VISITOR INFORMATION

LAKE ARROWHEAD   Located in the majestic mountains of the San Bernardino National  Forest, only 90  miles  East of  Los Angeles and about  5,100' above  sea  level,  LAKE ARROWHEAD  is  a  paradise of outdoor fun,  recreation  & year-round beauty.   

The 784  acre deep blue lake  has  been  called  the "Jewel of Southern California".  The areas perfect mile high elevation,  spawns  a wide variety of beautiful foliage throughout the mountain. You will find sixteen varieties of pine and oak trees among  our majestic lakes and streams, making for a picturesque backdrop for your next visit.

OUR ECONOMY  Tourism is the primary economic generator for the area contributing 78 million dollars a year and providing 600 full time and 700 part time jobs for local residents.  The area is host to 2.4 million visitor days a year, primarily part time vacation homeowners and their guests.

There are 400 guest-rooms in hotels, motels and Bed and Breakfasts for overnight visitors as well as 500 cabins, which are rented out on a short term basis.  Ski packages,  Weddings and Eco Tourism is major sources of visitor growth. The  area is also popular for business conferences.  Accommodation occupancy during most of the year is very high, 90% on holidays and weekends and only 45% on weekdays.  Summer is the most popular tourist  season with winter usage growing.

There are virtually no Research and Development, manufacturing, wholesaling or  distribution employers in the Arrowhead area.  These types of businesses are located in the Valley below, a 30 to 60 minute drive for mountain residents.  Estimates are that about 50% of the employed people who live at Arrowhead and the surrounding communities commute down the mountain on a daily basis.

OUR WEATHER   With the smog and fog far behind you, year-round Lake Arrowhead offers an eighty-five percent (85%) chance of sunshine and blue skies.  April through October, your chances are even better! And, our summers are typically 10 to 30 degrees cooler than the valley  or desert communities.

THE 4 SEASONS   In the springtime we have daffodils, tulips, dogwoods and many varieties of wildflowers blooming. Wildflowers continue to bloom through the summer months adding to the lush green landscape. Autumn brings color to the trees with bright orange, red and yellow leaves.  In winter, snow capped peaks and pristine vistas of fallen white powder cover our mountains.
                                                                                                                              

TRANSPORTATION   Principal road access to the Arrowhead communities is on the network of State Highways 18, 138, 173 and 189.  Caltrans maintains two road maintenance facilities in the area. San Bernardino County maintains the balance  of the public road network and has a maintenance facility in the area.  A fixed route bus system operates around Lake Arrowhead and connects to other mountain communities of Crestline and Lake Gregory, Running Springs and Big Bear. Public transportation down the hill to San Bernardino is in   the planning stages.

Ontario International Airport, which is only 45 minutes from Lake Arrowhead, is serviced by  most major domestic carriers, as well as Southwest Airlines and Aero Mexico. Currently plans are underway to convert a San Bernardino Air Force facility to an International Airport. This is   30 minutes from the Arrowhead area.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES   Lake Arrowhead is an un-incorporated area governed by the County of San Bernardino.  A County building in Twin Peaks houses building and safety.  The County also provides a library in Blue Jay.  The California Highway  Patrol has a facility in Running Springs.  Fire protection and Paramedic  services are provided by Lake Arrowhead  and Crest Forest Fire Districts  with four full time and four volunteer stations located in the Arrowhead area.   In addition, the Forest Service and California Division of Forestry provide fire protection facilities, equipment and personnel in the area.  Lake Arrowhead Communities Service District provides water and sewer to Arrowhead Woods. Water service to surrounding communities outside of Arrowhead Woods is provided by private water companies.  The Rim of the World School District covers not only the Lake Arrowhead area but also the Crestline and Running Springs area.  The single high school and junior high school as well as two of the district's five elementary schools are located in the Arrowhead area.  Several Universities are located within commuter distance from the  Lake Arrowhead area in San Bernardino and in the Desert to the North.  The U. S. Postal Service maintains seven (7) post offices in the Lake Arrowhead area.  All mail pick-up is using post office boxes.

The Mountain News is published weekly covering the Lake Arrowhead area.  Cellular phone service is provided by LA Cellular  and Verizon, while GTE provides regular phone service. Natural gas is provided by Southern California Gas and electricity by  Southern California Edison.   Optional refuse disposal by Lake Arrowhead Disposal Company, United Parcel Service, POBA, and Federal Express also service the community for messenger and delivery services.

REAL ESTATE   Real Estate activities in the area are quite significant with membership in Rim of the World Board of Realtors being about 350.  Home construction in the area is about 200 units per year.  This, along with a significant repair and remodel business generates employment for about 400.  Partial listing of retail establishments in the Arrowhead area includes 35 restaurants, a growing collection of factory outlet stores, numerous antique and   gift stores and a lumberyard.  There are two supermarkets, four convenience stores, five gas stations, two drug stores, and three full service banks. Thirty minutes away at  the base of the mountains are two regional malls; most auto dealerships and all major warehouse, and home improvement stores. 

Lake Arrowhead Communities Service District provides water and sewer to Arrowhead Woods. Water service to surrounding communities outside of Arrowhead Woods is provided by private water companies.  The Rim of the  World School District covers not only the Lake Arrowhead area but also the Crestline and Running Springs area.  The single high school and junior high school as well as two of the district's five elementary schools are located in the Arrowhead  area.  Several Universities are located within commuter distance from the Arrowhead area in  San Bernardino and in the Desert to the North.  The U. S. Postal Service maintains seven (7)  post offices in the Arrowhead area.  All mail pick-up is using post office boxes.

LOCAL SERVICES - MAJOR EMPLOYERS:

Rim of the World Schools    (500)

Mountains Community Hospital   (155)                                                                             

Stater Brothers Markets   (95)

Jensen's Markets   (90)

Lake Arrowhead Fire District   (70)  

Edison   (35)                                                                                                              

Southern California Gas    (24)

VISITOR SERVICES - MAJOR EMPLOYERS:

Lake Arrowhead Resort   (160)                                                                   

UCLA Conference Center   (65)                            

Forest Service   (30)

Lake Arrowhead News.com  hopes  you will find a  wealth of information  here to  help  you  plan your next trip, vacation or  perhaps  relocation.

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