Not technically the High Desert, but it's not all the way to Big Bear either. Decent sized area of granite boulders with some quality problems. Nice when it starts to heat up in the desert proper.

From Big Bear, follow easiest route to Highway 18 (this is the way to reach the High Desert/Lucerne Valley from Big Bear, i.e. the backside). Follow (18) till obvious summit where you will start dropping down to the desert. From the top of the hill (which has a gravel pull out on the right) it is approx 2.5 miles down the road, which has lots of sharp curves. You will reach a plateau after around 1.5 miles, watch for a white sign post that says "SH 18 60 50". From here the turn off is .6 miles on the right. It is fairly hard to see so slow down, it is right at .6 miles. Turn right, follow dirt road crossing over another large dirt road and there you are.(copied from rockclimbing.com) Will update from Lucerne when I get a chance.