Where to Go for Snow in Southern California

Written By Kelly S

We’re expecting rain this week, which hopefully means snow in the mountains!

We try to do a day trip to the snow one or two times every winter. Over the years, my family has visited several different places. Here are some of our favorites, along with a few we’d like to try in the future!

Please do your research before visiting any of these sites - I’ve tried to provide some links and further places to check out for each one! But hopefully this gives you a push in the right direction.

Tips for Visiting Southern California Snow

Just a reminder that visiting the snow can be fun and also dangerous! Here are a few tips:

  • Always travel with chains for your car in the mountain. Even if snow isn’t expected, you don’t want to be stuck without them.

  • Don’t stop on the side of the road. It’s SO dangerous, and can result in a ticket! Turn into lots or legal pullouts.

  • Don’t sled on the side of the road. If you must, be sure you sled AWAY from the road. If you’re facing the road and your child gets flying too fast, they could go into the street and into oncoming traffic (tragically, this has happened before in the SoCal mountains).

  • Make sure you have a full gas tank, and pack extra food and water in case you get stuck in traffic.

  • Don’t leave your trash and leftover gear (like sleds). These poor communities sometimes get overrun with tourists and stuck with our trash. Be a kind citizen and throw it away, or even better, take it home with you (so you don't overflow their trash cans/dumpsters).

  • Check current conditions online with live weather cams before you go.

  • Bring a paper map and directions in case you don’t have cell signal.

  • Bring cash for parking fees. Some national forests require an Adventure Pass, which is around $5 and usually available at local stores around places that need them. (if you have a national parks pass, that works too).

  • Always pack more warm gear than you think you need. Gloves get wet, feet get cold.

Snow in Oak Glen, California

These days, Oak Glen is probably my favorite place to go. It’s a small tourist community right on the snowline (meaning they may not get snow, and it doesn’t “stick” very long.)

We went twice last winter (December 2020/January 2021). We live in Riverside, so Oak Glen is less than an hour away. I love that there are no mountain roads, and you hardly have to drive in the snow - usually it only snows through the last five minutes or so of our drive, because it’s right on the snowline. There are also very minimal curvy mountain roads or steep drop-offs (virtually none - I’m pretty anxious about roads and do totally fine).

We try to arrive by 9 or 10am AT THE LATEST.

Last year, the first time we went, the playground by the Oak Glen Schoolhouse Museum was open. It was the perfect place to play. We got to park in the actual parking lot (bring a shovel and some sand or kitty litter to help you get out of your parking space). There was snow coming down, and we enjoyed playing on the snow covered playground and in the field next to it. There’s a covered gazebo that kept us dry while we had some hot cocoa at the picnic tables (we brought it in a thermos. Someone next to us had also brought a can of spray whipped cream which was brilliant!)

However, the next time we visited Oak Glen, the playground was closed! (I’m not sure if it was because it was 2020 or what.)

So we went to the field at Los Rios Rancho instead. That was great too! We threw snowballs, made snow angels, and bought hot dogs and tri-tip from their restaurant. FYI, they don’t allow sledding. Also, the neighboring Oak Glen Preserve closes whenever there is snow, so you can’t explore their trails in snow.

In both cases, we lasted about 2 hours, and then headed home. As we left around 12pm, there was a lot more traffic headed INTO Oak Glen, and hard to find parking spots. Go as early as you can!

If you’re wondering about snow conditions, you can try calling Los Rios Rancho, Apple Annie’s, or another business in Oak Glen… and then it would be lovely to go support those small businesses by making a purchase while you’re there.

Snow in Idyllwild, California

We have also been to Idyllwild and enjoyed it too! Like Oak Glen, it’s at a lower elevation so it may not get much snow, and you’ll want to go soon after snowfall. However, when there IS snow, it’s a lovely place!

We went to a local playground in town and had a great time. (Unfortunately I can’t remember which one.)

There is a web site Idyllwild Snow with lots of local snow info. Whoever created it obviously has a passion for making sure you enjoy the snow safely and without disrupting Idyllwild residents, which totally makes sense (but be forewarned it’s not exactly encouraging visitors to come all winter long. Helpful info though about where you can go, and what to expect!)

Snow in Forest Falls, California

We spend a week nearly every summer in Forest Falls at Forest Home Family Camp, but I’ve never been in the winter. I expect it would be similar to Oak Glen and Idyllwild - right on the snowline, without much mountain driving. (I believe the road to Big Bear splits and heads up the Mountain as you’re headed into Forest Falls.)

However, in the past, I’ve heard that Forest Falls is sometimes closed to outsiders, has suffered storm damage in recent years, and doesn’t have many public places to go play. So, you could try it out, but it’s so close to Oak Glen, I’d probably just head there instead.


