1. ICE CASTLE INTERNATIONAL TRAINING CENTER: At an elevation of 5,400 feet, in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, we have the Ice Castle International Training Center. Michelle Kwan trained right here! I remember when I first moved to Lake Arrowhead in 1991, seeing Michelle and her family at Lake Arrowhead Village--lake side. Michelle was actually practicing her skating moves. In tennies... I had no idea at that moment who she was or what she would become! The training center is now open for public skating (certain times & days)...
cont... But before Lake Arrowhead had the "training" center, there was the Ice Castle; a public ice-skating rink in Blue Jay, California, built back in 1934 (photo from Rim of the World Historical Society). The Ice Castle was an opened-air rink for decades, surrounded by towering pines and cedars. At some point, however, a roof was added. Then, in 2001, heavy snowfall caused the roof to cave-in. The owner decided not to rebuild.
2. LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGE: There is always something to do or see at Lake Arrowhead Village. You can shop til you drop, walk til you drop and eat til you can't eat anymore. The Village has restaurants galore for all tastes; Mexican, Sushi, Waffles, seafood, smoothies or candyshops. But if you want to find 
out all about Lake Arrowhead and its history, take a ride on The Arrowhead Queen. A ride on this tour boat will give you a great lesson about the area, now and then. View homes of past celebrities (not so much today's celebrities, for privacy reasons), plus there are places on the lake that you can only see from a boat. FUN trip!
For all events going on this summer, including Southern California's Largest, FREE Summer Concerts, check out the Lake Arrowhead Village link above.
3. CAMPING, HIKING, FISHING, PICNICING!..oh my. San Bernardino Ranger 
Station/Lake Arrowhead is where to begin if you want to "get back to nature." At the ranger station you can buy your ADVENTURE PASS (you must have one), get maps of trails and campgrounds. You'll learn how to have a safe, mountain experience. You may WANT to reserve your camping spot SOON, especially in the summer!! I was driving thru "Dogwood Campground" near Blue Jay few days ago, andI noticed RESERVED tags on ALMOST all sites for this weekend. (call 909-382-2782).
4. RIM OF THE WORLD SCENIC HIGHWAY... Is an eighty-seven-mile-long, drive that takes you from San Bernardino all through the forested 
San Bernardino Mountains. You'll wind along Rim of The World's Highways' 18 and 138, and through quaint mountain towns like Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, Sky Forest, Rim Forest, to name a few. You can access Lake Arrowhead by turning off Highway 18 and onto Highway 173. Rim of The World Highway, a National Scenic Byway, goes from an elevation of 1,000 feet at San Bernardino to over 8,000 feet. Makes for a great Sunday afternoon drive!
5. TAVERN BAY BEACH CLUB: Beginning in July, every Thursday evening at Lake Arrowhead's Tavern Bay Beach Club, across from UCLA Conference Center, we have the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival. Concert dates are from July 10, thru August 7, 2008. It's easy to relax, have fun and enjoy Lake Arrowhead's cool evenings under clear, blue skies, as you listen to bands like the Hotel California (tribute to the Eagles) and the Fab Four, a tribute to the Beatles. For a list of all bands, dates, costs and times see Arrowhead Arts Association. Check out this TAVERN BAY BEACH CLUB map to for directions.
'COME UP FOR AIR..." You won't be sorry.
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Kat,
It sounds like you live in an absolutely enchanting area.....ohhh, how I would love to visit. Your description of the various places causes me to feel like I'm right there experiencing them right now!
Jo
Jo: you are one of the warmest and sweetest people I know. THANK YOU! (if really is lovely here).
This is a great overview...I have to get going on mine! Been a busy couple of weeks - so I haven't had the chance. This is a beautiful area. Somewhat like northern Westchester with more space and wildlife then White Plains - which is now truly a city. This is not what automatically comes to mind when I think "California." But it sounds great. Love the story about the ice rink....
Ruthmarie: THANK YOU SO MUCH for stopping by. I agree, when most people think of CA, they do NOT think of a setting as this one. Our mountains are beautiful, but not as green as areas in the east or WA State. Still, it is such a pleasure living here...above it ALL.
Great pictures and grea things to do. Lovely post.
Great Post!! I lived in California for a bit, not in this nice of a place!! Thanks for sharing.
Andy Laughlin
Connect Realty
Elena: Thank you so much! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
Andy: There are so many beautiful places in CA--where did you live? I was born and raised in Torrance/Redondo Beach area...but I've been all over CA. Thank you!
Kat - Great post. I love Arrowhead and am overdue for a visit. Nice job!
Tom: "Come on up for air!" Big Expo this weekend!
Kat,
The views are terrific. I love camping, but my wife thinks camping involves a Holiday Inn room.
We used to have an artificial ice skating ring in Chattanooga, that was fun. I went a few times, not much on roller skates (no blades thank you), less on ice skates.
Thanks for sharing.
Richard
Richard: LOL (about your wife and her camping ideas--I LIKE her). I love camping myself but I must admit, the older I get, the more I realize the importance of that those beautiful motor homes. Thank you for stopping by.
Kat - Looks like a wonderful part of the country in which to live.
Pam: It really is a beautiful place to visit and live. Thank you for stopping by.
Loved how you framed the pics - California here I come! :-)
Kat, Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful place. I'm overdue for a visit. You did a great job of highlighting so many wonderful things about it.
Liz: Thanks....and come on down!
Christine" Thanks so much for your kind remarks!
Great presentation of your area. I like the photos too!
Tracy: Thanks! And I like your signature, also. LOL
Kat...I've only been out your way twice in my life..my brother lives in Red Bluff. But Rim of the World is definately on my next agenda! That looks like exactly what I like to do..
Sorry Kat I guess I wasn't logged in..anonymous(above) is me...
Joan (anonymous): Red Bluff is quite a jog from here... but if you're ever down South, stop in!
Kat - What a beautiful place in which to live. Thanks for sharing so much info. Love all the pictures.
Pam: Thanks so much for your comments and stopping by.
I'm tempted to come and visit - too bad I have to hop on a plane - that's the drawback of living in the middle of the ocean.
Kat, the Rim of the World Highway looks like it would be a really excellent scenic drive!
Hi Brian: It really is. I remember taking a Sunday drive decades ago--on Rim of the World Hwy--long before we thought we'd ever move up here. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Georgina: What a beautiful name! Well...if you ever make it out this way, you won't be sorry if you take a drive "up the mt. Thanks for commenting!