Let me first clarify that my boyfriend and I didn't even go here because as we pulled up at 10:30am...all packed with a picnic lunch and ready to spend the day on the beach (and let me might add this is really the only place with a beach and swimming on Big Bear Lake). totally disappointed, and if you ask me, a little silly on the weekend. In the middle of July. On a Lake. I'm giving it an average because it did look nice and maintained. From the fence. That has a sign that says they are open only from noon-5pm.
what a great day of fun at this beach with lots of extra waterplay actives beach volleyball and much more... we had lots of fun here!
Fully agree with previous reviewer. To say you are swimming in Big Bear lake at the swim beach is a stretch. It's a murky watered inlet that smells of dead fish, as did my son's hair when I sniffed it after he went swimming. Yuck. Kids can't build sandcastles because sand is small rocks. The swim test is silly. Even if an adult passes the test they STILL have to wear a life vest, even though there are three life guards on duty for such a small area, one of which paddles around in a kayak circling the deep area. The "slide" is a test unto itself, that is climbing up onto it. I watched my 9 1/2 year old struggle for ONE HOUR to get up the first big step up (OK, he is not a particularly strong or coordinated kid but even bigger kids were having trouble). FInally a nice high school aged kid started helping smaller kids get up. So we paid a total of $20 for 4 adults and kids who never stepped foot in the lake.In the meantime, my other son, nephew and another kid or two all melted down at the thought of the swim test. It is intimidating for little kids to "test" in front of a bunch of people, much less in cold water that you can't see to the bottom in. Keep that in mind. The shallower roped off swimming area is about as big as half the size of an Olympic swimming pool, you can basically just wade around in it, woop de doo. Great for a 3 year old, but...It really is silly to think that Big Bear city does not have a better swimming solution, they should take a hint from Lake Tahoe. We are going to check out Green Valley Lake swim area, seems to be bigger, has a real waterslide that dumps into the lake.
We spent lots of time here - four legged friends have to be left behind though.You do pay a small fee to get in, but then you get:Snack bar, toilets, kids playground, volley ball net, free balls, buckets and spades etc, grass area to picnic and use free BBQ's, sandy area to laze, shallow water to play, deeper water to swim and play on the inflatable slides (Free) - they enforce a swim test to ensure swimming ability to access this area which is such a great idea. You can also hire canoes and kayaks!
A cool lake during a hot day in the summer was the best way to spend the day in the mountains!Picnic tables nearby provided a relaxing spot to have a picnic. Tasty grilled burgers were an excellent way to wrap up this day.
Con: The place looks terrible: the water level is so low it looks like a dump...the floatation devices had duck feathers and duck poop all over them. The life vests were the wrong size and gave my son and I a rash. The mossy bottom was disgusting to touch...Pro: My kids loved it. They loved jumping off the dirty floatation devices with me. We had a lot of fun. It's bizarre that Big Bear Lake has so few places to actually swim. That being said, it's hard to recommend this place because of the look...it looks so terrible...but my kids and I had a wonderful time.
Swim beach is feeling the pain of the draught probably more than any other attractions. Very limited swim area and open only 12:00PM - 5:00PM daily. Beach itself is nice but lake so low the water is not inviting.
It was closed but, from the outside and other people talking about it. It looked like fun. Even though it was closed the staf there were very nice to map out and write down other entertainment for my family to enjoy our stay in the Big Bear City.
overcrowded with kids, useless $5 fee, once you're in you have to wait in a long line for a swim test. The water looked dirty, and we saw several dead fish floating around. Stay away from here.
kids loved it! Its in a enclosed area of the lake where you can swim, sun bathe, slide down into the lake. There are benches and tables where you can bring your own food to eat.