Big Bear Lake Moonridge Cabin Tour: Is 1030 Jasper Drive Worth $449K?
Is a Moonridge Cabin in Big Bear Lake a Smart Buy Right Now?
A well-maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cabin in Big Bear Lake's Moonridge area can generate $40,000–$60,000 per year in short-term rental income — and most of them are priced under $500K. 1030 Jasper Drive is exactly that kind of property: 1,212 square feet, built in 2000, in exceptional condition, sitting on a quiet dead-end street with privacy trees and a gas fireplace you literally cannot install in new construction anymore.
By Rachael Smith | May 9, 2026
I walked this property so you don't have to wonder. Here's exactly what you're getting, who it's right for, and a few things you'd want to address before you close.
The Location: Moon Ridge's Hidden Advantage
This address trips people up. 1030 Jasper Drive carries a Big Bear City zip code, but it sits right at the line where Big Bear City meets Big Bear Lake — specifically near Villa Grove, where the two communities divide. Watch the walkthrough at 0:11 and you can see exactly where the property line falls.
That zip code distinction matters for some buyers, but the location itself is excellent. Jasper is a dead-end street off Moon Ridge Road, which means you're not dealing with through traffic. The street is quiet, there's generous parking (multiple spots — rare for this mountain), and the surrounding trees give you real privacy without feeling remote. Snow Summit is a short drive away. Local shops, restaurants, and Big Bear Village are minutes out.
If you're buying as a vacation rental, guests are going to love this location. If you're buying as a second home, you're going to love the quiet.
What the Property Actually Looks Like Inside
The home is in better shape than most comparables I've toured. It looks barely lived in — it's been used as a second home, not a rental, which shows. Tongue and groove ceilings, open living-dining-kitchen layout, and good natural light throughout. The bones are solid.
The fireplace is the standout feature. Floor-to-ceiling river rock with a live edge mantel and a hidden gas starter — see it at 5:46. New construction in Big Bear can't include gas fireplaces anymore; you're required to go electric. So a property that already has a working gas fireplace is genuinely harder to replace than it sounds. That's a real amenity for guests and for personal use.
The living room comfortably fits six people — which aligns with the short-term rental sleeping capacity. A bay window with built-in seating looks out at the trees, and there's a carved beam running across the ceiling that gives the space real character without feeling overdone.
The kitchen has tile flooring (the rest of the home is carpet), a two-tiered island, and a dual cast iron sink. At 9:34, I point out that the carpet would be the first thing I'd swap out for a vacation rental — hardwood floors hold up better and photograph better. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's a realistic upgrade budget item.
Storage is genuinely above average for Big Bear. Most mountain cabins sacrifice storage entirely — I once bought a place up here that didn't have a single closet. This home has storage in the kitchen, in both bathrooms, under the deck, and underneath the house (where the furnace, water heater, and extra gear can live). That matters if you're using it as a primary residence or managing a vacation rental with supplies and linens.
Both bathrooms follow the same smart layout: the vanity/sink sits outside the enclosed toilet-and-shower area. If multiple guests are sharing a bathroom, that layout means two people can get ready at the same time without stepping on each other. Small detail, big practical difference for a rental property.
The master bedroom fits a king-size bed without feeling cramped. There's an in-unit washer/dryer, a gated dog run in the backyard, and a deck that needs some staining and general maintenance — not structural work, just cosmetic upkeep.
Want to see more Big Bear properties like this before they hit the market — or understand what a cabin really earns as a vacation rental? Rachael breaks down property tours, investment numbers, and market strategy every week on her YouTube channel. Subscribe here so you catch every new video.
The Investment Case for 1030 Jasper
Short-term rental income potential here is $40,000–$60,000 per year. At 9:01, I walk through why that range makes sense: the location, the sleeping capacity, the price point, and the current demand in this part of Big Bear. That's not a guarantee — rental income depends on how you manage the property, how you price it, and what shape the market's in during your holding period. But it's a realistic projection for a turnkey 2-bedroom in this neighborhood.
A few things worth flagging before you make an offer:
- Carpet replacement: If you're taking this to vacation rental, budget for hardwood or LVP flooring. It photographs better, holds up better to high turnover, and pays for itself quickly in reviews and repeat bookings.
- Deck maintenance: Some staining and board work needed — not urgent, but worth getting quotes before you close so you know what you're walking into.
- Property line clarity: The back boundary isn't clearly marked. Worth getting a survey before you close if you're planning to add any outdoor improvements.
- Roof: Appears to have been re-roofed at some point (there's a second layer visible underneath). Ask for documentation on when that happened — it'll factor into your maintenance timeline.
None of these are deal-killers. They're just the kind of things you want priced into your offer or negotiated in the inspection period. If you're buying a mountain cabin in Big Bear Lake for the first time, factoring in these post-close costs upfront is how you avoid surprises.
At $449,000 for a 2-bed, 2-bath in Moonridge with this condition and STR income potential, the pricing is competitive. The April 2026 Big Bear real estate market shows inventory is still moving — well-priced properties at this price point don't sit long.
This property makes the most sense for three types of buyers:
- The STR investor who wants a turnkey-ready property with strong income projections and a real gas fireplace — a genuine differentiator in a market flooded with electric-only new construction.
- The second-home buyer who wants a quiet mountain retreat with good bones, manageable maintenance, and the option to rent it out part-time to offset costs.
- The primary resident who wants to live in Big Bear full-time in a well-maintained home with more storage than the average cabin and a neighborhood that stays quiet year-round.
If none of those describes you, it probably isn't your house. But if one of them does, it's worth a showing.
Want to know what this property could earn in your hands specifically, or what other Moonridge cabins are available in this price range? Reach out directly — 909.744.2190 or rachaelsmithrealestate@gmail.com. And if you're still doing your research, the Big Bear cabin buyer's guide is a good place to start.
New property tours go up every week on my YouTube channel. Subscribe here and you'll see every new listing walkthrough, market update, and investment breakdown as soon as it drops.
About Rachael Smith
Rachael Smith is a top-producing real estate agent with RE/MAX Big Bear, specializing in mountain homes, short-term rental investments, and luxury properties in Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas. With over a decade of experience and hundreds of homes sold, she helps buyers, sellers, and investors make smart, strategic real estate decisions. Through her strong online presence and data-driven approach, Rachael connects clients with opportunities both on and off the market.
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