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Location
Big Bear, California, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Mike C.Joined in June 2018
Response rate: 93%Response time: Within 10 hours
95%
11 ratings · 49 reviews
Carlos M.recommends
January 29, 2023
Tall Pines Chalet
Beware of the Hot Tub
I definitely had a great time at the Chalet for the weekend! What a beautiful place to escape the rush and hustle of the city. Enjoyed exploring the backyard (which is literally the forest) and the space felt so huge and open. I must say, if more work and effort was put into maintaining the backyard and the outside surroundings of the Chalet, this place would really be one of a kind. It has potential, just needs more taking care of. One huge bummer was opening the hot tub lid, only to find that the water was super green and it had a very nasty and foul stench. Seemed like it had not been properly maintained in a while. I honestly was looking forward to the hot tub and relaxing in it (which was a huge factor in why I booked this place in the first place) but it was disappointing to discover it was non operable due to the water conditions inside of it. Besides that, everything else was wonderful! The host was very informative and helpful with information about The Chalet and Big Bear.
Tim D.recommends
July 28, 2022
Tall Pines Chalet
Loved it
Great place. House was perfect for what we were looking for, great hiking locations, and amazing stargazing.
Janine L.recommends
July 25, 2022
Tall Pines Chalet
A Mountain Gem
My family of five spent 3 nights at this uniquely beautiful chalet surrounded by pines. We had a most relaxing and fun time. The accommodations were spacious and super comfortable. We really enjoyed gathering all together around the large dining room table and on the front deck for meals and games. The office area was a little retreat where we set up a jigsaw puzzle and people could go off for quiet yoga or to lounge with a book. There were hiking trails that started in the back yard, and we visited Big Bear lake daily. Every room at the chalet had a view into nature…we spotted different types of squirrels and chipmunks, hares and rabbits, many bird species, and a wild donkey. It was such a blast, and Mike (the owner) was readily available (via text) to answer any questions that we had. We would love to return and to stay even longer.
Jeremiah F.recommends
March 23, 2022
Tall Pines Chalet
Chalet stargazing.
This was a wonderful cabin on the eastern edge of Big Bear, backed up against open forest. The chalet was large with two bedrooms. One was huge, contained three beds and an adjoining office. There was a patio through the french doors, with a view of the forest. Just a great spot to relax. Their were two bathrooms, both were clean, with showers and tubs and flush toilets. A nice fireplace was in the center of the chalet, giving the whole place a nice cozy feel. There is a hot tub and play area as well.
While there are other buildings on this property, the Chalet felt private. This is a great spot, both in the winter and summer. There are plenty of hiking trails, and the ski slopes are nearby.
At night the stars really popped and it was great hanging out on the patio looking into the sky.
Emily M.recommends
August 9, 2021
Gold Rush Cabin
My friends and I had a great time staying at this cabin! It felt very secluded, but there were other houses on the same property so we felt safe as well. In my opinion, the location was the best of both worlds - close enough to everything we wanted to do in Big Bear, but still secluded enough to feel like we were escaping city life. I was worried that going up into the loft area would be a scary, but the area felt surprisingly sturdy, even when we had 3 people up there at one point. We didn't use the stove, so I can't comment on that, but the fridge, microwave, sinks, etc., all worked great. We were also happy to see all the dishes and kitchen supplies that were available, as they ended up having a couple of things that we hadn't thought to bring (like a knife and a measuring cup). There were only a couple of small downsides overall (and I hesitate to even bring them up because they really didn't negatively impact our trip). One was that the mattress on the floor upstairs was not comfortable at all - it was more of a cot than an actual mattress. I ended up just sleeping in the recliner downstairs instead, which was very comfortable. The other was that the composting toilet did seem to attract a lot of flies. We were able to open the window and shoo them away, and there were fly papers hanging in the bathroom, so it wasn't really a problem, just a very small nuisance. I absolutely plan to stay here again as soon as possible. The owners were very friendly and helpful as well! I loved the history of the home, how quiet it was, the views, and how at peace I felt there. If you're looking for a rustic stay, this place is perfect.
Max G.recommends
July 19, 2021
Gold Rush Cabin
Awesome and unique rustic exprience
This cabin is a unique experience and one that I absolutely loved! It is a 150 year old orignal gold rush cabin with vintage everything inside. Its important to note that, as its not the latest top of the line luxury, but that was not the experience I was after. What I wanted for myself and my family was a rustic experience, to be alone, in the woods, with nothing but fresh air and bird songs, and that is exactly what I got! And the fact that the store was still 5 min away, and the town of Big Bear and the lake beach 15 min away made it worth every penny! Highly recommend if you feeling adventerous and do not need anything past simple comforts! Mike was an exelent host and great communicator, and went out of his way to help me with last minute changes to my reservation. 5 starts all the way!!
