Lake Arrowhead Day Trip Itinerary

Is Lake Arrowhead Worth Visiting?

Lake Arrowhead is definitely worth visiting, and is an amazing spot for a day trip (or weekend getaway if you have extra time!). The mountain town (and surrounding area) is incredibly scenic, and there are plenty of fun things to do in Lake Arrowhead for kids and adults alike. As someone living in Los Angeles, I find that it’s the perfect place to slow down and get away from the hustle of the city. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Lake Arrowhead?

Lake Arrowhead is great to visit year-round, but there are some things you should take into consideration when planning your trip. 

Overall, the best time to visit Lake Arrowhead is sometime between late April to early June or September to early November. This is when the weather is mildest, so you can comfortably explore without getting too hot or cold. In the mid to late fall, you’ll also be able to see the autumn leaves, which can be particularly beautiful in the area. 

You can also visit in July and August, but keep in mind that it will be hotter. The average highs tend to be in the low 80s during these months. 

Lake Arrowhead can be lovely to visit in the winter and early spring as well, but keep in mind that it can rain and snow during this time. Of course, it will also be a bit cooler, so you’ll need to bring some layers. 

What to Bring to Lake Arrowhead

There are a few key things you’ll want to make sure you bring for your day trip:

• Sunscreen: You’ll be spending most of your time outdoors, so be sure to keep your skin protected with a good sunscreen. If you need to restock, my favorite body sunscreen is the Supergoop Play SPF 50 (it doesn’t feel sticky or smell overly sunscreen-y). For the face, I also love the EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 and the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Lotion. 
• Backpack: I recommend bringing along a small backpack that’s easy to carry on hikes. My favorite day trip backpack is the AOTIAN Mini Nylon Backpack. It’s compact and not annoying to carry, but has enough space to bring along a small water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and your other small essentials. 
• Athletic or Hiking Shoes: While the trails mentioned below are by no means treacherous, you’ll still want to wear supportive shoes that are good for hikes. 

Stop at the Viewpoints Along Rim of the World Highway

If you’re coming from the Los Angeles area and will be driving up the mountains via CA 18 (AKA Rim of the World Highway), you absolutely need to make a stop at at least one of the viewpoints. Red Rock Scenic Overlook is (in my opinion) the most stunning. You can see the surrounding mountains for miles, and it really does feel like you’re on the edge of the world! You’ll pass by other turnouts on the way up (including this one, where I’ve also stopped) if you want to take in the view at more than one spot. 

You’ll want to make these stops at the start of the day on the way up (rather than at the end of the day when you’re heading down), because the viewpoints are on this side of the road and will be much easier to turn into. 

Do an Easy Hike at Heaps Peak Arboretum

Heaps Peak Arboretum is located off of Rim of the World Highway, and is about a 5-minute drive away from the town of Lake Arrowhead. This outdoor space has an easy walking loop that is under a mile long, and you’ll see plenty of gorgeous wildflowers and trees (including the largest sequoia grove in the San Bernardino Mountains!). 

If you want to get some movement in when visiting Lake Arrowhead, I highly suggest checking out Heaps Peak. It’s gorgeous and definitely worth exploring (and is especially nice during the fall!). It’s also worth noting that the general public can’t access the trail that goes around Lake Arrowhead – this is reserved for residents, and is gated off. With that said, if you want to get a walk in, this is the spot!

This area is managed by the USDA Forest Service, and you do need to pay $5 for an Adventure Pass for parking. You’ll see an attendant at a kiosk right at the entrance – you can buy your pass here.

Explore & Grab Lunch in Lake Arrowhead

After Heaps Peak, it’s time to head to the center of Lake Arrowhead! Parking in Lake Arrowhead can be hectic, but there’s a very easy to miss free parking garage located right off Village Road that has plenty of spots. The entrance is right here.

Before (or after) lunch, be sure to walk around town to check out the scenery and maybe stop in a few shops. The Village Point park offers a great view of the lake. 

For lunch, I particularly like The Lakefront Tap Room, which has classic taproom food (burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches, etc.). This is a great choice if you have any vegetarians/vegans in the group, as they have Beyond patties/dogs that you can substitute (the Der Haus Brat is great!).

Other popular restaurant options in town include Belgian Waffle Works, The Grapevine, and Jetties Waterfront Kitchen. Want a beer? Check out Lake Arrowhead Brewing Co.!

Do a Boat Tour on Lake Arrowhead

A boat tour is a fun way to explore the area, especially if it is your first time visiting Lake Arrowhead. The informative boat tour on the Lake Arrowhead Queen lasts one hour, and you’ll get a closer view of some of the iconic houses on the shore. 

In the summer season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend), there are multiple departure times during weekdays, and hourly departures between 11am to 5pm during weekends. The rest of the year, there are less rides per day, with departures happening between 11am to 3:30pm on weekends. The pier that you’ll depart from is by Belgian Waffle Works, and you can buy your tickets here in person.

Hike at Heart Rock Trail in Crestline

Once you’re done in the town in Lake Arrowhead, drive about 20 minutes east to Crestline to finish off the day with another hike. Heart Rock Trail is a 1.3 mile trail located by Camp Seeley (which is where the Lindsay Lohan version of The Parent Trap was filmed!). It’s certainly more challenging than the Heaps Peak walk, but still a fairly easy hike. 

This trail is famous for (as the name suggests) a perfect heart-shaped hole that has naturally formed in one of the rocks. There’s also a waterfall and a creek you’ll hike along on this tree-covered trail. The overlook to see Heart Rock can be a bit tricky to find – I found this guide to give the most in-depth instructions on how to get to it. It will be on the right hand side of the trail, and you need to go slightly off the main path and then walk in the opposite direction to see it. That said, I’ve been able to find it without instructions, and if other groups are around, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you pass Heart Rock, I recommend continuing to follow the trail along the creek until it descends and takes you down right towards the water. It’s a super pretty and peaceful area. 

Parking at Heart Rock Trail

For parking, there’s plenty of room to park on the left hand side of the road before you get to the entrance to Camp Seeley. Walk past the Camp Seeley entrance, and then follow the paved road until you get to the trailhead, located here (it’s not super clearly marked, so keep your eye out!). Within a few hundred feet, you’ll pass by the camp’s pool on your right, and then you’ll be on your way!