If you have more anglers than what is available to fill out Powered by:Anglers can look forward to Suzuki Marine Giving away Suzuki Spin-To-Win Cash and more All event activities including registration will be held at the BBMWD or Big Bear Marina Gravel parking lot There will be tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes at stake trophies and prizes for adult big fish winners (men and women’s division) and the Big Bear community will as always roll out the red carpet for all WON anglers Entry fee: $75 for adults and $50 for juniors (14 and under) and the first 600 entries will receive a goodie bag with a selection of items from event sponsors Here is just some of what you get when you sign up for the WON Big Bear Troutfest: 1) Each person that signs up for the 2025 Big Bear Troutfest will have their angler number added to the raffle bin for a chance to win prize packages September 28th at the end of the awards program we will raffle tons of prizes and awards the TOP 5 in each category 2) Trophies and merchandise will be awarded to the top five winners in each of the following categories: Adult Male Kids Division Male (14 and under) and Kids Division Female (14 and under) This event is perfect for the entire family and we have prizes and levels so that anyone can win 3) A Blind Bogey Contest in which participants can win cash 10 random weights will be chosen for each days combined weight but not over the pre-determined Blind Bogey weight you win your share of the money pooled for that day All anglers that have signed up will be eligible for the cash that will be awarded as part of the Blind Bogey Contest the fishing should be great at Big Bear Lake BBMWD stocks thousands of dollars worth of trout in the lake prior to the event (15,000 pounds in weight for 2023) this event will be limited to only 600 entries and it does fill up fast Friday September 26th  Anglers check-in at the Big Bear Municipal Water District or Big Bear Marina gravel parking lot from 4 pm to 9 pm Anglers will receive their wristband with raffle number on it have thier raffle number placed into a raffle bin which makes them eligible to win prizes will also be taken at this time with a $15 late fee assessed Saturday September 27th  Late angler check-in at the Big Bear Marina gravel lot (40524 Lake View Dr It is strongly recommended however that you use the Friday evening check-in September 26th at 7:00 am and continue until 4 pm located at the Big Bear Marina parking lot Anglers not in line by 4 pm will not have their fish weighed and their catch will not count towards that day’s competition you are done for the day and cannot weigh additional fish or continue to fish Sunday September 28th  Fishing will begin on Sunday morning September 28th at 7:00 am and continue until 2 pm Scales will be open at the Big Bear Marina parking lot from 11 am to 2 pm Anglers not in line by 2 pm will not have their fish weighed and their catch will not count towards that day’s competition you are done for the day and cannot weigh additional fish The raffle prize drawing and awards ceremonies will commence around 3:30 pm in the Big Bear Marina parking lot We will be awarding 1st through 5th place trophies and prizes for the top adult male top junior female (under 14 years of age) and overall big fish Thousands of dollars in raffle prizes will be raffled off to those in attendance The Blind Bogie cash prizes will also be awarded on Sunday Awards should be over no later than 5-5:30 pm to allow everyone the chance to get down the hill before dark Since there is no seating in the Big Bear Marina parking lot it is strongly recommended that you bring folding lawn/beach chairs no dogs will be allowed on BBMWD property during the TroutfesT award ceremonies DFW Announces publication of the black bear conservation and management plan for California WON/Ventura Harbor Sportfishing Rockfish Rumble: Island Spirit knocks out competition Fish and Game Commission finalizes new sand bass regs Pearl breaks 3-day record in locking up WON BASS Clear Lake Open championship Sport king salmon season returns to California The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking data and public comments on a petition to list Bear Lake buckwheat under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) An earthquake over the weekend rattled property in portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred 11 miles north of Cabazon in the San Bernardino Mountains The quake was marked south of Big Bear Lake and was felt in the mountain communities Saturday’s quake can be added to a list of nearly a dozen temblors that struck in or near Southern California in February Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com After years of failed attempts to produce offspring California's acclaimed Big Bear Lake bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have finally welcomed new hatchlings Friends of Big Bear Valley announced overnight that one of the eagle couple's three eggs — nestled 150 feet up in a tree overlooking Big Bear Valley in the San Bernadino National Forest — had officially hatched "…before midnight, the first chick had its wing and head visible and a short time later, it was out!" the nonprofit organization said in a celebratory statement. "Jackie pushed it back in a bit as she rolled the eggs but it’s first touch down will be the official hatch time: 23:26 A "pip" — or small hole or crack — was also visible on one of the other two eggs, and just hours later, a second eaglet emerged. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it may take a little more time to hatch as it is "still only on Day 34," and bald eagle eggs typically hatch after about 35 to 42 days of incubation live cameras have provided 24-hour coverage of Jackie and Shadow's nest which has garnered the Friends of Big Bear Valley a cult-like following and given the eagle couple thousands of devoted fans worldwide "Tears of joy!!!" one Facebook user responded to the latest hatchings FROM THE ARCHIVES | Must watch live cam: Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow await hatchlings it's not the first time Jackie and Shadow have tried to produce offspring they disappointingly had their two eggs eaten by ravens while left unattended But despite diligent incubation — including a 62-hour stretch in which Jackie protected them from harsh winds — none of them hatched The only other successful attempt to produce offspring came in 2022 when one of two eggs hatched who ultimately fledged — or left the nest — a couple of months later The second egg in that clutch failed to hatch for unknown reasons Snow arrived in Big Bear just in time for Valentine’s Day Snow and romance go hand in hand in Big Bear Lake and the resort town is prepping for an ardent atmosphere ideal for a romantic getaway for couples In addition to the snow-covered mountains that resemble a sugar-coated treat the first 100 couples that walk through the Big Bear Visitors Center’s doors on Friday February 14 get a complimentary Valentine’s Day gift-bag filled with sweetheart goodies Each gift bag contains locally hand-crafted chocolates and a club card that offers discounts to various Big Bear restaurants “The fresh snow we’re expecting this week should provide a serene winter backdrop that’ll set the perfect tone for romance,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott “The free Valentine’s Day gift-bags are the icing on the cake!” there are several festive happenings around town to add an extra spark for that special day together Big Bear has plenty of recreation options to choose from as well ziplining and of course skiing and snowboarding A hike in the forest is a great way for couples to enjoy nature together Big Bear Discovery Center offers free guided nature walks every Thursday through Monday Join a California Naturalist and a Big Bear Discovery Center Volunteer on a free guided tour to learn about the flora It’s advised to call 909-382-2790 ahead of time to confirm the tour schedule After a day of fun in Big Bear’s alpine playground couples will want to kick off their shoes and just chill at one of Big Bear’s choice lodging accommodations Big Bear offers a spectrum of lodging choices that range from full-service hotels to rustic resort cabins every lodge creates a comfortable and pleasing atmosphere for a pleasant evening under towering pines and starry skies Big Bear accommodations ensure comfort with all necessary amenities from wood-burning fireplaces to in-room spas to fluffy pillows to down comforters for a relaxing romantic getaway Big Bear officials are preparing for a remarkable three-day weekend for Valentine’s Day sweethearts. Guests are encouraged to plan accordingly for upcoming trips to Big Bear. For all there is to see and do in Big Bear Lake, or to book lodging reservations, visit BigBear.com just news.” The latest stories in entertainment and lifestyle The deadline for both data submission and comments is February 10 2025 to allow us sufficient time for evaluation Bear Lake buckwheat (Eriogonum microtheca var lacus-ursi) is a subshrub in the buckwheat family with only a single known occurrence on the south shore of Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County Bear Lake buckwheat grows on a unique substrate of gray clay soil in a Jeffrey pine and juniper woodland Bear Lake buckwheat occupies an area of less than 0.18 acre on a parcel of private property that is being leased to the City of Big Bear Lake The main threats to Bear Lake buckwheat are habitat modification or destruction from development of the property where the species occurs We need your help in better understanding the status of Bear Lake buckwheat. If you have ever found the species in the wild, submit your findings to us through our Online Field Survey Form we can help the Fish and Game Commission make an informed decision on the listing proposal for the Bear Lake buckwheat Since hatching, Jackie and Shadow’s three eagle chicks have spent time eating napping and staying warm under their parents’ wings in the family nest near Big Bear Lake The first eaglet hatched the night of March 3 while the second hatched the following morning in the family nest atop a 14-story Jeffrey pine tree While the first two fluffy chicks tumbled about, the third chick emerged from its egg on March 8, which was captured on the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley’s Bald Eagle Live Nest Camera.  