Hideaway Cabin at Big Bear Lake has a Long History of Romance

The History of the Hideaway Cabin at Big Bear Lake, California

The Hideaway Cabin itself is a special romantic retreat with a fabulous history all its own. As one of the original Big Bear cabins, it was lost in a poker game and became the bridal gift from a doting father to his beloved daughter on her wedding day. From then on, the Hideaway has been associated with romance. It is joked that more marriage proposals are made here and more babies conceived than anywhere else.

History of Big Bear

Big Bear Valley was first occupied by the Serrano Indians approximately 3,000 years ago. In 1845 Benjamin Wilson renamed the valley Big Bear because "the place was alive with bears." But it wasn't until 1860 that the town of Big Bear Village (aka Pine Knot) was made famous and became home to Southern California's biggest Gold Rush. In 1884, the Big Bear Dam was completed and was considered to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. The town of Pine Knot sprang up, renamed Big Bear Village, and catered to the needs of miners, loggers, cattle ranchers and their families. Some of the original buildings still exist today and have been renovated into quaint shops and boutiques that line the village.

Big Bear Lake Movie Stars and Films

A favorite Hollywood film location, Big Bear Lake has been the backdrop to many famous Hollywood creations including the television series Bonanza, Lassie, Daniel Boone, JAG and the films Gone With the Wind, Shane, the Parent Trap, Magnolia, Beethoven, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Paint Your Wagon, War Games, Dr. Doolittle, an Elvis movie or two, and many, many others. Film stars also love the lake. Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Steven Spielburg and other movie legends have vacation homes here. We are also home to the Big Bear Screenwriting Competition, the Big Bear Lake Film Festival, Jazz, Country and other music festivals, Rodeos, Cowboy and Old West Festivals. Our famous Big Bear Lake Octoberfest lasts 6 weeks in autumn. We have a spectacular 4th of July Parade and a fireworks display over the lake.