I have a friend who used to own a cabin next to Lake Arrowhead, so I've driven up Hwy 18 many times. I always thought it would be a cool experience to cruise down the Hwy by bicycle. One year I finally was able to make my dream reality. I had some friends who were camping in Holcomb Valley in Big Bear. I was a much more avid cycler than I am now, but I climbed up Hwy 38 on my bike and made it to my friends' campsite. When we were all done camping I got on my bike and cruised down Rim of the World Hwy. Man, the experience was even more spectacular than I imagined! I passed by a dead elk during my descent, poor guy. My brother lives in Upland, and I've ridden to his house by bike several times, so I was very familiar with how to get to an Amtrak station once I rode into San Bernadino and take it back to San Diego. One of the craziest trips I have ever made!
Everytime I was up there we always stopped at Santa's Village, last time wad in late summer and still needed a jacket that day, I had my Little 5lb Pomeraeranian with me and put her under My jacket that I was wearing a rode on the little roller coater there, and of course had to get some freshly mined Rock candy from the elves mine. Still made me smile at the explosion 💥 and flash of light just before the rock candy came down. Made me smile and I was in my young 30's at this point in the early 90's. Took My Mom and my Pomeranian and Wolf Hybrid up in the summer just to have a picnic lunch up in the pine tree picnic area close to Big Bear lake. Many good memories. Definitely highly recommend the drive. I lived in Ventura and Mom in Oxnard the last trip we took but always just a day trip.
... Classic SoCal sunday drive, my first time was probably 7 years old, late 60s, it's spectacular after they plow in the winter, bring chains just in case... ... Love your content...
I remember going there as a kid. Pre 70's . There were millions of tiny, nickel sized frogs. It was amazing! I never knew that the beautiful village was burned down??!
One tip at Lake Arrowhead for breakfast. There’s a trendy place there that can have a 1 hour wait. We said screw that and hit McDonald’s and got a couple Sausage McMuffins and coffee - and they have a beautiful elevated patio overlooking the lake. No wait. 😁
Locally we call the part of Route 18 just west of Big Bear Lake the "Arctic Circle". I work for Caltrans and this area was heavily snowed in last year. The snowplows were truly a sight to see.
We really enjoy Heaps Peak Arboretum. Go there several times a year. In April and May the dogwoods bloom. Some are on the dirt trail near the Sequoias.
I've driven up there when it was winter foggy and chilly in the valley, then 70s and bright sunny up high. The fog was like an ocean. Then another trip is Highway 2, off 138 West from Cajon Pass to Pasadena. East end has desert views, west end the San Gabriel and LA, with views to Catalina Island, weather permitting. Mount Wilson observatory side trip. Angeles Forest Hwy to Palmdale option. Or Big Tujunga Cyn option.
Kind of fascinating. However, I noticed you didn't have much to say a the highways descent down into Lucerne Valley. Yes, you need to spend a few days up there. The roads intersecting at Big Bear Lake take you to a spectacular road trip, even if the road is all you trip on. 😀 There's another adventure waiting for you a little further south. California Highway 74 from Temecula to Hemet, and from there to Idyllwild. The SHELL gas station up there has occupied the same location for over 50 years. As SHELL. Yeah, it's a landmark, though not officially.
I didn't realize how much I needed this little trip right at this moment. I tried to walk around the block today and could only get halfway before I had to come home! I used to love nature, walking through the woods so I'm kind of right there with you! Thanks Steve!
NorCal/Nevada has its Lake Tahoe. SoCal's answer is Big Bear Lake. Lotsa movies and TV series were filmed here, roughly starting with Shirley Temple/"Gone With The Wind"/"The Yearling", into "Bonanza", "Combat!", "J.A.G." and others.
Great video! The San Bernardino Mountains have some of the finest scenery period!! I've been up and down 18 and 38 many times to and from hikes in the San Bernardino Range! Some of Southern California's best hiking is found in that awesome mountain range!! One interesting bit of trivia is that between Big Bear Lake and Mentone/Redlands is the highest paved mountain pass in Southern California, at Onyx Summit (8,443') on Ca-38. There used to be a sign on both sides of the road (as of 2018) marking Onyx Summit, but for some reason, the sign's been missing for 3 years!
This was fun to watch. Thanks for posting. I took a similar trip back when I lived in that area except that I started over at Flint Ridge and took highway two up into the San Gabriel Mountains and I followed it from there over to a little bit beyond Wrightwood then I took a right on highway 138 and crossed interstate 15 and eventually connected up to highway 18 at Crestline. I followed the same route you did from there. I made a day of it but I can see how it could easily be split up into more than one day. Lots of spectacular views. Maybe you might want to consider this root as well.