Debbie S.recommends
June 28, 2021
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Mike is a great host.
Amy G.recommends
June 7, 2021
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
What a beautiful piece of land! Really enjoyed the Skydeck, it provided nice views of the surrounding nature, and the mountain skyline peaks out behind mostly old-growth trees. I took 2 of the 3 trails to the top of Deadman's Ridge. Views were panoramic and striking. Both trails I took (the top trail to the right of the deck if your back is to the deck, and the middle trail heading up the mountain on the left) were about 1 mile up and then a mile or so back depending on how far you wander across the ridge and which paths you take back. The Skydeck has an untouched nature feel but the deck provides a layer of security and separation. If you go on a weekend you might hear some laughter or music echo through the valley but it's pretty quiet overall and is accurately described by Mike, the host, who was welcoming and very responsive and kind via text.
Maria U.
May 3, 2021
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
It was truly an adventure but it felt like we were invading the community. It’s private, everyone is kept to themselves. After a while we understood where everything was at but we couldn’t find the solar shower. All the instructions were easy to understand
Sylwia D.recommends
January 18, 2021
Gold Rush Cabin
Amazing Historical Environment
This cabin is amazing. If you love history you’ll love this place. Quiet, stunning stars, kitchen well stoked. Nice and warm and toasty heaters
Honestly this is the best cabin I’ve stayed in in Big Bear.
Nicholas O.recommends
November 15, 2020
Gold Rush Cabin
Authentic cabin experience
Just what we were looking for. This cabin is very old and makes for a rustic experience. Thankfully there was sufficient heat and lighting. The walls are thin so there isn’t much privacy. You can hear almost everything in any part of the house except the bathroom, which is a little stinky since it’s a composting toilet (worth it for the betterment of our environment). Two of our guests chose not to use the attic beds because they weren’t comfortable with using the ladder at night. They slept comfortably on the sofa bed instead. Plenty of kitchen supplies for cooking. The property is beautiful and there are many trails to explore. We’d love to come back if Mike will have us again :)
Sara W.recommends
November 8, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Due to bad weather, we didn’t end up camping. Mike was super understanding and flexible, allowing us to reschedule.
Edwin K.recommends
October 19, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Would stay here again
Caitlin T.recommends
October 11, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Perfect spot for a Time Out!
My friend and I were just looking for a quiet weekend away from It All & Sky Ranch delivered. Clear view of the Milky Way at night and fell asleep listening to the sound of the woods settling. Very relaxing!
Maggie N.recommends
October 4, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Sky Ranch was a beautiful little getaway that was close enough to town to be perfectly convenient. While the spot was not as quiet as expected, what with some traffic heard on the road, it still proved peaceful and calm. Expect donkeys, beautiful sunsets, and chilly evenings.
Madison K.recommends
August 30, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Stargazing Getaway
Very cute private camp spot. Would reccomend to anyone.
Theres a small 600 foot walk from the car to the spot. Once your there you set up camp and lay on the benches and you can see all the stars above. During the day you can choose a couple different hiking trails go on.
I would say leave all food in the car just in case of bears... the only thing we heard come near our camp were coyotes running by and a wild burro walk by at 2 am.
Adam S.
August 20, 2020
Gold Rush Cabin
A Good But Not Great Experience
This cabin is definitely from the 1870s and still built solid with lots of character. The doors creak when you open and close them; the floors creak when you walk, and the downstairs bed creaks when you sleep in it. Access to the loft space is as it was described with a near-vertical ladder that opens from the ceiling. Attic space is excellent for kids with two full size beds The kitchen area was very usable. A propane-fueled stove and oven, as well as plenty of dish ware and utensils. The view from the rear porch is excellent and very tranquil. We spent a lot of time on the back porch enjoying the view. Hiking trails are close by and provide a great outdoor experience.
Why good and not great? First, I expected the cabin to be remote, being far away from other cabins and homes. True, the cabin is on the edge of a community but homes are on the adjacent properties 50 feet away. Second, the lighting inside is very dim, even with all lights on. There wasn’t enough light to even read a book in the downstairs bedroom. A neon beer light appears to have been added next to the dining room table to provide more light but I found it to be a poor choice as it didn’t fit with the rustic cabin. Third, although the add says ‘compostable’ toilet in the bathroom, and the welcome literature in the 3-ring binder sells the toilet as ‘saving the planet,’ it still seemed like I was in a port-a-john each time I used it and the toilet smell lingered.
Advice to the owner/operator: invest in a bunch of light bulbs, maybe make them dimming so the guests can adjust how much light they want. It can go a long way.
Jenifer B.recommends
August 18, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Private & Serene
This is a lovely, quiet, private site.
When we first arrived, we noticed the trash we were supposed to use was scattered all over the road. We notified Mike right away & he sent over a property caretaker who cleaned up & secured the trash really quickly.
