Now is the time to ‘peep’ some autumn magic in the San Bernardino Mountains

A sea of auburn, gold and orange blurs by on a winding, scenic drive in the San Bernardino Mountains, looking like something out of a travel brochure for fall on the East Coast.

Now is the perfect time for a leaf-peeping road trip in the crisp, pine-scented air settling over the mountain communities. Stop along the way to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner as you take in the autumnal show of color from Lake Arrowhead to Big Bear Lake.

Begin in Lake Arrowhead Village and stop at Belgian Waffle Works, 28200 Highway 189 Suite E-150, for a warm, fluffy start to your day. Established in 1982, Belgian Waffle Works serves up dockside waffles in both sweet and savory flavors, along with other breakfast favorites.

A short walk away, you’ll find Tea and Coffee Exchange, where you can grab a coffee or tea for the road. A seasonal menu features fall flavors such as pumpkin chai tea and sugar-and-spice cider.

From the Arrowhead Lake Village, take a short drive to the Rotary International Memorial at 832 Highway 173, where you can take a seat on a bench for a quiet moment enjoying views of the lake and trees.

After taking in the views from the memorial, take Highway 173 south to Highway 18 for a short but colorful drive to the Deep Creek Drive-in at 32890 Hilltop Blvd. in Running Springs. This no-frills, longtime diner offers up Mexican and American favorites with fresh salsa and chips to start. Marisela Roque has owned the diner for over 11 years, bringing her homestyle flavors to the menu. She offers a variety of favorites, including tacos, tortas and flan.

When finished with lunch, head back onto Highway 18 and make your way to the small community of Green Valley Lake. The drive is filled with gentle curves and beautiful displays of golden trees, as well as a glimpse of Lake Arrowhead. Stop at 33180 Green Valley Lake Road to experience the serene sounds of nature, accompanied by vibrant fall colors and boats lining the lake.

From there, continue on Highway 18 to Big Bear Lake for dinner in the village at Saucy Mama’s Pizza, 618 Pine Knot Ave. The beloved pizza parlor has been serving up pies since 2008. Catch the last light of the day at North Shore Lookout Point, 41911 N. Shore Drive, where leaf peeping ends and stargazing begins.

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