Big Bear Lake, California

This article is about the city. For the lake, see Big Bear Lake. For the census-designated place, see Big Bear City, California.

City of Big Bear Lake
—  City  —
Looking east at Big Bear Valley from Butler Peak lookout tower in the San Bernardino National Forest
Seal
Location in San Bernardino County and the state of California
Coordinates: 34°14′29″N 116°54′12″W
Country	US
State	California
County	San Bernardino
Incorporated (city)
Government
• Mayor	Rick Herrick
Area
• Total	6.534 sq mi (16.923 km2)
• Land	6.346 sq mi (16.435 km2)
• Water	0.188 sq mi (0.488 km2)  2.88%
Elevation	6,752 ft (2,058 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	5,019
• Density	768.14/sq mi (296.58/km2)
Time zone	PST (UTC-8)
• Summer (DST)	PDT (UTC-7)
ZIP code	92315
Area code(s)	909
FIPS code	06-06434
GNIS feature ID	1652673

Big Bear Lake is a city in San Bernardino County, California along the south shore of Big Bear Lake, located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of the city of San Bernardino. The population was 5,019 at the 2010 census, down from 5,438 at the 2000 census. However, being a four-seasons resort, the actual number of people staying in total accommodations, residences, and campgrounds in the greater Big Bear Valley surges to over 100,000 many weekends per year. Surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake is a year-around resort destination for Southern California.

History

Big Bear Lake was inhabited by the indigenous Serrano Indians for over 2,000 years before it was explored by Benjamin Wilson and his party. Once populated by only the natives and the Grizzly bears, from which the area received its name, Big Bear Valley grew rapidly during the Southern California Gold Rush from 1861 to 1912. Grizzly bears were not found in the region after 1908. However there are black bears in the region, introduced in 1933, and they are sometimes sighted in residential areas.

A trip to Big Bear Lake from San Bernardino took two days on horse-drawn coaches. Kirk Phillips was a local who took a trip to New York City and saw the world's first bus line. This inspired him to create the world's second bus line from San Bernardino to Big Bear Valley using White trucks with several rows of seats. This made it possible for the villages to grow and for Big Bear Lake to become the first mountain recreation area in Southern California.

Many people traveled to enjoy recreation on the lake, however, another major draw was the natural hot spring. Emile Jesserun bought 40 acres (160,000 m²) of land that included the hot spring and built the first major resort in Big Bear, the Pan Hot Springs Hotel, in 1921.

This resort was followed with others that strived to be the best by creating a country club atmosphere complete with the amenities required to lure the Hollywood celebrities of the time including Cecil B. DeMille, Shirley Temple, and Ginger Rogers.

It was also a popular place for shooting on location, as they did for the filming of the 1920 version of Last of the Mohicans and a number of Bonanza episodes in the 1960s at Cedar lake. 1924 saw Big Bear populated with 44 resorts and a constant stream of vacationers. The Pan Hot Springs Hotel, like many of the other resorts and hotels in Big Bear, was extensively damaged by fire in 1933.^{[citation needed]}

Big Bear Lake was one of the filming locations for Disney's Old Yeller, the 1969 musical film Paint Your Wagon, the 1983 movie War Games, the opening to NBC's children's program HR Pufnstuf and the ending scene in Better Off Dead.

Winter activities are also popular in Big Bear. The first ski jump in Big Bear was erected in 1929 and quickly claimed a world ski jump record. More jumps were built in Big Bear Lake and the Viking Ski Club of Los Angeles began to use them for competition and events. The move to a winter resort town was solidified in 1952 when Tommy Tyndall opened a resort in Big Bear Lake now known as Snow Summit.

In the summer of 1968, Caltech began construction of Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) located on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Due to extensive rain and snow, the lake rose several feet and BBSO was surrounded by water at the time construction completed using make-shift barges in May of 1970. BBSO, now operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is still a major Big Bear Lake landmark connected to the north shore by a dirt and rock causeway.

Since 1970 Big Bear Lake has held its annual Oktoberfest. The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest also sports the highest Biergarten in the U.S. (in elevation). Big Bear Lake was incorporated as a city on November 28, 1980.

During the 1990s, the city became famous as a spot for boxing champions who need to train, Oscar de la Hoya, Fernando Vargas and Shane Mosley being among the famous boxers who have trained at Big Bear.

Geography

Big Bear Lake is located at 34°14′29″N 116°54′12″W (34.241295, −116.903289).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.5 square miles (17 km²). 6.3 square miles (16 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (2.88%) is water.

Climate

View from Boulder Bay Park

According to the National Weather Service, the warmest month at Big Bear is July, when the average high is 80.7°F (27.1°C) and the average low is 47.1°F (8.4°C). The coolest month is January, with an average high of 47.1°F (8.4°C) and an average low of 20.7°F (−6.3°C). There are an average of 1.2 days each year with highs of 90°F (32°C) or higher. Freezing temperatures have occurred in every month and occur on an average of 193.0 days each year. Lows of 0°F (−18°C) or lower average 1.1 days each year. The highest temperature recorded at Big Bear was 94°F (34°C), last recorded on July 15, 1998. The record lowest temperature was −25°F (−32°C), on January 29, 1979.

