California Short-Term Rental Markets in 2026
All 9 California markets on the National STR Map, ranked by opportunity score, with statewide housing figures for context.
This page lists every California short-term rental market STR HUB tracks: 9 markets, ranked by Opportunity Score. 7 of the 9 have revenue data and a full score; scores calculated without revenue data are labelled partial. Market figures are county-level (the county is named under each market), and the cards below give California's statewide figures from Zillow and the Census Bureau for comparison. For the statewide legal picture, read the California STR guide.
All 9 California STR markets, ranked
| Rank | Market | Opportunity score | Annual revenue | Gross yield | Typical 4BR value | Regulation | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm SpringsRiverside County | 65 | $73K | 10.8% | $677K | 3/5 Moderate | Rules → |
| 2 | San DiegoSan Diego County | 61 | $75K | 6.6% | $1.1M | 4/5 Strict | Rules → |
| 3 | Lake TahoePlacer County | 56 | $98K | 12.8% | $765K | 4/5 Strict | Rules → |
| 4 | Napa ValleyNapa County | 56 | $90K | 8.9% | $1M | 4/5 Strict | Rules → |
| 5 | Mammoth LakesMono County | 56 | $76K | 5.7% | $1.3M | 4/5 Strict | Rules → |
| 6 | Big BearSan Bernardino County | 55 | $60K | 9.0% | $669K | 2/5 Light-touch | Rules → |
| 7 | Joshua TreeSan Bernardino County | 51 | $68K | 10.2% | $669K | 3/5 Moderate | Rules → |
| 8 | LALos Angeles County | 43 partial | $1M | 4/5 Strict | Rules → | ||
| 9 | Lake ArrowheadSan Bernardino County | 41 partial | $669K | 3/5 Moderate | Rules → |
Swipe the table sideways for more columns. Ranked by Opportunity Score. Typical 4BR value is for the county shown under each market.
California regulation guides
Each California market has its own page covering permits, taxes, caps and penalties:
- Palm Springs STR rules
- San Diego STR rules
- Lake Tahoe STR rules
- Napa Valley STR rules
- Mammoth Lakes STR rules
- Big Bear STR rules
- Joshua Tree STR rules
- LA STR rules
- Lake Arrowhead STR rules
How to read this
- The Opportunity Score (0-100) is a screening heuristic, not investment advice. It weighs revenue (35%), regulatory climate (25%), tourism employment (15%), nearby amenities (15%) and large-home supply (10%), each measured relative to the other markets we track.
- Scores marked partial were calculated without revenue data: the cash-flow component is assumed to be below average, so a partial score can understate a market and should not be compared like-for-like with a full score.
- Annual revenue is the average annual gross STR revenue from STR HUB's market analytics, the same figure shown on each market page. It is gross, and an individual property can earn more or less.
- Gross yield is average annual STR revenue divided by the county's typical 4BR home value. It is before cleaning, management, utilities, taxes, insurance and financing, so it is a screening ratio, not a cash-on-cash return.
- Home values are county-wide typical values from the Zillow Home Value Index, not list prices. "Typical 4BR value" is the typical value of a 4-bedroom home in the county named under each market; a specific property can sit well above or below it.
- Vacation-home share, tourism job share and 4+ bedroom share are county-level figures from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. They describe the whole county, not one town or neighbourhood.
- Regulation ratings run from 1/5 (Relaxed) to 5/5 (Very strict) and summarise the rules we hold on file. Rules change, and a city rating does not cover HOA or deed restrictions. Confirm current requirements with the local jurisdiction before you buy or list.
- An empty cell means we do not hold that figure for the market. We never estimate or interpolate a missing number.
Frequently asked questions
How many California STR markets does STR HUB track?
9: Palm Springs, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, Mammoth Lakes, Big Bear, Joshua Tree, LA and Lake Arrowhead. 7 of them have revenue data and a full opportunity score; the rest carry partial scores.
Which California market has the highest Airbnb revenue?
Lake Tahoe, CA, at $98K average annual gross revenue, on a $395 average nightly rate and 68% occupancy. Napa Valley, CA is next at $90K. That compares the 7 California markets with revenue data.
Which California cities have the strictest and lightest STR rules?
Strictest: San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, Mammoth Lakes and LA (4/5 Strict). Lightest: Big Bear (2/5 Light-touch). The average rating across the 9 rated California markets is 3.4/5. Rules change, so confirm locally before you buy.
What does a 4-bedroom home cost in California?
The typical 4-bedroom home in California is valued at $926K statewide (Zillow Home Value Index), with all-home values up 0.4% over the past year. Across the tracked markets, county typical 4BR values run from $669K (Big Bear, San Bernardino County) to $1.3M (Mammoth Lakes, Mono County). These are typical values, not list prices.
See these on the interactive map
Open California on the map to see its markets in place, drill into counties, and compare any two markets side by side.
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Data sources
- Revenue, nightly rate, occupancy and regulation ratings: STR HUB market analytics and regulation research.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI). Data provided by Zillow Group.
- Housing and employment shares: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates.
- Amenity data: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Figures come from the STR HUB national dataset dated September 21, 2026 and are refreshed whenever that dataset is rebuilt. Screening data only: not investment, legal or tax advice.
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