Sebastopol, CA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Sebastopol Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Sebastopol sits in the heart of Sonoma County wine country, giving short-term rental investors access to a steady flow of leisure travelers drawn to vineyards, farm-to-table dining, and Northern California's coastal proximity. With an average annual revenue of $62,187 across just 98 active listings and an ADR of $367, the market delivers meaningful per-night earnings—though an occupancy rate of 36% (below the 43% state average) means selective deal sourcing is essential. High home values averaging $1,472,091 compress the revenue-to-price ratio, so investors need to target the right property size and amenity mix to make the numbers work.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Sebastopol 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 Sebastopol

Investors are drawn to Sebastopol for its affluent Sonoma County location and premium nightly rates, though the market rewards careful property selection given elevated home prices and growing supply.

Expert Market Assessment

"Sebastopol represents a competitive opportunity where the right property can perform well, but the margin for error is tighter than in higher-occupancy markets. Revenue is heavily seasonal—monthly earnings swing from around $3,106 in January to $7,807 in August—so investors should underwrite conservatively for winter softness. The above-average occupancy stability is an encouraging signal that demand hasn't eroded even as listings have grown significantly year over year. Targeting 3- or 4-bedroom properties with outdoor amenities and wine-country appeal offers the clearest path to returns that justify Sebastopol's premium home prices."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Sebastopol

Average revenue by month in Sebastopol

Sebastopol shows pronounced seasonality, with August ($7,807) and July ($7,533) delivering peak revenue and January ($3,106) marking the low point—a spread of roughly $4,700. Investors should expect roughly 60% of annual revenue to concentrate in the May-through-September window, making pricing strategy and minimum-stay adjustments critical during the winter months.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Sebastopol

One-bedroom listings dominate supply at 36 units (37% of the market), while 2- and 3-bedroom homes each account for 21 listings and 4-bedrooms are the scarcest at just 13. The relatively thin supply of larger properties, combined with their stronger revenue performance, may signal an opportunity for investors willing to acquire 3- or 4-bedroom homes.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Sebastopol

ADR scales sharply with bedroom count in Sebastopol: 1-bedrooms average $192, while 4-bedrooms command $648—a 3.4x premium. The jump from 2-bedrooms ($256) to 3-bedrooms ($484) is especially steep, suggesting that the step up to a 3-bedroom property captures a significant rate premium relative to the incremental cost.

Average RevPAN by property size in Sebastopol

Revenue per available night tells a clear story: 4-bedroom properties lead at $166, closely followed by 3-bedrooms at $161, while 1-bedrooms ($90) and 2-bedrooms ($81) trail significantly. The near-parity between 3- and 4-bedroom RevPAN suggests both sizes monetize well on a per-night basis, with 3-bedrooms arguably offering a better entry point given lower acquisition costs.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Sebastopol

Occupancy rates decline as property size increases—1-bedrooms fill at 47%, 2-bedrooms at 32%, 3-bedrooms at 33%, and 4-bedrooms at just 26%. While smaller units stay booked more consistently, the higher nightly rates of larger properties more than offset lower occupancy in terms of total revenue, which is an important nuance for investors focused on cash flow.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Sebastopol

Four-bedroom properties are the top monthly earners at $8,667, followed by 3-bedrooms at $6,537—both well above the market average of $5,182. One-bedroom units generate $3,210 per month, making them the lowest revenue tier, while 2-bedrooms land at $3,780, suggesting limited financial advantage for the step up from 1 to 2 bedrooms.

Average annual revenue by property size in Sebastopol

Annual revenue ranges from $38,520 for 1-bedroom listings to $104,005 for 4-bedroom properties, a nearly 2.7x difference. Three-bedroom homes at $78,444 per year represent a strong middle ground, offering roughly double the revenue of a 1-bedroom while likely requiring a smaller capital outlay than a 4-bedroom in Sebastopol's high-value housing market.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Sebastopol

Parking (98%), kitchens (90%), and backyards (82%) top the amenity list, reflecting Sebastopol's car-dependent, rural-residential character and guests' expectation of a home-like experience. Notably, 39% of listings offer hot tubs and 26% include EV chargers—amenities that could help differentiate a property in an increasingly competitive market where outdoor living and sustainability resonate with the wine-country traveler profile.

