Lake Arrowhead Resort Blog

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A beach day in the mountains? Relax and explore Lake Arrowhead by the boat ride, the beach day, or the sunset. Experience Lake Arrowhead by the Beach Day, the Boat Ride, or the Sunset

A beach day in the mountains? At Lake Arrowhead is a relaxing way to spend a sunny day. Swimming and fishing or just cruising the glimmering mountain water in a boat or on a paddle is enough to clear your mind and leave your worries down in the valley.

Lake Arrowhead is one of Southern California’s best kept secret. With lake access limited to homeowners, it’s a place away from the crowds and into the serenity of the mountain atmosphere. We’re lucky to have a little piece of this beautiful place to share with our guests, including our own boat dock and private beach.

Follow a picturesque path down to this sandy beach and enjoy exclusive access to explore and relax on the shore of our shimmering lake. Enjoy sunny days lounging, swimming, and splashing on the shore or take an early morning walk and enjoy a coffee on the dock. Lounge chairs await the loungers, the dock awaits cannonball jumps, and our firepit will keep you warm through a sunset picnic or a chilly fall night with a glass of wine. The water is clean (among the cleanest lakes in California), the mountain air is fresh, and at an elevation of 5,174 feet, you’re a world away.

If you’re looking to get out on the water, we’ve got some options for you. Schedule a cruise on the resort’s pontoon boat or take a guided kayak tour of the lake and see some of the grand homes that dot the shores of the lake. Choose from single and tandem kayaks and go explore!

Back on shore, meet at the dock for some afternoon fishing. Stocked with trout, bass, carp, catfish and more, the Lake Arrowhead Resort dock is a perfect place to drop a line and see what you can catch.

There are other ways to enjoy the lake too. Take a walk into town and stroll the shore of bustling shopping and dining at Lake Arrowhead Village. Sign up for Waterskiing lessons, or take a cruise on the Lake Arrowhead Queen, a reproduction of an old-time paddle-wheeler.

So yes, come have a beach day in the San Bernardino mountains this season.

4 Reasons to Experience Blue Jay Jazz Festival at Lake Arrowhead

Experience Blue Jay Jazz Festival at Lake Arrowhead this summer and see why it’s an annual tradition in the San Bernadino Mountains each season.

Since 2007, Blue Jay Jazz Festival has been a summertime ritual here at the lake. With big talent, big sound, and big fun over three days on the shore of Lake Arrowhead, this is a can’t-miss event that might just turn into your annual excuse to head to the mountains each summer. Here are four reasons to hit the dance floor with us this August.  

• It’s Back: After a hiatus during the pandemic, Blue Jay Jazz Festival at Lake Arrowhead is back and looking forward to a fantastic line up of live music, dancing, and lakeside fun August 25^th - 27^th at the Tavern Bay Beach Club on Lake Arrowhead and right here with us at Lake Arrowhead Resort. This beloved summertime tradition brings top acts from across the jazz world for three days world class jazz at the water’s edge.
• Great Talent: A top-shelf lineup is Blue Jay Jazz Festival’s signature. In 2021 the line-up included internationally acclaimed musicians like Rayford Griffin, Paul Jackson Jr. Michael Paulo and Freddie Washington among others. Regulars include award-winning blues harmonica player Rod Piazza and his West Coast Wizards, four-time Grammy nominee Patrice Rushen, and the swinging California Baptist Jazz Band.
• It’s BYOB: A favorite part of this summertime tradition is the casual nature of it. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and BYOB! Spread out by the lakeside and enjoy an evening of music, a picnic spread, and good company. Attendees also have the option of purchasing tickets for eight person tables, VIP, and individual seating.
   

It’s Summertime in the Mountains: Blue Jay Jazz Festival at Lake Arrowhead is the perfect excuse to escape to the mountains this summer. Dance under the stars and spend your afternoon basking in the sun by the lakeside here at Lake Arrowhead Resort. With a private beach, kayaks, fishing and more, you’ll feel like a VIP. While you’re here, experience the thrill of SkyPark, explore and learn at Wildhaven Ranch, and browse the shops while you stroll lakeside at Lake Arrowhead Village.

Find the Best Fall Foliage in Southern California

How do you find the best foliage near Los Angeles? It’s easy if you know when to look and how to enjoy it. For starters, you need to head to the mountains, specifically the San Bernardino Mountains where peak foliage arrives between mid-October and early November. If you’re looking to trade the city heat for the crisp bite of fall and the crunch of autumn leaves, this is the place to be in Southern California.

Fall in the mountains is a rare pleasure in Southern California. The chill of the mountain air and the warmth of the sun is a novelty in these parts and a great reason to visit Lake Arrowhead in the fall. Follow route 173 up the mountains, around the lake, and into Lake Arrowhead Village where Oktoberfest is happening every Saturday and Sunday from September 17^th to October 29^th. Or, head off road and see the foliage from the saddle of a mountain bike on the trails in SkyPark at Santa’s Village or on Cougar Crest, Jedi, or one of the other trails through the San Bernardino National Forest.

No matter how you enjoy this rare sight in Southern California, there’s plenty going on in the village and at Lake Arrowhead Resort where s’mores are served around our fire pits and warm drinks are served up on the deck of Bin 189 with complimentary views of striking fall colors across and around the lake. 

Oktoberfest in the San Bernardino Mountains

Follow the ‘Ooompah’ sounds up the slopes of the San Bernardino mountains to Lake Arrowhead for the the 33^rd Lake Arrowhead Oktoberfest. Looking right at home among the Bavarian half-timber architecture of downtown Lake Arrowhead, this annual tradition is a non-stop party every weekend from September 17^th – October 29^th. Starting at noon on Saturday and Sunday, there’s fun for young and old all day long. From sausage tosses­­ and kids games, to adult chugging contests and German dance parties, there’s no shortage of revelry and things to do in Lake Arrowhead each weekend in the fall.

These legendary  weekends each features a different Bavarian boogie from bands like the Kalifornia Krauts, the Bluebirds, and the Bavarian Beer Garden Band. Admission is free, but if you want to drink, you must purchase the Oktoberfest Starter Package, which is $20 and includes your first beer. Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Sauerkraut, coleslaw, and pretzels are cooking throughout the day and available for purchase from vendors across Lake Arrowhead Village’s Waterfront Park. Picnic Tables and Pub Tables are available for reservation to make your experience a little extra (and parking is free at Lake Arrowhead Village)!

All the fun is for a good cause too! Since 1989 Operation Provider has been helping Inland Empire families in need of food, clothing, school supplies and Thanksgiving & Christmas dinners. All this revelry comes with a sizable contribution to Operations Provider, something we can all raise our steins to.