Big Bear Lake Enters a Quieter Second Summer with Cabins, Lake days and Fall Colour

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

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September 3, 2026 4:03 AM

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Big Bear Lake is entering a quieter travel chapter as peak summer crowds begin to fade, giving visitors a chance to enjoy its so-called “Second Summer”. Hotel Marina Riviera is positioning itself at the heart of that shift, pairing lakeside access with six freestanding cabins, wellness amenities and waterfront dining.

The result is a mountain escape that feels relaxed rather than rushed. Moreover, September and early autumn can still deliver warm days for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing and boating, while cooler nights favour fireplaces, saunas and hot tubs. For Southern California travellers, Big Bear Lake offers an accessible alternative to busier coastal breaks

Big Bear Lake is often associated with snow, ski lifts and winter holidays. Yet, long before the first serious snowfall arrives, the mountain community has another travel story to tell.

As summer crowds taper off, Big Bear Lake moves into an appealing shoulder season, with warmer daytime conditions, quieter waterfront spaces and the first signs of autumn beginning to reshape the surrounding mountains.

This period creates what can reasonably be described as a “Second Summer” — a window when visitors can still enjoy the lake while gaining access to the slower pace and cooler atmosphere associated with autumn.

At Hotel Marina Riviera, that seasonal transition is central to the stay. The lakeside property combines 42 guest rooms with six freestanding cabins, giving travellers another way to experience Big Bear without giving up hotel-style amenities.

The cabins are particularly relevant for travellers searching for a more private mountain retreat. Their residential-style layouts, full kitchens, separate living spaces and fireplaces provide the basic ingredients of a traditional cabin weekend, while the property adds direct access to waterfront facilities, wellness experiences and dining.

Six Cabins Give the Classic Mountain Stay a Modern Update

Cabin accommodation has long been part of the Big Bear travel experience. Hotel Marina Riviera approaches the concept from a different angle.

Its six freestanding cabins use a mid-century alpine aesthetic, blending the nostalgic character associated with mountain retreats with contemporary functionality.

For families, couples or small groups, the layout can make a meaningful difference. A full kitchen provides greater flexibility than a conventional hotel room, while separate living areas allow guests to spend time together without making the entire stay revolve around the bedroom.

Fireplaces add another layer as temperatures drop after sunset.

That combination is important during the autumn shoulder season. Visitors can spend the day outside, return to the property for a wellness session or dinner, and then settle into a more private cabin environment.

Rather than functioning solely as a place to sleep, the cabin becomes part of the destination experience.

Big Bear Lake Keeps Summer Going Into Early Autumn

One of the strongest reasons to consider Big Bear Lake before winter is the lake itself.

September and early autumn can offer travellers an opportunity to continue enjoying water-based activities after the busiest summer period has passed. Hotel Marina Riviera has introduced a new private dock, expanding the property’s waterfront proposition.

Guests can use the lake setting for activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing, while private boating excursions provide another way to experience Big Bear Lake from the water.

This creates a useful contrast with the conventional perception of an autumn mountain trip.

Autumn does not necessarily mean immediately packing away summer activities. Instead, travellers can combine warm afternoons outdoors with increasingly cool evenings, producing a two-season feel within a single getaway.

For visitors arriving from Southern California, that balance can make Big Bear particularly attractive for a short break.

The Autumn Road Trip Starts Before the Leaves Fully Turn

Big Bear Lake is also positioned for travellers who want the journey itself to become part of the holiday.

As autumn advances, the surrounding landscape begins to change. Mountain roads, forests and elevated viewpoints provide opportunities for scenic drives, hiking and leaf-peeping.

For Angelenos and San Diegans, this can translate into a relatively straightforward road-trip option without requiring a flight or a long-distance holiday.

The appeal is not limited to foliage.

The transition from summer into autumn changes the atmosphere of the destination. Cooler mornings and evenings encourage slower itineraries, while daytime outdoor activities can remain comfortable enough for visitors to spend substantial time around the lake and trails.

