| Big Bear Lake, Calif. August 18, 2025 – Southern California is well known for its climate and weather. However, there are only a few select places in the region that experience a real autumn season. From mid-October to early November, Big Bear Lake transforms into a sea of gold, crimson, amber and yellow. Big Bear’s fall season is ideal for those who want to escape for a day or take a mini-vacation to experience the splendor of Big Bear’s autumn hues. “We love it when October rolls around, because the leaves just pop!” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott. “The stunning fall colors combined with the crisp mountain air creates a cozy setting that just brings out the best in people.” Thousands of evergreen trees help bring out the brilliance of fall colors of other trees like aspens, cottonwoods, poplars, and oaks. The ground is covered with rust-colored ferns, and Big Bear Village is brilliant with vibrant red maples. Some of the best spots include, Mill Creek Road, The Pine Knot Trail, Castle Rock Trail, and Grout Bay Trail. Amateur and professional photographers alike visit Big Bear Lake to capture these spectacular autumn hues. These remarkable fall colors appear only once a year and expected to peak the second week of October. |
| Big Bear is only a two-hour drive from most Southland communities and three hours from Las Vegas, making it easy access to see the mountain resort’s autumn spectacular. The refreshing, clean air adds true pleasure to brisk walks along the lake. Mountain breezes help the oak trees shed their red and golden leaves. For the romantics, it is a great time to snuggle up with a warm blanket next to a fireplace, and wake the next morning to a fresh alpine landscape. For the more adventurous-at-heart, autumn is ideal for hiking and mountain biking on the alpine trails. October in Big Bear is a time for celebration, too. Most notable is the annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, whichdelivers a genuine Bavarian-style celebration with alpine scenery and heritage that sincerely reflects the spirit of the original Oktoberfest, even serving the very same beer poured at Munich’s Oktoberfest! For 55 years, this event has attracted thousands of visitors to enjoy authentic German cuisine, imported German brews and bands direct from Bavaria. Fun competitions and contests at Oktoberfest include log sawing, stein carrying and stein holding. Dance troupes perform customary dances, and festivalgoers are always invited to get into the action with sing-alongs and of course, the Chicken Dance. “What I like about our Oktoberfest is that it’s both indoors and outdoors. I personally like to be outdoors to see the beautiful fall atmosphere that surrounds the festival grounds,” added Scott. To get more information about the fall foliage in Big Bear Lake, various fall activities and events, or to book lodging accommodations, visit bigbear.com. |