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Experience a winter wonderland ~1.5 hours from LA! You’ll pick up homemade donuts, go on a snowy hike through pine trees, and window shop at the charming Big Bear Village. 

Here's your plan for a snowy day trip to Big Bear: donuts, snowy hike, and charming village

Snowy Winter Day Trip ❄️

Start your snowy day trip at Dank Donuts in Moonridge, Big Bear Lake, where you can indulge in homemade donuts and a warm drink, ensuring a sweet start to your adventure.

Donut Pickup

✅ Before you go: 
• Aim to get there on the earlier side (morning-early afternoon) for the best supply - they’ll have everything you’ll need after a two hour drive! 
• Open 7am-5pm, closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

🚗Transportation:
• ~1.5-2 hr drive from LA 
• Leave in the morning to avoid driving back in the dark 
• Bring chains just in case! Check weather conditions before leaving to check for any road closures or icy conditions. The road is windy, but we didn’t need chains 
• Take the Metrolink if you don’t want to drive (weather permitting). You can take a scenic train ride (Hogwarts Express vibes) and transfer to a bus to get to Big Bear Village. See details on the Metrolink website: https://metrolinktrains.com/explore/san-bernardino-county/big-bear-lake/ 

💪Pro tips: 
• Try Dank Donuts’ cinnamon rolls, cronuts or a breakfast burrito. 

Pick up homemade donuts and a warm drink from Dank Donuts

At Castle Rock Trail in Big Bear Lake, enjoy a snowy hike with stunning views and spot local wildlife, like ground squirrels. Perfect for winter exploration!

Snowy Hike

✅ Before you go: 
• Dress warm and wear snow-friendly hiking boots 
• Check snow conditions beforehand: https://www.bigbear.com/travel-tools/local-conditions/ 

🚗Transportation:
• 10 min drive from Dank Donuts

💪Pro tips: 
• It’s difficult to see the trail path because it’s covered in snow, but follow the footsteps up the hill! Feel free to explore and don’t worry about taking the exact route. All Trails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/castle-rock-trail 
• Big Bear gets the most snow in December, so snowshoes may be required for your hike. You can rent snowshoes for $20 at Goldsmith’s (~ 5 minute drive in between Dank Donuts and Castle Rock Trail). Snowshoes weren’t needed when we went, but we stopped in Goldsmith’s to get tips from the locals. 

Go on a snowy hike at Castle Rock Trail

Visit North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co in Big Bear Village for delicious fudge, caramel apples, and hot cocoa amidst holiday lights and decor.

Hot Cocoa & Shopping

⭐️ Get in the holiday spirit at Big Bear Village! The town is currently decked out in holiday lights and decor. 

🚗Transportation:
• ~5 minute drive from Castle Rock Trail

💪Pro tips: 
• They’re known for their caramel apples, fudge, and hot cocoa is a must!

Warm up at North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co. with some hot cocoa and window shop your way through Big Bear Village

Finish your Big Bear Village winter day trip with a hearty meal at Teddy Bear Restaurant, known for its all-day breakfast options and homemade pies.

Hearty Meal

🚶‍♀️Transportation:
• ~3 minute walk from North Pole Fudge & Ice Cream Co

💪Pro tips: 
• Teddy Bear Restaurant is known for serving amazing breakfast options all day (waffles are incredible), homemade pies and more! 

Meander your way towards Teddy Bear Restaurant for a hearty meal before heading home

Here's your nudge plan for a snowy day trip of your holiday

dreams in big bear where you'll go on a snowy hike,

explore a town with hot cocoa in hand and more.

Start by driving around two hours to dank donuts in Big Bear.

They're famous for their homemade doughnuts and cinnamon rolls,

enjoy your donuts on the snowy patio out front

Next drive around 10 minutes to the Castle Rock Trail.

This place is a winter wonderland with views of Big

Bear lake from the top and huge pine trees

this is also a popular sledding spot and we

actually found a broken sled on our way down.

Keep an eye out for adorable ground squirrels as you go.

head to the car and drive about five minutes to North Pole Fudge and Ice cream Co.

This shop has a magical selection of desserts,

including chocolate covered strawberries and caramel apples,

taking all the holiday energy and Big Bear Village

and window shop your way to teddy bear restaurant.

This big bear staple is known for their breakfast food,

but we love their tomato soup and grilled cheese.

All you have to do is pick a snowy weekend and drive up!

Head to a 24 hour Korean spa to sauna and bath

Korean Spa to Detox 🧖‍♀️

Wi Spa in Westlake, LA offers 24-hour Korean spa experiences with saunas, baths, massages, and body scrubs for a relaxing detox session.

Spa & Sauna Relaxation

✅ Before you go
• bring your skincare and hairbrush for after the experience, there are showers! 

💪 Pro tips
• it’s a nude facility for the bathing area but the saunas are clothed and coed (they provide the shirt and shorts) 
• try all the baths, then saunas and last is the cold sauna to help seal the pores 
• they also have massages, facials and body scrubs you can view the price list and book here: https://wispausa.com/appointments/

Wi Spa

If you've just come back from vacation and you need a spot to detox,

I love all the different rooms with the different

temperatures that they have as well as the baths.

