A mountain cabin rental in Green Valley Lake, CA, called, and, for the first time in 15 months, we answered. If you too are looking for a family-friendly place that has cool weather, fresh air, and tons of activities (including fishing, swimming, and other lake-time fun), read on for details on our first post-Covid vaccination trip.
Our last travel adventure was March 2020, as it was for a lot of people. We went to Palm Springs for my birthday on the 12th (check out our previous wellness trips to Palm Springs here) and watched as the market crashed and cities began closing. Needless to say, returning to Los Angeles on March 13th was scary, particularly because I’m on medication that significantly reduces my immune system’s ability to fight off a virus like Covid. So, for more than a year, we didn’t travel. In fact, we barely went out of the apartment (but we did do a lot of gardening).
So, here we are, many, many, many months later, and we are both fully vaccinated. And while we still have some concerns about how covered I am, we were confident enough to dip our toes back into road trips: our first destination – a mountain cabin rental in Green Valley Lake, California.
Where is Green Valley Lake, CA?
If you’ve never heard of Green Valley Lake, it’s an excellent time to get to know it. It’s a small, family-friendly community that is considered a “hidden gem” in the San Bernardino Mountains. Set perfectly between its more famous neighbors, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, Green Valley Lake offers a quiet retreat, surrounded by national forest, for anyone looking for relaxation or a fully-stocked fishing spot. Swimming is permitted in certain areas of the lake, as is boating. It was the perfect, low-pressure spot to emerge from our quarantine quietly.
Mountain Rental Cabin
We went with an Airbnb cottage (which is also listed on other platforms, I believe) because I was still too nervous to want to be in a hotel with strangers using the hallways and elevators. Also, we wanted a quiet retreat rather than something in the center of a bigger town, like Big Bear. This charming mountain cabin rental allowed us to have complete control over who was in the space and was highly recommended for cleanliness and cozy comforts.
Of course, the real selling point was that this cottage had a view of the lake through the trees (the lake was not even a full block away — so close!). We grilled outside on the back porch under the bistro lights and gazed out on the water. The fireplace inside was a huge plus, as the nights in May were still in the low 40s even though the weather during the day was a beautiful 70 degrees.
We thought the cabin was thoroughly charming and comfortable. It just has one bedroom, but it has a spacious living area that could accommodate cots for kids. There’s also a very comfortable couch. The kitchen was fully stocked in terms of pots, pans, utensils, tools, etc., and we brought our own groceries so that we wouldn’t feel the need to drive to Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear to get food.
Things to Do in Green Valley Lake, CA
Technically, we went off-season (mid-May). The lake was not yet open for business, but it is ready for visitors now. Off-season, the town’s few restaurants by the lake are only open on weekends, but you can still walk around the lake for a nice, leisurely stroll (it’s about a mile). The General Store was wonderful and really helped us pick up last-minute provisions. In season, you get to enjoy not only the benefits of fishing, swimming, and boating, but the restaurants should all have reopened by now (most of the Covid restrictions came off on June 15th, but check before you drive up). Birding is another big draw for the area.
Coming up, you can enjoy what they refer to as the “Shortest Parade in the USA” on July 4th and the summer concert series. There are also pie festivals, photography exhibits, square dances, and more planned for the summer of 2021. All in all, there are fun and relaxing things to do in Green Valley Lake, CA, that the whole family will enjoy. And if you are looking for a quiet escape to get some writing done, it’s perfect for that, too.
