Discover Blue Jay: History, Jazz, and Nature

Blue Jay combines the history of an established community with cultural events, birdwatching, and the natural mountain landscape of the Lake Arrowhead communities. The town is located on Daley Canyon, away from Highway 18. This gives Blue Jay a distinct character of its own: anyone planning a trip around regional history, special events, and nature experiences will find several different points of interest here.

History Between Sawmills and Lake Development

Blue Jay was settled in the 1860s because of its sawmills. The Caley Sawmill operated in the center of present-day Blue Jay during the 1860s and 1870s. The town's name also refers to the landscape: Blue Jay was named after the Steller's jays that lived there. For visitors, this connection between local history and nature is part of what gives the town its special character.

The town's development also began before the Arrowhead Lake Company purchased Little Bear Lake in 1921 and developed the resort. The Wixom family settled on 22 acres in Blue Jay in 1914 and founded the general store “Wixom’s Corner” there. Anyone interested in the history of small mountain communities can use such landmarks as an opportunity to see Blue Jay not only as a starting point for activities but also as a historic place in its own right.

Parade, Jazz, and Ice-Skating History

One of the defining cultural events is the Blue Jay Parade. It began in 1979 and takes place annually in the center of Blue Jay. The Blue Jay Jazz Foundation also organizes the annual Blue Jay Jazz Festival. Historically, the festival was held for more than a decade in the parking lot above the Rite Aid store in Blue Jay. This places a local parade and a festival with its own history side by side in the town.

The Blue Jay Ice Castle is also part of the town's history. It was a public ice-skating rink where Michelle Kwan trained. This cultural aspect may be particularly interesting for trip planning when, in addition to landscapes and excursions, sports history or local attractions also play a role.

Experience Nature and Discover Blue Jay Bay

Blue Jay is well suited to birdwatching. The Steller's jays that gave the town its name connect the history of its name with a tangible nature experience. In the Lake Arrowhead communities, proximity to the San Bernardino National Forest is considered part of the natural mountain landscape. Anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors can therefore combine Blue Jay with a stay in which nature observation and local history are given different levels of emphasis.

Lone Pine Island is located at the entrance to Blue Jay Bay and can be reached by boat, kayak, or canoe. This creates another opportunity to combine your stay with a water-based experience. In the 1920s, the Blue Jay Ferry also operated on Lake Arrowhead. The ferry is a historical indication of the lake's former importance to the surrounding area; it should not be equated with a current transportation service.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Trip Plans

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Blue Jay, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on. If nature observation and the experience of Blue Jay Bay are more important to you, you can take these interests into account when choosing your accommodation and planning your days.

The Lake Arrowhead Branch Library at 27235 Highway 189 in Blue Jay also provides a specific point of reference. For a travel group looking to combine cultural discoveries with landscape experiences, this creates a multifaceted picture of the town: history from the era of the sawmills, lively event traditions, birdwatching, and access to Lone Pine Island. Choose your vacation rental or accommodation based on the travel experience you most want to explore in depth in Blue Jay.

More Destinations for Reference

For further searches, you can also view Twentynine Palms, Searles Valley, Fontana, Big Bear Lake, Parker Dam, Upland, Victorville, and Big Bear City.

For the higher-level travel overview: San Bernardino.