Snow at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

If you don’t mind spending money, this is a lovely way to enjoy the snow! We visited the Aerial Tramway in 2019 and it was so beautiful. It’s full of wilderness, requires no mountain driving, and usually has snow for far longer than some of the lower elevation spots. This means you can potentially go on a nice clear sunny day a couple days after it snows.

You park at the base in Palm Springs, where there won’t be snow. The tramway is around $17 for kids and $29 for adults (per person).

Depending on how busy it is, you may wait for a bit (think Disneyland), but then the tram itself takes maybe 10-15 minutes to get to the top. The tram rotates and offers a stunning view on clear days (it’s worth riding during the summer too - so beautiful!)

I am afraid of heights, and yes, I’m afraid on the tram. Personally, I’d prefer to take the tram than drive to Big Bear or Palomar Mountain though. It’s much shorter and feels more secure (to me) than driving on mountain roads. (but you may feel differently - if you’re afraid of heights I’d check out their web site and social media to try to get a sense of what it will be like).

There is a lodge at the top - I think they sell food up there, with maybe a gift shop? I do remember we had a bit of a slippery hike to and from the lodge to get to the snow play areas (we had 2 three year olds, a four year old, and a 6 year old, so journeying anywhere can sometimes be a feat!) However, once we were in the open areas, it was so delightful. Nice, good quality snow (not man-made) and we had a great time playing.

Then you take the tram back down whenever you’re ready, and can head home. I’m pretty sure we stopped at the restaurant Farm in Palm Springs either before or after our tram adventure.

This would be a fun weekend trip, especially combined with Joshua Tree National Park (winter is usually a great time to visit Joshua Tree!)

Snow at Mt. Baldy, California

I haven’t been to Mt. Baldy since I was seven! (My main memory back then is burning my tongue on my hot chocolate haha). However, Mt. Baldy comes highly recommended by many of my friends!

If you’re in Los Angeles or Orange County, this is likely the most accessible to you. There are trails, snow play, and a ski resort that makes snow and has chair lifts.

Many people recommend going early to beat traffic.

Mt. Baldy is a great nature spot in the spring/summer/fall too!

I believe the roads are fairly curvy.

Since there is a resort there, they have lots of info online - check out Mt. Baldy Resort for current conditions and more info.

Snow at the big Southern California Mountain Resort Towns: Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead Area, and Wrightwood

Although I used to visit these areas regularly to go snowboarding, I haven’t been to any since having kids. In general, all these areas are going to be the best for skiing and snowboarding. They have amenities - public bathrooms, lodging, restaurants, cabins, equipment rentals, and they have snow making abilities, so there is likely to be snow for most of the winter.

Be prepared for curvy/windy roads, and traffic (especially on snowy days and weekends/holidays). My recollection is that Big Bear has the curviest roads and the longest drive, though we started taking the “back way” through Yucaipa on Highway 38 or through Victorville/Lucerne Valley and that helped (especially headed down the mountain). Here’s a pretty solid post about driving to Big Bear during the winter months. Ask a local for their recommended route, and look online at Cal Trans before you go.

I found two places that give up-to-date snow conditions: SoCalMountains.com and Mountain Reporter

Here are a few places you might want to check out, based on my online research:

Big Bear:

Lake Arrowhead area:

Wrightwood:

Snow in San Diego, California:

There are three frequently recommended places for snow in San Diego County. In order to snowboard or downhill ski, you’ll need to head out of San Diego (when I lived in San Diego we made the trek to Big Bear to snowboard) but here are some fun options for a bit of snow play:

  • Mount Laguna - gets the most snowfall in San Diego County. Good for sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Park by Mt. Laguna Lodge, and check out Laguna Mountain Lodge on Facebook for more info.

  • Palomar Mountain for forests and hikes. Be prepared for windy, curvy mountain roads. Check out Palomar Mountain Snow Play on Facebook for more info.

  • The town of Julian and surrounding area sometimes gets snow. Their downtown area is so cute! It’s at a lower elevation, so snow may not “stick” here for very long. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park may be one place to consider - you can check out their Facebook (or call their office) for more info. In general, the blog Mountain Made is a great resource about visiting Julian.

Snow in Frazier Park, California

Lastly, if you’re in Los Angeles or further north, you might check out Frazier Park, near Six Flags Magic Mountain. Mount Pinos/Chula Vista Campground was recommended several times online (I’ve never visited and am unfamiliar with this area).

Have fun and be careful!

I hope you have a great time enjoying Southern California snow, and also that you pay attention to weather warnings, take chains, have a full tank of gas, park wisely, and take your trash. Have fun!!!

Kelly S
Previous

How to See the 2022 Rose Parade In-Person
Next

How We Homeschool: Reading and Language Arts