080608_bb.jpgNormally you'd think of going to the beach for a summer escape, but Big Bear is just 2 hours away and boasts hiking, cooler temperatures and the possibility of s'mores. It's also off-season so deals abound:

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Rebecca had some great Get Away Options in her post yesterday on 25 Reasons to Get Out of Town. We want to add Big Bear to the list. The drive up there is only about 2 hours but because you climb into the mountains, it feels a world away. Go for night hikes and see the stars, go boating on the lake, or just hang out in town and check out the thrift stores. No matter what, It's a great, relaxing get away.

We like being more autonomous and being able to cook (especially if we're going with a bunch of other people) and Big Bear has a lot of private homes and managed cabins to take advantage of. So skip the hotel and rent the lazy chalet with 5 bedrooms and a sauna the weekend of August 15th and pay less than $900 total. Or try a cabin for 2 with a jacuzzi. For a lake-front cabin look into Shore Acres Lodge.

Some other great places to look for a rental:
Big Bear Chalets
Big Bear Luxury Cabin Rentals
Golden Bear Rentals
The Cabins at Cozy Hollow Lodge