Overview
Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California. As a scenic mountain resort in the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead's economy is almost completely supported by tourism, both by casual vacationers and part-time residents.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lake Arrowhead
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are a group of small, granite peaks Northwest of Lake Arrowhead. They are visible from Hwy. 173, past the Shooting Range. There are many excellent climbing opportunities with hundreds of bolted climbs scatt…
Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout Tower
Majestic views, solitude, quiet, and heroic vigilance, this fire lookout tower is located off Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains near the communities of Twin Peaks and Rim Forest. From Highway 18 take Bear Spring…
Boat Tours
There are Lake Arrowhead boat tours available on the Arrowhead Queen. Tickets can be purchased at Leroy's Board Shop in the Lake Arrowhead Village.
Boat Rentals
Private boat rentals are not available to non-property owners; so if you're renting a place be sure to check if it includes lake access and a boat, especially if you'd like to go water skiing.
McKenzie Water Ski School
There are several private water ski schools in Arrowhead village.
Swim
If you do not have property rights within the Lake Arrowhead community, you are not allowed to use the lake for recreational purposes. The Arrowhead Lake Association has attempted to make a system of trails that goes aro…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 97°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby San Bernardino)
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.
- SBD San Bernardino International Airport, San Bernardino — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ONT Ontario International Airport, Ontario — 27 mi away (major hub). Directions
Take Highway 18 up from the city of San Bernardino. Lake Arrowhead is about 35-45 min away from the bottom of the mountain.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Pinnacles, Boat Tours
- Lunch Papagayo's Mexican Restaurant + Cantina
- Afternoon McKenzie Water Ski School, The Lake Arrowhead Country Club
- Evening Belgian Waffle Works
Day 2
- Morning Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout Tower, Boat Rentals
- Afternoon Swim
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
While Lake Arrowhead has no official town center, the Lake Arrowhead Village serves as the main commercial area for both locals and tourists and includes a number of factory outlets, boutiques, restaurants, two banks, a post office and a supermarket.
Climate
Lake Arrowhead has a unique climate for Southern California with four distinct seasons which support an array of outdoor recreational activity and year-round beauty. During the summer, warm temperatures and monsoon thunderstorms are common. During the winter months, large Pacific storms bring plenty of snow. The area receives about 300 annual days of sunshine per year.
Get in
Take Highway 18 up from the city of San Bernardino. Lake Arrowhead is about 35-45 min away from the bottom of the mountain.
Get around
- By public transportation - The Mountain Transit is the only public transportation service provided to the mountain communities.
- By taxi - There is no regular taxi service in Lake Arrowhead, however taxi service can be arranged to and from the mountain communities.
- By car - Many of the roads in Lake Arrowhead may seem very confusing to someone who is not familiar with the area. As with many small mountain communities, there are many unmarked access roads as well roads that meander for seemingly endless distances. However, all major routes are clearly posted throughout the community.
- Hitch-hike- People use this as a form of transportation from time to time in Lake Arrowhead and surrounding communities, but its reliability can be less than desirable. It is a perfectly legal form of transportation on all surface streets in the Mountain Communities. However, it is illegal to hitchhike from freeways (which Lake Arrowhead lacks), and it is also illegal to stand in the road to solicit a ride, so make sure you are on the sidewalk or far shoulder!
See
See The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles are a group of small, granite peaks Northwest of Lake Arrowhead. They are visible from Hwy. 173, past the Shooting Range. There are many excellent climbing opportunities with hundreds of bolted climbs scattered throughout the hills. A trail leads to a beautiful meadow just South of the Ugly Wall, supposedly this awesome little spot is referred to by local climbers as "The Center of the Universe". All other trails must be followed carefully as many small use-trails lead of into other areas, the main summit, and multiple bushwacks. The Pinnacles' main summit is an HPS peak and can easily be climbed in a day with the nearby HPS peak Mt. Marie Louise.
See Strawberry Peak Fire Lookout Tower
Majestic views, solitude, quiet, and heroic vigilance, this fire lookout tower is located off Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains near the communities of Twin Peaks and Rim Forest. From Highway 18 take Bear Springs Road which is just east of the Rim Forest. Follow the signs about two miles to the tower. The tower is staffed by volunteers and is open between the hours of 9AM and 5PM. Visitors are welcome to come up to the top and view the mountains and learn about the San Bernardino National Forest.
Do
Lake Arrowhead Village hosts events all year long including a free Summer Concert Series, the county's largest free Oktoberfest and many other themed events such as car shows, dog shows, the Tour de Lake Arrowhead, Home Expo, and the popular Antique Wooden Boat Show.
The Lake
The lake is private property. Visitors may not use the lake except as guests of property owners who must assume full responsibility for them. Failure to obtain permission prior to using the lake may result in arrest for criminal trespass.
Do Boat Tours
There are Lake Arrowhead boat tours available on the Arrowhead Queen. Tickets can be purchased at Leroy's Board Shop in the Lake Arrowhead Village.
Do Boat Rentals
Private boat rentals are not available to non-property owners; so if you're renting a place be sure to check if it includes lake access and a boat, especially if you'd like to go water skiing.
Do Swim
If you do not have property rights within the Lake Arrowhead community, you are not allowed to use the lake for recreational purposes. The Arrowhead Lake Association has attempted to make a system of trails that goes around the whole lake, due to private property all trails end somewhere instead of continuing around the lake. To find a good swimming spot, the use of these trails is strongly advised; to get to them, find a staircase going down to the lake and you will cross it.
Golfing
Do The Lake Arrowhead Country Club
Buy
Lake Arrowhead features a shopping complex named the Lake Arrowhead Village. The Lake Arrowhead Village offers a variety of outlet stores along with independent boutique stores. There is also a range of dining options in the complex.
Eat
Eat Papagayo's Mexican Restaurant + Cantina
Papagayo's opened in 1982 as El Cantina del Papagayos in Agua Fria, California. Shortly after that, Papagayos moved to the Lake Arrowhead Village and has become a landmark of the village. It can get very busy, especially during the summer months, so it's a good idea to show up early.
- Jensen's Finest Foods, 27264 Highway 189, Blue Jay, +1 909 337-8484, and 211 N State Highway, Cedar Glen, +1 909 337-3500. They make pretty filling, very good sandwiches in the back and a variety of BBQ meats and plates for a decent price too.
Drink
Understand, though a popular resort Lake Arrowhead pretty much shuts down come the evening hours and as such nightlife is non-existent.
Drink Belgian Waffle Works
Belgian Waffle Works is one of the most popular restaurants in the Lake Arrowhead area. Featuring 17 specialty waffles, homemade soups, sandwiches and salads, lots of healthy choices and homemade biscuits and cinnamon loaves.
Sleep
There are numerous rentals and bed and breakfasts throughout Lake Arrowhead's upscale area. In addition there is the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, a full service resort featuring a spa and a private beach on the lake.
Lake Arrowhead offers over 1,600 guest accommodations, including more than 1,200 licensed vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, around 175 rooms at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, and over 100 rooms at the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Lodge
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