Jackie and Shadow have fed the trio of chicks who usually “tipple and tumble over each other reaching for the food,” said Sandy Steers executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley The chicks have been dining on fish and waterfowl which is abundant at the lake in the San Bernardino Mountains they have poor vision and can barely see shadows—just enough to follow their parents’ beaks,” nonprofit officials said “That’s why sometimes the chick is looking the other way during the feeding But Chick3’s vision will be gradually improving and catching up with the other two.” their stability and sight will improve so they will keep a lookout for Jackie and Shadow with their next bite of food “All three Chicks are healthy and progressing quickly,” nonprofit officials said “And they are all being fed very well by Jackie and Shadow so even the ‘bonking’ challenges between them has been minimal.” many viewers were alarmed when one of the chicks appeared to be stuck under one of the adult eagle’s wings which resulted in the eaglet nearly falling out of the nest the eagles and their nest have endured strong winds snow and curious birds such as ravens and owls Jackie and Shadow take turns protecting and keeping the birds warm by squatting over the chicks After a few sunny days, the eagle family will face three more storm systems in the area starting Tuesday The gender of the chicks cannot be determined at this early stage growth patterns and characteristics will offer hints on the sex of the eaglets said the sex of the eaglet can only be determined by measurements and blood tests and will likely remain unknown The nonprofit said it will soon announce the solicitation of suggested names for the chick trio Jackie and Shadow’s eaglet was dubbed “Spirit” in a naming contest won by a third grader from Santa Barbara  Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for public comment on whether to list a shrub that grows exclusively on .18-acre of land at Big Bear Lake as an endangered or threatened species Bear Lake buckwheat is a small shrub that grows only along the south shore of Big Bear Lake "Bear Lake buckwheat grows on a unique substrate of gray clay soil in Jeffrey pine and juniper woodland," CDFW representatives said in a written statement "Bear Lake buckwheat occupies an area of less than 0.18-acre on a parcel of private property that is being leased to the City of Big Bear Lake." The species is threatened by modification or destruction of its singular as well as human disturbances such as off-road vehicle activity and the effects of having such a small population size Following the acceptance of the shrub as a candidate species by the California Fish and Game Commission to list Bear Lake buckwheat as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act on Oct wildlife officials are now soliciting public information and input on whether to move forward with the The petition to extend state protection to Bear Lake buckwheat was originally submitted by CDFW’s Native Plant Program While the issue remains under consideration " Bear Lake buckwheat now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species," according to the CDFW statement officials said they hoped to gather information on the species' "ecology the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species," the statement added The CDFW plans to compile a peer-reviewed report on it's findings within 12 months The report will be published at least 30 days prior to a final decision by the California Fish and Game Commission Those interested in commenting were asked to submit responses before Feb. 10 via email to NativePlants@wildlife.ca.gov with "Bear Lake buckwheat" in the subject line Comments may also be mailed to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Originally enacted in 1970 before being revised in 1984 and 1997, the California Endangered Species Act, or CESA, is intended to protect animals and plants at risk of extinction Official recognition as a threatened or endangered species requires formal action by the California Fish and Game Commission As of October, 224 plant species and 98 animals were listed as threatened or endangered under CESA. The CDFW reports 117 of the plans were also protected under the federal Endangered Species Act Additional protections and potential federal funding become available if a species is listed as endangered at the national level Related: Should the western burrowing owl be named a California endangered species? "Implementation of CESA has reduced and avoided impacts to California’s most imperiled plants and animals has protected hundreds of thousands of acres of vital habitat and has led to a greater scientific understanding of California’s incredible biodiversity," the CDFW website states Special permits can be issued in particular instances Wildlife officials regularly review the state's list of threatened or endangered species to determine whether they continue to warrant protected status The City of Big Bear is still recovering after an intense fire season which forced resident evacuations and a halt in business Officials with the city say they are thankful for the hardworking fire crews who helped to protect the city "We are grateful for the swift response of our partner agencies who worked tirelessly in a collaborative effort to protect our community during the Line Fire and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to enjoy the wonders of winter in our alpine paradise." an influx of visitors are expected to come in droves over the next few months Big Bear Lake is Southern California’s premier 4-season resort community It welcomes over 1.2 million visitors per year to our picturesque city which is just a short drive from major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles With endless exciting outdoor recreational opportunities and entertainment throughout the year tourists flock to the area Local Big Bear Resort Property Specialist Holly Gardner says despite the tough fire season caused by the Line Fire Although fire risks remain for the mountain communities buyers understand the risk when purchasing properties in the area and that's always going to be something that is a risk up here," said Gardner People pretty much know when they're buying up here in the mountains that wildfires are something that could potentially be a problem Gardner also says she works with insurance companies to make sure her clients are covered then we know who insures up here and who will help you through the California FAIR Plan for fire insurance," explained Gardner which is great for people looking to get a home or start a business in the area and it's slowed down quite a bit since then," said Gardner Gardner says the city is recovering from the fires Like many of the business owners in Big Bear Gardner is already looking forward to an exciting winter season "We have a lot of new businesses in the village and a lot of thriving businesses and that comes with our tourist season," said Gardner "So it's great to see everybody coming up again after being shut down for the fires Tori King joined KESQ News Channel 3 as a reporter and anchor in October 2023. Learn more about Tori here News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines KESQ-TV FCC Public File | KPSP-TV FCC Public File | KDFX-TV FCC Public File | EEO Report | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Big Bear Lake is basking in the glories of a late winter storm that dumped over two feet of fresh snow The fresh powder added and extra layer to Big Bear Snow Play’s solid 3-to-10 foot snow base This comes at an opportune time for parents who are seeking a fun-filled spring break escape with their kids Several southern California school districts begin spring break the latter part of March and Big Bear Snow Play provides the ideal location for families to getaway this spring break Southern California’s largest snow-tubing park is open daily from 10 a.m and expected to remain open now through Easter weekend in April Big Bear Snow Play has also expanded its glow-tubing night sessions for spring break “Snow tubing is a great way to reward students with a much-deserved break,” said Big Bear Snow Play Director of Operations Scott Voigt “Big Bear Snow Play offers the perfect opportunity to escape textbooks and homework for awhile.” Big Bear Snow Play grooms its six runs nightly The groomed snow creates an evenly spread corduroy surface for fast-paced downhill fun One of the greatest perks that the snow-tubing park provides are two Magic Carpet uphill