Laguna Beach, CA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Laguna Beach Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Laguna Beach is a premier coastal destination in Southern California that commands an average daily rate of $416 and generates roughly $79,959 in annual revenue per listing — impressive top-line numbers driven by its art-colony charm, pristine beaches, and affluent visitor base. However, with average home values exceeding $5 million and occupancy sitting at 42%, the revenue-to-price ratio presents a significant challenge for investors seeking cash-flow-positive returns. The market's 138 active listings and 149% year-over-year growth in supply also suggest increasing competition that warrants careful underwriting before committing capital.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Laguna Beach short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach appeals to investors seeking premium nightly rates in a globally recognized coastal market, though extremely high property values demand careful analysis of yield versus appreciation potential.

Expert Market Assessment

"Based on current data, Laguna Beach presents limited overall investment potential with an ROI score of 33 out of 100. The below-average revenue-to-price ratio is the primary headwind: while annual revenues approaching $80,000 sound substantial, they represent a thin yield against property costs that average over $5 million. Seasonality is pronounced — July's $10,678 average is more than double January's $4,862 — meaning cash flow is heavily concentrated in a three-month summer window. Investors who already own property here or can acquire at a discount to market may find attractive returns, but the broad market dynamics favor appreciation-oriented strategies over pure cash-flow plays."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Laguna Beach

Average revenue by month in Laguna Beach

Revenue in Laguna Beach follows a sharp summer peak, with July ($10,678) generating more than twice the income of the slowest month, January ($4,862). A secondary bump appears in March at $7,335 — likely spring break driven — while the fall-through-winter period hovers in a relatively tight $5,100–$6,000 band, creating predictable but modest off-season cash flow.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Laguna Beach

One-bedroom units dominate Laguna Beach's supply at 63 of 138 total listings, followed by two-bedrooms at 39. Larger properties — three- and four-bedroom homes — represent a combined 30 listings, which could signal either limited inventory or a potential niche for investors willing to acquire premium properties that face less direct competition.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Laguna Beach

ADR scales steeply with property size in Laguna Beach, rising from $181 for studios to $935 for four-bedroom homes — a 5x premium. The jump from two bedrooms ($439) to three bedrooms ($649) represents the steepest absolute increase at $210, suggesting three-bedroom properties offer a compelling rate premium without requiring the investment leap to a four-bedroom home.

Average RevPAN by property size in Laguna Beach

Three-bedroom properties deliver the highest RevPAN at $238, edging out four-bedrooms at $210 despite the latter's higher ADR — a reflection of the significant occupancy drop-off for larger homes. One-bedroom listings post a RevPAN of $121, making three-bedrooms roughly twice as productive on a per-available-night basis.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Laguna Beach

Smaller units stay booked most consistently, with one-bedrooms leading at 47% occupancy and studios close behind at 43%. Occupancy declines notably as properties get larger — three-bedrooms sit at 37% and four-bedrooms drop to just 22%, suggesting that the highest-priced homes are heavily reliant on peak-season demand to generate returns.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Laguna Beach

Four-bedroom properties top the monthly revenue chart at $12,412, followed by three-bedrooms at $10,207 — both well above the market average of $6,663. Studios and one-bedrooms generate $2,696 and $4,498 respectively, highlighting a significant revenue gap that investors should weigh against the proportionally lower acquisition and operating costs of smaller units.

Average annual revenue by property size in Laguna Beach

Annual revenue ranges from $32,352 for studios to $148,949 for four-bedroom homes, with each step up in size delivering meaningful incremental income. Three-bedroom properties at $122,492 annually may represent the sweet spot for return potential, given their superior RevPAN and more moderate acquisition costs relative to four-bedroom homes in this ultra-premium market.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Laguna Beach

Kitchens (96%) and parking (95%) are near-universal expectations among Laguna Beach listings, while laundry facilities (84–86%) and patios or balconies (73%) are also standard. Beach access appears in only 30% of listings and hot tubs in 13%, suggesting these could serve as meaningful differentiators for properties that offer them — particularly given the coastal leisure profile of the typical Laguna Beach guest.

