The Best Cities in California to Host an Airbnb

For many travelers, Airbnb has become synonymous with homeshares and short-term rentals, providing a homey alternative to traditional hotels as well as a cheaper, more flexible option than long-term vacation rentals. Given the company’s great level of success, more and more individuals are tempted to enter the homestay business to make some extra cash on the side—like the 89,000 residents who posted listings on Airbnb in 2018. But is it a good investment?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the property’s location and regional regulations, which may limit your ability to turn a profit. However, there’s no denying that hosting an Airbnb has become a profitable way to make extra cash on the side. Whether you’re looking to host an Airbnb in San Francisco or a lesser-known town, there are certain elements to keep in mind to make it a successful asset. 

Location Of The Airbnb

While places like Ridgecrest and Imperial are some of the cheapest places to live in California, there may not be enough potential renters to make it a profitable venture. In contrast, homes in cities like San Francisco are likely to remain occupied for much of the year—though the higher price of living may prove to be cost restrictive and hinder the success of rental-only units; in these cases, it is likely better to live in part of the home and rent out the rest.

City Laws Regarding Airbnbs

Regulations can put a damper on plans to purchase a property with the intention of renting it out short-term year-round. In Los Angeles, for example, there is a high demand for short-term rentals, but new laws largely restrict hosts from renting their homes for more than 120 days per year. While this may sound like a reasonable amount of time to turn a profit, research shows that when considering the average nightly rate and the median monthly mortgage of homes in L.A., it would take about 247 days of bookings to cover the mortgage—and even more to make a profit. 

The Best Cities for Airbnb Hosts

As with all real estate properties, buying a home, condo, or apartment is an investment that is not guaranteed to pay off, but choosing properties in these nine California cities gives you the best chance to make some money.

1. Airbnb Palm Springs

Famous for its abundance of mid-century modern architecture, striking desert landscapes, luxury resorts, and a handful of influential festivals, Palm Springs is a highly coveted area, making it a super-popular Airbnb search. Winter tourists escape the cold and come to this sunny and warm destination. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival plays its part in making Airbnbs in Palm Springs highly desirable. 

2. Los Angeles Airbnb

Though the regulations and high home prices make it more challenging to successfully turn a profit on secondary properties in Los Angeles, you can transform a home into a promising investment if it is situated in an attractive area. Millions of tourists flock to the city each year, and Airbnbs in downtown Los Angeles are particularly sought-after due to the wide variety of activities available. Plus, Los Angeles had the third-highest rate of successful listings in 2018, making it a sound choice for Airbnb hosts. 

3. Lake Tahoe Homestays

With lower home prices than the Bay Area and a high number of tourists year-round, South Lake Tahoe is a great place to rent out a property. By offering extra amenities—such as kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sleds, or snowboards—hosts of a standard Lake Tahoe Airbnb rental can easily charge comparable rates to the nearby hotels while providing additional value for guests. 

4. Airbnb Near Disneyland

Owning property near Disneyland can quickly become your ticket to extra revenue. Though regulations in Anaheim have prohibited new Airbnb properties for the last couple of years, cities in the surrounding areas provide the opportunity for tourists to experience Southern California in a whole new way. 

5. Short-Term Rentals in Joshua Tree 

Housing prices are quite reasonable in Joshua Tree, so to pay the mortgage of a typical home, you would only have to rent out your property for about 12 days each month if you charge the going rate, leaving a wide margin for extra revenue. And given Joshua Tree’s close proximity to Palm Springs and Big Bear, the region is an attractive location for a rental all year long.

6. Yosemite Airbnb

If you want to host an Airbnb in NorCal, Yosemite is the perfect choice. On average, Yosemite Airbnbs have an occupancy rate of 60 percent and high rental prices. Although the median home price is close to $1 million, you can easily make around $9,000 a month by hosting an Airbnb here. Since there are always people visiting Yosemite National Park, the area is considered one of the best places in California to buy a rental property. 

7. San Diego Airbnb

As the second-most populous city in California, San Diego is the ultimate destination to host an Airbnb. Given the city’s 70-mile-long coastline, it’s no surprise that people choose to vacation here. Thanks to its growing population, the demand for rental property is continuously increasing. Hosting a San Diego Airbnb is quite profitable—single-family homes, in particular, bring higher cash-on-cash returns, confirming that investing in San Diego’s real estate has great potential. With a 57-percent occupancy rate, hosts can easily have a $3,000 Airbnb rental income. 

8. Santa Barbara Airbnb

Santa Barbara’s costly median home prices might discourage you from buying a rental property, but the key is to look for places in the right neighborhoods. The city’s coastal setting, Mediterranean weather, and countless hidden gems make it one of the most desirable places to live in the Golden State. If you want to host a Santa Barbara Airbnb in the downtown area, you won’t be making as much profit—the cash-on-cash return is -0.18 percent. However, if you look at Lower East Santa Barbara Airbnbs, you can buy property for $660,000 and have a 6.63 percent cash-on-cash return.  

9. Big Bear Airbnb

A Big Bear Airbnb rental property is a good investment. Since many families come to the four-season destination year-round, Airbnbs in Big Bear Lake are always sought-after. The median home price here is $418,000—that’s significantly lower than many of the most coveted places in the Golden State. Keeping in mind that the cash-on-cash return of Big Bear Airbnbs is 4.19 percent, you’ll end up providing a second home to many families that come here to make memories. Throw in an Airbnb Experience, and you’ll have people flocking to you.