| The 2006 Winter Olympics have riveted Americans | | | | Southern Californians, Lake Arrowhead also boasts |
| with the awesome vistas of the Italian Alps. If you're | | | | four utterly distinct seasons, including snow on the |
| one of the many people who have added the Alps | | | | mountains in winter-yet with daytime temperatures |
| to their list of destinations to visit someday, take | | | | that rarely go below freezing and often reach 60 |
| heart. There are places closer to home that offer | | | | degrees Fahrenheit.Things to do: |
| those same stunning vistas. One such place, in fact, is | | | | - Skiing. Lake Arrowhead's climate is perfect for |
| a short drive from Los Angeles, in San Bernardino | | | | skiing: just cold enough for snow, but rarely below |
| county: Lake Arrowhead, California. | | | | freezing during the day. The most popular places to |
| Lake Arrowhead has been called "California's Alps." | | | | ski are Snow Valley and the Big Bear Lake area. |
| While the people of this community have all of | | | | - Blue Jay Ice Castle. A world-class ice skating rink |
| Southern California's famous warmth, the mountains, | | | | often used by the premier American woman figure |
| the pine trees, and the climate are totally alpine. | | | | skater, Michelle Kwan. |
| Snowy but mild winters make for some of the West | | | | - San Bernardino National Forest. The San Bernardino |
| Coast's best skiing. In the summer, Southern | | | | National Forest wraps around Lake Arrowhead, |
| Californians escape here to swim or canoe in the lake | | | | ensuring that much of the area's natural beauty |
| and breathe in the mountain valley's cool, clean air. | | | | remains open to all, and protecting the area from |
| Lake Arrowhead, California Real Estate | | | | over-development. Wildlife includes the Southwestern |
| Close-to-home wonderlands like Lake Arrowhead | | | | Arroyo Toad, an endangered species. Activities |
| aren't just great places to visit. Many people in tight | | | | include camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain |
| real estate markets are finding that such places offer | | | | biking. |
| a unique opportunity for owning and investing in real | | | | - Deep Creek Hot Springs: one of the most popular |
| estate. According to Lake Arrowhead (CA) real | | | | areas of natural hot springs in southern California. The |
| estate agent Louisa Millington, owning your weekend | | | | springs are located inside San Bernardino National |
| getaway can save money over the long term. In | | | | Forest. You have to hike to the springs themselves, |
| addition to any possible appreciation of the property | | | | but the springs and the surrounding canyon landscape |
| value, renting can provide investment income. In the | | | | are worth the relatively easy trek. |
| Lake Arrowhead real estate market, you can rent | | | | - The Arrowhead Queen. See the lake area from the |
| not only to long-term tenants, but also to vacationers | | | | best perspective: the lake itself, on this enclosed |
| at higher vacation rates. | | | | paddleboat. |
| If you check out the Lake Arrowhead real estate for | | | | - Lake Arrowhead Film Festival. The theme of the |
| sale, you'll find that prices are still more down to | | | | 2006 festival (May 5-7) is "The Future of Film In the |
| earth than in much of southern California. | | | | Digital Age - the newest in techniques and services |
| What's most amazing is that if you're not a native of | | | | that bring strong and innovative movie-making." |
| Southern California, you may never have even heard | | | | - Shopping: Check out the Lake Arrowhead Outlet, as |
| of this place. Perhaps it's Lake Arrowhead's lower | | | | well as specialty stores on the south shore of the |
| profile that has saved it from overdevelopment, | | | | lake. |
| preserving its quiet beauty. | | | | - VIP and Hollywood celebrity-watching. Lake |
| Lake Arrowhead Information | | | | Arrowhead has been one of southern California's |
| Climate: | | | | "playgrounds of the rich and famous" since at least |
| According to UCLA, Lake Arrowhead enjoys "310 | | | | the 1930s. |
| days of sunshine." While that may not impress | | | | |