We're planning a 4 day side trip during our vacation to the LA area. Since we know just about nothing regarding southern CA, are we choosing a good spot to visit mountains and small lakes?

Suggest either Big Bear Lake or Lake Arrowhead over Idyllwild. Either of them are beautiful mountain lakes smaller, but similar to Tahoe. To get to Big Bear, you drive on Rim of the World Hwy---that about says it all. Enjoy.

Big Bear and Arrowhead may offer more than Idyllwild but they also offer crowds of people and cars. Idyllwild is a wonderful mountain community and much more relaxed than Big Bear and Arrowhead. If you like to hike, this is a great place to go. No lake in Idyllwild. You are, however, fairly close to Palm Springs if that interests you.

While Palm Springs is near Idyllwild, the heat will be sweltering in PS this time of year. Idyllwild is a much more relaxed quiet area, but doesn't have much to do but relax.

Some sites for you to look at are
www.bigbearinfo.com
www.ontariocvb.org
www.ieep.com
www.northwoodsresort.com
www.lakearrowheadresort.com
My brother spends a week every summer at Lake Arrowhead Resort with his family.

While Big Bear can get crowded on the weekends - the area offers so much to do and lots of secluded places to stay. Think about the North Shore - no commercialization and lots of National Forest to hike and explore. We have a B&B up here and we love hiking and just exploring the nature - plus its always sunny - really - we get over 310 days of sun a year and thats no marketing ploy.