lifts moving conveyor-belt transporters give easy access to the top of the slopes Big Bear Lake welcomed a significant snowfall and continuing steadily throughout the morning the area had accumulated more than five inches of snow you guessed it…Snow!” stated Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott “Big Bear’s winter season is definitely shifting gears with the fresh snow.” All access roads to Big Bear Lake remain open including State Route 330 through Highland with the exception of four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with snow tires and tire chains on board Local officials are preparing for an active weekend ahead and snow tubing anticipated to draw many visitors Lodging in Big Bear is available this weekend as well as for the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr For lodging reservations or for the latest road conditions visit BigBear.com 📢 Stay connected with the High Desert’s largest news community 🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com. At VVNG, we’re dedicated to keeping the Victor Valley informed with essential, community-driven journalism. Our newsroom works tirelessly to bring you the latest stories that matter—news that fosters awareness, engagement, and connection in the High Desert. If you value our reporting and want to see it continue, consider becoming a monthly supporter. Your contribution helps keep independent, local news accessible to everyone—because an informed community is a stronger community. (VVNG.com) — Recent evening weather conditions in Big Bear Lake have allowed Big Bear Snow Play to make plenty of snow and get a jump-start on the winter season The snow tubing park has enjoyed multiple nights of temperatures at or below freezing which have generated excellent opportunities for snowmaking Big Bear Snow Play reported one to three feet of the white stuff These excellent snowmaking results have prompted Big Bear Snow Play to officially open for the 2024-2025 season The snow-tubing park will have two full-length snow-tubing runs open starting today “The snowmaking window that we’re currently experiencing is producing lots of snow,” said Big Bear Snow Play Director of Operations Scott Voigt this gives people a good reason to head up to Big Bear to get an early start to the snow season.”   There are three driving options to travel to Big Bear Lake to get to the snow The three open routes to Big Bear include Highway 38 (through Redlands) Highway 18 (through San Bernardino / Crestline) Travel Tip: Those traveling to Big Bear from Highway 38 or Highway 18 (through Lucerne Valley) will notice Big Bear Snow Play is the first attraction that they’ll see as they enter Big Bear Lake home to Southern California’s largest snow tubing hill is currently the only place in Southern California with snow right now the 10-day weather forecast shows more ideal snowmaking opportunities and Big Bear Snow Play will continue to make snow as weather permits Big Bear Snow Play has ski-resort quality snowmaking systems to assure there’s always snow for snow-tubing family fun The park grooms its runs nightly to ensure optimal sliding conditions Big Bear Snow Play will eventually blanket its runs with more snow and expects to boast more than 20 feet of snow on eight runs.  Big Bear Snow Play provides two Magic Carpet uphill lifts which are comprised of a large moving conveyor belt similar to an airport terminal people mover that transports riders to the top of snow-packed slopes The purpose of Magic Carpet rides is to eliminate the stress of climbing the hill which in turn provides opportunity for more downhill fun one of the Magic Carpet rides comes equipped with a Plexiglass cover for those snowy Big Bear Snow Play has a huge heated-base lodge with a super-sized dining area where folks can warm up with a meal or a cup of hot cocoa Right outside the second-level food court is a massive wraparound deck that offers unobstructed views of the snow tubing hill as well as the beautiful surrounding mountain vistas Big Bear Snow Play is now open daily for snow tubing from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m The timing is perfect for those looking for something to do on Veteran’s Day Big Bear Snow Play will begin its glow tubing sessions Friday Snow tubing participants must be at least 36” tall which includes tube rental and Magic Carpet lift are $45; a small child (36” to 42” in height) daily pass is $30 with paid adult and guests are free to come and go as they please Big Bear Snow Play is located at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. (three miles east of Big Bear Village, next to Motel 6). For more information visit www.BigBearSnowPlay.com or call 909-585-0075 🔗 For more local news, visit VVNG.com we’re dedicated to keeping the Victor Valley informed with essential Our newsroom works tirelessly to bring you the latest stories that matter—news that fosters awareness If you value our reporting and want to see it continue local news accessible to everyone—because an informed community is a stronger community Big Bear Lake accumulated more than 2 feet of fresh snow last week just in time for the 13th Annual Polar Plunge Brave men, women, and children looking to be "freezin' for a reason" will plunge into the chilly Big Bear Lake at noon on Saturday, March 29 to raise funds for Special Olympics Southern California athletes The lake is currently at 34 degrees following the recent winter storm and Big Bear officials are expecting the lake to hold in the 30s for the event “Big Bear Lake is certainly frigid in March but the fresh snow puts the icing on the cake!” said Special Olympics Southern California Programs Director Abbey Leffler “The plungers will not go unnoticed for their boldness to brave the freezing temperatures of Big Bear Lake and they’re doing this to raise funds for a great cause.”  Funds are raised to help support year-round sports training and health initiatives for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Inland Empire Region of Special Olympics Southern California ‘We continue to stay positive’: Only 2 of Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets seen Friday morning Individuals who take the Polar Plunge challenge are asked to raise at least $50 through pledges from family Participants who reach this goal will get an official Polar Plunge T-shirt Special Olympics supporters who prefer to stay out of the water can opt to register as a “Chicken.” They receive an “I’m too Chicken to Plunge” T-shirt which also helps raise money for the Special Olympics charity Additional incentives such as long-sleeve shirts and jackets are given to plungers who raise more than $50 Plungers are also encouraged to come dressed in fun festive costumes because incentives will be awarded to those with the most creative costumes Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses There is also a free barbeque lunch for participants The Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge will be at Veteran’s Park A Law Enforcement Torch Run will begin the opening ceremonies at 11:45 a.m with plunges into frigid Big Bear Lake immediately following Admission to watch the plunge is free, but donations are accepted. To register as a plunger for the Big Bear Lake Polar Plunge visit www.sosc.org/bigbearplung, call 714-564-8375, or email aleffler@sosc.org. Visit BigBear.com for general information about Big Bear Lake or for lodging accommodations Special Olympics Southern California enriches the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities through sports Special Olympics Southern California has provided year-round free programming that promotes inclusion and acceptance across communities Latest news, sports and more: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Daily Press app Special Olympics Southern California officials say they are proud to hold a four-star Charity Navigator rating reflecting the organizations commitment to transparency and accountability For more information visit sosc.org Big Bear Snow Play is open early for the 2024-2025 season Freezing temperatures in the San Bernardino Mountains have allowed the tubing park to make plenty of snow before planned and get a jump-start on the winter season Big Bear Snow Play is home to Southern California’s largest snow tubing hill and according to Big Bear officials is the only area in Southern California with snow right now Big Bear Snow Play will eventually blanket its runs with more snow and expects to boast more than 20 feet of snow on eight runs the park has two operable full-length snow-tubing runs Big Bear Snow Play will continue to make snow as weather permits for the rest of the 2024-2025 season “The snowmaking window that we’re currently experiencing is producing lots of snow,” said Scott Voigt this gives people a good reason to head up to Big Bear to get an early start to the snow season.”   