Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Morro Bay, 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 Morro Bay? 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 Morro Bay:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Morro Bay?
The short-term rental market in Morro Bay 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 $3,208 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,766 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $8,630+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,415
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Morro Bay
The market in Morro Bay 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 40% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 62% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 81%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 17%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Morro Bay
Daily rates in Morro Bay 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 $229 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $355 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $481+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $151
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Morro Bay
Peak Season (July, August, June)
- Revenue peaks at $6498.11 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 57.20%
- Daily rates average $311.89
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4133.06 per month
- Occupancy maintains 41.65%
- Daily rates hold at $283.71
Low Season (October, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $2897.92 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 31.33%
- Daily rates adjust to $262.92
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Morro Bay in 2025?
Yes! Morro Bay demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 42% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4133 and With 225 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Morro Bay
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Morro Bay Waterfront | The charming waterfront area is known for its scenic views of the bay and the iconic Morro Rock. It attracts tourists for its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and proximity to restaurants and shops. | Morro Rock, Morro Bay State Park, Embarcadero, Morro Bay Aquarium, Local seafood restaurants |
| North Morro Bay | This residential area offers a quieter experience and is close to the beach. It appeals to families and those looking for a relaxing stay away from the hustle and bustle. | North Morro Bay Beach, Del Mar Park, Local wineries, Birdwatching, Kayaking |
| South Beach | A beautiful beach area with stunning ocean views and access to water sports. It's perfect for tourists seeking a beach getaway with various outdoor activities. | South Morro Bay Beach, Surfing, Fishing, Kayak rentals, Beachside restaurants |
| Morro Bay State Park | A natural paradise that attracts nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers hiking, birdwatching, and stunning views of the estuary. | Morro Bay State Park, Hiking trails, Birdwatching opportunities, Campsites, Scenic viewpoints |
| Downtown Morro Bay | The downtown area is vibrant with shops, restaurants, and cafes. It's a hub for tourists looking to experience local culture and cuisine. | Local shops, Restaurants and cafes, Morro Bay Historical Society Museum, Art galleries, Weekly farmer's market |
| Cayucos | Located just north of Morro Bay, Cayucos is a quaint coastal town known for its small-town charm and beautiful beaches. It's a hit with families and couples. | Cayucos Pier, Cayucos State Beach, Surfing and fishing, Local shops and eateries, Historic buildings |
| Los Osos | This nearby community offers a peaceful retreat with scenic views and outdoor activities. It's great for those looking for a more laid-back experience. | Elfin Forest, Sweet Springs Nature Preserve, Local parks, Kayaking and paddleboarding, Wildlife viewing |
| Pismo Beach | A bit further south, Pismo Beach is known for its sandy shores and vibrant nightlife. Perfect for tourists wanting a beach party atmosphere alongside relaxation. | Pismo Beach Pier, Dune Cliffs, Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove, Beachside dining, Wine tasting in nearby Edna Valley |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Morro Bay?
We recommend checking directly with Morro Bay's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (10% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Morro Bay
Corfu & Ocean View Cottages: Hot tub, 4 King beds
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Bayfront Beach House
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Salty Sister Beach House - Ocean Front and Rock Vi
Private Room • 6 bedrooms
Wonderful Oceanfront Home! Amazing Views
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stunning Bayfront Home Impeccably Decorated
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Incredible Bayfront High End Custom Home! Views!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Morro Bay
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach-N-Bay | 24 | $1,580,730 | 603 | 4.46/5.0 |
| URelax Vacation Rentals | 20 | $1,147,269 | 1018 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Terri | 9 | $619,532 | 203 | 4.33/5.0 |
| Angie | 3 | $299,597 | 469 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Kit | 2 | $274,612 | 161 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Blufftop Inn And Suites | 7 | $181,578 | 373 | 4.66/5.0 |
| Russel | 2 | $153,625 | 256 | 4.94/5.0 |
| Morgan | 4 | $139,106 | 26 | 4.92/5.0 |
| The Sea Air Inn & Suites | 11 | $124,281 | 2485 | 4.62/5.0 |
| SeeLyon Beach Rentals | 2 | $120,259 | 115 | 4.70/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Morro Bay
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 (73.8%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 87.1% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (30.2%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (4.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 225 properties in Morro Bay shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 40.9% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms together representing 65.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (40.9%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.3%)
- Market concentration: 65.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 225 properties in Morro Bay reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 23.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 46.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (23.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.8 guests per property
- Market concentration: 46.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 225 properties in Morro Bay, the most common availability pattern is 181-270 days (36.4% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (36.4% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 181-270 days (36.4%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (36.4%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 70.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 29.8%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
86 listings
40.8% of total
2 Nights
74 listings
35.1% of total
3 Nights
12 listings
5.7% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.5% of total
7-29 Nights
2 listings
0.9% of total
30+ Nights
36 listings
17.1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 75.9%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.5% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (17.1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 81.6% 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
11 listings
5.2% of total
Super Strict 60 Days
36 listings
17% of total
Flexible
23 listings
10.8% of total
Moderate
83 listings
39.2% of total
Firm
30 listings
14.2% of total
Strict
29 listings
13.7% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 39.2% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (50.0%) and strict (27.9%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 5.2% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, May, Jul, averaging 85 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Feb, Oct, Sep, averaging 50 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 77 days, while Fall has the shortest at 54 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 77 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Feb-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Morro Bay
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Morro Bay:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 90.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (2%) and Canada (1.7%)
- English is the top language at 71.6%, followed by Spanish (16.5%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Los Angeles and Fresno markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and Canada
- 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 Morro Bay. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmel Point | 14 | $17,197 | $1060.21 | 54% |
| Big Sur | 10 | $13,758 | $1307.48 | 49% |
| Del Monte Forest | 102 | $10,351 | $907.23 | 47% |
| Los Olivos | 24 | $9,227 | $687.47 | 50% |
| Montecito | 135 | $9,116 | $825.14 | 48% |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 309 | $8,776 | $666.30 | 48% |
| Santa Ynez | 95 | $7,898 | $539.36 | 48% |
| Castroville | 17 | $7,310 | $487.40 | 52% |
| Carmel | 34 | $7,238 | $515.98 | 51% |
| Marina | 58 | $6,665 | $379.64 | 53% |
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