Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Big Bear Lake, California, United States
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Big Bear Lake? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Big Bear Lake:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Big Bear Lake?
The short-term rental market in Big Bear Lake shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $2,958 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,519 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $9,459+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,465
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Big Bear Lake
The market in Big Bear Lake shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 26% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 42% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 62%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 14%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Big Bear Lake
Daily rates in Big Bear Lake vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $304 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $473 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $716+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $204
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Big Bear Lake
Peak Season (December, January, February)
- Revenue peaks at $7558.98 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 38.75%
- Daily rates average $543.95
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4343.84 per month
- Occupancy maintains 30.88%
- Daily rates hold at $384.94
Low Season (August, October, September)
- Revenue drops to $2063.94 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 20.08%
- Daily rates adjust to $327.81
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Big Bear Lake in 2025?
Yes! Big Bear Lake demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 31% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4344 and As a mature market with 3005 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Big Bear Lake
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Lake | The heart of Big Bear, surrounded by stunning nature and a beautiful lake. Great for families and tourists looking for outdoor activities year-round, including skiing in the winter and boating in the summer. | Big Bear Lake, Snow Summit Ski Resort, Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Discovery Center |
| Sugarloaf | A quiet and cozy neighborhood perfect for families and nature lovers. Provides easy access to the national forest, hiking trails, and a more secluded experience. | Boulder Bay Park, Grout Bay Recreation Area, Hiking Trails, Local Cafes |
| Mountain Village | Known for its accessibility to ski resorts and its charming mountain feel. Ideal for vacationers wanting a cabin experience with modern comforts. | Snow Summit, Bear Mountain, Local Restaurants, United States Forest Service |
| Fawnskin | A small and picturesque community on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and stunning views of the lake and the San Bernardino mountains. | Fawnskin Trail, The North Shore Cafe, Pine Knot Trail, Public Beaches |
| Pine Knot | A popular area for tourists seeking a more rustic experience. Close to both the lake and urban amenities, this area attracts visitors all seasons. | Pine Knot Trail, Big Bear Marina, Local Shops and Restaurants, Lake Views |
| Moonridge | Home to Bear Mountain Ski Resort and just a short drive from the lake, Moonridge is ideal for both winter sports and summer fun, making it a year-round destination. | Bear Mountain Ski Resort, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Golf Courses, Hiking Trails |
| Lakeview | Offers stunning views of the lake and is perfect for those looking for a scenic stay with plenty of outdoor activities available nearby. | Lakeview Point, Pine Knot Marina, Big Bear Lake, Hiking and Biking Trails |
| Crestline | A slightly less known area with beautiful mountain scenery and close proximity to nature. It appeals to those looking for tranquility and a getaway from the hustle and bustle. | Lake Gregory, Crestline Village, Nature Trails, Shopping and Dining |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Big Bear Lake?
Yes, Big Bear Lake requires a license for operating an Airbnb. Current market data shows 85% of active listings maintain proper licensing, confirming this requirement. Getting licensed is an essential first step before listing your property.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Big Bear Lake
Lake House-BoatDock-Kayaks-Bikes-GameRoom-HotTub
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
The Edgewood Mansion: Hot Tub! Close to Bear Mtn!
Entire Place • 8 bedrooms
Lakefront Dream Luxury Estate. Private Dock.
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Private Estate on 1 acre. Close to Slopes&Village
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Lakefront, Hot Tub, Game Room
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Lux 7 Bedrooms, Breathtaking Mt Views, Hot Tub, AC
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Big Bear Lake
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destination Big Bear | 339 | $15,446,507 | 13328 | 4.53/5.0 |
| Big Bear Vacations | 237 | $11,627,854 | 3128 | 4.00/5.0 |
| Cool Cabins | 238 | $8,569,165 | 2015 | 3.65/5.0 |
| SoCal | 49 | $2,882,359 | 2186 | 4.77/5.0 |
| Mario & Ivette | 30 | $2,629,874 | 4818 | 4.89/5.0 |
| AvantStay | 38 | $2,482,236 | 1301 | 4.60/5.0 |
| Leanne | 39 | $2,309,983 | 1608 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Mike | 27 | $1,942,435 | 2505 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Leanne | 30 | $1,871,854 | 1494 | 4.96/5.0 |
| Bryan | 42 | $1,832,710 | 1564 | 4.67/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Big Bear Lake
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (96.2%), with outdoor & mobile and house properties comprising 90.2% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (55.3%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others, unique stays segments (3.2% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,005 properties in Big Bear Lake shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 35.1% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bedrooms together representing 64.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (35.1%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (8%)
- Market concentration: 64.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 3,005 properties in Big Bear Lake reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 40.4% of all listings. The average property accommodates 6.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 57.5% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (40.4% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 6.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 57.5% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 3,005 properties in Big Bear Lake, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (56.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (34.3% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (56.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (34.3%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 84.4%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 16.7%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
765 listings
28% of total
2 Nights
1242 listings
45.5% of total
3 Nights
112 listings
4.1% of total
4-6 Nights
6 listings
0.2% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0% of total
30+ Nights
606 listings
22.2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 73.5%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.2% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (22.2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 77.6% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
35 listings
1.3% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
4 listings
0.1% of total
Flexible
186 listings
7% of total
Moderate
746 listings
28% of total
Firm
499 listings
18.7% of total
Strict
1199 listings
44.9% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 44.9% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 63.6% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.1% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 63.6% using Firm or Strict terms
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Jul, Dec, averaging 42 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Mar, Apr, averaging 28 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 39 days, while Spring has the shortest at 32 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 39 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Apr when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Big Bear Lake
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Big Bear Lake:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 95.2% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Mexico (2.6%) and United Kingdom (0.3%)
- English is the top language at 69.4%, followed by Spanish (24.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.6%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Los Angeles and San Diego markets
- Develop localized content for Mexico and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and Spanish language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Big Bear Lake. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thousand Palms | 34 | $8,092 | $656.12 | 41% |
| GlenOak Hills | 38 | $7,543 | $595.87 | 40% |
| Newport Beach | 1,268 | $7,104 | $643.67 | 46% |
| Rancho Santa Fe | 28 | $6,225 | $732.90 | 41% |
| Bermuda Dunes | 138 | $6,223 | $599.06 | 39% |
| Santa Margarita Ranchos | 17 | $6,083 | $483.27 | 37% |
| North Tustin | 12 | $5,984 | $626.44 | 55% |
| Encinitas | 529 | $5,697 | $464.65 | 51% |
| Pioneertown | 83 | $5,272 | $407.94 | 43% |
| Temecula | 459 | $5,194 | $442.58 | 39% |
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