Overview
Bear Valley is a small community in Alpine County, California in the United States of America. It has a population of around 130.
3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bear Valley
Bear Valley Mountain Resort
Winter and summer sports: skiing, snowboarding, biking, hiking, etc.
Bear Valley Music Festival
12 musical events and numerous community events, including BBQs and a Teddy Bear Picnic.
Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival
A celebration of outdoors sports such as mountain biking and rock climbing.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Wettest: Feb and Dec. (climate data from nearby South Lake Tahoe)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TKF Truckee Tahoe Airport, Truckee — 59 mi away. Directions
- RNO Reno Tahoe International Airport, Reno — 73 mi away (major hub). Directions
California State Route 4 is the only road leading to Bear Valley. SR 4 comes from Markleeville to the north-east and Angels Camp to the south-west.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $85–$165 a night (typical $138), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$330.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Bear Valley Music Festival
- Lunch Creekside Dining Room
- Afternoon Bear Valley Adventure Sports Festival
- Dinner Lake Alpine Resort Restaurant
- Evening Grizzly Lounge & Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
California State Route 4 is the only road leading to Bear Valley. SR 4 comes from Markleeville to the north-east and Angels Camp to the south-west.
Do
Events
Learn
Place Mountain Adventure Seminars
Outdoor adventure school and guide service. Courses offered range from rock climbing to mountaineering to skiing to safety and rescue.
Eat
Eat Lake Alpine Resort Restaurant
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Drink
Sleep
Go next
- - Arnold is a tiny town that offers supplies, restaurants and lodging for visitors to the giant sequoia groves of neighboring Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The town is also the starting point for the Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway, a 61 mi stretch of Highways 4 and 89 that leads through incredible mountain scenery as it crosses over 8736 ft Ebbetts Pass, one of the Sierra's least-traveled mountain passes. Additionally, Arnold is home to a 7 acre logging museum that has indoor and outdoor exhibits of large logging equipment and artifacts.
Nearby
Kirkwood
City / town · 16 mi away
Pinecrest
City / town · 13 listings · 19 mi away
Arnold
City / town · 4 listings · 22 mi away
Mi-Wuk Village
City / town · 7 listings · 29 mi away
Twain Harte
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Volcano
City / town · 7 listings · 32 mi away
Murphys
City / town · 14 listings · 32 mi away
South Lake Tahoe
City / town · 22 listings · 33 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.