Dreaming of a winter wonderland but staying close to Orange County? While snow doesn’t typically fall within OC, there are a few special locales that allow you to play in some real snow without leaving the county! You can enjoy real snow-covered landscapes just a short drive away Each of these destinations offers unique winter activities, making them well worth the trip.

1. Best All Around Place to See Snow Near Orange County: Big Bear Lake

• Distance: Approximately 2 hours (100 miles)

Big Bear Lake is definitely one of the busiest options on our list, but it’s a popular destination for a reason. It’s the quintessential snow escape near Orange County, famous for its world-class skiing and snowboarding. The most popular mountains, Snow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain, offer slopes for every skill level.

Beyond skiing, visitors can enjoy tubing, snowshoeing, or cozying up by a fire in one of the charming mountain lodges or AirBnB cabins. Big Bear also has plenty of quieter trails and snow play areas, making it accessible for families or those just looking to explore at their own pace.

2. Best for a Full Winter Adventure: Mammoth Mountain

• Distance: Approximately 6 hours (350 miles)

Mammoth is by far the furthest away (and may be more of a weekend trip than day trip), but it would be wrong of us to not include. Mammoth is easily one of the most popular destinations to enjoy the snow for people in SoCal every winter and is well worth the drive.

Visitors to Mammoth will find plenty to do beyond just skiing and snowboarding. A ride on the Panoramic Gondola to the summit offers sweeping views of the Sierra Nevadas that are hard to beat. For a more relaxed pace, head to the Tamarack Lodge area to take in the peaceful winter scenery or explore the frozen Twin Lakes. After a day in the snow, Mammoth Village is a great spot to unwind with casual dining options and a laid-back mountain vibe. They even usually have an awesome array of winter festivities all on its own worth checking out!

3. Best for a Quick Snowy Day Trip: Mount Baldy

• Distance: Approximately 1 hour (50 miles)

Mount Baldy is the closest destination to Orange County for a snowy adventure. Usually covered with 5-10 feet of snow from November to June, Mount Baldy attracts people all over SoCal to come hiking its snowy trails. While beautiful, this hiking journey is no easy feat and can even be dangerous to the unexperienced.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of other fun things to do that are more family friendly. The Mount Baldy Resort, for example, offers snow tubing and skiing, and an amazing scenic chairlift ride to the Top of the Notch Restaurant. This way, you can enjoy breathtaking views while sipping hot cocoa at 7,800 feet.

4. Best Snow Views and Gondola Ride: Palm Springs

Distance: Approximately 2 hours (100 miles)

Are you surprised to see a famously desert destination, on this list? If so, you might be surprised to learn that its famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway brings you to the San Jacinto mountains that are often covered in snow in the winter and early spring. While you can also experience some gorgeous snowy views through a hike in one of the the above mountain destinations, these views are by far the easiest (physically) to attain.

It admittedly feels a little odd waiting in line for the tram sweating under the heat of the desert sun surrounded by people wearing snow gear and carrying sleds… But it all makes sense when you reach the peak when you’ll certainly be reaching for your own gloves and beanie. The tram starts at an elevation of 2,643 ft and ends at 8,516 ft, so even if you don’t play in the snow, the view of it from the tram is a worthy adventure all in itself.

5. Best for Low-Key Skiing and Snowboarding: Wrightwood

• Distance: Approximately 1.5 hours (75 miles)

Wrightwood is pretty well kept secret. A quaint mountain village, it makes for a really charming winter day trip. Wrightwood offers a lot of the same great opportunities as more popular destinations like Big Bear but much less crowded and much more lowkey.

Skiing and snowboarding are both very popular in Wrightwood, which offers 20 miles of runs. There are plenty of great opportunities for sledding and other snow fun too, like the Yeti’s Snow Play area at Mountain High Resort, which provides endless fun for kids and adults alike with tubing, sledding, and scenic sky chair rides.

6. Best for Festive Shopping: Lake Arrowhead

• Distance: Approximately 1.5 hours (80 miles)

Lake Arrowhead is beautiful anytime of year and is particularly famous for its Lake Arrowhead Village, a beautiful outdoor shopping plaza directly along the lake. The Village is especially magical during the holiday season with festive lights and events, but its snowy mountain backdrop is stunning even after the Christmas lights are taken down.

Visitors to Lake Arrowhead can enjoy peaceful walks by the lake, explore local trails, or take part in snow activities like sledding or snowshoeing. But it really is the charming boutique shops and dining options that make it feel like a romantic, snowy escape straight out of a Hallmark movie.

7. Best for Easy Snowy Hikes: Idyllwild

• Distance: Approximately 2 hours (100 miles)

Idyllwild is known for its artsy small-town feel, while also boasting some particularly beautiful hiking trails that transform into snow-covered paths during the winter. You’d be remiss to visit Idyllwild and not grab a warm coffee in a local cafe and stroll through some of the local art galleries, but after that, we recommend heading to Humber Park, where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll along any one of their hiking trails to enjoy the crisp mountain air.

Know of any other great winter escapes in or near Orange County? Tell us about them in the comments!