Twin Peaks is the stretch of forest between Crestline and Lake Arrowhead that many drivers pass through on the way to one lake or the other. For buyers it is a place to find a mountain cabin without paying for a lake address, provided they understand what does and does not come with the property. Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties can help you compare. Call or text (951) 331-8453.
Twin Peaks Homes for Sale: Cabins First
The housing here is overwhelmingly single homes on wooded, sloping lots. Expect to see:
- Vintage cabins. Small wood-sided cabins from the early and middle parts of the last century, some with stone fireplaces and knotty pine interiors, some still seasonal in their insulation and heating.
- A-frames and chalets. Mid-century and later vacation designs, often on steep lots with decks facing the trees.
- Year-round houses. Larger and newer homes with garages, central heat and easier access.
- Vacant lots. Often steep. Whether a lot can be built on depends on slope, access, utilities and county requirements.
There is very little attached housing, and no large commercial district. Daily errands usually mean a short drive to Blue Jay, Lake Arrowhead Village or Crestline.
Location and Roads
Twin Peaks is an unincorporated community in the San Bernardino Mountains, governed by San Bernardino County, at an elevation of well over five thousand feet. State Route 189 runs through it, linking State Route 18 (the Rim of the World Highway) near Rimforest with Blue Jay and Lake Arrowhead. Crestline and Lake Gregory are a few miles west. From the valley floor, the usual routes up are Highway 18 from San Bernardino or Highway 138 through Crestline.
Does a Twin Peaks Address Come With Lake Rights?
This is the question to settle first. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, and access is tied to parcels inside the Arrowhead Woods tract. Some homes with a Twin Peaks mailing address lie within Arrowhead Woods and are eligible for lake membership. Many others are outside it and are not. The mailing address tells you nothing either way.
Before making an offer, ask the Arrowhead Lake Association and the title company to confirm the status of the specific parcel. Lake Gregory in Crestline is a separate, county-owned regional park that charges for seasonal activities, and it does not depend on where you own.
Buying a Mountain Cabin: Inspection Points
- Access in winter. Twin Peaks gets regular snow. Look at the grade of the street and driveway, where you would park during a storm, and how many steps lead to the door. Ask whether the road is county maintained and plowed.
- Heat and insulation. Identify the primary heat source (forced air, wall heater, wood or pellet stove) and whether pipes are protected from freezing if the home sits empty.
- Foundation and decks. Hillside cabins often stand on posts and piers. A structural look at footings, decks, stairs and retaining walls is worth the cost.
- Water and sewer. Small local water providers serve different parts of the community, and homes may be on public sewer or septic. Verify both for the address.
- Trees. Dead, dying or leaning trees are the owner’s responsibility. An arborist can estimate removal costs before you commit.
- Permits. Many cabins have been enlarged over the decades. Compare the county’s permit record with the current floor plan.
Wildfire Insurance in the Forest
Twin Peaks is in dense forest and falls within mapped fire hazard zones. Insurance is one of the first things to price, not the last, because availability and cost differ from house to house. Some owners use the California FAIR Plan combined with a separate policy. Ask a licensed insurance agent for written quotes during your contingency period, and ask the seller what defensible-space work and home hardening have been done.
Vacation Rental Rules
San Bernardino County requires a permit to operate a short-term rental in its mountain communities and sets standards for occupancy, parking, trash and noise. The requirements are revised from time to time. Check the current ordinance with the county for the exact parcel, and remember that a permit held by a seller does not automatically pass to a buyer.
Selling a Home in Twin Peaks
Cabin buyers shop across several mountain communities at once, so a Twin Peaks listing is compared directly with Crestline and Lake Arrowhead. State plainly whether the parcel has lake rights, how level the entry is, where cars park, what heats the house and which utilities serve it. Tree work, deck repairs and a clean septic or sewer record remove common objections. Season affects presentation as well, since snow hides roofs, decks and driveways from both photographers and inspectors.
Schools
The community is within the Rim of the World Unified School District. Confirm assignments for a given address with the district.
A Twin Peaks Real Estate Agent for Mountain Buyers
Aimee Ghafouri is a Temecula-based real estate agent licensed to work across California. A Southern California native raised in Murrieta, with more than 15 years in sales and marketing, she represents buyers, sellers and investors and keeps them informed throughout.
Nearby Mountain Communities
- Lake Arrowhead, just east
- Crestline, west around Lake Gregory
- Running Springs, farther east on Highway 18
- Green Valley Lake, a small lake community beyond Running Springs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Twin Peaks part of Lake Arrowhead?
Twin Peaks is a separate unincorporated community with its own post office, located between Crestline and Lake Arrowhead. Some parcels with a Twin Peaks address are inside the Arrowhead Woods tract, but many are not.
Do Twin Peaks homes have Lake Arrowhead lake rights?
Only parcels within Arrowhead Woods are eligible, regardless of mailing address. Confirm eligibility for the specific lot with the Arrowhead Lake Association and your title company.
How much snow does Twin Peaks get?
Snow falls in most winters and can be heavy in some storms, with chain controls on the highways. Check driveway slope, parking and plowing arrangements before buying.
Can I use a Twin Peaks cabin as a short-term rental?
San Bernardino County requires a short-term rental permit in the mountain communities and enforces operating standards. Rules change, so verify the current requirements for the parcel with the county.
How do I start a search for Twin Peaks real estate?
Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453. Tell her your priorities, such as level entry, lake rights or rental use, and she will set up a search across the neighboring mountain communities as well.
Buying or Selling in Twin Peaks?
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.