The walk to the site is not far, and for the most part not bad, but the last 1/5 of the walk is up a pretty steep incline. Pack minimally - you don’t want to take several trips up the hill, esp if you have weak, pathetic, sea level lungs like me.
The drive to Big Bear is easy & quick. You hear lots of animals at night, and if the sky is clear, so many stars.
Michelle M.doesn't recommend
August 9, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Quite, secluded, great for couple
This is a great little platform about 600 ft from where you park. There is no running water at the platform so make to go plan accordingly, otherwise it’s quite and secluded. Puts you in a great location to do some hiking, no driving needed as well as close promptly to town and other spots off the 38. Highly recommend this spot. The platform fit our 3 person tent perfectly but there wasn’t much room left over. Might be too small for 4 people, great for 1 or 2 people.
Alisa B.recommends
August 3, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Had the best weekend at Sky Ranch! The pad fit our tent perfectly. We enjoyed hiking right off the platform as well as the proximity to town. A few close trees was a perfect spot for a hammock to stargaze. Had the best time. Will be back!
Brandon P.
July 27, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Great minimalist and rustic spot to stay outside of Big Bear. It is a little bit of a hike in, but instructions were straight forward and helpful.
Kimberly E.
July 22, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Biking to Lake Arrowhead is easy, but going back to camp is all uphill and a struggle.
Erica Z.recommends
July 19, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Great stay!
The sky deck was exactly what we expected, a deck large enough for our tent and two camping chairs to make our base camp. It was great to have a flat surface for our tent and be a bit away from the surrounding small town. It was awesome that the deck is situated right on some of the trails, which made hiking around the area a breeze! If we plan to camp anywhere near Big Bear again, we'd definitely come back! As others have noted, there is a bit of a "hike" from where you park to your camp, but it probably takes 5 min and the "steep" part is only about a dozen steps, so not a huge hassle at all.
Taylor W.recommends
July 13, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Good space and great star gazing.
Camping at Sky Ranch was a lovely retreat away from the big cities. The deck has ample sitting space with the benches and has 2 entrances (walk in or stairs). I liked the trails leading out from camp. There were a couple times where a local would pass by camp on the trail, but they were never bothersome. The Village is a 15 minute or so drive from the property, so it's easily accessible yet far enough away. The surrounding area has some houses that you can hear the neighbors at times, but it's not overly intrusive. I felt secluded and safe. Watching the owls come out at dusk and the full moon rise above the ridge was my favorite part about this spot.
Nate F.doesn't recommend
July 12, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Unsafe but amazing location
The star deck is very old, falling apart and downright dangerous to camp on. We were excited to come stay, and did ultimately sleep on it both nights, but we won’t be coming back.
There are nails sticking out of it everywhere, and a huge piece of it literally fell off while we were there. Several more pieces lay on the ground around it with nails sticking out of them. The whole far side of the deck moves while you are sitting on it. We could hear termites eating away at the wood at night while we were trying to sleep.
Sky Ranch is in an incredible location in the mountains with a beautiful view of the stars at night, and a myriad of trails for the hiking-savvy. The secluded deck is a great idea, but it desperately needs to be rebuilt if people are spending money to come stay on it.
We passed several state campgrounds on the way there, which I would check out if you are wanting to camp up in the mountains.
Yanni T.recommends
June 15, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Ideal spot for new or solo campers
The site is practically behind a small residential area on the border for the SB National Forest. This may be considered ideal for some; you're provided with fresh water, a parking spot a short distance away and bear resistant trash cans. There are several trails nearby and you are a short drive from the lake. The deck itself could use some love, several nails had come out and even though I nailed them back in, by the time I repacked my tent they had come back out. Other than that, everything was great and my dog and I had a great relaxing time.
Michelle R.recommends
June 8, 2020
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Really great private campsite with connecting hiking trails. Would recommend! Bring warm clothes!
Jonathan W.recommends
September 30, 2019
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
We stayed at Sky Ranch Site 1 (the Star Deck) and had absolutely wonderful time. The site is private and perfect to fit a 2-3 person tent. Mike was great with communication giving us directions to get there and great directions for finding the water spigot and bathroom. The trail was easy to find and follow to our campsite. We unfortunately got caught with clouds and rain during our stay, but imagine that if it was clear the stars would have been out in full force and perfect for star gazing!
Amick V.recommends
September 10, 2019
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
Mike was an incredible host and the cabin and camp site were both extraordinarily great.
Amanda J.recommends
September 9, 2019
Sky Ranch in Big Bear
We had such a great night on the Star Deck! Swooped in for one evening - it was my friend's dog's first camping trip, so wanted to keep things simple. Very peaceful, secluded enough to feel like we had our own little spot, yet close enough to everything so that getting in and out of town and down to the lake was a breeze. Thanks, Mike!
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