Big Bear is all about enjoying the great outdoors and from the lake to the woods, we’ve got your place to Park.

    There are no less than a dozen places to picnic, camp or recreate smack in the middle of Big Bear, still others within a few minutes drive. From brand-new Boulder Bay Park to benches at Stanfield Marsh to lakeside picnic areas, wide-open spaces abound at Southern California’s favorite four-season resort.

    The highlight has to be Boulder Bay Park, located on the shores of what many people believe is the lake’s most scenic spot. Ringed by dramatic boulders and with two stone islands, Boulder Bay is appropriately named...but that’s not the first moniker it has had. Originally it was named North Bay after a judge who lived there, but since it was on the south shore of the lake confusion reigned, so it was renamed Boulder Bay.

    Completely protected with calm, tranquil water, Boulder Bay is a favorite for canoers. And anglers—long before it became a park it was a favored fishing spot. Considered the most photographed spot on Big Bear Lake, Boulder Bay pictures have adorned calendars, ads and magazine covers for year. Indeed Boulder Bay is to Big Bear Lake what Emerald Bay is to Lake Tahoe.

    Now that it’s a City park, there’s generous parking, clean restrooms, lots of picnic tables and a few benches. There’s also just a trace of sandy beach too, good spots to sit under an umbrella or Easy Up. And while there’s not supposed to be any swimming at the park, there’s nothing against dipping tootsies into the water.

    No charcoal barbecues are allowed, but plenty of gas ones get fired up. Sunbathers stretch out on blankets, frisbees are tossed, and picnickers enjoy summer meal, under the clear blue skies. The park is open through September 30 daily from 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m., till 6 Sunday.

    At the other end of the lake there’s the Stanfield Marsh preserve, a great place to stroll two wood walkways and observe nature. It’s a place of wildlife, like beaver, foxes and coyotes. It’s a place for waterfowl, such as a variety of ducks, bald eagles, great blue herons and osprey. And it’s a place for vegetation, which acts like a screen affording protection from the road.

    You’d have to drive the coast from Baja to Canada to experience all the diverse species found just in Big Bear, and Stanfield Marsh is home to much of it. This is how Big Bear Valley looked before the dam was built, except for the fish that entice anglers to cast a line from the walkways. Couples walk it hand in hand and bikes pedal through it. An information kiosk provides details on this wonderful place and benches let guests sit down to take it all in...free of charge, of course.

    More lakeside picnicking is found at parks both east and west of Pine Knot Landing. To the east is Veteran’s Park—don’t miss the 2007 Summer Concert Series on the bandstand with free admission. West of the marina is Rotary Pine Knot Park, with plenty of tables and benches and beautiful landscaping that changes color in the fall.

    Across the lake there’s Meadow’s Edge picnic area, with tables, water, barbecues and toilets plus wonderful lake views and access. In Grout Bay there are two more picnic areas on each side of North Shore Dr., one accessing the lake and the other servicing popular Grout Bay trail.

    If this still isn’t enough places to Park, there’s Aspen Glen picnic area, which serves as trailhead for Pine Knot trail and also has lots of tables and facilities. Then there’s Meadow Park with tennis courts, volleyball, ballfields and the adjacent Swim Beach. Or try the picnic tables at Big Bear Discovery Center, camping at Serrano, Pine Knot, Hanna Flats, Pine Flats and Holcomb Valley campgrounds...or just head out to Holcomb Valley, maybe along the Gold Fever trail, spread out a blanket under the pines, and Park in completely serenity.

    Call Big Bear Discovery Center at (909) 866-3437.