The secret California escape for billionaire-style vacations on a budget

A Hidden Gem in the Mountains

Big Bear Lake, nestled just two hours from Los Angeles, offers a stunning alpine escape that feels like a retreat for the wealthy. However, despite its breathtaking natural beauty and luxurious holiday homes, it stands out as one of the most affordable lake towns in California. While places like Lake Tahoe often make headlines for their sky-high cost of living, Big Bear provides a more budget-friendly alternative.

The newly reimagined Hotel Marina Riviera has quickly become a design-forward favorite among visitors. This 42-room boutique hotel features emerald tones, midcentury modern décor, and even a barrel sauna overlooking the water—elements more commonly associated with upscale resorts like those in Aspen. Travel + Leisure has already praised the property, and midweek lakeside rooms with views of the San Bernardino National Forest are available for under $200 per night. This price point is rare just 100 miles away in Los Angeles, where billionaires often vacation in exclusive enclaves such as Malibu, Lake Arrowhead, or Tahoe.

In those destinations, millionaires and celebrities frequently buy up entire stretches of shoreline, driving up costs for others. In contrast, Big Bear allows the wealthy to own glassy mansions on private docks, but the majority of the town consists of modest ranch homes, small cabins, and diners offering hearty breakfasts at reasonable prices.

The average home in Big Bear Lake costs around $579,000, with a median income of $80,400. According to Livability.com, this makes it pricier than the national average but still more affordable than most other cities in California. Visitors of all budgets can enjoy the same hiking trails, public beaches, and panoramic views of the lake.

A Mix of Affluence and Accessibility

The mix of affluence and accessibility is evident along California's Rim of the World Highway, the scenic road leading into Big Bear. Here, Teslas and sleek sports cars share the road with sun-faded vans loaded with camping gear and minivans full of children. Unlike Lake Arrowhead, which is entirely private, Big Bear’s 22 miles of shoreline remain open to the public. The area is dotted with rental cottages, family-run lodges, and hotels that offer much lower prices compared to similar properties in Tahoe.

Big Bear has long been a magnet for visitors, from the Serrano people who lived along its streams for thousands of years, to 19th-century gold miners and loggers, to today’s weekend skiers, hikers, and boaters. In recent years, developers have begun investing in new hotels and restaurants, including Sessions Retreat & Hotel, where midweek rooms still hover around $100, and De La Nonna, a hip pizza spot with a sister location in Los Angeles' Arts District.

The lake has been named the "best in America" by USA Today, and the town now attracts over seven million visitors annually. Developers are also pushing larger projects, such as the long-gestating 62-acre Moon Camp resort, raising concerns that Big Bear could one day face the same elitism seen in Tahoe and Arrowhead.

A Unique Balance of Luxury and Affordability

Despite these developments, Big Bear has so far managed to avoid the billionaire squeeze that has affected other California hotspots. While neighboring Lake Arrowhead is surrounded by French chateaus and Tahoe regularly faces disputes over shoreline access with tech moguls, Big Bear remains an outlier. It offers a scenic escape where luxury is present, but the price tag is still manageable.

As the town continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how it maintains this unique balance between affluence and accessibility. For now, Big Bear Lake stands as a testament to what can be achieved when natural beauty and affordability coexist.