Big Bear Lake to Oak Glen
Apple Orchards, Highway 38 & a Full-Day Mountain Escape
Oak Glen is roughly 45–50 miles from Big Bear Lake and usually takes about 1½ hours each way via Highway 38 in normal conditions. The trip combines a scenic mountain descent with apple orchards, cider, farm markets and seasonal activities, making it best as a full-day outing—especially during fall apple season.
Quick Notes
Distance
80 mins+
Drive Time
~1½ Hours Each Way
Road Condition
Paved Mountain Highway
At A Glance
Oak Glen is roughly 45–50 miles from Big Bear Lake and usually takes about 1½ hours each way via Highway 38 in normal conditions. The trip combines a scenic mountain descent with apple orchards, cider, farm markets and seasonal activities, making it best as a full-day outing—especially during fall apple season.
Drive Overview
The drive from Big Bear Lake to Oak Glen is roughly 45–50 miles depending on your starting point and destination in Oak Glen. Plan on about 1½ hours each way in normal conditions, before orchard traffic, weather or stops.
The main route follows:
- Highway 38 from Big Bear Lake
- Past the Barton Flats and Angelus Oaks areas
- Down toward the Yucaipa/Oak Glen area
- Into Oak Glen's orchard district
The route is valuable as more than transportation. You leave Big Bear's high-elevation pine forest, descend through the San Bernardino Mountains and eventually reach oak woodland and agricultural country. Temperatures can change noticeably along the way.
Oak Glen is best treated as a full day trip. With roughly three hours of round-trip driving plus orchards, lunch, shopping or a walk, most visitors should allow at least 5–7 hours.
This drive is especially worthwhile for visitors staying several days in Big Bear, repeat visitors looking for something different, families during harvest season and anyone who wants to combine a scenic mountain drive with food and farm stops.
Adventure pass
Many popular stops along Big Bear's scenic routes are located on National Forest land where an Adventure Pass may be required.
Traveling with A Dog?
Oak Glen can work well with a dog, but plan around the stops rather than assuming every orchard has the same policy. Some outdoor farm areas may allow leashed dogs while restaurants, U-pick areas, events or individual businesses may restrict them. Check the pet policy for your priority stops before leaving Big Bear, bring water, and never leave a dog in the car while visiting orchards.
Best Stops Along The Way
Angelus Oaks
Angelus Oaks is a small mountain community along Highway 38 and one of the few practical places to pause on the mountain portion of the drive. It can work for a quick restroom, food or coffee stop when businesses are open, but do not plan your entire trip around services here without checking ahead.
Los Rios Rancho
Los Rios Rancho is one of Oak Glen's best-known historic ranch destinations and a strong choice if you want more than a quick roadside farm stand. Seasonal offerings can include U-pick fruit, cider, farm activities and access to the adjoining preserve area. What is available changes through the year, so check current harvest information before visiting.
Oak Glen Preserve
The Wildlands Conservancy's Oak Glen Preserve is the best stop on this trip when you want to break up the food and orchard visits with time outdoors. The preserve protects oak woodland, meadows, streams and other habitat, with walking trails that provide a quieter contrast to the busy orchard district. Check current preserve hours and trail conditions before your trip.
Snow-Line Orchard
Snow-Line Orchard is especially popular for its mini cider donuts, cider and farm-market atmosphere. During peak fall weekends, this can be one of the busiest stops in Oak Glen, so arriving earlier in the day can mean easier parking and shorter lines. Seasonal picking and other offerings vary.
Oak Glen Road
Do not feel like you need to choose only one orchard. Much of the appeal is driving Oak Glen Road and deciding which farms, markets and food stops fit your day. In fall, however, repeatedly moving the car between popular properties can take longer than expected because of traffic and full parking lots. It is usually better to choose two or three priority stops than try to visit everything.
Best Time of Year
Fall — Best for the Classic Oak Glen Experience
September through November is the season most visitors picture when they think of Oak Glen: apples, cider, pumpkins, farm markets and harvest activities. It is also by far the busiest period. On popular weekends, arrive early because traffic, parking and lines can become a major part of the day.
Spring
Spring is much quieter and is a good choice if your priority is the drive, countryside and walking rather than apple picking. The lower elevations around Oak Glen can feel much warmer and greener than Big Bear, while late-season snow may still affect Highway 38 near the lake.
Summer
Summer avoids peak apple-season crowds and may bring other seasonal farm activities, but offerings vary by property. Oak Glen is lower than Big Bear and can be substantially warmer, so plan outdoor walks earlier in the day and verify what is currently in season before driving down.
Winter
Winter is the quietest time for this trip and many seasonal farm activities may be limited. The important planning issue is the elevation difference: Oak Glen can be clear and mild while Highway 38 near Big Bear has snow, ice or chain controls. Check mountain road conditions for both directions of the trip.
Featured Wildlife Guides
Best spots & seasonal tips
Scenic drive route & tips
Easy walk with big views
Big Bear's Downtown
Things to Know Before you Go
Fall Crowds & Parking
Oak Glen changes dramatically during apple season. On peak fall weekends, traffic can back up along Oak Glen Road and parking at popular orchards can fill early. If the orchards are the reason for your trip, leave Big Bear early and try to arrive in Oak Glen near opening time. A weekday visit is considerably easier when your schedule allows.
Mountain Roads
Highway 38 is fully paved, but this is still a mountain drive with curves, long grades and major elevation changes. The return climb toward Big Bear can feel very different from the descent to Oak Glen. Allow extra time and use lower gears when appropriate rather than riding your brakes on long downhill sections.
Winter Driving
Do not judge the road to Big Bear by the weather in Oak Glen. Oak Glen sits at a much lower elevation, so conditions can be clear there while snow, ice or chain controls affect Highway 38 closer to Big Bear. During snow season, carry the correct traction devices for your vehicle and check current Caltrans and CHP road information before leaving.
Orchard Seasons & Hours
Apple picking, berries, pumpkins and other farm activities are seasonal, and individual orchards set their own hours and availability. If there is one farm or activity you specifically want to experience, check its current schedule before making the drive rather than assuming every attraction operates year-round.
Adventure Pass
You do not need an Adventure Pass simply to drive Highway 38 or visit Oak Glen businesses. Some designated San Bernardino National Forest recreation sites or trailheads along the mountain portion of the trip may require a recreation pass, so check posted signs if you stop at a forest site.
Check the Weather
Mountain weather changes quickly throughout the year. A sunny morning can turn into afternoon rain, snow, wind, or fog depending on the season. Dress in layers and check conditions before leaving.
Fuel Up
Gas stations become less common outside the main town areas, especially on longer scenic drives. It’s best to fuel up before starting your route, particularly during weekends and busy holiday periods.
Cell Service
Cell service can become unreliable in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains, especially near forest roads, overlooks, and canyon areas. Download maps offline if possible and avoid relying entirely on GPS navigation.
Wildlife
Wildlife sightings are common throughout the area, especially during early morning and evening hours. Deer, hawks, coyotes, and even black bears may be seen near forested sections of the drive. Slow down and stay alert.
Safety Note:
Scenic Drive Information Disclaimer: Road conditions, closures, construction, weather, travel times and access can change without notice, particularly in mountain areas. Discover Big Bear Lake provides route information for general trip-planning purposes only. Always check current road and weather conditions with official sources before departing and follow posted signs, closures and traffic restrictions.
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