Going Postal in Bear Valley
Every six months or so, the topic of how to get mail and/or packages arises on Bear Valley’s Nextdoor message boards. BVRI asked our Treasurer, Eric Jung, who’s a longtime Bear Valley resident, realtor, and editor of the Cub Reporter, to lay out how it all works.
The Post Office
Anyone can get a post office box by talking to Sara (the postmistress). Hours of operation are
10:30am to 1pm, Monday through Friday. Residents get a small box for free. Nonresidents
must pay. And you have to pay for a medium or large box, regardless of residency.
Sara tries to be lenient about the residency requirement. She knows most of the true
residents. You can show her a driver’s license or tax bill to verify residence.
Packages can be sent to the post office as long as they are not from the private services (UPS, FedEx, etc.). They must be addressed to a specific P.O. box or to General Delivery. Sara will hold them for a week or so, then send them back where they came from.
The BV post office is only partly subsidized by the government. BVRI and private donations
make up the difference. Your support is greatly appreciated: learn more here about how to donate.
Private Delivery Services
The private services should deliver to your house when the roads are open. If you’re not home, they will try to put your parcel in a safe place. Results may vary.
In winter, you can address your packages to 39 No Name Road – NOT to a specific business unless you have prearranged and gotten permission with that business to receive a specific package. Please do not, for example, have packages sent to the Bear Valley Real Estate office except with their express permission, and please don’t call BVRE or other businesses in the Lodge complex to check to see if your package is there.
Packages will be left on the concrete bench across from the pizza parlor or at the top of the stairs nearby. Security is low at these spots, and you should pick up your packages soon, or ask a friend to do so.
UPS drivers use a tracking system that includes a GPS module, so your packages can be tracked to the specific location where they were received or delivered.
If you’re not a resident, you’re generally better off to have your goodies delivered to your home and bring them up yourself. Sending them to Bear Valley when you’re not here risks losing them or creating a nuisance in the Commercial Center hallway when items take up space and languish for a long time.