Earlier this week, I shared a few fun summer activities for kids in Big Bear. Our visit was due in large part to one of you. That’s right – longtime reader, nature-lovin’ mom o’ two Tracy V. contacted me with an offer I couldn’t refuse. To come spend a weekend in her recently renovated rental cabin in Big Bear – nicknamed the Cabarn – and tell you all about it here. (She’s got a special deal for you too, but you’ll have to stick around to the end to find out more!)
Meet the Cabarn
Wondering what a “cabarn” is? Tracy’s cabin was originally a barn built in San Pedro in the 1920s. In the 30s, it was disassembled, transported up to Big Bear and rebuilt. The kitchen, front bedroom and bath are the original barn; the rest of the home was added in 1985. Until moving away in June 2012, the grandson of the original owners lived right next door and took great pride in their family plot of land. So during the extensive remodel in 2012/2013, the cabin was painted red as an homage to its origins and fondly named the Cabarn (Cabin-Barn).
The Amenities
You can read all the details about the Cabarn here, but let me tell you what we liked:
- Lots of space! With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1400 sq. ft., there’s plenty of room for a family of four.
- Open concept between the large kitchen and living room keeps everyone connected.
- The huge deck has a BBQ and picnic tables and is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal al fresco. It’s also a great spot for star watching!
- Free Wifi
- Washer, dryer & detergent. ’Nuff said.
- Little extras like board games, books, Wii (with games), Blu-ray/DVD Player & DVDs (plenty that are kid-friendly), piano and a telescope!
- Plenty of kid-friendly amenities, too: Pack ‘n Play with bedding, baby sleep sacks, toddler booster seat (with buckles & tray), preschooler booster seat, configurable 6-panel child gates – even a basket of toys.
- Conveniently located minutes from anything and everything you’d want to do in Big Bear.
I don’t know if your family is like ours when you travel, but these days we prefer to stay in cabins instead of hotels whenever possible. We like having a kitchen, more than one bathroom and enough space for the kids to be kids without disturbing anyone.
The Cabarn certainly fits the bill. We also appreciated that unlike some of the accommodations in town, we weren’t crammed up against tons of neighbors. Which meant our stay was quiet and serene – just like time spent in nature should be.
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| A deck with a view! |
What’s the cost for all this goodness? During the summer season, the Cabarn rents for $250 per night, with holidays varying slightly.
Special Discount for Go Explore Nature Readers!
OK, here’s the best part: Tracy is offering fellow Go Explore Nature readers a huge deal! You can get 10 percent off your stay just by mentioning you’re a reader!
This is a huge opportunity if you plan on being in the Big Bear area anytime soon. The Cabarn is currently being rented primarily by word of mouth. Tracy is generously offering the Cabarn to all of you hoping you’re a trustworthy group. So don’t prove her wrong!
To take advantage of this exclusive offer, use the code GoExploreNature when you book your stay. There are no limitations or black-out dates. Make your reservations soon before the calendar fills up!
Note: I received a complimentary 2-night stay at the Cabarn in exchange for providing my honest review with you here. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