Understanding Laguna Beach's ROI Score: 33/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Laguna Beach's ROI score of 33 out of 100 places it in the 'Limited' investment potential band, driven primarily by a below-average revenue-to-price ratio — annual revenues near $80,000 against home values exceeding $5 million represent a thin yield. Occupancy stability scores as average, but both market growth trend and supply/demand balance register below average, reflecting the rapid 149% supply increase that could further compress returns. Investors exploring this market should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property-level analysis to identify opportunities that outperform the broader market averages.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Laguna Beach

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Laguna Beach. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

The City of Laguna Beach and the State of California may require short-term rental operators to obtain permits, a business license, or register their property before listing. Investors should verify current requirements directly with Laguna Beach's planning or community development department, as local STR ordinances in coastal California cities have been evolving.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in markets like Laguna Beach can include caps on the number of permitted short-term rentals, minimum night-stay requirements, maximum occupancy limits tied to bedroom count, designated parking mandates, and noise regulations. HOA rules may impose additional layers of restriction, particularly in condominium or planned community settings, so reviewing CC&Rs before purchasing is essential.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in California are typically subject to transient occupancy taxes (TOT), and Laguna Beach may levy its own local rate on top of any county obligations. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes automatically, but hosts should confirm with local tax authorities that all obligations — including any state sales tax components — are being met.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Laguna Beach can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Laguna Beach's strong summer seasonality — with July revenue peaking near $10,678 — should continue to anchor annual performance, though the roughly $4,862–$5,253 range during winter months underscores real off-season softness. The rapid 149% year-over-year listing growth may exert downward pressure on occupancy rates and ADR if demand doesn't keep pace with new supply. Investors should anticipate occupancy hovering in the 40–44% range and ADR potentially holding steady or experiencing modest single-digit declines as competition intensifies. Property-specific differentiation — location, design, and amenity quality — will be critical for outperforming market averages."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Laguna Beach, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Laguna Beach?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Laguna Beach is currently 42%, which sits just below the California state average of 43%. Occupancy varies meaningfully by property size — one-bedroom units lead at 47%, while four-bedroom properties average only 22%, likely reflecting their higher nightly rates limiting demand to peak periods.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Laguna Beach?

On average, Airbnb hosts in Laguna Beach earn approximately $6,663 per month or $79,959 per year based on trailing 12-month booking performance. Earnings scale with property size: studios average about $2,696 monthly, while four-bedroom homes can generate around $12,412 per month. Actual results depend on factors like location within Laguna Beach, property quality, pricing strategy, and seasonal demand.

Is Laguna Beach a good market for Airbnb investment?

Laguna Beach carries an ROI score of 33 out of 100, indicating limited investment potential based on current market-wide data. The core challenge is the revenue-to-price ratio — while nightly rates and revenues are strong in absolute terms, average home values exceeding $5 million make it difficult to achieve attractive cash-on-cash returns. That said, investors who can identify properties below the market average price point or who prioritize long-term appreciation alongside rental income may still find compelling opportunities with thorough due diligence.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Laguna Beach?

The average daily rate in Laguna Beach is $416, which is below the California state average of $551. ADR scales significantly with property size — studios average $181 per night, while four-bedroom properties command $935 per night. The relatively lower market-wide ADR compared to the state average reflects the prevalence of smaller one-bedroom units, which make up the largest share of active listings.

Are short-term rentals legal in Laguna Beach?

Short-term rentals operate in Laguna Beach, but the regulatory environment in coastal California cities can be complex and subject to change. Hosts may need to obtain local permits, a business license, and comply with zoning requirements. We strongly recommend consulting the City of Laguna Beach's planning department and reviewing any applicable HOA restrictions before investing, as regulations can vary by neighborhood and property type.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Laguna Beach?

Peak season in Laguna Beach runs from June through August, with July being the highest-earning month at an average of $10,678 in revenue per listing. August follows closely at $9,151. The off-season trough occurs in January, when average revenue drops to about $4,862 — less than half of the July peak. March also shows a notable bump to $7,335, likely driven by spring break travel.

How many Airbnbs are there in Laguna Beach?

There are currently 138 active Airbnb listings in Laguna Beach. One-bedroom properties dominate the supply with 63 listings, followed by two-bedroom units at 39. The market has seen significant growth, with active listings increasing 149% year over year, which signals rising investor and host interest but also growing competition.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Laguna Beach?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Laguna Beach are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the results up to a market-level historical average. This approach anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months, since each month uses its own historical performance. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and how actively the listing is managed.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts, occupancy rates, and average daily rates for Laguna Beach
• Monthly and annual revenue trends based on trailing 12-month historical booking performance
• Property size breakdowns for listings, rates, occupancy, and revenue across studio through four-bedroom configurations
• Popular amenity prevalence data across active listings in the market
• Home value benchmarks sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Data reflects trailing 12-month historical averages and market conditions as of the reporting date; current conditions may differ. Local regulations, permitting requirements, and tax obligations can change and should be independently verified before investing.