With springtime comes the urge to ditch the desk, escape the traffic and feel earth instead of concrete beneath your feet. You picture yourself zorbing in New Zealand instead of sitting in meetings, or crossing the Sahara by camel instead of walking the dog.

But before you empty your bank account and book the next flight to Marrakech, consider how easy it is to satisfy your inner thrill-seeker right here at home. Scroll down to see the adrenaline-filled adventures that await at Big Bear Lake.

Scale new heights​

Rising thousands of feet above sea level, the peaks that make Big Bear famous in the winter are a year-round mecca for hikers. Hit the road after breakfast and you could be on the Pacific Crest Trail by lunch time. Looking for an even loftier perspective? Go on an aerial adventure with Helicopter Big Bear or get a bird's-eye view of the forest on Action Tours' nine different ziplines.

Leave the beaten path

It's almost impossible to worry about to-do lists when you're eye-to-eye with a magnificent apex predator. At the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, you can meet the only grizzly bear family in captivity and learn how rescued animals can be released back to their natural habitats.

Take to the water

Adrenaline-pumping activities are an amazing way to release stress. But you can get the same benefit from simply being in nature. Take a mood-elevating stroll around Big Bear Lake, or be among the first to enjoy spring fishing season. The rainbow trout are biting big-time this time of year and you'll have the place almost to yourself.

Defy gravity

For even more high-altitude adventure, take yourself and your bike on the mile-long Scenic Sky Chair. At the summit, you can access a network of trails and terrain for riders of all abilities and challenge yourself on the jumps, bumps, rollers and berms of Southern California’s only lift-served bike park.

Make it a habit

The key to the perfect getaway? A destination that's easy to get to and hard to leave. Big Bear Lake, situated within comfortable driving distance of Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas, has 300 days of sunshine every year and all the adventure you could ask for.

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