As temperatures rise, there’s no shortage of places to cool off in the region. From dreamy beaches lined with golden sand to sprawling campgrounds nestled among towering redwoods, the Golden State is packed with summer escapes. But few destinations rival local lakes.
Fortunately for Angelenos, one of the state’s best is just a short drive away. Following a new USA TODAY 10Best survey voted on by thousands of travelers nationwide, Big Bear Lake has just been crowned the country’s best lake for water sports.
The ranking highlights the mountain destination as a year-round playground: during summer, the lake comes alive with jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, while in winter, the lake remains a popular destination for trout fishing and hiking.
Big Bear Lake’s floating water park
If lounging on the shore isn’t your thing, Big Bear is also home to a giant floating inflatable water park that has recently reopened. Located at Pine Knot Marina, the obstacle-course-style experience invites visitors to climb walls, crawl through tunnels, balance across floating beams, and launch themselves into the lake, all while surrounded by mountain views.
Designed for both kids and adults, the floating course is rated around a 7 out of 10 in difficulty, making it ideal for reasonably active visitors who are comfortable in the water. Sessions run hourly between 11 AM and 3 PM and include roughly 45 minutes on the course.
The inflatable park is just one attraction on a lake that feels more like an outdoor playground, where tubing, ZUP board, and waterskiing are also available.
