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Just 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake offers a quick cure for urbanites with a fever for cabins. Though best known as a winter playground, there are plenty of autumnal charms in this resort area nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest 7,000 feet above sea level as an autumnal destination. It’s far less crowded. Accommodations are discounted. And though the temperature drops sharply at night, most days are sunny and warm enough for T-shirts.

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Start your trip with a visit to the Big Bear Discovery Center ( www.bigbeardiscoverycenter.com). Here you can pick up maps, sign up for guided tours and learn about events such as the Feast of the Harvest Moon, a celebration of Native American culture on Oct. 27, or Oktoberfest ( www.bigbearevents.com/fairs_festivals) at the Convention Center, celebrated every weekend this month with German folk music, clog dancing, log-sawing contests and traditional Bavarian feasts.

Friday

BEER COUNTRY JAMBOREE

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A CASE OF CABIN FEVER

The choices for accommodation in Big Bear can be overwhelming. A solid pick for families or budget-minded travelers is Golden Bear Cottages (39367 Big Bear Blvd., [909] 866-2010, www.goldenbear.net). Their 29 cabins all contain fireplaces and kitchens, with rates as low as $79. For those in search of a more romantic, upscale environment, the Knickerbocker Mansion Country Inn (869 Knickerbocker Road, [909] 878-9190, www.knickerbockermansion.com), is a three-story pine lodge and carriage house built in 1920. Co-owned by Thomas Bicanic, a former chef at Patina, this postcard-pretty B&B; is renowned for its gourmet breakfasts and Friday and Saturday night dinners. Room rates range from $110 for a standard room to $280 for the carriage house suite.

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Saturday

WOLVES, TIGERS, BEARS . . . OH, MY

Although Big Bear Lake and Big Bear were named after the grizzly bears that roamed the Big Bear Valley in the 1800s, nowadays the only local home of grizzlies -- where you can also see black bears, timber wolves, mountain lions, foxes, eagles and bobcats -- is the Moonridge Animal Park, a 2.5-acre facility devoted to housing and rehabilitating animals injured, orphaned or otherwise unable to be released in the wild. Check the Moonridge website ( www.moonridgezoo.org) for special events, such as Wolf Awareness Day (Sat.) or Flashlight Safaris, nighttime tours led every Saturday evening through October.

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WHERE’S SHERIFF BULLOCK?

Most of Big Bear Lake’s shopping, dining and night life options are situated around the Village, a few-block stretch on the south side of the lake bordered by Big Bear Boulevard, Pine Knot Avenue and Village Drive. Don’t miss the thoroughly weird Big Bear Thrift & Treasure, an outdoor market resembling a miniature Old West town a la Deadwood, where you can prospect for such gold as an antique claw-foot tub or an O’Keefe & Merritt stove (40074 Big Bear Blvd., [909] 866-4336).

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EAT AND DRINK, WITH ROOM TO SPARE

For dinner, try the chicken-fried steak at the quaint Teddy Bear diner (583 Pine Knot Ave., [909] 866-5415), a local favorite since 1944, then wash it down with a glass or two of Shiner Hefeweizen at The Pub across the street (664 Pine Knot Ave., [909] 866-5755). Or knock back a few pints while you knock down some pins at the Bowling Barn (40625 Lakeview Drive, [909] 878-2695), which boasts fabulous mountain-scenery murals and weekly line dancing in its Alley Oops Lounge.

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Sunday

GIDDY UP AND GO

The valley is home to some of the most picturesque trails in America, including the historic Pacific Crest Trail. One of the best ways to enjoy the region’s spectacular fall foliage and abundant wildlife is on horseback. Baldwin Lake Stables (East Shay Road, [909] 585-6482, www.baldwinlakestables.com) offers one-hour, half-day and sunset rides; reservations are required.

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GET YOUR PAWS ON THIS

As a reminder of your stay -- especially if you managed to pay your respects to Harley, Ayla and Tutu, the grizzly family at Moonridge -- cap off your trip with a stop at the Lakeview Trading Company (40679 Lakeview Drive, [909] 878-4155). With 50 antiques and collectibles dealers under one roof, you’re sure to find the ursine-themed souvenir of your dreams.

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-- Pauline.OConnor@latimes.com