammoth. Mammoth is one of my favorite places in the world, alongside Jackson Hole. Mammoth also has the best pie. You mentioned pie. The best blackberry pie ever is in Mammoth.
Kelly
That looks like a perfect getaway YEAR ‘ROUND!!! As far as cabin location goes that’s tricky. I love, love, love mountains. But beach air is also so nice. Granted, I’m from the west coast (Oregon) and our beaches are amazing-soft sand, a coastal mountain range, and cozy winters. It’s not notoriously hot on the Oregon coast so it’s pretty great. Then again, mountains are so calm and pure!
A work meeting was cancelled today so my salty self turned sweet because that opened up a window to run. Bonus was my new pair of trail shoes also arrived so I put them on and headed into our trails.
Sorry about the car throw up. I hope said barfer feels better and the car is refreshed. Post vacation is so extra and how is it the house gets so messy while on a trip? Oh, because the packing was equally horrifying! but so worth it to see new places!
Alecia
Hi…link to cabin please.
Thank you
[email protected]
Hanna
Oh this is a happy geometry dash online family.