Big Bear Snow Play provides two "Magic Carpet" uphill lifts which are similar to an airport conveyor belt The purpose of "Magic Carpet" rides is to eliminate the stress of climbing the hill one of the "Magic Carpet" rides is equipped with a Plexiglass cover for snowy Big Bear Snow Play also has a heated lodge on base with a dining area where snowgoers can warm up with a meal or a cup of hot cocoa A massive wraparound deck outside the two-story food court offers unobstructed views of the snow tubing hill Mission Inn extends tours: Exclusive first look at Riverside catacombs Big Bear Snow Play is now open daily for snow tubing from 10 a.m Snow Play will also begin its light-up glow tubing sessions on Friday Snow tubing participants must be at least 36 inches tall which includes tube rental and "Magic Carpet" lift are $45 a small child daily pass (36” to 42” in height) is $30 with paid adult Big Bear Snow Play is located at 42825 Big Bear Blvd. three miles east of Big Bear Village, next to Motel 6. For more information visit www.BigBearSnowPlay.com or call 909-585-0075 There are three open driving options to travel to Big Bear Lake Highway 18 through San Bernardino / Crestline Those traveling to Big Bear from Highway 38 or Highway 18 will notice that Big Bear Snow Play is the first attraction that they’ll see as they enter Big Bear Lake McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com (This story was updated to add new information and because an earlier version included an inaccuracy regarding a date.) A congratulations is in order for celebrity bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow The first eaglet hatched late Monday night, followed by a second hatching early morning Tuesday, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s livestream recap for one of its bald eagle nest camera feeds Viewers of the livestream were treated to a view of both of the eaglets shifting around in their tree-top nest near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains later Tuesday morning It comes as the nonprofit confirmed two “pips” on Monday the term used to describe when a chick pierces through the eggshell A third egg in the bald eagle couple’s nest is “only on Day 34,” the nonprofit said on Facebook Tuesday so still plenty of time to wait and watch what happens with it.” More than 83,000 viewers were turned into the nonprofit’s camera one livestream of the eagle nest as of 10:05 a.m with some commentators congratulating Jackie and Shadow and sharing their excitement over the eggs hatching The Friends of Big Bear Valley operate two live feeds that capture different angles of the nest that Jackie and Shadow call home. The livestreams can be watched on YouTube at FOBBV Cam Jackie and Shadow: 'Pips' confirmed Monday for two eggsA second egg appeared to be hatching from the famous bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley said on Facebook Monday They were able to confirm two “pips,” or the term used to describe when a chick pierces through the eggshell “It looks like both pips are equally progressed,” read the Facebook post “This suggests that the chicks have been hard at work for some time.” It follows the nonprofit’s announcement on Sunday of one pip in the bald eagle couple’s three eggs in their nest which is atop a 14-story Jeffrey pine tree near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains The nonprofit posted a photo from its Big Bear Bald Eagle Live-Feed Nest Cam that shows a small crack in one of the eggs with the “initial pip” confirmed at 3:09 p.m “Congratulations Jackie and Shadow and the entire eagle family We’ve been waiting for almost 3 years,” the nonprofit posted Jackie and Shadow’s previous chick Spirit pipped exactly three years ago to the date It may take a day or more for the chick to fully emerge from the shell,” the nonprofit stated via social media we will remain patient and hold the most positive thoughts.” the camera showed snow falling and strong winds violently shaking the nest as one of the eagles sat firmly Jackie laid her first egg of the 2025 season Several people told the Victorville Daily Press that over the years they've grown "emotionally attached" to Jackie and Shadow "Following Jackie and Shadow's story of laying eggs has been an emotional roller coaster ride," said Sheila Robinson of Victorville "I was heartbroken last year when Jackie's eggs didn't hatch." Jackie and Shadow’s 2024 eggsIn late January 2024 Shadow watched as Jackie laid three eggs days apart with the expectation of them hatching about 35 days later Jackie delivered her first egg on Jan. 25, 2024, followed by a second on Jan. 28, and a third on Jan. 31, the Daily Press reported. Sandy Steers, the executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley 3 were still within the possible hatching window whose nonprofit monitors the nest via two live webcams streamed to YouTube Through a snowstorm and other challenges, Jackie and Shadow dutifully guarded the eggs through March 2024 until it became apparent their eggs wouldn't hatch. Jackie and Shadow have been a mating pair since 2018 when Shadow replaced Jackie's previous mate according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley Jackie was believed to be the first recorded bald eagle chick hatched in Big Bear in 2012 She was initially known as Jack until it became apparent she was female For more information on Jackie and Shadow, and Friends of Big Bear Valley, visit friendsofbigbearvalley.org. Bald eagles were delisted from the Endagered Species Act in 2007, which had been listed as endangered several decades prior throughout the lower 48 states except in several states, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio What's next: After they reach about eight weeks old the eaglets may start exploring the nest more perching on various branches in their tall Jeffrey pine tree overlooking Big Bear Lake Read more ...about the new names and how the chicks got them Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle chicks have new names "We’re thrilled by how excited people were for the chance to name these two adorable chicks and the Big Bear elementary students had tons of fun voting for their favorite names” said Sandy Steers “All the students have been learning about Jackie and Shadow and their chicks It was great to add a little reward for all their hard work.” Sunny and Gizmo were initially dubbed Chick 2 and Chick 3 for their hatching order the nonprofit temporarily renamed them to Bigger Chick and Smaller Chick (which some fans affectionately nicknamed Biggie and Smalls) They’re still a bit wobbly as they get steady on their growing feet but they’re no longer small spots of fluff in the bottom of the nest They’ve multiplied in size — from roughly a few ounces to five to seven pounds Layers of feathers are growing in and their beaks are starting to look like they could do some serious damage during their regular meals of fish and coot FOBBV can start to look for signs that point to their sex but the only way to know the gender for sure would be through a DNA test Why it matters: “ I think it's wonderful that we get the opportunity to see what nature can do and show us all the possibilities,” Sandy Steers executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that manages the popular YouTube livestream The younger sibling Gizmo is just a few days behind The backstory: The chicks have largely moved past their sibling rivalry What's next: The next major milestone will be when Sunny and Gizmo start eating on their own Read more ...about how the eaglets are doing Big Bear’s famous bald eagle chicks are getting closer to leaving the nest the nonprofit that manages the popular YouTube livestream told LAist they’ve all been amazed at how fast the eaglets are growing “ I think it's wonderful that we get the opportunity to see what nature can do and The chicks have largely moved past their sibling rivalry otherwise known as “bonking.” They now prefer to cooperate and cuddle up next to each other in the roughly 6-foot-wide nest and their yellow talons no longer look comically large compared to the rest of their body Sunny has started standing up in the nest and trying to take bits of fish from their parents on its own still seems content getting fed by Jackie and Shadow “ Sunny … has a few times claimed the fish when Shadow brought it in and put his foot on it or said The eaglets have also started stretching their wings smacking the rest of their feathered family with practice “wingslaps.” The next major milestone will be when Sunny and Gizmo start eating on their own Steers said their beaks aren’t sharp enough to pull pieces off themselves so they’re still learning the ropes from Jackie and Shadow The eaglets are each around a foot-and-a-half tall but they’re expected to roughly double in size in the next three to four weeks until they’re as tall as their parents which could help hint to Sunny and Gizmo’s sex When Sunny and Gizmo are around 10 to 14 weeks old which is when they can take the first flight away from the nest All of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks have returned to the nest overlooking Big Bear Lake after flying for the first time Jackie and Shadow will be following them around feeding them and bringing them food and making sure that they learn how to get food on their own,” Steers said When Sunny and Gizmo feel comfortable feeding on their own after about two months of parental guidance Southern California fledglings have been seen as far east as Yellowstone and as far north as British Columbia Steers is encouraging fans to enjoy the time they have with Sunny and Gizmo and trust that the eagles know what they’re doing “ It fills my heart to see them every day and to watch how big they are discover new skills and discover new things in the nest,” she said Sunny and Gizmo look an awful lot alike at this stage but their feathers hint at which one is which Sunny is almost completely covered with the dark waterproof feathers that are crucial for adult eagles especially in the colder climates they’re accustomed to while Gizmo