Understanding Sebastopol's ROI Score: 50/100

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

Sebastopol's ROI Score of 50 out of 100 places it in the "Competitive Opportunity" band, reflecting a market where strong demand coexists with elevated acquisition costs and growing competition. The revenue-to-price ratio is average given home values near $1.47M, while occupancy stability is above average—a positive signal for cash-flow predictability. Market growth trend and supply/demand balance both rate below average due to the 173% surge in new listings, so investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property types that demonstrably outperform the market median.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Sebastopol

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

Permit Requirements

The City of Sebastopol and Sonoma County in California may require short-term rental operators to obtain a permit or register their property before listing on platforms like Airbnb. Investors should verify current STR permit requirements directly with the City of Sebastopol's planning department and Sonoma County's permit office, as rules can differ between the incorporated city and unincorporated county areas.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in California STR markets include occupancy limits, minimum-stay requirements, noise and nuisance ordinances, designated parking rules, and caps on the number of permits issued in a given area. HOA or CC&R restrictions may apply to certain properties and can prohibit or limit short-term rentals entirely, so reviewing governing documents before purchase is strongly recommended.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental operators in California are typically subject to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which Sonoma County and the City of Sebastopol each assess on stays of fewer than 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes automatically, but hosts should confirm their full obligations—including any state or local tourism assessments—with a tax professional.

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

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Sebastopol's strong summer seasonality—August revenue peaks near $7,807 per month—should continue to anchor annual returns, while shoulder-season demand in May, June, and September may edge slightly higher as Sonoma County tourism matures. Occupancy stability is rated above average, suggesting that existing demand is resilient even if growth has been modest. Investors should plan for ADR adjustments in the 1–3% range and occupancy hovering around 34–38%, with the best-performing listings likely being larger properties that capture group and family travel. The 173% year-over-year growth in active listings signals rising competition, so differentiation through amenities and guest experience will matter more than ever."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Sebastopol, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Sebastopol?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Sebastopol is currently 36%, which falls below the California state average of 43%. Occupancy varies notably by property size: 1-bedroom units lead at 47%, while 4-bedroom properties average around 26%. This pattern suggests smaller units stay booked more frequently, though larger homes compensate with significantly higher nightly rates.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Sebastopol?

Airbnb hosts in Sebastopol earn an average of $5,182 per month and approximately $62,187 per year based on trailing 12-month performance. Revenue scales considerably with property size—1-bedroom listings average about $38,520 annually, while 4-bedroom properties bring in roughly $104,005. Summer months like July and August are the strongest performers, with monthly revenue reaching $7,533 and $7,807 respectively.

Is Sebastopol a good market for Airbnb investment?

Sebastopol earns a Rabbu ROI Score of 50 out of 100, categorized as a "Competitive Opportunity." The market benefits from above-average occupancy stability and solid nightly rates driven by Sonoma County tourism, but elevated home values (averaging $1,472,091) and growing competition mean investors need to be selective. Larger properties—particularly 3- and 4-bedroom homes—tend to deliver the strongest returns and may justify the higher acquisition costs.

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

The average daily rate in Sebastopol is $367, which is below the California state average of $551 but still reflects a premium market. ADR increases substantially with property size: 1-bedrooms average $192 per night, 2-bedrooms $256, 3-bedrooms $484, and 4-bedrooms command $648 per night. These rates reflect the area's appeal as a wine country and leisure destination.

Are short-term rentals legal in Sebastopol?

Short-term rentals operate in Sebastopol, but hosts should verify that they comply with all applicable local and county regulations. The City of Sebastopol and Sonoma County may each have their own permitting, registration, and tax requirements. It's advisable to check directly with local planning authorities and review any HOA or CC&R restrictions before purchasing a property for STR use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Sebastopol?

Peak season in Sebastopol runs from June through September, with August generating the highest average monthly revenue at $7,807 and July close behind at $7,533. The shoulder months of May and October still perform reasonably well at $5,504 and $5,276 respectively. Winter is the slowest period—January averages just $3,106—creating a roughly 2.5x revenue swing between peak and off-peak months.

How many Airbnbs are there in Sebastopol?

As of April 2026, there are 98 active Airbnb listings in Sebastopol. The supply skews toward smaller properties, with 36 one-bedroom listings making up the largest segment, followed by 21 two-bedroom and 21 three-bedroom units, and 13 four-bedroom properties. Notably, active listings have grown 173% year over year, indicating rapidly increasing investor and host interest in the market.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Sebastopol?

The annual and monthly revenue figures shown for Sebastopol are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market—not a forward-looking projection. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the remaining data 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 draws on its own historical performance. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and operational management.

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 for Sebastopol and surrounding areas
• Average daily rate, occupancy, and RevPAN metrics based on current and trailing 12-month performance
• Monthly and annual revenue breakdowns by property size derived from historical booking data
• Home value benchmarks sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to inform property setup decisions

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. Local regulations, permit requirements, and tax obligations may change; investors should verify current rules with Sebastopol and Sonoma County authorities before purchasing. Individual property results will vary based on location within the market, property condition, amenities offered, pricing strategy, and management quality.