However, as a popular year-round resort destination, the actual number of people staying in or visiting the greater Big Bear Valley area regularly surges to over 100,000 during many weekends of the year.

Big Bear Lake was inhabited by the indigenous Serrano people for over 2,000 years before it was explored by Benjamin Wilson and his party.

This inspired him to create the world's second bus line from San Bernardino to Big Bear Valley using white trucks with several rows of seats.

This made it possible for the villages to grow and for Big Bear Lake to become the first mountain recreation area in Southern California.

This resort was followed with others that strove to be the best by creating a country club atmosphere, complete with the amenities required to lure the Hollywood celebrities of the time including Cecil B. DeMille, Shirley Temple, and Ginger Rogers.

[7] For Hollywood's film industry, the area has been a popular place for shooting on location since the silent era.

In late November 1915, Universal Studios filmed there for its three-reel production of John o' the Mountains starring Sydney Ayres and Louella Maxam.

More jumps were built in Big Bear Lake and the Viking Ski Club of Los Angeles began to use them for competition and events.

Due to extensive rain and snow, the lake rose several feet and BBSO was surrounded by water at the time construction was completed using makeshift barges in May 1970.

BBSO, now operated by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, is still a major Big Bear Lake landmark connected to the north shore by a dirt and rock causeway.

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest sports the highest beer garden, by elevation, in the United States.

Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, Fernando Vargas, Gennady Golovkin, and Shane Mosley are among the famous boxers who have trained at Big Bear.

In February 2013, a major manhunt occurred in the Big Bear Lake area to find Christopher Dorner, who by that point had killed three people.

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has issued a safety advisory for any fish caught in Big Bear Lake due to elevated levels of mercury and PCBs.

[10] According to the National Weather Service, the warmest month at Big Bear is July, with a daily average temperature of 65.1 °F (18.4 °C).

Due to the 6,750 feet (2,060 m) elevation[11] of the weather station, precipitation is greater than in the lowlands of southern California, averaging 19.98 in (507 mm) a year.

Mountain thunderstorms can produce heavy rainfall, even in midsummer (when most southern California lowland locations are quite dry).

[13] In contrast to most of southern California, the Big Bear Lake region normally receives significant winter snow because of its high elevation.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Big Bear Lake had a median household income of $32,869, with 16.9% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

[22] During winter season Big Bear Lake becomes a skiing and snowboarding destination for Southern California.

In addition to these events, Big Bear Lake is known for its resident bald eagle couple, Jackie and Shadow.

The community is served by the Big Bear Lake Branch of the San Bernardino County Library.

The library was remodeled in 2009, with improvements that included additional public computers and a new circulation desk that allows for self check-out.

Story times for younger children, teen programs, donated book sales, and special events are also held at the library.

[29] Federally, Big Bear Lake is in California's 23rd congressional district, represented by Republican Jay Obernolte.

[36] A free edition, entitled the Grizzly Weekender, is delivered to most areas of the Big Bear Valley each Saturday.

[37] This paper covers local council meetings, festivals, fundraisers, recreation opportunities on Big Bear Lake and nearby, and other events in the area.