still has more of the gray fluff they were swathed in as small chicks An unforgettable trip begins with accommodations, and Loro's Lookout delivers the perfect balance of comfort and seclusion this cabin provides a peaceful retreat while remaining conveniently close to Big Bear Lake The stunning A-frame features magnificent views and a private hot tub—the ideal spot to unwind after a day on the slopes Birria Quesadilla at Fire Rock Burgers & Brews To begin our exploration of Big Bear's culinary landscape, we visited Fire Rock Burgers & Brews where we were welcomed by an energetic atmosphere and rock 'n' roll ambiance We sampled a flight of their craft beers and their remarkable Birria Quesadilla but the standout was their Freak on a Leash burger This substantial creation features cheddar cheese finished with beer-infused BBQ sauce—the perfect meal while absorbing the mountain town's vibrant spirit The following morning, we started at Moonridge Coffee where we were pleasantly surprised by live music Located in Big Bear's Moonridge neighborhood this inviting café provided exactly what we needed before a day of skiing We tried two seasonal offerings—Buttercup Latte (peanut butter & chocolate) and Strawberry Fields Latte (strawberry & shortbread)—both excellent This noteworthy establishment offers numerous specialty beverages and a comprehensive food menu featuring pastries After skiing, we went over to Barrel 33, which provided precisely what we needed following a day on the mountain—wine but the highlight was their authentic Glühwein this German mulled wine was the ideal remedy for the cold particularly when paired with their Pesto Chicken Flatbread Whether visiting with friends or on a date and elegant décor make Barrel 33 an essential destination in Big Bear We concluded our culinary journey at Sweet Basil Bistro and flavorful drinks distinguished this establishment with menu options to satisfy everyone in your group We tried the Blushing Martini (their interpretation of a Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini) before ordering the Lasagna Bolognese and Caesar Salad Both the cocktail and entrées were exceptional we reserved room for dessert and sampled their Tiramisu which was so delicious we considered ordering a second serving Don't miss the opportunity to experience these restaurants during Big Bear Restaurant Week This culinary event allows locals and visitors to explore special prix-fixe menus Big Bear Restaurant Week presents the perfect occasion to indulge in the area's dining scene providing an ideal reason to discover new establishments and support local businesses Thelma Golden will celebrate Lauren Halsey and U.K.-based singer Griff will take the stage featured A-list designers and Otis College standouts who earned scholarships for innovation in Fashion Design lawyers say Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe showed injuries consistent with a dog attack and plan to present a case against Chloe a German Shepherd who was re-homed by the owner's of the house where the cop's body was found in a snowbank Magazine’s takeaways on five notable topics from President Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term consumers are stocking up on household items and bites from THEBlvd and Hinoki & the Bird We use cookies to analyze user behavior in order to constantly improve the website for you. Learn more 2024) - Nestled below the ski slopes of the San Bernardino National Forest and surrounded by the serene pines of Big Bear Lake the reimagined Chateau Big Bear emerges as a beacon of boutique luxury after a transformative three-year renovation this historic property now combines timeless elegance with modern mountain charm creating a quintessential hideaway for travelers of all ages Chateau Big Bear hotel exterior Originally built in 1987 as the Big Bear Inn this French-inspired chateau was the vision of Paul Rizos a Greek hotelier who sought to craft an exclusive executive retreat in the mountains The property boasted millions of dollars' worth of European including a grand Tiffany dome-now housed in the hotel's Tiffany's Bistro and valued at over $400,000-and over 65,000 square feet of authentic Portuguese and Italian Carrara marble Known for hosting high-society gatherings and operatic events the inn epitomized sophistication and culture and some of the Chateau's original grandeur faded an Australian hotelier family acquired the property determined to restore its legacy while infusing it with contemporary comfort including the Portuguese marble in the lobby and dozens of handblown Murano glass chandeliers Chateau Big Bear welcomes guests with 80 thoughtfully renovated guestrooms and suites designed for comfort and a connection to the natural surroundings Spacious accommodations feature cozy fireplaces king or queen beds featuring plush pillow-top bedding providing a sanctuary for relaxation after a day of outdoor adventure The 3-acre property boasts amenities for every season including a heated outdoor pool (seasonal) Guests can also explore the scenic Rathburn Creek Trail one of three scenic paths for nature enthusiasts looking to explore the stunning landscapes Chateau Big Bear's proximity to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski resorts and complimentary ski shuttle steps from the property make it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts The hotel also offers convenient access to additional outdoor activities including hiking Early 2025 will bring additional design updates to the hotel's ballroom and event spaces ensuring that Chateau Big Bear remains a sought-after venue for grand galas Chateau Big Bear offers an elevated experience From its meticulously restored architectural features to its modern amenities this mountain retreat strikes the perfect balance between timeless elegance and contemporary comfort For additional information on Chateau Big Bear, please visit the website or follow along on Instagram at @hotelchateaubigbear and on Facebook High resolution imagery of Chateau Big Bear:https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/1gl9wcdgkv79bj6g11kg2/AIxSSXwc--d_xTO8ckbAMG0?rlkey=r0k2hakik2ov96fealhsgserl&st=433ns7mm&dl=0 Peyton Robertson peyton@baybirdinc.com Chateau Big Bear hotel king room a hidden gem nestled in the serene pines of Big Bear Lake Situated beneath the majestic ski slopes of the San Bernardino National Forest our boutique hotel is more than just a place to stay-it's a portal to a world of unparalleled beauty and luxury Chateau Big Bear https://www.chateaubigbear.com Peyton Robertsonpeyton@baybirdinc.com42200 Moonridge Road Big Bear Lake To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233283 SOURCE: Chateau Big Bear Sign Up Company Profile Housing support for those impacted by the Southern California wildfires has been offered by Visit Big Bear officials in San Bernardino County The lodging community of Big Bear Lake on Wednesday announced its support of discounted accommodations for those who have been impacted by the recent wildfires On Tuesday, extreme weather conditions in Southern California fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds sparked at least seven wildfires in Los Angeles County. widespread property destruction and nearly 180,000 mandatory evacuations The active fires include the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area the Eaton Fire near the foothill community of Altadena northeast of Los Angeles the Lidia Fire near Acton and the Kenneth Fire near the Bell Canyon area on the Ventura and Los Angeles county line Live Friday updates: Arson suspected in one Southern California wildfire Temporary housing The subsidized temporary housing in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Big Bear has been set up to assist evacuees and those who have lost their homes Details are available at BigBear.com ➤ Get weather and fire alerts via text: Sign up to get current wildfire updates by location Airbnb.org has affirmed its partnership with Big Bear as a certified evacuation housing center on its free emergency housing assistance program temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires The organization has partnered with 211 LA to connect people with a free place to stay, which can be found at 211la.org. Stays are free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and Airbnb hosts Airbnb will issue credits for those who qualify for assistance The free housing credits distributed by Airbnb are expected to stretch further in Big Bear than most other participating destinations There are more than 1,000 homes available in Big Bear Valley through Airbnb.org’s free emergency housing assistance program Where are wildfires around Los Angeles? See maps of blazes as fire threat worsens Big Bear Mountain Resort also offers four $25 dining vouchers that can be used at any of Snow Summit or Bear Mountain’s on-site eateries The vouchers are available for pick up at the Big Bear Visitor Center Evacuees or displaced individuals must show proof of the lodging assistance reservation to pick up the dining vouchers ‘As bad as it gets’: What started the wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area? The Big Bear community, which was affected by the Line Fire in September 2024 has the utmost empathy for those impacted by wildfires and is eager to assist those in need these communities extended their support to us by offering discounted lodging for evacuees,” Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott said it's our chance to reciprocate that generosity and demonstrate our solidarity as a community.”  