THE SECOND CLUTCH, the obsessed-over eggs now grandly occupying the center of a famous nest near Big Bear Lake, has captivated viewers from all over, the devoted fans rooting for Jackie and Shadow, the Big Bear bald eagles. After the pair’s first 2026 eggs were lost — ravens entered the nest and destroyed both — Jackie laid two more eggs near the end of February, just about four weeks, give or take, after the first two eggs arrived. The brooding is taking place high in a Jeffrey pine and away from the slopes, stores, and cafes of Big Bear, but the town is in full bustle mode, as it always is near the conclusion of winter. There’s still skiing to be done, and Glow Tubing, too, and while a number of visitors will be calling upon the lake-lovely spot to enjoy some brilliant birdwatching, everyone will find a little something splendid in the weeks ahead.
BIG BEAR RESTAURANT WEEK… is on the early April calendar, which means that a number of dining deals and complimentary appetizers, as well as limited-time dishes, will flavorfully festoon the menus of local eateries from April 5 through 12, 2026. April is also an ethereal time to admire natural wonders around the mountains, with little wildflowers starting to appear, including the super-teensy Belly Plants of the Pebble Plains. If you’d like to check out these small specimens, head to the Baldwin Lake Ecological Reserve. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo at Moonridge is home to several regional animals, and the rehabilitation facility remains open during the cooler months, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about local wildlife. And Glow Tubing at Big Bear Snow Play? The colorful experience is wheeeeing on select nights through Easter.