Big Bear Tiki Tours: Experience a Slice of Island Life at 6700FT

By Lauren Regan.

Drive two hours outside Los Angeles and you'll find Big Bear. Tucked into the San Bernadino mountains, this beautiful haven is a favourite bolt-hole for LA locals looking to escape the city's oppressive heat.

Big Bear Lake sits over 6700 ft above sea level, and this summer season, alongside the usual pontoon boats, paddle boards, and jet skis, you'll find something truly remarkable out on the water: the Oso Grande, a Tiki boat with a fully licensed bar serving up refreshing cocktails, relaxing tunes and a taste is island life.

In June 2024, I was lucky enough to be there when the Oso Grande took her inaugural voyage out onto the water. Eighteen guests from around the world sipped delicious drinks and explored the area from an entirely new perspective.

The business is the creation of Big Bear residents Lindsay and Trevor and is inspired by the pair's desire to inject a taste of adventure and youthful energy into the lake. The unique vessel has been designed with intricate details that put guests' needs at the heart of the experience. Luxury tours are available as part of a public trip or as a private hire, and guests are invited to sit back and relax in an on-board hammock, pull up a seat at the bar to discover stories about Big Bear's varied history, or simply enjoy the scenery from a whole new perspective.

Step aboard the Oso Grande, and you'll find the Tipsy Toucan, a tropical-themed bar and coffee joint offering morning pick-me-ups and creative cocktail recipes sourced from around the world. The couple's travels, including Oregon, Hawaii, California, Florida, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, Mexico, and Japan, are also featured in the eclectic mix of memorabilia on board the Oso Grande.

Speaking about the launch of this new venture Lindsay said, "We wanted to create an experience that we would like to enjoy on vacation, but it was important to us to bring in all of the unique elements of Big Bear that make it such a magical place to enjoy. Every detail of the Oso Grande has been designed to give guests the best experience possible; from the extensive cocktail menu down to the décor, comfortable seating areas, and even the spacious bathroom – we're here to offer our guests an experience that blends relaxation, adventure and a taste of the tropics all in one. Our captains are fully accredited and all staff are here to make this experience a fun, safe, comfortable, and memorable part of your time here in Big Bear.

Big Bear is often referred to as the "Island in the Sky", and there is no better way to appreciate the place's unbeatable scenery than from the lake's only floating bar. Big Bear Lake is a four-season mountain escape, but it really comes into its own in the summer months. An easy drive from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas, it is the jewel in Southern California's crown. The area is a haven for lovers of the outdoors, from trout fishing to hiking trails, mountain biking, and even summer tubing, where visitors can enjoy the thrill of snow tubing long after the snow has melted.

While grizzly bears no longer call the area home, the alpine forests surrounding the Big Bear offer the chance to spot a range of wildlife, including bald eagles, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and deer, alongside around 29 species of protected rare plants. For those wanting a closer encounter with nature, Big Bear Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation facility that offers injured and orphaned wild animals a haven while they heal or permanently if they cannot survive independently. Visitors can see native animals up close and learn how they thrive in the wild.

My birthday happened to fall during my visit to Big Bear, and as the sun was rising, we explored the lake on paddle boards as trout and carp leapt out of the water around us. After that, there was time for a tasty breakfast and a spot of coffee at the popular Moonridge Coffee before I returned to the water for my first spin on a jet ski. A private sunset tour of the lake aboard the Oso Grande with friends, karaoke, and a shot or two of rose tequila was the perfect way to enter my 37th turn around the sun.

Public tours of Big Bear Tiki Tours set sail from 38515 North Shore Dr, Fawnskin, CA 92333, throughout the day. They start with a sunrise sail perfect for fishing and wind down with a sunset sail, during which guests can take in the spectacular sunset from the middle of the lake while enjoying unbeatable playlists and the chance to mingle with other adventurous spirits.

Private parties and tours can be booked via the website with a maximum of 18 guests per event.

Lauren Regan is the founder and creative director of MOLE, a brand storytelling and PR consultancy.

Crafting a meaningful brand story is within reach for every organisation. MOLE works with businesses in the UK and Canada to find their voice, tell their stories, and shape their future. To speak to Lauren about your organisations ambitions, reach out on [email protected]