Best Things To Do In Lake Arrowhead, CA

Lake Arrowhead sits high in the San Bernardino Mountains, wrapped by the San Bernardino National Forest and the waters of Lake Arrowhead itself. It feels like a true weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle in the valley, with fresh mountain air, tall pine trees, and a mix of quiet cabin life and resort activity. When buying a home in Lake Arrowhead you can spend the morning on a hiking trail, the afternoon on the lake, and the evening listening to a variety of live music in the village.

Where Are The Best Places to Eat in Lake Arrowhead?

Most people gravitate toward Lake Arrowhead Village when they get hungry. The village sits right at the lakeside and combines views of the lake with restaurants, coffee shops, and casual spots where you can watch boats move around the lake while you eat. Between pizza, burgers, and sit down dining, you can usually find something that fits everyone in the group, especially if you are planning your trip with a mix of kids and adults.

If you are looking for a quieter meal, the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa has a lakeside resort restaurant and lounge that look directly out over the water. It feels more like a traditional resort experience, with a spa, comfortable seating, and that slow pace people expect on vacation. A short drive away, Crestline and nearby Lake Gregory offer additional dining, so you can pair a meal with a walk around the lake there as well.

Which Areas Have The Best Nightlife in Lake Arrowhead?

Nightlife in Lake Arrowhead is scaled to the size of the mountain community, which means fewer big clubs and more relaxed evenings. Lake Arrowhead Village is usually the center of activity, especially in summer when outdoor patios are busy and a variety of live music spills out during the summer concert series.

You can wander between venues, sit along the lakeside, and still feel close to your cabin or rental.

SkyPark at Santa’s Village also hosts special evening events at certain times of year, which can include themed nights and winter activities after dark. 

Between the resort lounges, a bar or two in and around Lake Arrowhead, and seasonal events, you can keep busy without losing the quiet mountain feel that draws people up from the city.

What Nearby Attractions Does Lake Arrowhead Have?

One of the biggest surprises for visitors is how close Lake Arrowhead is to other mountain destinations. Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs offers skiing and snowboarding on a slope network suited to many skill levels, and it is known for some of the best beginner terrain in Southern California. Big Bear Mountain and Big Bear Lake sit a short drive farther along the highway, so it is easy to turn a Lake Arrowhead adventure into a multi resort ski circuit in winter.

To the west, Lake Gregory in Crestline is popular in warm weather, with swimming areas, boat rentals, and walking paths that trace the shoreline.

The Rim of the World Scenic Byway runs along the high ridge above the valleys, linking these towns and delivering stunning views of the San Bernardino Mountains. If you like a world scenic byway style drive, this route gives you long panoramas in both summer and winter landscape conditions.

Are There Famous Landmarks In Lake Arrowhead?

For local history, the Mountain History Museum on Peninsula Drive tells the story of early development, the history of the lake, and how the resort communities grew around logging and recreation. Exhibits highlight old photos, artifacts, and the way cabins and vacation culture took shape over time. It is a simple stop, but it helps you see beyond the surface of the current shops and marinas.

On the water, the Arrowhead Queen, often called the Lake Arrowhead Queen, is a well known tour boat that has been showing off stunning views of the lake for decades. It glides past lakeside homes, steep coves, and hidden marinas, and you get a clear look at how the private lake is laid out. Add in landmarks like the Rim of the World overlook points and the Robert Brownlee Observatory, and you have a mix of human and natural landmarks that outdoor enthusiasts tend to remember.

Does Lake Arrowhead Have Outdoor Activities?

Lake Arrowhead really leans into outdoor activities all year long. The lake, trails, and nearby mountain resorts each offer their own style of fun, and you can move between them easily depending on the season.

Summer activities around the water include:

• Boating on the waters of Lake Arrowhead
  
• Lessons at the local water ski school for beginners learning to water ski or wakeboard
  
• Kayak and paddleboard rentals for slow paced exploring
  
• Quiet shoreline spots with open views of the lake
  

SkyPark at Santa’s Village offers:

• Mountain biking trails through the forest
  
• Hiking paths with shaded sections
  
• Archery, ziplining, rock climbing, and ax throwing
  
• Seasonal ice skating
  
• Forest cabins and original Santa’s Village buildings that add a touch of history
  

Nearby hiking and forest experiences include:

• Heart Rock Trail
  
• Additional routes in the San Bernardino National Forest with shaded canyons, boulders, and occasional lake views
  

Winter brings a full mix of snow activities:

• Skiing and snowboarding at Snow Valley, part of the Big Bear Mountain group
  
• Terrain parks and a lift served sledding hill at Snow Valley
  
• Additional slopes and advanced runs at Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, a short drive away
  
• Snowshoeing, sledding, and other winter landscape experiences for all skill levels
  

Are There Local Events in Lake Arrowhead?

For a small mountain town, Lake Arrowhead has a steady calendar of events and festivals. Lake Arrowhead Village hosts a summer concert series that brings in tribute bands and regional acts, and you can listen from the central lawn or from restaurant patios with views of the lake. As the year moves toward fall, Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest takes over many weekends with music, food, and a busy lakeside crowd.

In winter 2025 and beyond, SkyPark at Santa’s Village highlights the Christmas season, with lights, themed shows, and Santa visits that play off its original Santa’s Village roots. The Mountain History Museum often lines up small community events, and local organizations mix in holiday parades, charity runs, and a variety of live music nights. If you like seeing a place in different seasons, the rhythm of events gives you reasons to come back.

Can I Find Free Things To Do in Lake Arrowhead?

There are plenty of fun things you can do without spending much, which helps if you want to balance out resort splurges. Walking around Lake Arrowhead Village is free, and you still get views of the lake, fresh mountain air, and people watching. The beauty of Lake Arrowhead really comes through when you stroll the docks at sunrise or sunset and watch the light shift across the water.

Many hiking trails in the San Bernardino National Forest near Lake Arrowhead and nearby Lake Gregory require only a basic parking pass or no fee at all. Short walks to overlooks along the Rim of the World Scenic corridor offer stunning views and show off the natural beauty of the region. Even on days when you stay close to your cabin, sitting out on a deck, listening to the wind in the pine trees, and watching wildlife move around the lake can feel like its own free attraction.

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