Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in San Rafael, 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 San Rafael? 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 San Rafael:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in San Rafael?
The short-term rental market in San Rafael 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 $2,852 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $5,355 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $9,483+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,634
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in San Rafael
The market in San Rafael 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 55% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 75% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 89%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 29%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in San Rafael
Daily rates in San Rafael 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 $150 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $293 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $529+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $105
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in San Rafael
Peak Season (August, July, June)
- Revenue peaks at $5078.92 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 61.46%
- Daily rates average $255.44
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $4250.78 per month
- Occupancy maintains 52.99%
- Daily rates hold at $241.33
Low Season (December, February, January)
- Revenue drops to $3160.07 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 45.75%
- Daily rates adjust to $225.90
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in San Rafael in 2025?
Yes! San Rafael demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 53% and strong monthly revenue averaging $4251 and The market's 142 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 San Rafael
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown San Rafael | The vibrant heart of San Rafael, filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural events. It's a sought-after area for visitors due to its walkability and local community vibe. | Marin History Museum, RSVPA Gallery, San Rafael Park, Downtown Farmers Market, Victorian-style architecture |
| San Rafael Canal | A picturesque area known for its marina and waterfront views. It attracts tourists interested in water activities and scenic walks along the canal. | China Camp State Park, Marin Civic Center, San Rafael Canal, Local restaurants with waterfront views, Kayaking and boating opportunities |
| Terra Linda | A family-friendly suburban neighborhood with parks and good schools. It appeals to families and travelers looking for a more residential and quiet atmosphere. | Terra Linda Community Center, Marinwood Plaza, Redwood High School fields, Local hiking trails, Parks and recreational areas |
| North San Rafael | A peaceful area with access to nature and beautiful open spaces. Ideal for those who enjoy outdoor activities and a more relaxed environment. | Marin Oaks Park, San Rafael Airport, Mount Tamalpais State Park, Rookery at Marin, Nature trails and scenic routes |
| Baypoint | A scenic area overlooking the bay, popular for its views and proximity to hiking and biking trails, attracting outdoor enthusiasts. | San Francisco Bay Trail, Marin Country Mart, Local wineries, Outdoor activities, Restaurants with bay views |
| McInnis Park | Known for its expansive parkland, trails, and golf course. This area attracts guests who enjoy outdoor sports and nature-filled retreats. | McInnis Park Golf Center, Bird watching areas, Hiking trails, Picnic spots, Open green spaces |
| Lucas Valley | A beautiful valley known for its vineyards and rural charm. This area is great for guests looking for tranquility and natural beauty. | Marinwood Plaza, Local wineries and vineyards, Nature preserves, Hiking trails, Stunning views of the hills |
| Marinwood | A suburban community that's family-oriented with a strong community feel. It's appealing for guests looking for a quiet stay close to city amenities. | Marinwood Market, Local parks, Community events, Quiet neighborhoods, Family-friendly activities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in San Rafael?
We recommend checking directly with San Rafael'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 San Rafael
Tranquil Waterfront Haven
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Bayfront Retro Retreat - Amazing SF Getaway
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Luxury estate - heated pool, ocean views, hot tub
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Marin Poolside Villa
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Marin County Haven
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Waterfront retreat w/heated pool and hot tub
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in San Rafael
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark | 4 | $295,013 | 1716 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Sherry | 1 | $207,738 | 249 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Kyle | 1 | $205,748 | 66 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Dorothy | 1 | $172,849 | 11 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Frank | 1 | $166,950 | 17 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Amrit | 2 | $156,110 | 87 | 4.63/5.0 |
| Andrea | 1 | $124,625 | 27 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Gina | 1 | $114,542 | 193 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Cord | 1 | $113,279 | 60 | 4.98/5.0 |
| Joseph | 1 | $112,662 | 203 | 4.98/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in San Rafael
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 (87.3%), with house and others properties comprising 69.7% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile segments (1.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 142 properties in San Rafael shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 42.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 59.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (42.3%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (2.8%)
- Market concentration: 59.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 142 properties in San Rafael reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 29.6% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.7 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 8+ guests make up 45.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (29.6% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.7% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.7 guests per property
- Market concentration: 45.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 142 properties in San Rafael, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (31% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 91-180 days (26.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (31%)
- Most common booking duration: 91-180 days (26.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 57.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 43.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
17 listings
13.8% of total
2 Nights
34 listings
27.6% of total
3 Nights
30 listings
24.4% of total
4-6 Nights
14 listings
11.4% of total
7-29 Nights
9 listings
7.3% of total
30+ Nights
19 listings
15.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 41.4%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 11.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (15.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 65.8% 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
11 listings
9% of total
Moderate
36 listings
29.5% of total
Firm
32 listings
26.2% of total
Strict
43 listings
35.2% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 35.2% of listings
- Stricter policies (Firm & Strict) dominate at 61.4% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Flexible policies are least common at 9.0% of listings
Recommendations
- The market supports stricter policies, with 61.4% 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 Dec, Jun, May, averaging 49 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Sep, Feb, averaging 38 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 45 days, while Fall has the shortest at 42 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 45 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Mar-Feb when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in San Rafael
Every property in San Rafael comes standard with Heating. Below shows the distribution of other amenities:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 91.7% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: Canada (1.6%) and United Kingdom (1.5%)
- English is the top language at 70.2%, followed by Spanish (15.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 9.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for San Francisco and Los Angeles markets
- Develop localized content for Canada 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 San Rafael. 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% |
| Sonoma | 226 | $9,950 | $763.78 | 46% |
| Eldridge | 18 | $9,899 | $862.21 | 44% |
| Glen Ellen | 79 | $9,092 | $738.01 | 44% |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea | 309 | $8,776 | $666.30 | 48% |
| Dillon Beach | 79 | $8,690 | $647.65 | 44% |
| Moss Beach | 35 | $8,668 | $635.23 | 51% |
| Kenwood | 55 | $8,081 | $707.34 | 40% |
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