Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most frequently asked questions we get about our vacation rentals in Big Bear. If you don’t see an answer to one of your questions below, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us and one of our friendly staff will be more than happy to help answer your questions.
How do I request an early check-in?
And if so, is there a fee?
To ensure that our guests have the best possible experience, we strive to accommodate early check-ins prior to the standard 4pm check-in time when availability allows. Unfortunately, due to back-to-back bookings or high season rushes, an early check-in is not always guaranteed. However please feel free to reach out on the morning of your departure for an update on early check-in availability. If an early check-in is granted there will be no extra fee associated with it.
How do I request a late check-out?
And if so, is there a fee?
To ensure that our guests have the best possible experience, we strive to accommodate late check-outs when availability allows. Unfortunately, due to back-to-back bookings or high season rushes, a late check-out is not always guaranteed. However please feel free reach out on the morning of your departure for an update on late check-out availability. If a later check-out is granted there will be no extra fee associated with it.
Unfortunately, no you can not have more than the posted maximum occupancy for guests at any given time, even if it is not overnight. We understand that you may want to invite more of your friends and family over, however the maximum occupancy set by city regulations… and heavily enforced by The City. Violating this rule will lead to hefty fines and/ or eviction from the property by The City. Occupancy numbers includes children and infants as well; each person counts when calculating guest occupancy levels.
Unfortunately, no you can not have more than the posted maximum occupancy for vehicles at any given time, even if it is not overnight. We understand that you may want to bring more than the number of vehicles than the posted maximum occupancy. But please note that the vehicle maximum occupancy set by The City. Exceeding this limit in any capacity will result in fines from city officials who are very strict and frequently patrol for parking regulation violations. There is no street parking allowed in Big Bear, The City is very strict about this. You can only park in the driveway or garage (if the garage is available for guest use). And due to strict rules enforced by The City, we are unable to provide parking at our office.
Where do I go?
What do I need to do in order to be prepared?
At 4 pm, check-in begins at our office located at 546 Pine Knott Ave. Our team is devoted to following all city regulations. The City requires all vacation rental companies to do a quick face-to-face check-in. In an effort to streamline this process, please come prepared by bringing your ID.
Your ID must match the name on the reservation.
Check-in should only take around 5-10 minutes or less. We are required by The City to have you complete the Good Neighbor Policy Form while also reviewing The City’s rules & regulations with you during this brief time frame. We understand that having these extra steps may be inconvenient, however, The City requires us to do this – thank you for understanding.
No. When you book through a third party, like Airbnb, VRBO, TripAdvisor, and the like; the only guest required to check in is whoever booked the reservation. To ensure the privacy and smoothness of your stay we receive minimal information -only your name and phone number for reference- so that all parties involved can feel secure during their visit.
Yes. For security, there is a system in place for this process that must be followed exactly with no exceptions.
The person checking in on your behalf:
– Must be part of your group
– 24 years or older
– Will be present during the entire stay
Please let us know if someone will be checking in on your behalf as soon as you can.
Protocol:
– Contact our office and let us know a member of your party other than you is going to check in.
– Give us your group member’s name and phone number.
(Please make sure we have their full name that’s on their identification and not a nickname.)
– You will need to provide them with a picture of your identification to bring to check-in.
(This can be on their cell phone.)
– You will need to complete the Good Neighbor Policy Form prior to their arrival.
(When you reach out to us, we can send this over to you in a link via text, email, Airbnb messaging, etc. This can be completed on any mobile device and just takes a few minutes.)
– Once the person in your group arrives to our office they will need to provide us with the picture of your identification as well as their identification.
– They will also have to complete the Good Neighbor Policy Form in person.
Please note: We cannot check in anyone on your behalf without all of these steps being completed… no exceptions.
We have these policies to ensure your reservation is secure and the guest checking in for you is in fact with your group.
Yes, please do! You will receive a text message the morning of your check-in asking for your estimated time of arrival. Be sure to respond with your ETA. This helps us plan out the day for check-ins. As well as to see if you will be arriving after office hours. As the check-in process is different for late arrivals.
If you will be arriving after our office hours, please let us know prior to the office closing. We will send you the link to the Good Neighbor Policy Form, you would have completed in the office. Once completed we will send access information via text or email. Then you can head straight to the property upon arrival.
Please note: this is only for guests arriving after office hours. This is the only time the city allows us to give remote access and not do a face-to-face check-in. If you do arrive within office hours you will need to do a face-to-face check-in.
Can’t you just send me access if it’s a door code and not a key?
We understand having to stop by the office after a long drive can be an inconvenience. Even if you are not provided a key and just a door code. We are still required by the city to do face-to-face check-in.
Big Bear has recently implemented strict regulations for vacation rentals. Unfortunately, many independent hosts on Airbnb, VRBO, etc are not authorized by The City or licensed correctly – meaning unsuspecting travelers may be at risk of breaking rules that could result in heavy fines or eviction from their accommodations with no refund.
Although the city regulations put into place in recent years apply only to vacation rentals and not hotels or lodges, renters must remain vigilant to ensure they are staying with a company or host who is properly licensed and following all regulations. Failure to do so can be incredibly costly.
