Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California, about 13 miles northeast of the city of San Bernardino. It wraps around the Lake Arrowhead Reservoir, a private mountain lake, and is entirely surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest, which gives the community its alpine, pine-forested character and its sense of removal from the Inland Empire below. The area's modern history began in the early 20th century, when developers created Lake Arrowhead as a private reservoir and, in the 1920s, built it into one of Southern California's most upscale mountain resorts. A Normandy-style village, hotels, a golf course, and lakeside estates drew celebrities and wealthy Angelenos, and that resort heritage still shapes the community's identity. Today Lake Arrowhead's economy is almost entirely built on tourism, real estate, and part-time residents, with Lake Arrowhead Village serving as the lakeside hub of shopping, dining, and events. The lake itself is private, with boating and beach access tied to membership in the Arrowhead Lake Association and property lake rights—an unusual arrangement that defines both the lifestyle and the housing market. Homes range from historic cabins to modern mountain estates, many built for seasonal use. Lake Arrowhead is served by the Rim of the World Unified School District, which operates Lake Arrowhead Elementary School and the area's intermediate and high schools. Access comes via State Route 18, the nationally designated Rim of the World Highway scenic byway, with a drive to San Bernardino of about 30 to 40 minutes. The community suits second-home owners, retirees, and full-time residents seeking four seasons, forest recreation, and a true mountain resort atmosphere within reach of Southern California's urban core. It is defined less by density and services than by the lake, the forest, and a long tradition of alpine retreat.