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The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat

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A kitchen with granite countertops, hanging pots, and a stone fireplace.
A cozy log cabin interior with a dining area, a cushioned sofa, and a chandelier.
A bedroom with a bed, a TV, a dresser, and a chair.
A spacious kitchen with a stone fireplace, wooden ceiling, and a large island with a marble countertop.
A wooden cabin with a porch, outdoor seating, and a metal lantern post.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
4 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 16

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Garage parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Big Bear Lake, CA
  • Place, Big Bear Lake
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, The Village
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Bernardino, CA (SBD-San Bernardino Intl.)
    ‪61 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed and 1 Double Futon

Game Room

3 Double Futons

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat

Welcome to The Blissful Bear, a highly desirable cabin perfect for family gatherings and adventure seekers alike. Nestled in a serene setting, this pet-friendly retreat offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay, blending comfort and fun.

The cabin is situated in a peaceful neighborhood, close to outdoor activities, hiking trails, and local attractions, nature and the excitement of nearby adventures.

The moment you turn down the quiet mountain road and Blissful Bear Cabin comes into view, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special. Sunlight hits the handcrafted logs and castle-style stonework, and suddenly it feels less like a rental and more like stepping into a storybook lodge tucked deep in the forest. Inside, the great room glows with warm timber, sweeping mountain views, and the crackle of a stone fireplace that makes everyone instinctively drop their bags and exhale. Someone starts a pot of coffee in the chef’s kitchen while others wander downstairs to explore the game room, the massive movie theater, and all the entertainment usually reserved for a resort. It’s easy to imagine laughter around the long dining table, kids disappearing into adventures, friendly pool battles, movie marathons, and stargazing from the hot tub as the meadow settles into night. Blissful Bear isn’t just a cabin—it’s the gathering place for the trips your group will talk about for years, and the memories that turn into tradition.

Main Level – Elevated Mountain Living

The upstairs Great Room features a soaring rock fireplace, a spacious sitting area, and an open-concept design ideal for gathering. Although most Big Bear homes do not have A/C, this cabin includes a ductless A/C unit to cool the kitchen and living room areas for added comfort.

The dining area seats 10–16 guests, and the chef’s kitchen includes:

Center island with granite counters

Stainless steel appliances (side-by-side refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave)

Blender, toaster, coffee maker

Full set of dishes, silverware, pots, pans, and cooking tools - pretty much everything you need to enjoy cooking a big family meal.

High-speed WiFi and a full laundry room with washer, dryer, iron, and ironing board are included.

Downstairs – Entertainment for Everyone

The lower level is designed for fun and relaxation. It features:

Huge game room

TV entertainment system

Wet bar with mini-fridge

Rock fireplace

Three queen futons for additional sleeping options

Game room amenities include:

Full-size pool table

Air hockey

Foosball

Classic Atari-style gaming table with 1,200 games from the ’80s

Private Movie Theater

A highlight of the home is the incredible 7’ x 12’ theater screen with full surround sound. The theater includes:

Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and 300+ DVDs

Professional karaoke system that projects lyrics on the big screen

XBOX 360

Streaming movies, TV shows, and SPORTS

It’s truly a movie-night (or game-night!) lover’s dream.

Outdoor Spaces – Relaxation & Mountain Views

Step outside the downstairs sliders to a patio with a ping-pong table, or unwind in the sunken hot tub on the deck overlooking the fenced yard and rolling meadows beyond.

*In summer (closed in winter), the backyard features:

Outdoor kitchen with 42" grill

Seating for 12

Fire pits for evening gatherings


*The front yard also includes a pergola-covered seating area with its own fire pit — the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine after a day of exploring.

During winter, the sloped backyard becomes an ideal private sledding area.

Bedrooms & Guest Quarters

Main House – Upstairs

Primary Suite: King bed + private luxury bathroom

Bedroom 2: Queen bed

Bedroom 3: Queen bed

Bedrooms 2 & 3 share an additional full bathroom

Downstairs:

3 Queen Futons in the Game Room

Large full bathroom with tub

Laundry room


The Eagle’s Nest Guest Suite (separate entrance):

Separate A/C

King bed

Twin sleeper sofa (child-sized)

Handicap-accessible entrance and full bath

Guest Limits

Maximum occupancy: 16 guests

Maximum adults: 10

Maximum 4 cars (per Big Bear Lake regulations)

GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT:

RESPECT NEIGHBORHOOD TRANQUILITY. Disturbing the peace of the Residential Neighborhood you are occupying is a city ordinance violation. Please keep noise to a minimum, including children playing loudly, parties, and any loud noises between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am. Big Bear has implemented a number of new policies and ordinances for all short term rentals. Guests must sign the Big Bear Good Neighbor agreement which includes the following information:

BIG BEAR GUEST CODE OF CONDUCT

We are 100% in support of our neighbors right to a peaceful neighborhood. This is priority #1 for anyone staying in our home. You are a guest of Big Bear Lake and staying in a Residential Area. You are expected to respect the neighborhood and those near you. Any call after that will result in ejection from the premises with no refund (you must sign a Big Bear Good Neighbor Agreement - see details of this agreement below)

Do not exceed the occupancy limit- Do not exceed the stated occupancy at any time during your stay. The maximum number of adult occupants may
be less than the total maximum occupancy(ours is 10 adults max)

NO PARTIES ALLOWED.

