A whole home away from home

By: Shannon Brooks
On a gravel path with mountainous terrain and cloudy skies in the background, someone stands wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a striped sweater. They hold a leash attached to a small black dog. The setting hints at a vacation rental in Big Bear Lake.
Walking the trails around Big Bear Lake.

Vacation rental homes allow you to live like a local while enjoying all of the comforts of a well stocked home. And in Big Bear Lake, these houses offer abundant ambiance—standard surroundings include dense groves of fragrant pine trees and incredible lake views. For pet parents, these vacation rentals deliver the added perks of ample space and privacy.

Wow Rentals is known for its portfolio of higher end properties which include pet friendly lakefront estates and spacious mountain hideaways; a $100 per pet fee is charged and permission to bring a dog must be gained in advance of arrival. Big Bear Escapes vacation rentals run the gamut from 1-bedrooms to expansive homes that sleep up to 12 people, and every guest receives a welcome basket; pet fees vary by property.

Grizzly Vacation Rentals and Resort Town Rentals each oversee large collections of condos, chalets, lodges and cabins; contact the companies directly to enquire about pet-friendly offerings.

Perched on a hillside in the Moonridge neighborhood, Treehaus Chalet is a nicely updated midcentury modern five bedroom, two bath home bookable on Airbnb. Up to two pets can join the family for a fee of $45 each. There are no pet fees at Winterland Cottage, a two-bedroom home outfitted with all the creature comforts. The large, fully fenced yard where your furry friends can safely frolic has a hot tub and horseshoe pit.