Goodbye Big Bear, So Long Arrowhead: This City Is A Growing Hotspot For Mountain Getaways

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Encompassing a total of 3,809,525 square miles, the United States is a country with no shortage of scenic landscapes. Perhaps most impressive is the nation's diversity of landscapes, though. Overall, America hosts 15 ecoregions, which range from the tundras of Alaska to the tropical forests of Florida. Out of all these different settings, beaches may be one of the most popular places for a vacation in the U.S. That doesn't mean you should discount the numerous mountain getaways dotted across the country, though.

If you live in or around California, chances are you've at least heard of (if not visited) mountainous destinations such as Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. Known hotspots for high-altitude vacations, both communities offer gorgeous views at the price of often-crowded streets. Luckily, those who want a highlands escape minus the traffic do have other options in Southern California. One such option is the city of San Bernardino, named by Expedia as the sixth-fastest-growing destination in the U.S. for 2026.

Per Expedia, the region can thank its nearby mountains and outdoor recreation offerings for a significant amount of that growth. Like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino enjoys a blend of surrounding ridgeline and waterfront fun. These features alone aren't all that makes the destination worth considering over its neighbors, though. In fact, for those who live in or fly into Los Angeles, San Bernardino presents a distinct advantage for being closer to LA and easier to reach without a car. This ease of access comes from Metrolink's San Bernardino Line, a train that runs from LA's Union Station (aka the most filmed building in the U.S.) to the city of San Bernardino. While this same line can get you close to Arrowhead and Big Bear, the latter two will require connections that can complicate your journey.

Surrounded by a mountain range and national forest of the same name, San Bernardino gives sightseers several excellent outdoor adventure opportunities to explore. Northwest of town lie highland hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, inviting parks, and a mountain temple. To the southeast, you'll find Redlands (California's citrus-scented "city of beautiful homes") and natural spaces such as Box Springs Mountain Reserve. There are even a few lakes, basins, and reservoirs in the area — though it is admittedly difficult for them to outshine Big Bear's coveted lake views. That said, San Bernardino still offers plenty of pretty scenery and fun activities for prices lower than you'll typically get in places like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead.

For a getaway that keeps you close to this region's mountain scenery, here are some of the best places to visit and things to do. First, consider taking a drive along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Showcasing incredible San Bernardino Mountain vistas, this route passes through larger tourist towns, though these can be avoided by sticking to the byway's western and eastern ends only. The drive provides a great overview of this part of California, highlighting not just the highlands but also San Bernardino National Forest landscapes. Of course, if you want a real bird's-eye look at the city, there are a couple of San Bernardino-based operators available to take you paragliding or hang-gliding around local summits.

Other outdoorsy spots to check out include Glen Helen Regional Park (where you can swim, picnic, and fish from two different lakes), the nearby sister waterfalls known as Bonita and Hidden Falls, and popular scenic hiking routes like Borea Canyon via Daley Canyon Road or the Marshall Peak Trail.

For the best chance at a picture-perfect visit to San Bernardino, there are a few important details to think about while planning your trip. Start by considering the most suitable time of year for your vacation. Those looking for comfortable hiking and general outdoor recreation weather may find the most hospitable conditions between April to June and October to December, when mean temperatures usually hover between 52 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit. While the height of fire season (historically occurring between May and October in Southern California) does span several of those pleasant-weather months, it's worth noting that wildfires are actually "now a year-round reality" for the area, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. With that in mind, visitors can avoid letting fear guide the timing of their trip and instead come prepared with an understanding of key safety tips for vacationing in wildfire country.

In terms of affordability, the top tips for planning a mountain getaway in San Bernardino are a little different. Per data from HotelsCombined and Kayak, prices here can vary drastically within the same season. During spring, rates peak at around $295 per night in March, then fall to their lowest at $111 a night in April. Typical prices then remain fairly low between April and September, only to shoot up to between $223 and $275 per night in October. Though this info can give you an overall sense of when to book, it does contrast with recent stats from Trivago, which name July as the cheapest and September as the priciest month to book a hotel in San Bernardino. Thankfully, regardless of the time of year, penny-pinching sightseers can save money on stays with strategies such as this simple hotel hack that may help you avoid fees when canceling a reservation.