SkyPark at Santa's Village is an adventure theme park less than three miles from Lake Arrowhead Village. This year-round facility has a long history in the area dating to 1955, lending to many childhood memories for long-term residents of SoCal. The park has opened and shuttered its doors a few times in the last 60-plus years, and in 2016, it sprung back better than ever before. Today's SkyPark at Santa's Village features many outdoor activities like ziplining, rock climbing, axe throwing, and a pedal car adventure course. It's also home to an impressive mountain bike park with many trails. A single price of admission grants entry to all the park's attractions.
Lake Arrowhead Village is the central attraction at Lake Arrowhead. It's right on the southern shore, easily accessible from the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Here, indulge in the lakeside views and several shops and restaurants that comprise this community area.
Book a guided sightseeing tour on the Lake Arrowhead Queen for fascinating insight atop the water. This charming charter boat departs daily from the Lake Arrowhead Village and offers an hour-long narrated tour. Tickets for the Lake Arrowhead Queen are available at LeRoy's Boardshop, across the dock from the boat landing. Tours typically depart throughout the day, but perhaps the best times to go are early morning or later in the afternoon.
Head to Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for a true getaway. This luxurious place to stay offers accommodations, dining, and plenty to do during the day. This all-inclusiveness caters to a full vacation experience without leaving the property. But with a lakeside location next to Lake Arrowhead Village, there's plenty to see within a short walk. Guest rooms and lakeside suites constitute the room selection at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. These accommodations include comfortable décor that stylishly reflects the surrounding mountain environment. Many rooms also come with breathtaking views of the lake or San Bernardino Mountains. Guests at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa have access to a private beach. Other resort activities include in-house massage treatments or having a date night at the BIN 189 Restaurant.
Heaps Peak Arboretum is a beautiful day-use area in San Bernardino National Forest, less than a 10-minute drive from Lake Arrowhead Village. And with gardens, hiking trails, and interpretive information throughout, this 30-acre space provides an easy way for families to connect with the forest. An information booth sits at the entrance of the arboretum. Volunteers staff this booth on the weekends and throughout the week in the summer. They offer valuable insight into the arboretum and the surrounding San Bernardino Forest, including other notable places to visit.
Heart Rock is one such popular path, especially for families. Also known as the Seeley Creek Trail, this one-mile hike leads to its namesake feature—a large rock indentation perfectly resembling a heart symbol. Visitors from Lake Arrowhead reach this trailhead with less than a 10-mile drive on the Rim of the World Scenic Byway. Other notable hikes in the area include the Nature Loop at Lake Gregory Regional Park and Deep Creek Hot Springs to the north. Deep Creek Hot Springs is along the country-spanning Pacific Crest Trail, which navigates the entire region. The North Shore National Recreation Trail is also nearby, starting from the North Shore Campground.
The Mountain History Museum is the primary repository for the Rim of the World Historical Society. It's within a restored firehouse near the lake's west shore and covers a comprehensive history of the entire mountainous region. Displays at the museum showcase historical photos, artifacts, and several easy-to-read information panels. Topics at the museum range from native cultures to logging and include a touch of Hollywood. Casual observers can tour the museum within 90 minutes, though curious historians could spend more time. The museum is typically open on the weekends, outside of the winter months. Check the official website for the most current operating hours.
The Tudor House is another historic attraction turned modern purveyor of entertainment. This opulent venue is tucked into a neighborhood off Arrowhead Villa Road. It dates back to the 1920s, before the Great Depression. Its most notorious history quickly followed, including prohibition-era entertainment and rumored mobster management. Since the 1950s, The Tudor House has been a legal source of entertainment and a popular performance space. Live music takes over the stage at least once a week, with various acts ranging from speakeasy jazz to rock n' roll cover bands and nationally touring artists. Several other events at the Tudor House also draw a crowd. Reservations are recommended for the famous Sunday Brunch, and the same goes for the monthly Mystery Dinner Theater. And the property is a common spot for private events, including workshops, retreats, and corporate getaways.