Big Bear Lake Real Estate

The History of Big Bear Valley

Approximately 3000 years ago, Big Bear Valley was initially occupied by the Serrano Indians. While in pursuit of these Indians, Benjamin D Wilson along with some other "rough riders" discovered that the place was "alive with bears" and named the area, Bear Valley; that was in 1845! Bear Valley became home to many Hunters, Trappers and Prospectors.

15 years later, William Holcomb was hunting for bear in a nearby valley and instead, he found GOLD! The largest Gold Rush in Southern California followed that discovery and that valley was rightfully named, Holcomb Valley. Within one year, the once solace valley was now riddled with Prospectors and new roads. Holcomb Valleys population was second only to that of San Bernardino with steady increases of daily passenger stages and equipment stages.
The first dam was built in 1884, leading to the first Hotel in 1888. In 1949 the first ski resort opened and Big Bear Lake became a favorite mountain destination for Southern California.

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So, here we are in 2008 and man have things changed! Big Bear Lake now has 2 world-class ski resorts, Hotels, Motels and over 90 lodging companies with over 1200 private home rentals as well! Fast food has also grown in Big Bear with companies like McDonalds, Burger King and Carls Jr.

Starbucks and Blockbuster Video have also found their way to our "Island in the Sky."
What's perfect about Big Bear is that you are surrounded by Mountain glory and yet you are only 2 hours from the Beach or the Desert and even Las Vegas is only 3 hours away!