Whether you're coming from as far south as San Clemente or as north as Yorba Linda, it will usually take between two and three hours to get to Big Bear. You can be snowboarding, hiking or boating in the same amount of time it can take to get to downtown Los Angeles on a weekday. It's far away enough and has such a drastically different setting that it can truly feel like a vacation. Plus, one-third of the drive is through scenic mountain roads. If you leave early enough, you'll bypass traffic, and if you stay late enough, you can see the incredible night sky with much less light pollution than you'll find down here. In winter, the lake is breathtakingly crisp and beautiful, and it's easy to find deals on lift tickets; in summer, it's less crowded, and you can explore the wilderness with no one else in sight. Stay for a while, and leave in the dark: The drive home will be quick—a relaxing end to your day.