Visiting BBSO
Scientists:
Please contact our office at (909) 866-5791 ext 210 to arrange your visit.
General Visitors:
Public tours and visits are not available at this time. Please explore our virtual tour page to learn more about the observatory.
Getting to Big Bear Valley from LAX by car
Use Google map and directions for driving from LA area, LAX and ONT airports to 40386 North Shore Lane (Note that CA-38 nearby is North Shore Drive!).
A modification of the Google route is to use I-10E instead of I-210E:
*) From I-605 take I-10E, continue toward San Bernardino/Redlands
*) Take CA-30 N toward Mnt Resorts/Big Bear Lake.
Getting to Big Bear Valley from LAX using Public Transportation
Fly into LAX (ONT or SNA), then take Prime Time Shuttle/Uber/Lyft to The San Bernardino Depot at 1170 W. 3rd St., San Bernardino, CA 92410 (4M3R+M2 San Bernardino, California). Instead of the Shuttle/Uber/Lyft one may take a LAX FlyAway Bus from LAX to LA Union Station and then board the San Bernardino train line from L.A. Union Station to the San Bernardino Depot Station.
At the depot you can board a Big Bear OTM Route 5 Bus. Travel to the very end of the route to Mountain Transit Transfer Point at Fox Farm Road Stop ID 352. There is no public transportation from that point to BBSO. When you are in transit, please contact the Observatory (909-866-5791 x210) to arrange pick up from the Transfer Point.
Public Transportation Options (Google Maps).
There is more information on the schedule and current bus location here.
In Big Bear Valley
Immediately after you leave Fawnskin, turn right from CA-38/North Shore Drive onto North Shore Lane under the blue "BOAT RENTAL" sign. Drive east for about 0.2 mi, the observatory will be on your left. If you miss this turn, drive for about 0.9 mi and make first right turn onto North Shore Lane under the brown "SERRANO Camp" sign. Drive west for about 0.7 mi, the observatory will be on your right.
At the Observatory
Turn into the driveway (away from the lake) and use BBSO plan to locate your destination. You may park in either upper or lower parking lot. The front office is located in the Admin Building, entrance from the porch. Offices are also located in the Cowley Lodge Annex. Accommodation is at the Cowley Lodge.
Accommodation
- Single rooms in BBSO's Back Lodge are available at a rate of $30 per night for visiting scientists only. Lodging can be paid with cash or personal checks - credit cards are not accepted.
- There is no food service at the observatory. Accommodations have one common equipped kitchen. The nearest stores and restaurants are in the City of Big Bear Lake (~4 mi).
- Wireless internet, washer and dryer are available.
- Renting a car is preferable. Nevertheless, to get around one can use free Mountain Transit services provided by local transit authority. There is a bike that guests may use.
- There are many hotels in the area, on the south shore of the lake in the city of Big Bear Lake.
- Budget travelers may directly contact Stanik Nature's Inn at (909) 585-2226 for a low rate and quality accommodations.
Area Info
For more information on Big Bear Area visit Official Big Bear Tourist site.
