If you are someone that is looking to invest money in 2010, why not a home in Big Bear? The current market has some of the best deals for buyers that we’ve seen in years and while lakefront homes are somewhat insulated from recent market fluctuation, but not all sellers are. Prices have rolled back and interest rates are at all time lows. Big Bear has so much to offer. Bear Mountain Ski Resort and Snow Summit Ski Resort offer visitors skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Big Bear Lake is a public use lake with fishing, boating, water skiing and wake-boarding. Jet skis are welcome on Big Bear lake and there are 2 public ramps that offer launching for free. Boat / Vessel fees were $15 a day or only $90 for the yearly pass last year. Water temperatures rise to 70%+ in the mid summer months. There are many resturants in Big Bear and cabin rentals are an affordable way to have a true mountain get a way experience. Shopping in Big Bear is hassle free with two large grocery stores and for unique shopping the Village in Big Bear Lake is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
Big Bear Lake West is the area that you’ll see first when entering the valley on the South Shore. Homes in this area are starting as low as $150,000 and go up to $2.5 mil for premier lake front locations. One of the advantages of owning a lakefront home in Big Bear is dock rights. Dock rights mean that you have the right to maintain a dock on the lake for your boat. Some of the best lakefront home locations are on Cove Drive, Waterview, Cienega, and Willow Landing. Many of the streets that are not lakefront in this area offer wonderful lake views. Bolder Bay is one of the most scenic areas in Big Bear and there is a public park located the lake.
Lakefront Home on Cienega Drive
Cienega Road becomes Waterview Drive and this street is a premier lakefront location in Big Bear Lake. Some off shoots of Waterview Drive are Pulaski Road, Aurora, Delaney Court, Blue Jay Landing, Flora Landing, Shelter Landing, and Inspiration Road.
Big Bear Lake Central is the next area that you come to as you are driving towards the Village area. You’ll pass the City of Big Bear Lake’s City Hall and the performing arts center on the right hand side of the road. There are always great performances and productions at the P.A.C. Just past the pack on the right side of the road is Tulip Lane. Tulip Lane leads to Mill Creek Road. From Mill Creek road you can access the Coldbrook Campground and Aspen Picnic area. Pine Knot trail head is in the Aspen Picnic area, which is a perfect area for hiking and mountain biking. Forest Service Road 2N10 is a right turn off of Mill Creek and turns to dirt road a mile or so up. This can be driven in the summer months, and the scenery and views are spectacular. On the North side of Big Bear Blvd., you’ll see Edgemoor Road. If you turn down Edgemoor, you drive along the lake past Holloways landing, this area of the lake is called Metcalf Bay. Further down Edgemoor and left on Forest Road leads you to Gilner Point. This is another favorite area for lakefront homes in Big Bear.
Lakefront home on Lake Drive
The streets that have the best lakefront locations in this area are Lake Drive, Point Road, Round Drive, Knoll Road, and parts of Forest Road. A right turn off of Edgemoor onto Lakeview is anoth area of Lakefront homes in Big Bear. Lakeview Drive has some great side streets that also have lakefront homes. Some of these are Avon Lane, and Lagunita Lane. This area also has 2 large condominium complexes, Viking Estates and Lagunita Lodge. Further down Lakeview Drive is Gibralter Point. If you turn left onto Gibralter Road the homes on both sides have lake access. The next street that you will come to is Lakeview Court. Lakeview Court has a great location near the Village area, and Big Bear Marina. As you follow Lakeview Drive you will see Simonds Drive on the left. This is another lakefront home location in Big Bear. Homes on Simmonds Drive have outstanding lake and mountain views. If you make a right on Paine Road, you’ll soon see the traffic signal. If you go straight you will enter Ironwood Estates. Many homes in Ironwood Estates have lake and valley views. This is a great area that sits above the Village.
