Tourists visiting Big Bear Lake stop for a picnic lunch along Highway 18. The areas shady woods and rocky shores provided the backdrop for such classic movies as Old Yeller, Gunsmoke, and Gone With the Wind. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
A young man jumps into Big Bear Lake. Because of the economic downturn, though, fewer people are willing or able to rent cabins at the vacation spot. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Karin Stancik prepares kayaks for weekend rental at Holloway’s Marina and RV Park. Almost all the marina’s slips have been rented out to boat owners. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
A group tours Big Bear Lake and hears about local history on the faux pirate ship Time Bandit. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Souvenir shop Big on Bears opened recently in the area. But a wholesale supplier says his sales have fallen off. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
Charles Mozdir hauls a mountain bike off a ski lift at Snow Summit. Ski season was slow this year. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
The bathroom of a service station near Big Bear is boarded up. (Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times)
