Snow-dusted mountain peaks above Big Bear Lake

Frequently Asked Questions

Before your Big Bear stay.

Guest guide

Answers on booking, arrival, policies, and the details that shape a seamless getaway.

What to Bring & What We Provide

Most homes include basic kitchen essentials such as pots, pans, dishes, utensils, and a coffee maker. Each home is individually owned, so kitchen inventory may vary by property. Guests should bring specialty cooking items, specific appliances, spices, oils, coffee, and condiments if needed.

Yes. Bed linens, pillows, and bath towels are typically provided. Please bring your own specialty towels if needed, including lake towels, spa towels, or extra towels for outdoor activities.

Our cabins are stocked with basic starter supplies to help make your stay comfortable. Items typically provided include bed linens, pillows, bath towels, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, basic kitchen essentials, WiFi, and smart TVs with streaming apps. Guests should bring groceries, coffee, condiments, personal toiletries, specialty cooking items, extra supplies for longer stays, and winter road supplies when needed.

House Rules & Policies

Big Bear has strict trash rules for vacation rentals, and trash instructions vary by property. Depending on the home, guests may be required to use the provided trash receptacle or take trash to one of the local Clean Bear disposal sites. Please do not leave trash bags on decks, driveways, patios, or outside the home. Guests are responsible for any trash violations, cleanup fees, city fines, or other costs incurred due to trash left behind or improperly stored.

If the home has a fireplace or BBQ, please follow the posted property instructions. Do not use lighter fluid in the BBQ or fireplace. Charcoal BBQs are not permitted at the property. Please do not remove fireplace or BBQ ashes from the property. If applicable, use the provided ash container or contact us if assistance is needed.

Service animals, as defined under the ADA, are welcome at all of our properties. No pet fee applies. Service animals must remain under the control of their handler at all times and may not be left unattended at the property. Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA. For direct bookings, emotional support animals are treated as pets and are only permitted at dog-friendly properties with prior approval and the applicable pet fee, unless otherwise required by law.

Please contact us right away. Each reservation includes accidental damage protection through Safely insurance for eligible accidental damage, provided the damage is reported promptly. Accidental damage protection does not cover intentional damage, negligence, excessive cleaning, smoking, pet-related damage, unauthorized parties, rule violations, missing items, or unreported damage. Any damage, loss, or costs not covered by the protection plan may be charged to the guest.

No. Parties, events, weddings, and large gatherings are not allowed unless approved in writing before your stay. Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Amplified music should not be heard beyond the property line at any time.

All properties are non-smoking indoors. This includes cigarettes, cigars, vaping, and marijuana. Outdoor smoking is only permitted in designated areas, if available. Additional cleaning charges may apply if evidence of indoor smoking is found.

Some of our homes are dog-friendly and are clearly marked on the listing page. Dogs are only allowed at designated dog-friendly homes with prior approval. Dog-friendly homes allow a maximum of 2 dogs per stay. A pet fee of $25 per night, per dog applies. Dogs may not be left unattended outside or inside the home. Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs and for any pet-related damage or excessive cleaning. Cats and other pets are not permitted.

Check-in & Check-out

Yes. Guests must complete the required pre-arrival steps before access information is released. This may include the Good Neighbor Policy agreement and ID verification.

Yes. All homes include free parking. The number of vehicles allowed varies by property and will be listed on the property page, reservation details, and/or exterior sign posted at the home. Vehicles must be parked only in the driveway, garage, or designated parking areas. Street parking and yard parking are not allowed in Big Bear. Guests are responsible for any parking violations, citations, towing fees, city fines, or other costs incurred during their stay.

Once your required pre-arrival steps are completed, your access instructions will be provided electronically before arrival. Depending on the property, access may be provided by smart lock or lockbox with a hard key. No in-person meeting is required.

Check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM. Early check-in or late check-out may be available depending on the booking schedule. Please contact us at least 24 hours in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Booking

Yes. We strongly recommend travel insurance, especially for winter stays, holiday bookings, and reservations outside the cancellation window. Mountain weather, road conditions, illness, travel delays, and unexpected personal issues can affect travel plans.

Most properties have a 2-night minimum. During major holidays and peak weekends, a 3–4 night minimum may apply. The required minimum stay will be shown during the booking process.

Guests may cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the reservation was made at least 72 hours before check-in. For standard reservations, cancellations made 30 or more days before check-in are eligible for a full refund, less any non-refundable credit card processing fees. Cancellations made 14 to 29 days before check-in are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 14 days of check-in are non-refundable. Holiday, peak-season, and special-event reservations are non-refundable within 30 days of check-in. Date changes may be possible depending on availability and must be approved in writing. Date changes are not guaranteed and may be subject to rate differences, minimum-stay requirements, and the cancellation policy applicable to the original reservation.

We accept major credit and debit cards through our secure booking platform. Payment terms may vary depending on the reservation date, arrival date, and property. Credit card processing fees are non-refundable and will be deducted from any eligible refund.

You can book directly through our website by browsing available properties, selecting your dates, and completing your reservation through our secure booking platform. Booking directly through our website can save you 10–15% compared to third-party sites like Airbnb or Vrbo, while also allowing direct communication with our team for questions or special requests.

The Area

Yes. The Village in Big Bear Lake has restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, gift shops, bars, and seasonal events. There are also restaurants and casual dining options throughout Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City. Hours can vary by season, and popular restaurants may be busy on weekends and holidays.

Before heading to Big Bear, guests should check current road conditions, closures, and chain requirements through Caltrans QuickMap or official road condition updates. Even if the weather looks clear, mountain roads can change quickly during winter.

Snow is most common during the winter months, typically December through March, but mountain weather can change quickly. Snowfall is never guaranteed, and road conditions can vary throughout the day.

Big Bear has several grocery options, including Vons, Stater Bros., and Grocery Outlet on Big Bear Blvd. Most homes are about 5–10 minutes from a major grocery store, depending on the property location. We recommend stocking up before heading up the mountain when possible, especially during holidays, winter storms, and busy weekends.

Big Bear is a year-round mountain destination. In winter, guests can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, shopping, dining, and relaxing at the cabin. In warmer months, popular activities include boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, ziplining, visiting the Alpine Zoo, riding the Alpine Slide, exploring The Village, and dining at local restaurants.

During winter months, guests should carry properly fitting tire chains or approved traction devices when traveling to Big Bear. Chain controls can go into effect quickly during storms or icy conditions. Guests are responsible for checking current road and chain requirements before traveling.

Big Bear is about 100 miles from Los Angeles. The drive typically takes about 2 to 3 hours, but it can take longer during holidays, winter storms, weekends, and heavy traffic. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking road conditions before heading up the mountain.

We’re here to help

Don't see your question?

Reach out directly and our team will get back to you within 24 hours.

Ready to Start Planning?

Browse our Big Bear cabin collection and book your mountain escape.

Browse Properties