Big Bear PCT Hiker Hostel

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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 a PCT hiker hostel!  Have a nice walk and we hope to see you in Big Bear!

Top 10 Reasons PCT Hikers choose Big Bear Hostel!

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We are members!
  1. Best Value! - Dorm beds are $20 first night, $15 second night, $10 third night. (plus 10.5% tax) 
  2. Private rooms for 2-8 people only $23/hiker/night.
  3. Close to everything in Big Bear
    - 4 Pizza places within 2 blocks
    - Sports Bar and laundromat next door
    - Big $2 authentic Mexican Tacos next door.
    - Movie Theater 1 block
    - Grocery Store, Kmart, Sizzler, McD's, El Pollo Loco, Chinese Buffet, IHOP, Dollar Tree, all within a mile.
    - Walgreens and CVS pharmacy
  4. Coin Laundry and loaner clothes at the hostel.
  5. Free pickup from Highway 18 - (909) 866-8900 (as much as we can) - Try hitching first!
  6. Free WIFI and 2 Free internet computers for guests
  7. Magic Payphone Booth
  8. Free DVD movies
  9. Gas BBQ on our Party Deck
  10. Liquor Store around the corner
  11. Bus stop around the corner
  12. Big Bear Lake Post Office 92315 is one block away (see info below)
  13. The owner can't smell your stink!
  14. Cool Staff! 
  15. The lake is just across the street! 
  16. 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:
  • Equata Outfitters outdoor gear store in the village
  • 2 full size supermarkets: Vons / Stater Bros
  • 3 pharmacies: CVS, RITE AID, Walgreens
  • Kmart
  • Payless Shoes
  • Big Bear Visitors Center
  • Tons of restaurants: 5 pizza joints, Sizzler, Denny's, a Chinese Buffet, 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
  • 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)
  • Local Outfitter is closed, Sport Chalet is 1 hour drive

Two Post Offices in Big Bear
The Big Bear City fire department used to offer free showers and camping to hikers. But this ended a few years ago.
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
Highway 18 (CUSHIONBERRY GRADE) - Second Chance - shuttles available,
Van Dusen Canyon Road - Fireroad crossing - still 2 miles of dirt road into town
Couger Crest Trail - 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!

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.

Best Option!
Free storage of your resupply boxes at Big Bear Hostel!
If we have your package you can get it anytime!

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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:

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Your Name / Arrival Date
C/O Big Bear Hostel
541 Knickerbocker Road (office)
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
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Grayson - hostel ownerYosemite Backpacking

PCT Hikers in Big Bear enjoying the secret magic cache left by Big Bear Hostel..

PCT Hikers that have stayed with us over the years!

I can't find most of the photos I took like this, but we will take more this year..


Public Transport: Big Bear MARTA BUS / Greyhound

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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:
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