No parking in street or yard -Parking is only permitted in the driveway, designated parking spaces, and garage. This includes trailers. The
maximum number of vehicles permitted is on the exterior
sign. (our max is 4 cars and this is strict)

No amplified music 24/7: Amplified music is not permitted to be heard beyond the property line 24/7. Close your windows to avoid music carrying beyond the property line.

Head inside at 10:00 p.m.
Noisy outdoor activities and spa use are prohibited from 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Take your furry friend with you: Take your dog with you so they do not disturb
surrounding neighbors. You will find that Big Bear Lake is very dog-friendly!

Take trash to dumpster locations: Trash needs to be taken to a local dumpsite unless there are commercial trash bins at your property (condo).
Clean Bear trash locations:
41970 Garstin Drive & 39690 Big Bear Blvd.

Consequences
Unfortunately, a few of our guests refuse to extend common courtesy and neighborly behavior toward the guests and residents around them. For those guests who have come to party and disrupt the peace and tranquility of the neighborhoods, there are costly and severe consequences.

Fines
The minimum fine for violating the rules stated
previously is $500 per violation. A second offense is $1000 per violation.

Eviction
Unruly guests who blatantly disregard the rules and expectations will be evicted without a refund. In addition, costly citations may be issued to the undersigned.

ABIDE BY OCCUPANCY LIMITS. Each property is licensed to accommodate a maximum amount of people, DAY AND NIGHT. Overcrowding is dangerous, disrespectful, and illegal. Please do not exceed the designated amount.

DISPOSE OF TRASH PROPERLY - GARBAGE FEE: Guests must take all of their trash, rubbish and discards to one of the two Clean Bear Trash Sites: (1) 41974 Garstin Drive, Big Bear Lake; (2) Auxiliary fire station on Big Bear Blvd. across from City Hall/Performing Arts Center. Failure to take trash to Clean Bear Sites will result in a charge of $20 per bag of trash..

PARK CARS APPROPRIATELY. The Big Bear Lake Ordinance limits the number of cars parked at each property (ours is a strict 4 car max), and this number is displayed on a sign on each house. Parking more cars is a city ordinance violation. Please use common sense – Do not block streets or corners and keep all cars parked on driveways. During snow conditions, avoid large fines: do not block plows or park anywhere on the street.

ANY VIOLATION OF THIS CODE OF CONDUCT BY ANYONE IN YOUR PARTY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE CHARGE AND/OR EJECTION OF EVERYONE WITHOUT ANY REFUND, AND COULD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL CITY
IMPOSED FINES OR OTHER SANCTIONS.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Pre-approval of events required.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 4 total)
Pre-approval of pets required
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number VRR-2025-2578
Property # 1236962vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Pre-approval of events required.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Big Bear Lake

Located in Big Bear Central, a neighbourhood in Big Bear Lake, this holiday home is in the mountains and on a lake. Community Arts Theater Society and Big Bear Solar Observatory are cultural highlights, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit The Village and Interlaken Shopping Center. Enjoy the area's slopes with snowboarding and skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledging.
Map
Big Bear Lake, CA

What's nearby

  • Big Bear Lake - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Holloway's Marina & RV Park - 8 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • The Village - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Big Bear Marina - 2 min drive - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • San Bernardino, CA (SBD-San Bernardino Intl.) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Café Crêpe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Tropicali - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Oakside - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Teddy Bear Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Bear Trap - ‬19 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 4 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Blissful Bear: Your Ideal Family Retreat located?

This family-friendly Big Bear Lake holiday home is located on a lake, within a 10-minute walk of Metcalf Bay, Big Bear Lake and Gilner Point. The Village is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away.

About the host

Hosted by Dave Stroud

Host profile image
Hello,

I'm Dave and my wife Shannon and I are are proud citizens of Venice Beach, CA and we love our Big Bear house. Both of us work in the creative/education side of entertainment, we both lived in the bay area for many years but have been in Southern California for the last 20.

Shannon coaches comedy and I have been training singers for about 30 years.

With our work we have done a lot of traveling and have visited many countries and cultures. Our bucket list includes places like Thailand, Fiji, Iceland, and to return to India.

We strive to achieve more of an experience with your stay at The Blissful Bear than just a booking. We hope it will remain a great memory and become a place you return to again and again

Languages:

English
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