Big Bear PCT Hiker Hostel
I came to Big Bear to start a hostel for outdoorsy people. I had no idea what the PCT was at that point. For most of the year Big Bear Hostel is a base camp for skiers, snowboarders, cyclists, paddlers, mountain bikers, world travelers and people just coming to Big Bear for vacation. Then all of a sudden lots of stinky hikers started showing up in May. How cool that people hike the PCT from Mexico to Canada each year! Now we do our best to cater to the yearly motley crew of thru-hikers, so in May we transform into the Big Bear PCT hiker hostel!
Have a nice walk and we hope to see you in Big Bear! - Grayson
Have a nice walk and we hope to see you in Big Bear! - Grayson
Top 10 Reasons PCT Hikers choose Big Bear Hostel!
We are members!
Best Value! - We offer discounted PCT Rates in April and May!
Dorm beds are $20 first night, $15 extra nights. (plus 10.5% tax)
Private rooms for 2-8 people vary in price Avg. $25/hiker/night. (plus 10.5% tax)
Big Bear Hostel is close to everything in Big Bear
- New BIG 5 Sporting Goods (1/2 mile)
- Movie Theater (1 block)
- Grocery Store, Kmart, Sizzler, McD's, El Pollo Loco, Chinese Food, Sushi, Dollar Tree, all within a mile.
- Grizzly Manor Cafe (Not to be missed "greasy spoon" diner in Big Bear Lake)
- Walgreens and CVS pharmacy
- Big $2 authentic Mexican Tacos next door.
Coin laundry and loaner clothes at the hostel. $1 wash. $1 Dry (free soap)
Call for pickup from Highway 18 - (909) 866-8900 - Try hitching first!
Free WIFI and Free internet computer for guests
Free DVD movies
Gas BBQ on our Party Deck
Liquor store around the corner
Bus stop around the corner
Big Bear Lake Post Office 92315 is one block away (see info below)
Cool Staff!
The lake is just across the street! We rent kayaks and paddleboards.
Full kitchen with cooking implements - bring your own food - organize group meals!
Introduction to Big Bear
There are two ends of town in the valley, Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake.
Big Bear City is more of a residential district with a few shops along the main highway which has no sidewalks!
Big Bear Lake about 3 miles west of Big Bear City is pedestrian friendly with sidewalks everywhere and has the following resources along 2 miles of Big Bear Boulevard:
Two Post Offices in Big Bear open Mon-Friday 9-5pm
The Big Bear City post office (92314) is open to pick up only packages on Saturday for 1 hour. (1/2 mile from nearest lodging)
The Big Bear Lake post office (92315) is open for 2 hours on Saturday with a full service counter. (1 block from the hostel)
Big Bear City is more of a residential district with a few shops along the main highway which has no sidewalks!
Big Bear Lake about 3 miles west of Big Bear City is pedestrian friendly with sidewalks everywhere and has the following resources along 2 miles of Big Bear Boulevard:
- 2 full size supermarkets: Vons / Stater Bros
- 3 Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, local Medical Arts Pharmacy
- Kmart
- Payless Shoes
- Big Bear Visitors Center
- Tons of restaurants: 5 pizza joints, Sizzler, Chinese, the Grizzly Manor Cafe (largest breakfasts anywhere!), all major fast food restaurants and much more!
- 2 Movie Theaters
- 10 bars/pubs
- The Big Bear Hostel: www.BigBearHostel.com
- North Pole Fudge Ice Cream and Candy store
- Saucy Mama's Pizza
- Big Bear Lake post office 92315
- Bike & kayak rentals / Boat tours of the lake.
- Take the hourly bus anywhere in Big Bear for $1 each way. (Bus stops across the street from the hostel)
- Sport Chalet is 1 hour drive
Two Post Offices in Big Bear open Mon-Friday 9-5pm
The Big Bear City post office (92314) is open to pick up only packages on Saturday for 1 hour. (1/2 mile from nearest lodging)
The Big Bear Lake post office (92315) is open for 2 hours on Saturday with a full service counter. (1 block from the hostel)
Big Bear Lake PCT Trail entry / exit
Highway 38 (ONYX SUMMIT) - First chance - no free shuttle, try hitching
MILE 265.3: Highway 18 (CUSHIONBERRY GRADE) - BEST PLACE TO GET A RIDE INTO and BACK from hostel
MILE 274.1: Van Dusen Canyon Road - Fireroad crossing - still 2 miles of dirt road into town
Couger Crest Trail - 2 mile Singletrack Trail down to lake - this is past most useful parts of town, but we can shuttle to here easily.
Google Map of Pacific Crest Trail
from Highway 10 to Highway 15
Includes Big Bear Lake points of interest - Try Zooming!
View Pacific Crest Trail - Highway 10 to Highway 15.kmz in a larger map
Free storage of your resupply boxes at Big Bear Hostel!
If we have your package you can get it anytime! (vs. post office has limited hours. )
Packages sent via US MAIL to the hostel must go to our PO BOX:
Your Name / Arrival Date
C/O Big Bear Hostel
PO BOX 1951
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-1951
Packages sent via UPS or common carrier go to our physical address:
Your Name / Arrival Date
C/O Big Bear Hostel
541 Knickerbocker Road (office)
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
You can send packages to
GENERAL DELIVERY
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
(corner of Big Bear Blvd. and Pine Knot in the village) - 1 block to hostel
Hours: 8:30-5 M-F, 10-noon Sat, Closed Sun.
(corner of Big Bear Blvd. and Pine Knot in the village) - 1 block to hostel
Hours: 8:30-5 M-F, 10-noon Sat, Closed Sun.
Grayson - hostel owner in Yosemite backpacking
PCT Hikers in Big Bear enjoying the secret magic cache left by Big Bear Hostel..
Public Transport: Big Bear MARTA BUS / Greyhound
You can take a bus from the MARTA bus stop across the street from the hostel.
MARTA bus has hourly service around town
and goes to San Bernardino Metrolink and Greyhound stations three times a day (not Sunday)
MARTA BUS OFFICE:
909-878-5200
Monday-Sunday 5:30am to 7:00pm
Big Bear Taxi
(909) 866-TAXI
Supermarkets in Big Bear
VONS
(Safeway)
42170 Big Bear BLVD
(2 miles from hostel, walk or bus)
Stater Brothers
42171 Big Bear BLVD
(2 miles from hostel, walk or bus)
Supermarkets in Big Bear City
Community Market
100 E. Big Bear BLVD
42170 Big Bear BLVD
(2 miles from hostel, walk or bus)
Stater Brothers
42171 Big Bear BLVD
(2 miles from hostel, walk or bus)
Supermarkets in Big Bear City
Community Market
100 E. Big Bear BLVD
Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Links
Yogi's PCT Handbook
PCTMAP.NET - Half Mile's PCT Maps and Water Report
PCT Atlas Guidebook & Backpacking Blog
PCTA.org
Backpacker.com
Thru-hiker.com
Trail Quest
Backpacking Light
www.walkpct.com
http://Postholer.Com
Annual Day Zero Pacific Crest Trail Kickoff Party "ADZPCTKO"
Craig's Automated PCT Planning website
Proper Treking pole Technique from Backpacking.net
PCT Hiker Blogs100Marathons.org - 1 hikers walk for MS
