Bear Mountain Cruise Night takes place every Wednesday evening between 5 pm and 9 pm and offers attendees the opportunity to see some stunning cars while meeting new people from all walks of life – many of whom love showing off their rides!
This is our first recognizable viewpoint, with incredible trail work (the stone steps must have taken hours to install!). What an extraordinary place this park is!
Cars
Car shows offer an ideal way to explore cars from various eras while meeting like-minded enthusiasts. One such event in Orange County HOG’s Orange County Cruise Night on Wednesday nights from 6-8 pm draws many vehicles from New York and Connecticut for this popular car event, which quickly fills up its parking field outside Bear Mountain State Park Lodge before moving onto its motorcycle show hosted in conjunction.
Road Riders of Big Bear host an annual car show called Cool Run in the Mountains that brings together over 100 rare and classic vehicles for this extraordinary show in various categories, such as best paint job and engine performance. All makes and models are welcome to enter, with awards given out in each.
Rod Benders, car club members, may pay a $40 seasonal club membership shop and be exempted from this fee; vendor spots cost $20 weekly in addition to this entry fee. Cars with trailers are not permitted within Bear Mountain State Park without prior written approval from them.
Motorcycles
The Cool Run in the Mountains car and motorcycle show is an annual highlight in Bear Mountain. It showcases vehicles of various years, makes, and models competing for awards in categories like the best paint job, the family car of the year, and engine performance. Proceeds from this car show also go toward supporting local charities.
Every Wednesday evening at Bear Mountain State Park behind the merry-go-round, hundreds of cars and motorcycles gather to join Rod Benders for their weekly car cruise event, which showcases some of the finest vehicles from throughout the region. It is an excellent opportunity to meet new people while appreciating nature’s natural state!
If you intend on bringing a trailer with you on the car cruise, prior authorization from the State Park must be secured before entering. Otherwise, an entrance fee of $4 may apply.
Food
At the Bear Mountain Car Show, there is an assortment of food vendors selling BBQ sandwiches, chips, and soda – not forgetting drinks and souvenirs available for sale as well. Additionally, vintage Mustangs and muscle cars will be on display.
The Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club Fun Run is an event over three days in the Village of Big Bear Lake that showcases over 500 pre-assigned classic automobiles. There will be an afternoon “Cruise Around the Lake” and an awards presentation, where spectators can view and talk to owners of these fine vehicles. There will also be vendors, live music, and plenty of people with similar interests all coming together at one venue!
Are you a Porsche enthusiast? Join other enthusiasts at the Big Bear Lake Porsche Timeline event to witness how their car brand has evolved through time. Attending is free for spectators and provides an ideal networking opportunity among enthusiasts.
At Roaring Camp’s Harvest Faire, visitors can experience round-trip train rides, pumpkin patches, and many family activities! Additionally, take the Redwood Forest Steam Train through wintry redwoods up Bear Mountain or experience the Holiday Lights Train and take in thousands of colorful lights along your 20-minute ride. Afterward, visit the Santa Cruz Railroad Museum to view large-scale model railway displays!
Vendors
Car shows offer an ideal setting to view classic vehicles on display and converse with fellow enthusiasts while learning more about their history – many may have been passed down from generation to generation within families, and these opportunities should not be missed!
Alongside cars on display are food and drink vendors. The event occurs every Wednesday evening from 6 pm-9 pm at State Park. The entrance fee is $4 per vehicle (though a seasonal club membership costs $40 exempts you from it), although spectators are admitted free.
The Cool Run In The Mountains car show is an annual charity event hosted by Rodriders of Big Bear Lake to raise funds for local causes. Over 100 classic cars will be displayed, providing car lovers an excellent opportunity to mingle and admire Big Bear Lake’s breathtaking landscapes.
Parking spaces for oversized vehicles/RVs are limited and cost $50 a day or overnight, respectively. When arriving, please speak to one of BBMR’s parking attendants – oversized/RV spaces often sell out during weekends, holidays, and peak dates! Overnight parking permits must be obtained from the park – tents, tailgating, or bonfires are prohibited within its lots.
The Big Bear Antique Car Club Fun Run is a three-day classic car show and parade in The Village of Big Bear Lake. Starting Friday in Bartlett Parking Lot for signup day, over 500 cars will be pre-assigned for viewing throughout Pine Knot Ave, Village Drive, and Bartlett Parking Lot; an afternoon cruise around Big Bear Lake begins Saturday at 3:30 PM, followed by an awards presentation on Sunday morning.
Entertainment
Car enthusiasts can spend their afternoon viewing classic cars while sampling delectable treats and beverages, perusing vendors selling souvenirs, and browsing this event held annually during summer months – which draws thousands of visitors annually.
The Big Bear Antique Car Club Fun Run is a three-day classic car show held at The Village at Big Bear Lake and featuring around 500 pre-assigned cars, an afternoon “Cruise Around the Lake,” and an awards presentation on Sunday morning – all free to spectators with food, drink vendors and live music available during this free event!
At this event, there will also be a raffle with fantastic prizes up for grabs! There is no admission fee; parking, however, has a nominal charge. Several places exist for parking, including the Bartlett lot and behind the merry-go-round; as this event can get busy quickly, car owners should arrive early to ensure they secure a parking space.
This event boasts a stunning collection of vintage cars from around the globe, as well as an exhibition highlighting Porsche’s timeline. Open to visitors free of charge, this exhibit gives Porsche fans an excellent opportunity to see its progression over time.
Roaring Camp makes an excellent family outing, with model trains chugging through Redwood forests, round railroad bends, and over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Boardwalk. Visitors will also have an authentic 1800s steam train ride available and can see other exhibits within its museum. Each winter, Roaring Camp hosts its annual Pumpkin Faire and Holiday Lights Train rides!
