| The 2006 Winter Olympics have riveted | | | | days of sunshine." While that may not |
| Americans with the awesome vistas of the | | | | impress Southern Californians, Lake Arrowhead |
| Italian Alps. If you're one of the many | | | | also boasts four utterly distinct seasons, |
| people who have added the Alps to their list | | | | including snow on the mountains in winter-yet |
| of destinations to visit someday, take heart. | | | | with daytime temperatures that rarely go |
| There are places closer to home that offer | | | | below freezing and often reach 60 degrees |
| those same stunning vistas. One such place, | | | | Fahrenheit. |
| in fact, is a short drive from Los Angeles, | | | | |
| in San Bernardino county: Lake Arrowhead, | | | | Things to do: |
| California. | | | | |
| | | | Skiing. Lake Arrowhead's climate is perfect |
| Lake Arrowhead has been called "California's | | | | for skiing: just cold enough for snow, but |
| Alps." While the people of this community | | | | rarely below freezing during the day. The |
| have all of Southern California's famous | | | | most popular places to ski are Snow Valley |
| warmth, the mountains, the pine trees, and | | | | and the Big Bear Lake area. |
| the climate are totally alpine. Snowy but | | | | |
| mild winters make for some of the West | | | | Blue Jay Ice Castle. A world-class ice |
| Coast's best skiing. In the summer, Southern | | | | skating rink often used by the premier |
| Californians escape here to swim or canoe in | | | | American woman figure skater, Michelle Kwan. |
| the lake and breathe in the mountain valley's | | | | |
| cool, clean air. | | | | San Bernardino National Forest. The San |
| | | | Bernardino National Forest wraps around Lake |
| Lake Arrowhead, California Real Estate | | | | Arrowhead, ensuring that much of the area's |
| | | | natural beauty remains open to all, and |
| Close-to-home wonderlands like Lake Arrowhead | | | | protecting the area from over-development. |
| aren't just great places to visit. Many | | | | Wildlife includes the Southwestern Arroyo |
| people in tight real estate markets are | | | | Toad, an endangered species. Activities |
| finding that such places offer a unique | | | | include camping, hiking, horseback riding, |
| opportunity for owning and investing in real | | | | and mountain biking. |
| estate. According to Lake Arrowhead realtor | | | | |
| Louisa Millington, owning your weekend | | | | Deep Creek Hot Springs: one of the most |
| getaway can save money over the long term. | | | | popular areas of natural hot springs in |
| In addition to any possible appreciation of | | | | southern California. The springs are located |
| the property value, renting can provide | | | | inside San Bernardino National Forest. You |
| investment income. In the Lake Arrowhead | | | | have to hike to the springs themselves, but |
| real estate market, you can rent not only to | | | | the springs and the surrounding canyon |
| long-term tenants, but also to vacationers at | | | | landscape are worth the relatively easy trek. |
| higher vacation rates. | | | | |
| | | | The Arrowhead Queen. See the lake area from |
| If you check out the Lake Arrowhead (CA) home | | | | the best perspective: the lake itself, on |
| prices, you'll find that prices are still | | | | this enclosed paddleboat. |
| more down to earth than in much of southern | | | | |
| California. | | | | Lake Arrowhead Film Festival. The theme of |
| | | | the 2006 festival (May 5-7) is "The Future of |
| What's most amazing is that if you're not a | | | | Film In the Digital Age - the newest in |
| native of Southern California, you may never | | | | techniques and services that bring strong and |
| have even heard of this place. Perhaps it's | | | | innovative movie-making." |
| Lake Arrowhead's lower profile that has saved | | | | |
| it from overdevelopment, preserving its quiet | | | | Shopping: Check out the Lake Arrowhead |
| beauty. | | | | Outlet, as well as specialty stores on the |
| | | | south shore of the lake. |
| Lake Arrowhead Information | | | | |
| | | | VIP and Hollywood celebrity-watching. Lake |
| Climate: | | | | Arrowhead has been one of southern |
| | | | California's "playgrounds of the rich and |
| According to UCLA, Lake Arrowhead enjoys "310 | | | | famous" since at least the 1930s. |