Here at SoCal Vacations, we strive for full compliance with these important rules & regulations. We make everything very clear upfront so you can rest assured knowing you won’t have any nasty surprises during your stay.
Is there an age requirement for check-in as well?
Yes. You must be 24 years or older to book one of our properties as well as to check-in.
Such as weddings?
No, we do not allow any events or parties as per city regulations. Doing so will result in fines and/ or eviction from the property with no refund.
Properties being pet friendly or not is ultimately up to the owners.
You can reach out to us to see if the owner will make an exception, as we do need to get it approved by them first as some owners can be very allergic to animals and won’t allow them under any circumstances.
If the owner approves, we only allow well-behaved and potty-trained pets.
Please do not sneak pets into the property, we will know and you will be fined and possibly evicted with no refund.
It’s better to just ask and we will check with the owner.
There is a $125 pet fee per pet.
These important pet rules must be followed:
– Please do not leave pets alone inside the property.
– Please do not let pets on any furniture and beds.
You will be held financially responsible and charged for any damages caused by pets.
We do allow service animals at non-pet-friendly properties unless the property is not pet friendly due to medical reasons.
If you are booking a non-pet friendly home and have a service dog, just let us know! Their is no pet fee for service animals.
“This does not include emotional support animals.”
What do I need to bring?
All of our properties are equipped with:
– Basic cooking essentials such as standard pots and pans, utensils, silverware and dishware
– A towel set for each guest
– Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
– Linens such as sheets, blankets, pillowcases, blankets, etc.
– In the kitchen you will find dish soap, dishwasher tabs (if the property has a dishwasher), paper towels, trash bags, sponge, and kitchen towels.
We do not supply any coffee grounds, k-cups, coffee filters, firewood, or laundry detergent.
(All of these things are ultimately up to owners if they wish to provide this in their home.)
If you need something specific such as spices, coffee, cooking ware, etc. Please bring it with you. You can also find what our properties offer under the amenities/ description.
If you need anything during your stay please reach out to our office number (909) 966-5667.
– After 6 pm we do not receive any calls, please text us if need something.
– After 9 pm we only answer for emergencies.
Please note: if an appliance breaks or something is wrong with the property that requires a specialist, such as a plumber, electrician, etc… just know they all end their business hours at 5 pm.
If a specialist is needed after 5pm, please be aware that they will not be available until the following morning.
But please still let us know so we can be ahead of the situation.
The city of Big Bear Lake has an ordinance for all visitors.
The City requires visitors to take their trash to the dumpsite location at check-out.
As there is no trash pickup for vacation rentals.
This is out of our control, all vacation rental companies must follow this.
Clean Bear Site #1 41970 Garstin Dr, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Clean Bear Site #2 39690 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
CalTrans requires all vehicles to carry snow chains/ cables when traveling in the mountains between Nov 1 – April 30.
You are subject to a large fine if you are caught at a chain checkpoint without them and you will not be allowed to come up the mountain.
Please be sure to check out our Things to Do page for ideas of things to do!
What is the Guest Ranger?
Do I need to complete this?
Yes, if you received a text for a Guest Ranger you do need to complete it. It is required to be completed by the person who booked and paid for the reservation. The guest Ranger verifies your identity for both yours and our safety.
If you booked through Airbnb, RedAwning, Tripadvisor, or Marriot you do not need to complete this as those channels verify your identity for us.
How strict is this?
Do I need to be inside by 9 pm?
The City is very strict when it comes to enforcing the 9pm Noise Curfew. No music or noise after 9pm that can be heard outside of the property is allowed.
The City will not hesitate to hand out large fines and/ or evict all guests from the premises for violating the Noise Curfew.
Please start taking any conversation or activities inside to keep noise to a minimum.
There is also no spa use allowed after 10pm per city ordinance.
The Noise Curfew is only for noise and outdoor activities which includes the use of the spa.
Please note: Noise carries here in the mountains. What may seem like “quiet conversation” will carry far beyond what you’re used to at lower elevations and warmer climates.
No, you can not. You can only use the grill or fire-pit provided, (if the property provides those items). Always remember, No Open Fires or Bon Fires are allowed in Big Bear. You will get fined by The City, SoCal Vacations and evicted without a refund.
We do not give refund for non-essential appliances breaking. As this is completely out of our control and can happen with no notice at all.
We do inspect our properties before and after each guest to ensure amenities are in working order. However this still does not prevent them from breaking or something happening after that inspection. Aka during your stay.
We do understand it is an inconvenience when an appliance breaks, all we can do is either replace or fix the issues as quickly as possible.
Now if it is an essential appliance such as heat, refrigerator, etc. that is a different story and depends on the situation.
We advise that guests bring their own cords and/ or adapters. As all that is provided is the plug for the EV charger connected to the wall. We do not supply the cord or adapter.
In Big Bear there is a charging station called Loop Charging Station located at 42138 Big Bear Blvd, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315. There is also charging available for 3 hours max for a small donation at the RE/MAX office in the village, 626 Pine Knot Ave,
Yes, we have very few properties with air conditioning. It is very uncommon for properties to have air conditioning in Big Bear.
If air conditioning is a must for your stay, please don’t hesitate to give us a call and our friendly staff will help you find a property to suit your needs.