Question: Los Angeles's closest mountain retreats are Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, which lie east of the city less than two hours away.
Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead are mountain resorts near Los Angeles. It is a very popular summer vacation spot.

Answer: it is not possible to tell

Question: You are right that there was no obvious winner in your wager--not you, your friend, or even, alas, the president.
There were other participants in the wager besides the president, my friend, and I.

Answer: it is not possible to tell

Question: The rue des Francs-Bourgeois ends at what most agree is the loveliest residential square in Paris, place des Vosges.
Most people agree that the place des Vosges is the loveliest residential square in Paris.

Answer:
yes