Opinion on Crestline, CA (Riverside, San Bernardino: home, purchasing, place to live)

[MylisaCrestline]

I am very interested in purchasing a home in Crestline, CA. I currently live in Riverside, CA which is about 35 - 45 minutes from Crestline. I will likely retain a new job in San Bernardino. I have been warned of the heavy fog and that the roads get blocked and people cannot leave the mountain. Can someone please give me some personal experience with Crestline and possbily advise me as to what part of the mountain (even if it's in Running Springs) that would be less likely have such heavy heavy fog. I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you

[cynwldkat]

The whole area on that part of the mountain gets more then its fair share of fog. It's the altitude. The clouds back up against mountains and get stuck there causing dense fog. You'd have to move farther up the mountain, say Big Bear Lake, in order to escape the fog. There may be a bit less in Arrowhead as it would be a bit more protected but not that much. If you moved to Big Bear you could go down the back side of the mountain and avoid the fog but it would be a longer commute. Many do it!! There are also many people who commute from Crestline and that area everyday to work down the hill. It's scary at first but I guess they get use to it.

[achillez88]

one of my bosses (i work in yucaipa) lives in crestline and he sometimes(like maybe 3 times a month) had problems getting to work on time, but only in the fall/winter. Crestline is a nice place to live and a big sense of community from what i know. If you work in San B. it wont be a bad drive. The biggest complaint i got from my boss is that when one of the roads are closed it can take you a half hour to an hour more to get where you have to go.

[lookingfortheperfectplace]

I don't live there but have a vacation cabin there that I stay at ocassionally. I have never had a problem with the fog the times I have gone up and the down the hill. I usually don't drive in the early morning hours when the fog could be there more. I have hit fog coming back from Arrowhead late at night during the winter a few times. Crestline is a neat little town and it only takes 15-20 minutes to get down the hill. More if you drive slow but you get used to the turns quick. Out of all the towns/cities up there I think Crestline is the easiest commute. Running Springs is off the 330 which has been closed a lot lately. First it was mudslides from the fires of 2003, then I don't know what it was. I think it has been open for awhile now, as I have not been seeing the fwy sign saying its closed. Plus I never go up the hill using the 330 because it is 2 lanes and hwy 18 is 4 lanes for awhile. Unless they have changed the 330, as it has been a good 10 years since I went that way..You can get to Runnig Springs via hwy 18 but I couldn't tell you how long the drive is.
Big Bear is a further commute. We take the back side (hwy38) and it takes 1 hour to get to the 10/30 fwy split. It is probably alot quicker taking the 330 but we like the other hwy.
There is also Wrightwood to the west of the 15 fwy which is still close to San Bernardino.

[MylisaCrestline]

thank you! I just read your message. I'm new to this website and I'm not sure how to navigate around it. Thank again!

[mtnchick]

I live in Running Springs and fog is not that much of a factor. I moved up three years ago from Orange County and I commute everyday. My commute is about 20 min. down. I like Crestline but love Running Springs. Both have a good community feel. Our highway had some problems but is great now. Yes, you will have the occassional highway closure due to accidents, etc. but it's well worth it. We have more snow in RS than Crestline so that's been my only factor of missing work. I think I've missed about 2 days a year. Good luck.

[stuff and things]

I have lived in Lake Arrowhwead on the North side of the Lake for 12 years and can give some insight into this. Anywhere in the San Bernardino Mountains is a very nice place to live, but Lake Arrowhead is the nicest in my opinion. Crestline has the easiest commute to San Bernardino while Lake Arrowhead is about 15 minutes farther up Highway 18. Most Running Springs and Big Bear Residents use Hwy 330 to get to San Bernardino. Fog can sometimes get very, VERY bad out on the Rim (Hwy. 18). The fog generally fades away when you get a few blocks away from the Rim, although sometimes it is foggy everywhere. The fog is generally worst in Rim Forest and Skyforest, however, those areas can be bypassed by using Hwy. 189 through Twin Peaks. Wherever you live in the mountains, you will encounter fog sporadically between October and April.

The keys to driving in the fog are:

1. Please turn your lights on, day or night. Even if your lights aren't doing much, they allow other drivers to see you. Do NOT turn on your brights. They light up the moisture in the air and it significantly reduces your visibility.
2. Become familiar with the roads and pay attention to where you are. If you know the roads and what turns are coming up, you can drive much safer.
3. If you are uncomfortable, pull over and allow other drivers to pass. Once the drivers pass, you can drive behind them and it is much easier and safer.

[Mtn. Mama]

I have lived in Crestline since the 80's and fall in love with the mountain all over again every May, winter is a little challenging not knowing when the snow, rain or fog will roll in. Just go to the local store or Post Office and you will find out, winter weather is all the gab.

I agree with stuff and things, you have to get used to driving in the fog. One of the things we do is caravan, taking turns as the leader. When you wear out, pull over and let the next car in line be the leader then you get to follow for a while. You can see ahead better this way. There are the usual hot head flatlanders that have to pass wicked fast to get down the hill faster than the caravan, just laugh and sip your coffee, it only takes a few minutes longer in the fog.

You must watch out for rocks in the road even if it's fog; the moisture can bring them down from the hillsides and can take out your tire.

[Bullfrog77]

As for the fog, just slow down and you'll be fine. It may take a few trips up and down, but after that it's no big deal. The only other place I will ever live is the beach. Do you have a realtor you are working with? Like I said before, my wife is a realtor in Crestline. Good luck!

[CityGirl72]

Please know there are good parts to Crestline and some really poor parts. Especially the close to VOE that you go. Lake Arrowhead is the area where more of the middle class live, Crestline is more economically minded area.