People are always recommending the roasted egg,

but overall I felt so much better going here after vacation.

Here's your plan for mini golf fun and tasty drinks with pub grub in Sherman Oaks. Watch the video 👇

Head to Sherman Oaks for a perfect summer evening of mini golf followed by drinks on tap

Mini Golf & Pub Grub in the Valley ⛳️

Challenge friends to a fun, affordable round of mini golf on creative courses at Sherman Oaks Castle Park, with options for arcade gaming and batting cages too.

Mini golf

✅ Before you go
• Both spots have parking, so no need to coordinate ride share arrivals, woohoo! 

💪 Pro tips
• Course 1 is easy, 2 is somewhere in the middle, and 3 is most advanced 
• If you want to get even more play in before the pub, they also have an indoor arcade and batting cages!

Play a round or a few at Sherman Oaks Castle Park

Relax after mini golf with happy hour drinks, nachos, and cozy vibes at Blue Dog Beer Tavern—dog friendly and known for creative cocktails.

Beer & Pub Grub

💪 Pro tips
• Happy Hour is every day from 3pm-6pm
• Like you would guess from their name, they are dog friendly, so bring your pups if you like!
• The nachos are a must, and I really like my speciality drink The Dirty Blonde

Have post-golf drinks & eats at Blue Dog Beer Tavern

why not go for a round of mini golf followed by a round of drinks?

hosting three different mini golf courses.

Each course is unique, from beginner to expert, with lots of creative obstacles along

the way to play around. And for only $12 for your first round,

as you figure out the ways to beat each hole through wacky scenery like old cabins,

We had a lot of great shots, and even more near misses,

but it was nothing but laughs the entire time.

Then, head to happy hour just down the road at Blue Dog Beer Tavern,

a quirky, log cabin-y spot that absolutely loves their furry friends.

With tap beer specials and cocktails inspired by

their team, and comforting pub grub like nachos,

Here's your plan for shopping fresh produce, unique foods, and enjoying mountain views at the market.  
Watch the video 👇

The only farmers market you’ll ever need!
One stop shop for produce, dairy, breads, beverages, unique foods and of course desserts! All while being surrounded by mountains with breathtaking views.

Topanga Farmers Marker 🍓🛒

Shop for fresh local produce, unique foods, and desserts at Topanga Farmers Market, surrounded by mountain views every Friday. Enjoy free parking and check Instagram for special events.

Farmers Market Shopping

✅ Before you go
• Comfortable shoes and ones you’re okay with getting a bit dusty. The ground is gravel.
• Check @topangafarmersmarket Instagram page for special events and vendor details. 

💪 Pro tips
• Bring your own reusable shopping bag to make it easy to bag all of your shopping items.

🅿️ Parking
• Parking is free. There are attendants who will guide you to an available parking spot; the process was seamless. 

Event Details

They are open every Friday 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is a perfect

opportunity to shop locally or just bring your kids along for some fun.

Not only can you get all of your produce here,

you're getting the opportunity to support your local community and invest into it.

You get to know the story and the face behind the food you're eating.

And really explore some unique foods and desserts and the best part about

it are the free samples you get to try before you buy.

Now this stand is very popular here at the market.

They serve coconut milk and coconut water in glass

bottles so that you can refill each week,

and they serve all of these flavors here and

you can mix and match anytime you come back.

I tried the Neapolitan flavor and needless to say,

You can support your community further by shopping with the artisans

who have carefully curated their selection with you in mind.

I stepped outside to get a barbecue steam bun.

This market is definitely worth the drive for

all of the unique vendors and mountain views.

Sometimes they have pop-up events like this car show I caught,

but check their Instagram for weekly updates.

Here's your plan for monthly wellness events with yoga, walks, runs, pickleball, and mindful movement. Watch the video 👇

Alo Yoga hosts monthly community events that promote mindfulness and movement such as walks, 5k runs, pickleball and of course, yoga. To find the nearest one to you, check out Alo Yoga Events websites. 

Self Care with Alo Yoga🧘🏾‍♀️

Join free monthly wellness events like walks, yoga, or pickleball at Manhattan Village with Alo Yoga. Enjoy mindful movement, treats, and community vibes—perfect for self-care.

Event Planning Tips

✅ Before you go
• Read the emails carefully of event details. I thought the walk was at the Manhattan Beach but it was actually at the Manhattan Beach shopping village. 
• Details in the email will explain parking and other important day of event information. 

💪 Pro tips
• I’d check the website beginning of the month to see upcoming events. 
• Depending on your wellness goal, these events are fun solo or with your friends!

Plan Ahead

Never miss a self-care day with Alo yoga.

Alo hosts wellness community events that promote mindfulness and movement,

the instructor led us through some stretches to

really warm our bodies up before the walk.

She was intentional with our wellness every step of the way,

reminding us to keep our thoughts happy and positive and what.

Better reminder than seeing this cute little puppy along the way.

I felt refreshed and light and ready to take on the day.

They always have treats at the end and we had

green juices and smoothies and other treats to take home.

and you can't have a self-care day without retail therapy.

We got to shop the Summer collection at Alo after the walk.