Seeing the old Santa's village brought back memories of Seeing i t on TV as a 80s kid myself. Never got a chance to check it out though and always wondered where in berdo it was. Thanks for the flashback memory. Keep up the good work on your channel.
Oh gosh! This is a stunning day trip! If only we lived closer. 😅 Lots of nature and fantastic views. And Santa's Village sounds like it would have been a blast to go to as a kid back in the day! Really hope all these areas get some rainfall soon. The effects on the lake... yikes!
I used to drive that highway when I used to work in San Bernadino. I didn't get to enjoy it. Ive been up over the years, and it's got a lot of cool places to check out.
I have been trying to find time to get back up there. There are some times to gangsters like Bugsy Segal at Lake Arrowhead etc., but just need to find the time (and go when the roads aren't frozen!)
@@SidetrackAdventures , totally understand about time. Well, as a loyal subscriber I will stay tuned for your future return. Thanks again for all of your wonderful videos. I share them with my parents and friends all the time! 😁
You’ll need at least a week of moving thru those areas 🤔 .… the dinner at running Springs been there 60+ years with the best meals 😋 … others towns can’t claim 60+yrs of greatness … fireside bar next door has been doing it just as long.🥰 … kudos to all my border brothers and their families working there years 🙏🏻 … Jensen’s has been loyal too 💪🏼
I want to do this trip and stay at an airbnb, but i think when I checked my route your point A is going to be my point A and B cause I am like half hour drive away from there, Hopefully there's still snow but idk if my little car can make the trip in snow.
I'm not sure if there is much snow on the roads now, a lot of the snow at the ski resorts is machine made, but the roads are well maintained because so much of the Big Bear economy relies on skiers.
I read that the mid-December storm added about 4 inches to the water level at Big Bear Lake, but that it was still about 15 feet from full. Hopefully the more recent snow and rain helped some more.
As a kid in the 60's, my folks had friends who owned a cabin in Crestline. Up and across the road were the ruins of a once fabulous home, had a tremendous view of the highway wending it's way up to ROTW Hwy. I always wondered about this place. A couple of years ago I came across a video about the place on UA-cam. It's called Satan's Castle. Apparently the owner was a Doctor who was also a pedophile or child attracted or whatever you call them nowadays, and the place burned down in one of the many fires that plague So. Cal. It was stated he was mixed up with the Mc Martin preschool shenanigans way back when... I'm in my 60's now, and finding out about the place was really great, had been curious about it my entire life. The story however was not so great... Rumors of Satanic practices, there's a tiled pentagram on the roof of the "turret" which probably lost it's roof during the fires. No idea if the structure is till there, in the videos I've seen it's entirely fenced off now with watchful neighbors, so free roaming the place is probably out of the question nowadays. I've watched dozens of your videos and enjoyed them all. Please do keep up the good work!
you really outta do another video of the rim of the world, but focus on highway 38! you skipped so much of the drive and i say highway 38 has way more cool stuff than highway 18. Loch Leven is the original highway, its on your right at the very end of the video
I have a friend who used to own a cabin next to Lake Arrowhead, so I've driven up Hwy 18 many times. I always thought it would be a cool experience to cruise down the Hwy by bicycle. One year I finally was able to make my dream reality. I had some friends who were camping in Holcomb Valley in Big Bear. I was a much more avid cycler than I am now, but I climbed up Hwy 38 on my bike and made it to my friends' campsite. When we were all done camping I got on my bike and cruised down Rim of the World Hwy. Man, the experience was even more spectacular than I imagined! I passed by a dead elk during my descent, poor guy. My brother lives in Upland, and I've ridden to his house by bike several times, so I was very familiar with how to get to an Amtrak station once I rode into San Bernadino and take it back to San Diego. One of the craziest trips I have ever made!
Everytime I was up there we always stopped at Santa's Village, last time wad in late summer and still needed a jacket that day, I had my Little 5lb Pomeraeranian with me and put her under My jacket that I was wearing a rode on the little roller coater there, and of course had to get some freshly mined Rock candy from the elves mine. Still made me smile at the explosion 💥 and flash of light just before the rock candy came down. Made me smile and I was in my young 30's at this point in the early 90's. Took My Mom and my Pomeranian and Wolf Hybrid up in the summer just to have a picnic lunch up in the pine tree picnic area close to Big Bear lake. Many good memories. Definitely highly recommend the drive. I lived in Ventura and Mom in Oxnard the last trip we took but always just a day trip.
