Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains at over 6,700 feet elevation, Big Bear Valley's history is rich beginning with the days of the indigenous Serrano Indians and the now-extinct California grizzly bears. In 1845, Los Angeles politician Benjamin D. Wilson led fur traders and gold prospectors to the Valley, and first dubbed the now Baldwin Lake as Big Bear Lake. In 1860, William Holcomb discovered gold in what was later called Holcomb Valley, and Big Bear would become a bustling community with roads for stages and supplies. Big Bear Valley and its surrounding areas was home to such commerce as mining, logging, cattle ranch ing and fur trading.

In 1883, following the establishment of the agricultural Town of Redlands, Frank E. Brown went in search of a water source. Upon finding an appropriate dam site in Big Bear, Bear Valley Land and Water Company was formed and the first Big Bear Dam was completed in 1884. The dam created the largest manmade lake in the world. in 1911, the present multi-arch dam was built. The current bridge and roadway running over the dam was completed in 2011. Beautiful Big Bear Lake held its draw for residents and visitors alike, but it wasn't until 1952 that Big Bear Valley would experience its first boom in winter tourism commerce. Founded by Tommi Tyndall, Snow Summit became a snow sports and recreation mecca exceeding its time. Big Bear Valley became a true four-season resort in the years to come.