Day trips around Big Bear Lake
 

We have 5 nights to spend at this Wyndham time share in July. Are there any worthwhile day trips within about a 2-2.5 hour drive away, such as a redwood forest etc, that we can do for one of the days? Waterfalls?
Nothing associated with driving back into Los Angelos..something up in the mountains preferably.

Sorry, should have added that Big Bear Lake is in California.

The problem is, once you come down from the San Bernardino Mountains/Forest, you are surrounded by desert-like area, where it will be blazing hot in July. There are no redwoods or sequoias nearby.

Two hours or less:

Joshua Tree National Park - Temp's can get up over 100 in July, but if you leave early, it shouldn't be that warm. You can see lots of interesting landscape from the car (with the a/c on) www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Wine tasting in Temecula: www.temeculawines.org/

Calico Ghost Town is up near Barstow: www.calicotown.com/

Also, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead are small. You can see both in a day.

Idylwild is a cute little artsy town - probably not worth going 2 hours out of your way for (it's very small), but if you're nearby, a nice diversion...

An interesting day trip would be to Palm Springs and up the Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto.

http://www.pstramway.com/

If you wish, you can hike to the top.

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/SanJacintoPeak_4472.asp

<<<An interesting day trip would be to Palm Springs and up the Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto.>>>

If you do, know that it is COLD at the top (yes, even when it's broiling down below)!

This page has some great options for you - http://www.bigbearcabinscalifornia.com/attractions

Thanks for all the input! Off to study it all.