... Classic SoCal sunday drive, my first time was probably 7 years old, late 60s, it's spectacular after they plow in the winter, bring chains just in case...
... Love your content...
I remember going to Santa's Village when I was a kid back in the 50s.
There's climbin' San Gorgonio, Old Grayback. Southern California's high-highest. A walk-up. Full canteens recommended.
You totally missed the silversmith in big bear lake village. That old man is a hoot and good story teller. Amazing silver and copper work.
I remember going there as a kid. Pre 70's . There were millions of tiny, nickel sized frogs. It was amazing! I never knew that the beautiful village was burned down??!
One tip at Lake Arrowhead for breakfast. There’s a trendy place there that can have a 1 hour wait. We said screw that and hit McDonald’s and got a couple Sausage McMuffins and coffee - and they have a beautiful elevated patio overlooking the lake. No wait. 😁
I'm with you, I'm not waiting an hour for breakfast. Will be lunch by then!
Locally we call the part of Route 18 just west of Big Bear Lake the "Arctic Circle". I work for Caltrans and this area was heavily snowed in last year. The snowplows were truly a sight to see.
Quirky house with huge lumber jack statue on Green Spot Rd as you head towards Redlands (34°04'23.1"N 117°05'57.6"W)
We really enjoy Heaps Peak Arboretum. Go there several times a year. In April and May the dogwoods bloom. Some are on the dirt trail near the Sequoias.
I remember Santa's village as a kid too.
On the list to see. Never ceases to amaze, these wilderness scenes so easily accessed from big cities. That’s California.
I've driven up there when it was winter foggy and chilly in the valley, then 70s and bright sunny up high. The fog was like an ocean.
Then another trip is Highway 2, off 138 West from Cajon Pass to Pasadena. East end has desert views, west end the San Gabriel and LA, with views to Catalina Island, weather permitting. Mount Wilson observatory side trip. Angeles Forest Hwy to Palmdale option. Or Big Tujunga Cyn option.
Big Bear reminds me of Lake George New York
Kind of fascinating. However, I noticed you didn't have much to say a the highways descent down into Lucerne Valley. Yes, you need to spend a few days up there. The roads intersecting at Big Bear Lake take you to a spectacular road trip, even if the road is all you trip on. 😀
There's another adventure waiting for you a little further south. California Highway 74 from Temecula to Hemet, and from there to Idyllwild. The SHELL gas station up there has occupied the same location for over 50 years. As SHELL. Yeah, it's a landmark, though not officially.
I didn't realize how much I needed this little trip right at this moment. I tried to walk around the block today and could only get halfway before I had to come home! I used to love nature, walking through the woods so I'm kind of right there with you! Thanks Steve!
NorCal/Nevada has its Lake Tahoe. SoCal's answer is Big Bear Lake.
Lotsa movies and TV series were filmed here, roughly starting with Shirley Temple/"Gone With The Wind"/"The Yearling", into "Bonanza", "Combat!", "J.A.G." and others.
Great video! The San Bernardino Mountains have some of the finest scenery period!! I've been up and down 18 and 38 many times to and from hikes in the San Bernardino Range! Some of Southern California's best hiking is found in that awesome mountain range!! One interesting bit of trivia is that between Big Bear Lake and Mentone/Redlands is the highest paved mountain pass in Southern California, at Onyx Summit (8,443') on Ca-38. There used to be a sign on both sides of the road (as of 2018) marking Onyx Summit, but for some reason, the sign's been missing for 3 years!
Wow, definitely didn't see that sign or would have made a stop. Wonder what happened to it.
@@SidetrackAdventures stolen
This is one I've already done! 🙂 Another great video. Thanks for taking us along.
Glad you enjoyed it! Its such a great drive. Can't wait to do it again.
I went there in December 1981. Fun.
Fun day trip! What lucky timing to catch that deer! Wow! The drought at Big Bear Lake is really noticable.
On the list next time I'm in California. Looks like a great little road trip.
Tried to like twice, but I can't. Every time I watch your videos I have something else on my list... which is nice! Thanks for sharing.
Wow, thanks!
This was fun to watch. Thanks for posting. I took a similar trip back when I lived in that area except that I started over at Flint Ridge and took highway two up into the San Gabriel Mountains and I followed it from there over to a little bit beyond Wrightwood then I took a right on highway 138 and crossed interstate 15 and eventually connected up to highway 18 at Crestline. I followed the same route you did from there. I made a day of it but I can see how it could easily be split up into more than one day. Lots of spectacular views. Maybe you might want to consider this root as well.
