Where Highway 330 from the valley floor meets Highway 18 on the Rim of the World, you reach Running Springs, a forest community roughly a mile above sea level, midway between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Cabins here sit under pines, cedars and black oaks, and snow is a normal part of winter. Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties, a Temecula-based real estate agent licensed across California, helps buyers and sellers of mountain property. Call or text (951) 331-8453.
Running Springs on the Map
Running Springs is an unincorporated community in the San Bernardino Mountains. There is no city hall. San Bernardino County handles planning, building permits and code enforcement, and the Running Springs Water District provides local water and sewer service to much of the community. The San Bernardino National Forest surrounds the private land. Snow Valley, a ski and summer mountain resort, is a few miles east on Highway 18, the small community of Arrowbear Lake lies just beyond the town center, and the turnoff to Green Valley Lake is nearby. Unlike Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear, Running Springs has no large lake of its own, which is one reason it is quieter than both.
Running Springs Homes for Sale: Cabins and More
- Vintage cabins from the 1920s through the 1950s, often small, with knotty pine interiors, stone fireplaces and later additions.
- A-frames and chalets from the 1960s and 1970s, many built on steep lots with decks facing the trees or the valley.
- Full-time homes from the 1980s onward with garages, forced-air heat and more conventional floor plans.
- Smiley Park, an older tract with its own association and a long history as a cabin colony.
- Vacant lots, many of them sloped, where buildability depends on access, utilities and county rules.
Mountain Checks Before You Buy a Cabin
Cabins for sale in Running Springs need a different inspection list from houses in the valley.
- Winter access. Ask whether the road is county-maintained and ploughed, how steep the driveway is and whether there is level parking. Count the steps from the car to the front door.
- Heating and plumbing. Note whether the home uses natural gas, propane or wood, how old the heater is and whether pipes are protected against freezing when the house stands empty.
- Roof and decks. Snow load, ice and sun wear out roofs and decks quickly. Have both inspected closely.
- Foundations. Older cabins may sit on post-and-pier supports and have been enlarged without permits. County building records are worth pulling.
- Sewer or septic. Confirm which serves the parcel.
- Trees. Dead or leaning trees are the owner’s cost to remove, and the county and local fire agency enforce defensible-space clearance.
- Land status. A few cabins in these mountains stand on leased National Forest land under a permit instead of on owned lots. Confirm that you are buying fee land.
Fire Insurance Comes First
The entire community lies in mapped wildfire hazard territory, and insurance is the item that most often changes a buyer’s budget. Wildfires have forced evacuations of Running Springs more than once, most recently during the Line Fire in September 2024. Get quotes for a specific address before or immediately after going under contract, including the California FAIR Plan if standard carriers decline, and give them to your lender. Coverage availability changes, so rely on current quotes and not on what a neighbor paid.
Short-Term Rentals
San Bernardino County requires a permit to operate a short-term rental in its unincorporated mountain communities and sets rules on occupancy, parking, noise and inspections. Permits do not automatically pass to a new owner. If rental income is part of your plan, read the current county ordinance and check with the county’s short-term rental office before you rely on any projection. Some associations add their own limits.
Selling a Home in Running Springs
Buyers arrive from the valleys below with questions about snow, fire and upkeep. Answer them in advance: service records for the heater and chimney, roof age, tree work, defensible-space compliance, utility costs and permits for additions. Season matters for photographs, since a cabin can be shown in snow or in summer green, and clear access for showings matters in winter. If the cabin has been rented, keep the permit and booking history available.
A Running Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Reach
Aimee grew up in Murrieta, has more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience and a business degree, and works from an office in Temecula. Her license covers all of California. Second-home buyers frequently live elsewhere in the Inland Empire, and she can meet you where you are. Use the contact page.
Neighboring Mountain Communities
- Lake Arrowhead, west on Highway 18, with its private lake.
- Green Valley Lake, a small, high-elevation lake community up its own road.
- Big Bear Lake, farther east past Snow Valley.
- Twin Peaks and Crestline, along the rim to the west.
- Highland, at the bottom of Highway 330.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Running Springs a city?
No. It is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, so the county handles zoning, permits and short-term rental rules. A local district provides water, sewer and other services to much of the community.
Can I use a Running Springs cabin as a short-term rental?
The county requires a permit for short-term rentals in the unincorporated mountain area and sets operating standards. Rules and fees change, and a permit does not automatically transfer with a sale, so confirm the current requirements with San Bernardino County.
How hard is it to insure a home in Running Springs?
It varies by address and by year. Because the area is in a mapped fire hazard zone, some buyers end up with the California FAIR Plan plus a supplemental policy, so obtain quotes early in the process.
Do I need four-wheel drive to own a cabin in Running Springs?
Not always, but winter storms bring chain requirements on Highways 18 and 330, and side streets and driveways can be steep. Look at access for the specific property and ask who clears the road.
How do I start looking at Running Springs homes for sale?
Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453. She is based in Temecula and licensed statewide, and she can arrange showings and walk you through the mountain-specific checks.
Buying or Selling in Running Springs?
Aimee Ghafouri is a real estate agent based in Temecula who grew up in Murrieta. She is licensed to work anywhere in California and represents buyers, sellers and investors.
Aimee Ghafouri, 951 Properties, CAL DRE #02193341. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.