Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Lake Forest, 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 Lake Forest? 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 Lake Forest:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Lake Forest?
The short-term rental market in Lake Forest 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 $2,430 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $4,466 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $7,096+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,074
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Lake Forest
The market in Lake Forest 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 41% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 65% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 82%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 19%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Lake Forest
Daily rates in Lake Forest 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 $189 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $315 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $412+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $79
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Lake Forest
Peak Season (July, June, August)
- Revenue peaks at $5159.54 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 60.90%
- Daily rates average $223.58
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $3182.81 per month
- Occupancy maintains 43.75%
- Daily rates hold at $213.43
Low Season (January, October, April)
- Revenue drops to $2403.71 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 31.42%
- Daily rates adjust to $205.65
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Lake Forest in 2025?
Yes! Lake Forest demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 44% and strong monthly revenue averaging $3183 and The market's 113 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. 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 (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Lake Forest
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Laguna Beach | A stunning coastal city known for its beautiful beaches, art galleries, and artist community. A prime spot for tourists wanting to relax by the ocean and enjoy artsy culture. | Main Beach, Laguna Art Museum, Heisler Park, Thousand Steps Beach, Laguna Beach Festival of Arts |
| Irvine Spectrum | An entertainment and shopping center that attracts visitors of all ages. Ideal for families and young adults looking for leisure and dining experiences. | Irvine Spectrum Center, Giant Wheel, Shopping and dining options, Movie theaters, Live entertainment events |
| Mission Viejo | A family-friendly community with great schools and parks, making it a suitable choice for families and long-term guests. | Mission Viejo Lake, Oso Creek Trail, Civic Center Park, Mall at Mission Viejo, Outdoor recreational areas |
| Tustin | A growing area with a mix of residential and commercial spaces and easy access to nearby attractions. | Tustin Marketplace, Old Town Tustin, The District at Tustin Legacy, Tustin Ranch Golf Club, Parks and community areas |
| Laguna Niguel | Known for its beautiful parks and proximity to the beach, appealing to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. | Laguna Niguel Regional Park, Salt Creek Beach, The Niguel Botanical Preserve, Crown Valley Park, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park |
| Costa Mesa | A south Orange County city known for its arts scene and shopping. Attracts visitors looking for culture and entertainment. | South Coast Plaza, The OC Fair & Event Center, Mango's Tropical Cafe, Costa Mesa Theater District, Anti-Nowhere League Rock |
| Santa Ana | A cultural hub with a rich history and vibrant art scene, great for travelers looking for diverse experiences. | Bowers Museum, The Discovery Cube, Santa Ana Zoo, The Old Orange County Courthouse, MainPlace Mall |
| Santiago Canyon | A beautiful natural area that attracts outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and nature activities. Perfect for those seeking an escape from the urban environment. | Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Black Star Canyon, Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, Hiking trails, Scenic viewpoints |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Lake Forest?
We recommend checking directly with Lake Forest's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Lake Forest
Spacious house w/pool (Disney, Spectrum & Beach)
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Irvine Lake Forest Lake and Boat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Irvine Spectrum | The Village | Pool & Spa
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Luxe Mid Century Modern 2/BED **HIGHLY UPGRADED**
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Luxury Apt 2Bdr - Resort-like Property (Irvine)
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Condo in Irvine
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Lake Forest
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Lake Forest
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 (68.1%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 98.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (1.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 113 properties in Lake Forest shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 28.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 49.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (28.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.3%)
- Market concentration: 49.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 113 properties in Lake Forest reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 23% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.1 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 8+ guests make up 43.4% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (23% of market)
- Least common capacity: 3 guests (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 43.4% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 113 properties in Lake Forest, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (60.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (33.6% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (60.2%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (33.6%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 86.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 15.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
29 listings
29.3% of total
2 Nights
7 listings
7.1% of total
3 Nights
12 listings
12.1% of total
4-6 Nights
11 listings
11.1% of total
7-29 Nights
27 listings
27.3% of total
30+ Nights
13 listings
13.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 36.4%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 11.1% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (13.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 48.5% 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
Flexible
17 listings
23% of total
Moderate
11 listings
14.9% of total
Firm
10 listings
13.5% of total
Strict
36 listings
48.6% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 48.6% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 62.1% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Firm policies are least common at 13.5% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 62.1% 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 Jul, Jun, Aug, averaging 54 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Apr, Jan, Mar, averaging 25 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 54 days, while Winter has the shortest at 30 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 54 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Apr-Mar when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Lake Forest
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Lake Forest:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 78% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: China (6.9%) and Canada (2.5%)
- English is the top language at 68.6%, followed by Chinese (11.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 6.4%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for San Diego and Los Angeles markets
- Develop localized content for China and Canada
- Prioritize English and Chinese 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 Lake Forest. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malibu | 351 | $12,187 | $1223.84 | 43% |
| Rancho San Diego | 28 | $9,026 | $520.12 | 53% |
| Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains | 154 | $8,301 | $656.43 | 48% |
| Thousand Palms | 34 | $8,092 | $656.12 | 41% |
| Del Mar | 108 | $7,629 | $627.12 | 51% |
| GlenOak Hills | 38 | $7,543 | $595.87 | 40% |
| Newport Beach | 1,268 | $7,104 | $643.67 | 46% |
| Manhattan Beach | 232 | $7,054 | $486.64 | 52% |
| Avalon | 218 | $6,867 | $634.60 | 39% |
| Lakeside | 34 | $6,788 | $501.20 | 51% |
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