Due to the 6,790 foot (2,069 m) elevation of the weather station, precipitation is greater than in the lowlands of San Bernardino County, averaging 21.15 in (537.21 mm) a year. The maximum 24-hour precipitation was 9.43 in (239.52 mm) on December 6, 1966. Measurable precipitation normally occurs 44.9 days a year. Mountain thunderstorms, originating from the westernmost edge of the "monsoon", occasionally produce heavy rainfall, even in midsummer (when most southern California lowland locations are quite dry).

The Big Bear Lake region is unique among populated areas in Southern California in that, because of the elevation, it normally receives significant winter snow. Snowfall, as measured at lake level, averages 61.8 inches (157 cm) each year (although upwards of 100 inches (254 cm) can accumulate on the forested ridges bordering the lake, above 8,000 feet (2,400 m)). In February 1990, 59.5 inches (151 cm) of snow were recorded. The most snow in 24 hours was 27.0 inches (69 cm) on March 27, 1991. The greatest snow depth was 58 inches (147 cm) on February 3, 1979. Snow has fallen in every month except July and August. There are normally 16.5 days each year with measurable snow (0.1 inch (2.5 mm) or more).

Demographics

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Big Bear Lake had a population of 5,019. The population density was 768.1 people per square mile (296.6/km²). The racial makeup of Big Bear Lake was 4,204 (83.8%) White, 22 (0.4%) African American, 48 (1.0%) Native American, 78 (1.6%) Asian, 10 (0.2%) Pacific Islander, 491 (9.8%) from other races, and 166 (3.3%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,076 persons (21.4%).

The Census reported that 4,993 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 5 (0.1%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 21 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 2,187 households, out of which 563 (25.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,007 (46.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 195 (8.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 119 (5.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 159 (7.3%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 24 (1.1%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 675 households (30.9%) were made up of individuals and 298 (13.6%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28. There were 1,321 families (60.4% of all households); the average family size was 2.83.

The population was spread out with 993 people (19.8%) under the age of 18, 417 people (8.3%) aged 18 to 24, 1,021 people (20.3%) aged 25 to 44, 1,563 people (31.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,025 people (20.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.1 years. For every 100 females there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.8 males.

There were 9,705 housing units at an average density of 1,485.3 per square mile (573.5/km²), of which 1,271 (58.1%) were owner-occupied, and 916 (41.9%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 14.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 45.2%. 2,708 people (54.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 2,285 people (45.5%) lived in rental housing units.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,438 people, 2,343 households, and 1,494 families residing in the city. The population density was 860.1 inhabitants per square mile (332.2/km²). There were 8,705 housing units at an average density of 1,376.8 per square mile (531.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 0.7% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.8% Asian, <0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.6% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.7% of the population.

There were 2,343 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.8.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,447, and the median income for a family was $41,848. Males had a median income of $36,316 versus $21,404 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,517. About 11.1% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Big Bear City Airport, a general aviation airport in the Big Bear City section of unincorporated San Bernardino County, serves Big Bear Lake. Local bus service is provided by the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (MARTA). The MARTA Provides Service from downtown San Bernardino to Big Bear Lake. The Big Bear Valley offers three highways. One going towards Highland, California, another one going towards Victorville, California and the last one goes to Redlands, California.

Politics

In the state legislature Big Bear Lake is located in the 31st Senate District, represented by Republican Robert Dutton, and in the 65th Assembly District, represented by Republican Paul Cook. Federally, Big Bear Lake is located in California's 41st congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of R +9 and is represented by Republican Jerry Lewis.

Attractions and activities

Big Bear Lake is Southern California's largest recreation lake. It is about seven miles long and about one mile at its widest. The primary summer attraction in Big Bear was fishing and it still is one of the most common activities there. The most abundant types of fish are trout, bass and catfish.Hiking, mountain biking and horse riding are also very popular. San Bernardino National Forest offers many trails in varying degrees of difficulty. During winter season Big Bear Lake becomes a skiing and snowboarding destination for Southern California. There are two ski resorts: Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. The town is also home to the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, in operation since 1999.

Notable residents

Jordan Romero, 13, son of Paul Romero of Big Bear Lake, CA, is the youngest person to climb Mt.Everest. Jordan also scaled the tallest mountain in Antarctica, making him the youngest person to scale the highest summits on all 7 continents.

Ryan Hall (born October 14, 1982 in Big Bear Lake, California) is an American long distance runner. He won the marathon at the 2008 United States Olympic Trials and placed tenth in the Olympic marathon in Beijing. He also holds the U.S. record in the half marathon with a time of 59:43, becoming the first U.S. runner to break the one hour barrier in the event.

Heather O'Rourke, of Poltergeist (1982) fame, lived here for a brief period of time in her childhood. circa. 1984–1987

References

15. Big Bear teen breaks mountain climbing record December 26, 2011

External links

• City of Big Bear Lake