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Running Springs is a census-designated place in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California. Set within the San Bernardino National Forest at roughly 6,000 feet, it occupies the junction of State Route 18 and State Route 330 and functions as the mountain gateway to Lake Arrowhead, Arrowbear, Green Valley Lake, and Big Bear Lake. Its population is about 5,300. The area's history is rooted in the mountains themselves. Known in its early days as Hunsaker Flats, the region was traveled by gold prospectors on their way to Holcomb Valley and later became a center of logging, supplying timber to the growing communities of Southern California. The opening of the "Rim of the World" highway in the early twentieth century turned the high country into a recreation destination, a role the town has kept ever since. Running Springs is best known today for Snow Valley Mountain Resort, which lies on State Route 18 above the community. As one of the closest ski areas to the Los Angeles basin, Snow Valley draws skiers, snowboarders, and sledders throughout the winter season, anchoring the town's four-season appeal. Beyond winter, the area offers warm, breezy summers and vivid autumns, when black oaks and ferns turn the hillsides gold. The community itself is spread across forested ridges and micro-neighborhoods such as the Nordic Tract and Arrowbear Lake, with homes tucked among pines and oaks. Most residents own their homes, and the town mixes full-time mountain households with weekend and seasonal cabins. A rural feel, clean mountain air, and proximity to both Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear define daily life. Running Springs suits those seeking a mountain lifestyle or a cabin retreat, with schools served by the Rim of the World Unified School District and Los Angeles about an hour away.

Population 5,268

County San Bernardino

Active Listings 186

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Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Running Springs in?

Running Springs is in San Bernardino County, California, high in the San Bernardino Mountains within the San Bernardino National Forest. It is a census-designated place rather than an incorporated city, so services are provided by the county.

What is Running Springs known for?

Running Springs is known as the home of Snow Valley Mountain Resort and as the gateway to the mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, sitting at the junction of State Routes 18 and 330.

What school district serves Running Springs?

How far is Running Springs from Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead?

Snow Valley Mountain Resort sits about 11 miles west of Big Bear Lake on State Route 18, and Lake Arrowhead is a short drive to the west. Downtown Los Angeles is roughly an hour away.

Is Running Springs a city?

No. Running Springs is a census-designated place within the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, so local services and land-use decisions are handled by the county rather than a municipal government.

City Guide

About Running Springs

Real Estate & Housing

Housing in Running Springs reflects its mountain setting. The community is made up of cabins, A-frames, and forest homes scattered among pines and oaks, with most residents owning their homes. Neighborhoods vary from the established, commuter-friendly Nordic Tract to the more secluded, wooded lots of Smiley Park and Fredalba. Properties often feature steep, forested parcels and seasonal access, making the area popular for both full-time living and vacation homes.

Neighborhoods

Running Springs is a collection of forested micro-neighborhoods rather than a single town grid. The Nordic Tract offers established streets convenient to Highway 18, while Arrowbear Lake, just east, is a small, peaceful enclave known for compact cabins and easy access to recreation. The Smiley Park and Fredalba areas feature larger, more private wooded lots, and nearby Green Valley Lake extends the region's quieter, high-country options. Many areas offer long "Rim of the World" views toward the valleys below.

Lifestyle in Running Springs

Running Springs offers a genuine four-season mountain lifestyle. Winters revolve around skiing, snowboarding, and sledding at Snow Valley, while summers bring breezy afternoons, cool nights, and access to the forest. Autumns are striking, as black oaks and ferns turn the hillsides gold. Life is quiet and outdoors-oriented, with a rural feel and a mix of full-time mountain households and weekend cabin owners. Residents enjoy clean air and forest seclusion without being far from the conveniences of Lake Arrowhead and the Inland Empire below.

Schools & Education

Running Springs is served by the Rim of the World Unified School District, which operates three elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school across the mountain communities of the San Bernardino range. The district, headquartered in nearby Blue Jay, enrolls more than 5,100 students and serves Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, and surrounding areas. Families moving to the mountain will find the district's schools integrated closely with the small, tight-knit communities they serve.

Getting Around

Running Springs sits at the junction of State Route 18 and State Route 330, making it the main approach to Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake, and the higher mountain communities. The town is about an hour from the Los Angeles basin via the mountain highways that descend to San Bernardino, and the same roads link it to the Inland Empire below. Travel is car-based and seasonal, with winter conditions occasionally requiring chains on the higher routes.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation defines Running Springs. Snow Valley Mountain Resort, on State Route 18 above town, offers skiing, snowboarding, and Southern California's only lift-served sledding, drawing beginners and families throughout winter. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest provides hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, while Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake sit a short drive away for boating and lakeside recreation. The Rim of the World scenic byway and its sweeping overlooks round out the area's outdoor appeal.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

The Market at a Glance

How homes have been selling here over the last 90 days.

home_work New This Week 11

Went Under Contract 0

trending_down Price Reductions 0

payments Median Sale Price $371,000 -1.1%

square_foot Price per Sq Ft $275

schedule Avg Days on Market 61

sell Homes Sold 25

percent Sale-to-List Ratio 98.0%

inventory_2 Months of Inventory 14.6

Price & Sales History

Market data reflects closed sales over the last 90 days and is provided for informational purposes.

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