Terrific Travel: Midnight Moon Cabins

Credit: Gianna Christina Photo

For residents of Southern California and beyond yearning to rediscover their love of nature, recapture their youthful spirit of adventure, or rekindle their passionate sense of romance, translating such a common workday reverie into reality is as easy as driving to the nearby enchanted community of Big Bear Mountain in the glorious San Bernardino National Forest. And better still, experiencing this natural bastion of year-round recreation and excitement has never been as appealing as it is right now thanks to a forward-looking designer and real estate expert named Sarah Salvatore - the force behind the most modern, upscale, eco-friendly and unique vacation rentals to come along in the area in years: Midnight Moon Cabins.

All three Midnight Moon Cabins are surrounded by towering pines, are only a short drive away from pristine Big Bear Lake and are specially designed to offer visitors optimal luxury and comfort. In addition, all three Midnight Moon cabins have EV chargers – a unique amenity among vacation rental cabins in the Big Bear area.

Midnight Moon Cabin’s prices currently range from $299 to $499 per night, though prices vary seasonally and special offers are posted periodically throughout the year. Anyone interested in reserving a Midnight Moon cabin may visit www.midnightmooncabins.com.

As Sarah puts it, “Whether you’re searching for the perfect romantic getaway in the mountains or a place to bring the whole family, Midnight Moon Cabins has got you covered. Adventurous couples can enjoy a day on the slopes or a romantic hike in the area. If cozy fireplaces and lazy snow days wrapped in luxe bedding are your style, then this is exactly where you will want to be.”

I had a chance to interview Sarah to learn more.

How do you combine the rustic, natural feel with a modern touch?

We believe every home has something different and special to offer.  Our cabins are older so the rusticness is usually always there already.

The trick is not taking it all away but highlighting what's special and adding just enough modernism to feel fresh, inviting and functional.   

What should people look for when they're exploring accommodation options? 

Past experiences are really important.  When I book a trip, I read reviews.  Pictures might be amazing but it's important to

 know that when you show up it will be all you expected and more.  Past guests are your best judge of that. 

What are some must-do experiences while people are staying at Midnight Moon Cabins?  

If you have kids in tow, we recommend a walk to The Big Bear Alpine Zoo. It's just down the street from any of our cabins and a great morning or afternoon activity that informs you about the animals in the area. The Alpine Zoo is a rehabilitation center so all the animals are either on the road to recovery or a permanent resident for their own safety and survival. 

Another MUST do when at the cabins is to get out in nature.  There are so many ways to breathe in the fresh mountain air and revel in the tall pines surrounding you. Go for a hike just behind the cabins on national forest trails, ride a bike on the Alpine Pedal Path around the lake or hit the slopes in winter at either of the two mountain resorts both less than a mile away. 

Welcome To Big Bear

The jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake is Southern California's premiere four-season mountain lake escape destination. Located in the heart of Southern California - and close to Phoenix and Las Vegas - Big Bear invites travelers from near and far to enjoy such attractions as the pristine and fish-filled Big Bear Lake, countless mountain and lakeshore hiking trails, Bear Mountain ski resort (featuring terrain parks and learner slopes), the family-friendly Snow Summit ski resort and a diverse array of boutiques, gift shops and restaurants that line the streets of charming Big Bear Lake Village.

Meet Your Host!

With a multi-faceted background that includes running a theatre company, mastering the fine art of interior design and forging a successful career in real estate entailing several properties in California and elsewhere, Sarah Salvatore in 2018 set her sights on converting three optimally-located Big Bear cabins into idyllic bastions of romance, family togetherness and natural splendor.

According to Sarah, a mother of two who’s married to film composer, noted musician and Midnight Moon Cabins partner Troy MacCubbin, “Given the importance of tourism to Big Bear and the explosive growth of vacation rentals in the community, we found three years ago that many of the available cabins in the area were dated and old-fashioned. Our goal was to bring the Big Bear cabin experience into modern times while fully preserving the outdoorsy, all-natural mountain resort ambiance that defines the area.”

Calling upon a longtime passion for architecture, design and home renovation that enables her to do everything from decorate the inside of a house to drywall the outside of it, Sarah turned the three perfectly-situated cabins she and Troy purchased into veritable showpieces of warmth, luxury, coziness and functionality.

Summing up her Big Bear experience thus far, Sarah says, “Midnight Moon Cabins was born out of a dream I had that was shared and nurtured by my husband Troy – a fiercely faithful, brave and bold partner who believed in me so wholeheartedly and pushed me to be my bravest and best self. Today, our original dream has come true beyond our wildest expectations thanks to our cherished friends and neighbors in Big Bear as well as the wonderfully supportive guests we’ve welcomed over the past three years who make running Midnight Moon Cabins a genuine labor of love each and every day.”

To learn all about Midnight Moon Cabins, please visit www.midnightmooncabins.com.