For travellers seeking an alternative to crowded coastal destinations, the combination of mountain scenery, outdoor recreation and cabin accommodation gives Big Bear Lake a distinct seasonal identity.

Wellness Adds Another Reason to Stay Longer

Outdoor adventure is only one part of the Hotel Marina Riviera proposition.

The property also offers a wellness-focused collection of facilities, including a barrel sauna, cold plunge, heated outdoor pool and hot tub.

That mix becomes especially relevant as temperatures begin to fall.

A day spent hiking or on the lake can be followed by a hot tub session or sauna, while the cold plunge introduces a sharper contrast for guests who want to incorporate recovery into their stay.

The facilities also help broaden Big Bear’s appeal beyond traditional sightseeing.

Not every traveller wants a packed itinerary. For some, the ideal autumn break involves a morning walk, a few hours by the lake, time in the sauna and a relaxed dinner without having to drive elsewhere.

Hotel Marina Riviera allows those elements to exist within the same property, making the destination easier to experience at a slower pace.

De La Nonna Brings a Lakeside Dining Option

Food is another important part of the stay, particularly for travellers looking for a self-contained weekend.

De La Nonna, the Big Bear outpost of Los Angeles’ pizzeria brand, operates at Hotel Marina Riviera and provides a waterfront dining experience.

The restaurant serves signature pizzas, natural wines and Italian-inspired dishes, with the lake forming the backdrop.

For hotel guests, the practical advantage is straightforward: dinner does not require leaving the property after a day of outdoor activities.

That matters during the shoulder season, when an evening around the property can become part of the experience rather than simply a break between excursions.

The setting also reinforces the broader positioning of Hotel Marina Riviera — a property designed to combine the independence and atmosphere of a mountain getaway with the convenience of a lakeside hotel.

Why the Shoulder Season Could Become Big Bear’s Sweet Spot

The strongest case for visiting Big Bear Lake in early autumn is the balance.

Summer brings energy and water-based recreation, while winter attracts visitors for snow and skiing. Between those two major seasons, however, there is a period that can offer a different type of holiday.

The lake remains central. The mountains begin to change. Temperatures become more comfortable for certain outdoor activities, and evenings increasingly suit fireplaces, hot tubs and indoor dining.

For travellers who dislike peak-season crowds, that combination can be more appealing than either extreme.

Hotel Marina Riviera fits neatly into this seasonal pattern because its accommodation, waterfront access, wellness facilities and restaurant allow visitors to build a complete trip without depending entirely on external attractions.

That makes the property relevant not only for spontaneous weekend travellers but also for couples, families and groups planning a more structured autumn escape.

Big Bear’s Appeal Extends Well Beyond Winter

The broader travel message is clear: Big Bear Lake should not be treated solely as a winter destination.

Its appeal changes with the calendar.

During the late-summer and early-autumn transition, travellers can still access the lake while beginning to experience the atmosphere of the mountain’s cooler season. Later, as foliage becomes more prominent, scenic drives and hiking can take centre stage.

For Hotel Marina Riviera, the six cabins strengthen that proposition by providing a dedicated accommodation format for travellers who want privacy, space and a distinctly alpine setting.

The combination of full kitchens, fireplaces and separate living spaces also gives visitors greater control over how they spend their time.

Meanwhile, the private dock, wellness facilities and De La Nonna create additional reasons to remain on the property.

What Travellers Can Expect

The most compelling Big Bear Lake itinerary may not require choosing between summer and autumn.

Visitors can start with a morning on the water, spend the afternoon hiking or exploring mountain roads, return for a sauna or hot tub session, and finish the evening with lakeside Italian food.

That is the essence of the destination’s “Second Summer”.

It is warm enough for outdoor adventure, cool enough for cabin comforts and increasingly scenic as autumn approaches.

For Southern California travellers, Hotel Marina Riviera offers a practical base for experiencing that transition.

The result is a version of Big Bear that feels less like a winter-only resort and more like a year-round mountain destination, with autumn providing one of its most compelling windows.