Big Bear leaders are hopeful that evacuees or those who have been displaced will find Big Bear has a serene environment that offers comfort and solace during this disheartening time People impacted by the recent Los Angeles County wildfires are encouraged to visit BigBear.com to learn more about Big Bear’s evacuee lodging assistance program a brief burst of rain and whipping winds could hit the nest nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest with a winter storm warning expected to be issued by the National Weather Service While weather is the biggest risk for the eaglets they’ll likely stay safe as long as they’re able to snuggle under their parents Jackie and Shadow share parenting responsibilities — and they’re no strangers to severe weather When Southern California was hit with a series of strong storms last February mama Jackie watched over the nest for nearly 62 hours straight But the real risk for the chicks would be if another major storm moves through in the coming weeks a wildlife biologist with the Institute for Wildlife Studies and the expert behind Jackie and Shadow’s camera system that they all can't fit under an adult,” Sharpe said “If they can't really get under the adult for warmth And this has happened to the couple’s chicks in previous seasons An eaglet named BBB (for Big Bear Baby) didn’t survive a day-long rain storm and freezing temperatures in 2018 were six and a half weeks old at that point They were too big to fit completely under the adults to stay dry but not old enough to have all of their waterproof feathers Friends of Big Bear Valley believes BBB’s death was from exposure Another chick named Cookie suffered the same fate the next season when it was six weeks old “As long as the chicks can be under the adults “ It's just when they reach this sort of intermediate [stage] 2025 at 11:54 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Big Bear Lake (Paige Austin/Patch)LOS ANGELES CA — The mountains of Southern California are in for their first significant snowfall of 2025 this weekend as a sorely-needed storm comes arrives amid one of the driest seasons on record After months of bone-dry weather and high winds that ignited devastating fires the Southland is likely to finally see a dusting of snow for the local mountains including Big Bear The storm is a welcome forecast for a region that has endured out-of-control the threat of more ignitions and a dismal ski season a couple inches of snow overnight and the heaviest snowfall on Sunday when more than four-inches of snow are expected the mountain could see four to eight inches of snow The snow is expected to continue into next week with snow three-to-seven inches of snow likely Monday and a chance of snow Tuesday The cooling trend arrived Friday and is expected to intensify into the weekend as the cold storm system moves over Southern California the National Weather Service said on Thursday "Just about every location in coastal Southern California as well as the Southern California mountains should at least get in on some showers this weekend," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk. "The next chance of significant rain over the next six weeks appears to be Feb 10-23," according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok "If appreciable rain doesn’t occur during that stretch further exacerbating the wildfire situation." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. It’s inevitable the weather will soon begin to change a blanket of snow will indeed grace Big Bear Lake When will Big Bear get its next sugary coat of fresh snow the general public is invited to have a crack at it Visit Big Bear launched its ‘Guess the NEXT Big Bear Snowfall Contest’ that gives one lucky winner (4) passes to Big Bear Snow Play and a $250 lodging gift certificate to be used at a participating Big Bear Lake lodging property For all there is to see and do in Big Bear Lake, to book lodging reservations, details about the extended Black Friday special, or to enter into the ‘Guess the NEXT Big Bear Snowfall Contest,’ visit BigBear.com Santa Claus will take a break from his demanding toy-making schedule to ski with Southern California residents and snow tube with little ones at Alpine Slide Big Bear Accustomed to the cold weather of the North Pole Santa pins Big Bear on Google Maps because it’s the one place in Southern California that actually has snow on Christmas Ol' Saint Nick promises to pose with patrons in between snow runs the weekend before Christmas fully dressed in his gift-delivering garb He will hit the Snow Summit slopes from 11 a.m “Whenever you put Santa in a natural snowy background it inevitably creates a magical holiday ambiance for all,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott in a press release “We encourage families to take lots of photos with Santa and afterward get out and enjoy the slopes."    Big Bear has received two snow dumps thus far The ski resort and tubing park will resume snowmaking efforts as evening temperatures drop into the 20s and low 30s The powerful snow guns make snow at every opportunity to ensure quality snow conditions for the Christmas holiday season Big Bear's Snow Summit is over 8,000 feet in elevation an ideal height for consistent winter-long snow The park has 31 trails and covers over 240 acres of front- and backcountry skiing Night sessions are available at the resort and a view of Big Bear Lake makes the Snow Summit slopes highly desirable The BBMR Anytime pass grants access to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Big Bear resorts with unlimited access to slopes for $799 for adults and $29 for ages 4 and under and 80 and over The Alpine Slide at Big Bear's Magic Mountain provides two "Magic Carpet" uphill lifts Big Bear Snow Play also has a heated lodge with a dining area and a massive wraparound deck outside the two-story food court with unobstructed views of the snow tubing hill and surrounding mountain vistas A whopping 206.6 inches: See what California town was named one of the snowiest in the U.S. and parents are encouraged to take photos of their kids with St and Alpine Slide Big Bear is located at 800 Wildrose Lane (just off Big Bear Blvd.) For more information about Snow Summit and Alpine Slide Big Bear, or to learn about other holiday events happening in and around in Big Bear Valley, visit BigBear.com (This story was updated because prices have changed since the story first published.) (VVNG.com) — Big Bear is offering support for those who have been impacted by the wildfires Big Bear has set up an evacuation assistance program with deeply discounted lodging accommodations and is part of Airbnb.org’s free emergency housing assistance program The lodging community of Big Bear Lake is offering its support with deeply discounted accommodations for those who have been impacted by the recent wildfires The subsidized temporary housing has been set up to assist evacuees and those who have lost their homes temporary housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires The organization has partnered with 211 LA to connect people with a free place to stay Stays are completely free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and the generosity of Airbnb hosts Big Bear Mountain Resort is offering (4) $25 dining vouchers ($100 total) that can be used at any of Snow Summit or Bear Mountain’s on-site eateries Visit Big Bear is working closely with city officials that have been impacted by the wildfires as well as Visit California and fellow destination originations to help spread the word about its evacuee lodging assistance efforts these communities extended their support to us by offering discounted lodging for evacuees,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott it’s our chance to reciprocate that generosity and demonstrate our solidarity as a community.” which was recently affected by the Line Fire in September has the utmost empathy for those impacted by wildfires Big Bear officials are hopeful that evacuees or those who have been displaced will find Big Bear has a serene environment that offers comfort and solace during this disheartening time People who have been impacted by the recent LA County wildfires are encouraged to visit BigBear.com to learn more about Big Bear’s evacuee lodging assistance program The Big Bear Valley officially has two new feathered residents Two eaglets hatched this week to famed bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow Tens of thousands continue to anxiously watch a 24/7 live stream of the eagles and their nest, operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) Excitement grew over the live stream’s chat when pipping – or cracks – were spotted on the eggs earlier this week “I actually feel happy in my heart for them because they look so excited when they look at them The hatchings come after the couple experienced disappointment the last two years — which included a brutal 2024 Big Bear winter — when their eggs never hatched “It’s actually heartbreaking to watch their reaction because you can tell how disappointed they are and it takes them a while to give up on not sitting on the eggs,” Steer says The days ahead will also be challenging, she explains. Less than half of eaglets survive their first year, according to the American Eagle Foundation [the eaglets] get too big to fit under the parents but don’t quite have their