Good job again. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Wow! You showed some great scenery. I felt I was their with you guys.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Seeing the old Santa's village brought back memories of Seeing i t on TV as a 80s kid myself. Never got a chance to check it out though and always wondered where in berdo it was. Thanks for the flashback memory. Keep up the good work on your channel.
Food and treats from the Pixie Pantry and the Good Witch's Bakery.
Thats cool, i live off highway 38 in mentone!
I've driven that road a few times both summer and winter
Another interesting vid.
Thanks from the U.K.
Thank you for watching! Can't wait for travel to really open back up and get a chance to head to the UK again.
Wow! Brings back memories from the 1950s.
I went to Santa's Village in December of 1981, I was 4.
Thanks for the video man I'm about to go through this on friday
Have fun, its a great trip.
Oh gosh! This is a stunning day trip! If only we lived closer. 😅 Lots of nature and fantastic views. And Santa's Village sounds like it would have been a blast to go to as a kid back in the day! Really hope all these areas get some rainfall soon. The effects on the lake... yikes!
Thank you for checking out the video. Hopefully lots of snow this winter to start refilling all the lakes.
Been there a few years back...it was rough.
I used to drive that highway when I used to work in San Bernadino. I didn't get to enjoy it. Ive been up over the years, and it's got a lot of cool places to check out.
Yes, we are already planning on heading back. I bet it is amazing in the winter.
Great video! Are you gonna go back for that multi-day trip so that you can experience all of the roadside attractions?
I have been trying to find time to get back up there. There are some times to gangsters like Bugsy Segal at Lake Arrowhead etc., but just need to find the time (and go when the roads aren't frozen!)
@@SidetrackAdventures , totally understand about time. Well, as a loyal subscriber I will stay tuned for your future return. Thanks again for all of your wonderful videos. I share them with my parents and friends all the time! 😁
You’ll need at least a week of moving thru those areas 🤔 .… the dinner at running Springs been there 60+ years with the best meals 😋 … others towns can’t claim 60+yrs of greatness … fireside bar next door has been doing it just as long.🥰 … kudos to all my border brothers and their families working there years 🙏🏻 … Jensen’s has been loyal too 💪🏼
Thanks for the tips!
I want to do this trip and stay at an airbnb, but i think when I checked my route your point A is going to be my point A and B cause I am like half hour drive away from there, Hopefully there's still snow but idk if my little car can make the trip in snow.
I'm not sure if there is much snow on the roads now, a lot of the snow at the ski resorts is machine made, but the roads are well maintained because so much of the Big Bear economy relies on skiers.
Great!
Awesome 👏
I wonder if after all that rain a few weeks ago if the drought has been remedied or not
I read that the mid-December storm added about 4 inches to the water level at Big Bear Lake, but that it was still about 15 feet from full. Hopefully the more recent snow and rain helped some more.
Cool!
I just went to big bear went to the alpine slide park
How was it? We want to head back and check that out soon.
@@SidetrackAdventures its fun has a county fair kind of vibe or like boomers with the go carts and arcade but the main attraction is the slide
I cant believe you skipped the most scenic part, what we call the "arctic circle" between Snow Valley and Big Bear Dam.
It’s all fun and games until the aliens attack again
You passed Crestline.
As a kid in the 60's, my folks had friends who owned a cabin in Crestline. Up and across the road were the ruins of a once fabulous home, had a tremendous view of the highway wending it's way up to ROTW Hwy. I always wondered about this place. A couple of years ago I came across a video about the place on UA-cam. It's called Satan's Castle. Apparently the owner was a Doctor who was also a pedophile or child attracted or whatever you call them nowadays, and the place burned down in one of the many fires that plague So. Cal. It was stated he was mixed up with the Mc Martin preschool shenanigans way back when... I'm in my 60's now, and finding out about the place was really great, had been curious about it my entire life. The story however was not so great... Rumors of Satanic practices, there's a tiled pentagram on the roof of the "turret" which probably lost it's roof during the fires. No idea if the structure is till there, in the videos I've seen it's entirely fenced off now with watchful neighbors, so free roaming the place is probably out of the question nowadays. I've watched dozens of your videos and enjoyed them all. Please do keep up the good work!
Back to the past again, Professor…
When I went the trails were closed due to eagle nesting
you really outta do another video of the rim of the world, but focus on highway 38! you skipped so much of the drive and i say highway 38 has way more cool stuff than highway 18. Loch Leven is the original highway, its on your right at the very end of the video
Great!