As you continue down Big Bear Blvd., you will be enetering Big Bear East. The area to the right of the Blvd. has many great home locations. This area is central and near both the Village and Snow Summit. Homes in this area are currently priced from the high 100′s and go up to the high 600′s. The left side of the blvd. has access to Eagle Point. Eagle Point has lakefront home locations on Eagle Drive, Eureka Drive, Condor, and Marina Point. Eagle Point Estates is located in this area and is a development that has a park and common boat dock for the home owners use. As you pass Summit Blvd. the area on the left is know as Winter Park. Winter Park is a great location with easy access to Snow Summit shuttles. Homes in Winter Park start around $400,000. Behind Winter park is Heavenly Valley Estates. Heavenly Valley Estates is a prestigiuos neighborhood with Beautiful homes on good sized lots. Homes in Heavenly Valley Estates have sold recently starting in the $600,000 and go up to $1,000,000. Further east on Big Bear Blvd. is Moonridge Road. Turn right to enter the Moonridge Area.
Moonridge has the best mix of amenities for most buyers of Big Bear Real Estate. Moonridge is located near Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski slopes. Moonridge in Big Bear Lake is the most desired area for skiers and snowboarders. 
This area has some of Big Bear’s finest mountain retreats. With many amenities like the Bear Mountain Ski Resort , Bear Mountain Golf Course, Moonridge Zoo, and access to the National Forest. Many homes in the Moonridge area have well treed lots with lake and ski slope views. Currently we have close to 200 homes and cabins available in the Moonridge area. I can show you any of these home and am available 7 days a week for my clients. You’ll find homes in the Moonridge area of Big Bear to be priced between $150,000 and $900,000, which is a range that will fit for most buyers. There are many neighborhoods in the Moonridge area. Some of the areas that are popular are Lower Moonridge, Upper Moonridge, and High Timber Ranch.
Lower Moonridge has easy access to the Bear Mountain Parking lot and shuttle services. Homes in the lower Moonridge area are priced starting at about $130,000. 
The upper Moordige area covers a wide range of prices and a large geographic area. Most of the lots in upper Moonridge are over 7000 sq ft and have many trees. This truly gives you the mountain get a way feeling that most people are looking for. I have personally lived in upper Moonridge for 20 years.
The High Timber Ranch area in a new development in the Upper Moonridge area. It has large lots that are usually over 20,000 sq ft and under ground utilities.
Homes in the High Timber Ranch area start in the $400,000 price range.
The Fox Farm area of Big Bear is located near the center of Big Bear Valley on the South Shore. If you are driving on Big Bear Blvd South on Starvation Flats will get you into the Castle Glen development in the Fox Farm area.
Castle Glen is one of Big Bear’s favorite neighborhoods. Castle Glen is a quick left up Eagle Ridge and is located on the top of what many locals used to refer to as Rattle Snake Mountain. The area was at one time an Eagle Preserve, and there are areas that are within Castle Glen that are designated as open areas for wildlife. Many eagles have been sighted by home owners in the area. Homes in the Castle Glen area have underground utilities and many homes have Lake or Ski Slope Views. The homes in these areas are currently starting in the low $500,000′s and go up to $2,000,000. In this area, buyers have some great properties to choose from. Interest rates are at historic lows and I believe that now is the best time in years to buy.
This home on Starlight Circle is a good example of the types of construction and the views that can be found in the Castle Glen Area . “The Tim Wood Group” Big Bear’s Leading Real Estate Group has represented many buyers and sellers in the Castle Glen Area.
As you can see the lake views were outstanding and the home was spectacular. With 4200 sqare feet of living space and a three car attached garage, this is one of the homes that buyers find irresistible.
The home below is 1940 square feet and the lot size is 12,345. It is a 3 bedroom and 2 bath home built in 2000.
Homes in the Castle Glen area that are similar to this home are now priced in the $500,000′s.
Just past Fox Farm Road are the 2 grocery stores and shopping centers. The Interlaken Shopping Center has a wide selection of stores including Starbucks, First Mountain Bank, Vons Grocery, Shelli’s Gold Crown Hallmark, Maggios Italian Restaurant, Big Bear Cleaners, and a Laundry Mat. Behind the Interlaken Center is the are named Eagles Knoll Estates. This is a gated community that share a common boat dock and has a number of lakefront homes on Meadow Circle. The photo below is taken from the back deck of a home on Meadow Circle North,
As you can see, the City of Big Bear Lake has many choices for buyers. Please contact me if you would like to have more information on any area of Big Bear. As a resident of over 20 years, I can help you find the Big Bear home that fits just right with your needs and budget.
Steve Hirschler