waterproof feathers yet they tend to compete with each other to try and get food So there’s lots of things going on that they have to deal with right away.” Steers says FOBBV will run a naming contest and accept suggestions from fans from across the country The nonprofit will randomly draw 30 names and leave it up to third graders at Big Bear Lake Elementary School to pick the winners from those selections Jackie and Shadow are settling into their role as new parents while the eaglets grow “[The eaglets] are in the process of drying out and getting their strength to be able to sit up before the parents start feeding them,” Steers says so your donation is critical to KCRW's music programming FLASH SALE: Snag The OG Black Zip-Up designed by LA artist Chuy Hartman— inspired by the 24/7 service we provide to the LA community ends tonight Get the latest from KCRW in your inbox 3x a week Join us as we discuss what makes these communities the cream of the crop and the best things to see and do while in town Lakeport is the biggest and most robust community on the western shore of Clear Lake California’s largest natural freshwater lake The town serves as a practical base for exploring one of the state’s greatest inland natural landmarks Sitting squarely within the Pacific Coast watershed it is not only a hotspot for water-based recreation but an important ecological zone as well The historic downtown core of Lakeport runs along Main Street the nearby shoreline is dotted with public parks like Library Park and open viewpoints of the surrounding volcanic ridges can be appreciated The wine scene in and around Lakeport is also an interesting aspect with the fertile soils in the area providing world-class growing conditions at the northern tip of California's Wine Country including those along the nearby High Valley and Red Hills AVAs make day trips easy for anyone looking for lake views while sipping on a nice vintage Lakeport also hosts long-running community events like the Clear Lake Seaplane Splash-In and the Lake County Fair adding yet more to see and do in the town throughout the year Located just eight miles south of Portland, the town of Lake Oswego comes with a unique blend of suburban charm and lakeside recreation, with the backdrop of Oregon’s portion of the Cascade Range adding an extra bit of scenery to the mix Centered around its namesake body of water the town is built up of a variety of residential neighborhoods with a walkable downtown that faces both the lake and nearby Tryon Creek State Natural Area Lake Oswego’s downtown features the Millennium Plaza Park and community events unfold beside the water It is also simply a great place to start your visit here with many notable landmarks located within walking distance Be sure to catch a flick at the Lake Theater & Cafe or grab an ice cream cone this summer at the renowned Salt & Straw just to name a few things to do near the urban park Seasonal festivals like the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts and Summer Concerts in the Park attract both locals and visitors seeking an engaging lakeside experience without straying far from the city You will also find easy access to outdoor spaces like George Rogers Park, where the Willamette River offers public beaches Tryon Creek State Natural Area is also worth a visit hosting 658 acres of lush Pacific coast forest with pathways for both hikers and horseback riders Tucked inland near the southern tip of Vancouver Island Lake Cowichan is a quaint lakeside community shaped by the outdoor adventurers who flock here every year and tonnes of parks and pristine wildlands it has gradually evolved into a quiet retreat for paddlers and travelers seeking a laid-back lakeside escape offering some of the clearest freshwater on the island and canoe routes easily accessible from town is a Canadian Heritage River and a popular destination for tubing and fly fishing including the Trans Canada Trail segment and the Cowichan Valley Trail give hikers and cyclists direct access to forested routes and scenic viewpoints With its quiet streets and rugged, mountainous surroundings, Lake Cowichan is among the best of the best lake towns in Canada a tough feat in a country with the most freshwater on the entire planet Chelan sits at the foot of Lake Chelan a glacier-fed body of water stretching over 50 miles into the North Cascades The town itself occupies the southern tip of the lake and local diners give the place a small-town charm that appeals to both weekenders and long-term residents Lake Chelan’s deep blue waters remain the clear main attraction or book passage on the Lady of the Lake ferry which travels upriver to the remote community of Stehekin Outside the water, Chelan’s surrounding hills are covered in vineyards, making the area one of Washington’s most recognized wine regions Destinations like Benson Vineyards Estate Winery and many others all sit on the hills lining Lake Chelan's lengthy shoreline nearby Chelan Butte is the place to go for up high while the waterfront Riverwalk Park creates an easygoing loop for walkers and cyclists who wish to stay in town Big Bear Lake sits up in the San Bernardino Mountains, offering a high-altitude lakeside experience just a few hours inland from Los Angeles It is a hotspot for recreation seekers from the city and easy access to the lake’s seven miles of shoreline and lodges within its historic district’s timber-style buildings The Lagonita Lodge is an especially sought-after accommodation as it is perched on a scenic location right beside the lake while the nearby slopes of Snow Summit and Bear Mountain turn the area into a ski destination each winter Big Bear’s hiking network includes sections of the Pacific Crest Trail along with shorter routes like the Castle Rock Trail which rewards hikers with sweeping views of the lake basin Crescent Lake is a small, unincorporated community located along the southeastern shore of its namesake lake in the Cascade Range. Originally developed as a railroad stop for timber transport, the area now functions as a seasonal base for travelers heading into the surrounding Willamette and Deschutes National Forests The lake stretches a humble five miles from end to end it is an amazing spot open for anyone to appreciate Kokanee salmon and lake trout are the primary catch in Crescent Lake and the surrounding shoreline remains largely undeveloped aside from some marinas and seasonal cabins allowing wildlife of all kinds to thrive here Crescent Lake also sits near the Pacific Crest Trail which cuts through the nearby high country drawing long-distance hikers during the summer months and remoteness make it a draw for visitors looking for more of an escape into the wild rather than a fully fleshed-out small-town experience Chester is a welcoming town on the northern shore of Lake Almanor, a reservoir in northeastern California’s Sierra Nevada Its quaint downtown stretches along Main Street (Highway 36) and is built around practical businesses serving both permanent residents and seasonal visitors There are a few interesting things to see in town a seasonally open attraction highlighting the prominent lumber industry in the area Golfers can hit up Lake Almanor West Golf Course which is positioned on a nearby spit jutting out into the lake making the course as beautiful as it is fun to play Lake Almanor hosts several public launch points The area’s landscape is shaped by conifer forests and wide views of Lassen Peak especially striking in the early morning and late afternoon the lake sits at the edge of Lassen Volcanic National Park placing Chester within reach of active geothermal sites The city of Mercer Island is located in the middle of Lake Washington, positioned between Seattle and Bellevue Though the island as a whole functions as an incorporated city its lakeside setting and self-contained layout give it the feel of a stand-alone town rather than a suburban extension of the bustling metropolitan area around it The island’s shoreline is almost entirely ringed with public parks and residential neighborhoods with Luther Burbank Park providing one of the best access points to Lake Washington The park covers 77 acres and includes a web of walking trails waterfront picnic areas with amazing views and the public boat launch at the park sees regular use during warmer months Mercer Island also serves as a stop for the Mountains to Sound Greenway trail system, which links Puget Sound to the Cascade foothills further inland Whether you're looking for a new spot to take your boat out for a spin this summer or want a quiet destination to explore in the winter these 8 towns on the Pacific coast are sure to appeal to just about anybody who loves nature and small communities with character From Vancouver Island to the Sierra Nevadas add these lakeside spots to your next roadtrip ot west photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com Big Bear Mountain Resort’s (BBMR) Snow Valley Bike Park dropped a surprise announcement last week: the park will be opening more than one month early for the season The parks' bittersweet early opening on Saturday was made possible by warm mountain temperatures and the early closure of Big Bear Mountain Ski Resort "We did everything we could to keep the stoke alive," Big Bear Mountain Resort officials said of the early ski season closure in a statement on X "but the SoCal [weather] had other plans (seriously Big Bear ski and snowboarders enjoyed their final white powder runs on Easter Day