San Diego to Big Bear - what is easiest/least steep route?

time2roll wrote:
https://www.flattestroute.com/?from=San+Diego%2C+CA%2C+USA&to=Big+Bear+Lake%2C+CA%2C+USA&travelMode=Driving&measurementMode=miles

Excellent.

We have a house in Big Bear. We tow our boat up the 330 all the time.

No need to take unnecessary detours. Come up the 330 and 18. Plenty of turnouts on the 330 to let traffic pass you.

On Google Maps if you choose bicycle routing, it will show a plot of the elevation changes.

330 and 18 climbs from 1000ft to 7000 in about 30 miles, in a what appears to be a steady climb.

18 from the north starts higher, about 3000 ft, but does most of that climb in 15 miles. But then there's the 2000+ ft climb to Cajon Pass.

Years ago when I was in college in Pasadena, I attended a number of retreats around Big Bear. I don't recall the school buses having any problems with the direct route up from San Bernardino, even in the winter.