The Perfect Winter Break Getaway, Just a Few Hours From Los Angeles

When winter hits Los Angeles, it doesn’t arrive quietly. The calendar fills up, the traffic thickens, and even the cooler temperatures don’t immensely slow the pace. Sometimes what you really need isn’t a flight or an overplanned itinerary, just a change of air, scenery, and rhythm. And that’s precisely what makes Marina Riviera in Big Bear the perfect winter break getaway, only a few hours from the constant motion of the city.

Close enough to reach without stress, yet far enough to feel like a true escape, Marina Riviera offers a version of Big Bear that feels calmer, more intentional, and undeniably elevated. Set directly along Big Bear Lake, this newly reimagined property isn’t about doing the most, it’s about doing less, better.

From the moment you arrive, the shift is immediate. The air is crisp, the lake stretches out quietly, and the mountains seem to slow everything down. Marina Riviera feels worlds away from Los Angeles, yet it’s comforting to know you can trade traffic for trees in a single afternoon.

One of the most thoughtful aspects of the property is the variety of accommodations. Marina Riviera offers both cozy cabins and stylish hotel rooms, allowing guests to choose the experience that fits their version of a winter escape. The hotel rooms feel warm and refined, while the cabins lean into that classic mountain charm with modern updates that make them feel anything but rustic. Many of the rooms feature in-room fireplaces, and there’s nothing quite like lighting one as the temperature drops outside, watching the flames flicker while snow falls softly beyond the windows. It’s the kind of detail that instantly turns a stay into a memory.

The cabins, in particular, feel like a retreat within a retreat, private, comfortable, and perfect for slow mornings and early nights. Wrapped in blankets, fire crackling nearby, it’s easy to forget about emails, deadlines, and everything waiting back home.

When it’s time to venture out, the heart of Marina Riviera reveals itself at De La Nonna Big Bear, the hotel’s signature restaurant and gathering place. More than just a dining room, it’s where the property comes alive, especially in winter. The menu is comforting yet elevated, perfect for mountain appetites, and the pizza is truly something special. Crispy, flavorful, and deeply satisfying, it’s the kind of dish you end up talking about long after the trip is over.

Evenings at The Riviera feel almost cinematic. Aperol spritzes are poured generously and enjoyed by the fire, their bright citrus notes cutting perfectly through the chill of the evening air. Wrapped in blankets, cheeks warmed by the flames, conversations stretch longer than planned. It’s cozy without feeling sleepy, social without ever being loud.

One of the most memorable experiences, though, is dining inside one of the restaurant’s heated outdoor igloos. These glowing domes offer a private, intimate setting for cocktails or dinner, making every meal feel like an event. Snow softly falling outside, candlelight flickering within, a spritz or glass of wine in hand, it’s playful, romantic, and uniquely winter. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply leaning into the season, the igloos elevate the entire experience.

And while the food and atmosphere are standout features, Marina Riviera’s wellness offerings are what truly set it apart.

The sauna and cold plunge experience became my favorite ritual of the stay. There’s something deeply grounding about stepping into the heat of the sauna, muscles slowly relaxing, breath deepening as the stress melts away. Then comes the cold plunge, sharp, bracing, and wildly invigorating. The contrast is intense in the best way, jolting you fully into the present moment. Going back and forth between hot and cold, surrounded by mountain air, feels both ancient and restorative. It’s the kind of wellness that doesn’t feel trendy, it feels real.

Mornings at Marina Riviera mirror that same sense of calm. The lake is still, almost glass-like, and the quiet feels intentional. Coffee tastes better here. Time moves more slowly. There’s no pressure to rush into the day, no checklist of activities demanding attention. Just space to think, to breathe, to be.

What Marina Riviera does so well is redefine what a Big Bear getaway can look like. It’s not about packed schedules or crowded slopes (though those are nearby if you want them). It’s about atmosphere, comfort, and moments that feel considered. From in-room fireplaces and cozy cabins to Aperol spritzes by the fire, pizza worth staying in for, wellness rituals that actually restore you, and intimate igloo dinners, every detail feels intentional.

For Angelenos craving a winter break that doesn’t require a plane ticket or a packed itinerary, Marina Riviera is the answer. Close enough to escape on a whim, far enough to feel like another world, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best getaways are the ones that ask you to slow down.

And in a season that’s all about warmth, reflection, and reset, that might be the most incredible luxury of all.