Snow Valley's trail crew is now busying itself with quick maintenance of the bike tracks while the park transitions operations from winter to summer season The only trails not open yet are Bandit and Quick Draw Bike Park organizers announced in a press release that Snow Valley will be open only on weekends until the first weekend in June Big Bear Mountain Resort officials also advertised that the Summit Bike Park at Snow Summit Resort 13 miles from Snow Valley is tentatively scheduled to open on June 6 Bike Park season passes are on sale now and can be picked up at any Big Bear Mountain Resort ticket window or online at www.bigbearmountainresort.com/mountain-biking/lift-tickets Trail stats: Snow ValleySnow Valley Park is located in Running Springs The bike park has 10 downhill trails with over 8 miles of vertical fun Unique features and layouts for riders of all ability levels are available The three beginner trails — Upper and Lower Green Horn and Sundance — offer mellow descents and opportunities to practice speed control Winchester and Sundance Spur — are some of the most popular technical trails offer optional features to practice for tougher trails Quick Draw and Jumpline are the two advanced black diamond trails at Snow Valley and Gun Smoke is the only expert double-black diamond route with rock-crawling features Trail stats: Snow SummitSummit Bike Park is located in Big Bear Lake The bike park has nine trails with over 10 miles of downhill vert for all riding levels Small Wonder and Skill Builder Park are the beginner-rated trails that are best suited for kids or first-time riders Going Green offers scenic views of Big Bear Lake and is a beginner favorite Blue Steel and Turtle Trail are the park's two intermediate trails that feature medium-sized berms and jumps Party Wave and Westridge — are favorite among downhill racing experts with technical features like rock gardens and single-track is the most difficult downhill trail and is best suited for expert riders only It offers a mix of old-school designs with modern-day features Send it this summer and unlock unlimited laps at two of Southern California's most iconic mountain biking destinations – Snow Valley and Snow Summit Bike park season passes are $399 for adults ages 13 and over and $109 for children ages 5-12 One-day Snow Valley lift tickets are $25 per adult, $14 for children ages 5-12 and can be purchased online McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com. Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article Print Jackie and Shadow’s third egg in their current clutch arrived Tuesday afternoon.The watch is on to see if the eggs survive the cold and high altitude the Big Bear Valley bald eagle power couple of Jackie and Shadow followed by thousands of social media fans The conservation group Friends of Big Bear Valley, responsible for webcams that provide “Truman Show”-like 24-hour eagle access, posted footage of the third egg’s arrival around 5:45 p.m The clip had garnered more than 280,000 views as of Wednesday afternoon “I’m very excited and a little bit surprised,” said Sandy Steers and it’s so rare to have her lay three eggs again.” Jackie, who turns 13 this spring, puffed up her feathers, drooped her wings, bore down and released her latest egg, according to the group Big Bear Lake’s famous eagle couple welcomed their third egg on Tuesday (Friends of Big Bear Valley) The egg was the third delivered in a week’s span in the couple’s snow-covered nest at Big Bear Lake Their home sits 145 feet up from ground level in a Jeffrey pine was with Jackie in the nest but left about 10 minutes before the egg-laying process began The couple’s recent efforts breed an important question for eagle fans: Will the eggs hatch recent years have been unkind to Shadow and Jackie In 2024, the pair similarly laid three eggs for the first time. None of the trio hatched despite Jackie guarding that clutch for 62 hours during an unrelenting snowstorm. California were spotted mating for the first time this season renewing hopes that the pair will successfully raise an eaglet in the new year “I don’t know if it’s fair to say the odds are stacked against them “They have to deal with the cold and high altitudes though Steers believes Jackie and Shadow may have suspected something was wrong with the eggs Hope for eaglets sprung again when the two were seen mating in late December California’s bald eagles were nearly wiped out in the 1970s, but now there are more than 1,000 spread among 41 of the state’s 58 counties, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. The national bird was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species in 2007, though California still lists the creature as endangered. Friends of Big Bear Valley said bald eagles Jackie and Shadow had a ‘romantic rendezvous,’ so more eggs could be in the offing. As for the couple, Steers said Jackie and Shadow are incubating and taking care of the eggs. The incubation period was delayed a bit as Jackie waited to deliver all her eggs. The pipping period, or anticipated time when the chicks are supposed to break free from their eggs, starts about 35 days from the time the first egg is laid. Steers believes a more realistic timeline is 38 to 40 days until the first one may hatch, due to the delayed incubation. Steers said she hadn’t seen the statistics for how many people viewed the latest egg delivery live but has had as many as 40,000 during previous events. “We had many people who watch the livecam tell us they connect with the eagles,” Steers said. “They find themselves doing a lot of things that Jackie and Shadow do, which is getting along, working together and taking care of each other. “Plus,” Steers added, “it gives them something to look at besides the dark stuff on the internet.” Andrew J. Campa is a member of the Fast Break team at the Los Angeles Times, having previously covered the Eastside and San Gabriel Valley. Before, he worked at several medium and small daily newspapers and has covered education, sports and general news. He’s a proud University of Alabama (#RollTide), Cal State Fullerton and Pasadena City College alumnus. Travel & Experiences Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More LOS ANGELES — The public has been watching the hatching through the Friends of Big Bear Lake's live webcam two eaglets have hatched with the third starting to hatch as of Thursday afternoon Jackie and Shadow are taking turns incubating the eaglets to keep them at a constant temperature amid the arrival of winds and snow.  The eaglets will start to fledge (learning to leave the nest) at around 10 to 14 weeks old.  Fish and Wildlife Service said that eagle populations have quadrupled since 2009 after seeing a decline in numbers earlier in the 20th century.  The public is being asked to send in suggestions for naming the eaglets the final names to be chosen by Big Bear third graders.  Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow welcomed a third egg to their nest sometime on Tuesday and have since taken turns dutifully protecting the developing baby birds from new snow The thirf egg arrived in the nest high atop a tree overlooking Big Bear Lake early Tuesday evening, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, which operates a livestream of the nest The development took place six days after Jackie laid her first egg of the season keeping within the species' average of three to five days between eggs "Jackie immediately went to work, rolling that new egg and softening the nest bowl around it by efficiently breaking those tiny twigs with her strong beak," the group said in a social media post More: Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow welcome first egg of 2025 amid nest cam excitement the attentive parents could be seen taking turns sitting atop the eggs The area received about 4 inches as of Monday morning More: Famed Big Bear bald eagles Jackie and Shadow return to nest for new season bald eagle eggs take between 34 and 36 days to hatch (This story was updated with new information.) Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is now open in the San Bernardino Mountains community of Big Bear Lake Independent store operators Tara and Adam Mazzella held the grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday name-brand consumables and fresh products” is located at 42126 Big Bear Blvd. “We are so excited to be expanding Grocery Outlet’s footprint with our new location in Big Bear Lake,” said Layla Kasha Grocery Outlet chief new store growth officer “We couldn’t ask for a better operator than Adam and Tara.” the Big Bear Lake Grocery Outlet joins the Blue Jay store In the High Desert, Grocery Outlet plans to move into the Rancherias Plaza Shopping Center on Highway 18 in Apple Valley. The grocery will occupy the nearly 17,800-square-foot building that formerly housed CVS pharmacy near the shuttered 99 Cent Only Store between Viva Maria’s Mexican Restaurant and The Gym The Apple Valley Grocery Outlet is projected to open Nov In August 2021, Grocery Outlet opened on Hesperia Road in Victorville.  Grocery Outlet has more than 500 stores across the United States Company officials said they use an opportunistic buying model to surprise and delight shoppers with unexpected and rare finds in addition to providing great fresh produce and meats they expect from their neighborhood grocery store The company estimates this business model can save shoppers as much as 60% over conventional grocery stores