Angelus Oaks is a small town situated an hour and a half straight east from downtown Los Angeles. Its stable year-round population is only a few hundred, but even still, thanks to the hordes of visitors passing through to visit Big Bear Lake and Barton Flats Recreation Area, you can find a general store, a gas station, a restaurant, a post office, a real estate office, and a sheriff's office.
At an elevation of 6,000 feet, the lodge is both a respite from the Los Angeles summer heat and a haven for skiers and snowboarders riding Big Bear Mountain in the wintertime. The lodge is a mere 30 minutes from the ski hill, 50 minutes from Big Bear Lake, and a short 14 minutes from Jenks Lake. Motorcyclists and leisurely drivers enjoy the nearby Rim of the World Scenic Byway— this 100-mile highway from Arrowhead to Victorville traces the highland rim and grants a bird's-eye view of the reaching metropolis below. The 35 miles from the valley floor to Big Bear Lake are what really earns the name.
For those more attracted to human-powered activities, the Santa Ana River Trail sits high on an enthusiastic cyclist’s list. Starting in the high San Bernardino Mountain Range, it winds its way through 30 miles of river valley and eventually finds its terminus at the Pacific Ocean. Another big draw to the lodge is its proximity to the San Bernardino Peak Hiking Trail, which finds its trailhead just outside the parking lot.
The lodge itself and the surrounding cabins were built in the 1930s, and great care has been taken to ensure that periodic restorations maintain its rustic charm. Each cabin is well equipped, and comes with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, cooking utensils, dishes, bedding and towels. When the temperatures drop in the fall and wintertime, propane heating warms the cabins. Wi-Fi is available, although there are no landline telephones or televisions in the cabins.
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