Explore Big Bear Lake, California, with this interactive street and satellite map.
| City | Big Bear Lake |
| State | California (CA) |
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Country | United States of America |
| Timezone | Pacific Time (America/Los_Angeles) |
| Latitude | 34.242888 |
| Longitude | -116.893893 |
| Population | 5,046 |
| Density | 312.2 /km² |
| Incorporated | Yes |
| ZIP Code | 92315 |
| Area Code | 909 |
| County Seat | San Bernardino |
| School District | Bear Valley Unified School District |
Big Bear Lake possesses a rugged topography defined by the elevation and the dramatic fissures of the landscape. It lies 4.0 miles west-southwest of Big Bear City, CA (from Big Bear City, CA: bearing 253°T), and is situated 4.7 miles west of Sugarloaf. The terrain around Big Bear Lake unfolds within the sharp, rocky depressions of Red Ant Canyon, where the light at dusk settles in long, bruised shadows against the earth. To the west, the San Bernardino Mountains rise with a stoic permanence, their slopes catching the thin air that lingers above the plateau. A short distance away, the quiet waters of Simmons Trout Lake mirror the sky, while the flow of Rathbun Creek carves a narrow, persistent path through the underbrush. Beyond the immediate vicinity, the vast expanse of the National Childreaus Forest stretches toward the horizon, its dense cover offering a cool respite from the heat of the lower plains.
Gold prospectors and early settlers once moved through these hills, seeking fortune in the mineral wealth buried deep within the strata. Big Bear Lake evolved from those transient camps into a center for timber production and specialized high-altitude commerce that sustains the local economy today. The daily rhythm of life here remains tied to the seasonal shifts of the environment, where the industry of the inhabitants mirrors the patient growth of the surrounding woodland. Throughout the year, the local workforce maintains the infrastructure of the region, ensuring that the necessary services remain available to both the residents and the occasional traveler navigating the winding roads. Prosperity in this climate demands a hardy resilience, as the scarcity of resources requires a careful, deliberate management of the land.
Cultural identity in Big Bear Lake is forged through the shared experience of living at a significant altitude, where the atmosphere feels noticeably crisp and thin. Residents often gather in the open spaces of Rotary Park to mark the changing seasons or to observe the quiet passage of time away from the noise of the lowlands. The Seven Oaks Trail serves as a primary artery for those who wish to traverse the wilderness, offering a physical connection to the natural history of the region. While few individuals of global fame claim this specific place as their origin, the character of the inhabitants is defined by a self-reliant spirit that values the stillness of the high country. Every event held in the public squares reflects a community that finds profound meaning in the simple, enduring beauty of the mountains and the clear, unpolluted air.
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This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Big Bear Lake, California. Coordinates: 34.242888, -116.893893. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service. Real-time local and world news feeds keep the page current.
Detailed location data for Big Bear Lake includes the ZIP code (92315), telephone area code (909), county seat of San Bernardino County (San Bernardino), and school district assignment (Bear Valley Unified School District).
Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.
| Page generated | August 2026 |
| Location data | SimpleMaps US Cities Database; coordinates matched to USGS GNIS definitive data |
| Wikipedia validation | Article content matched to USGS GNIS coordinates via Wikipedia geosearch API. |