Clearlake, California Short-Term Rental Market
Clearlake STRs averaged $233/night at 52.3% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 5.2% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Clearlake, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 65%. average monthly revenue is $4,715. average daily rate is $273. the top operator is Vacasa with 373 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the California North Area regional market, which includes Clearlake. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Clearlake.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Clearlake sits on the shore of Clear Lake in Lake County, California’s largest natural freshwater lake, roughly 100 miles north of San Francisco. The area draws visitors primarily for water recreation: fishing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The surrounding California North region encompasses multiple counties including Lake, Humboldt, Shasta, Mendocino, and others, with STR demand driven largely by outdoor recreation and proximity to nature areas.
As of April 2026, the Clearlake STR market posted a $233/night average daily rate, 52.3% occupancy, and RevPAR of $122. Monthly revenue averaged $3,229. Year-over-year trends were positive: occupancy held essentially flat (+0.3 percentage points), ADR gained 2.9%, and revenue rose 5.2%.
The market is overwhelmingly composed of entire-place listings (8,490 units), with a smaller private-room segment (828 units). By bedroom mix, one-bedroom properties are the most common, followed by two-bedroom and three-bedroom configurations. The market scores 72.3 overall, with balanced marks across rental demand (77.1), seasonality (73.8), investability (66.3), revenue growth (67.3), and regulation (71.9).
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42% | $180 | $2,217 |
| Feb | 49% | $183 | $2,216 |
| Mar | 52% | $187 | $2,624 |
| Apr | 55% | $194 | $2,811 |
| May | 58% | $206 | $2,976 |
| Jun | 66% | $226 | $3,857 |
| Jul | 70% | $222 | $4,174 |
| Aug | 65% | $217 | $3,818 |
| Sep | 56% | $205 | $3,077 |
| Oct | 53% | $195 | $2,830 |
| Nov | 51% | $195 | $2,521 |
| Dec | 49% | $193 | $2,591 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Clearlake
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 373 | 38,306 | ★ 4.67 |
| 2 | Evolve | 221 | 9,242 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Casago | 123 | 6,490 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Humboldt Retreats | 71 | 4,258 | ★ 4.89 |
| 5 | Grand Welcome | 56 | 4,140 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Clearlake?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,774 |
| 2 bed | 2,224 |
| 3 bed | 2,095 |
| 4 bed | 853 |
| 5 bed | 360 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $285 |
| Luxury | $474 |
| Professionally Managed | $358 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,111 |
| Entire Place | $4,969 |
| House | $5,149 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 41% |
Investment Analysis
Clearlake presents an unusual investment profile: a relatively low entry cost market with meaningful STR revenue potential. The regional typical home value was $208,384 as of April 2026, which when applied to average monthly revenue of $3,229 implies an annualized gross revenue of approximately $38,745 on a $208,384 asset. Investors should verify current home prices for Clearlake specifically, as this figure reflects a regional aggregate covering multiple California North counties and may differ from Lake County-specific pricing.
Revenue has trended upward after a post-2021 correction. Annual average revenue peaked at $3,652 in 2021, fell to $3,091 in 2023, and recovered to $3,174 in 2024 and $3,352 in 2025. The April 2026 monthly rate of $3,229 suggests continued stability.
Tier differentiation is clear. Entire-home listings averaged $244/night in April 2026 versus the overall market at $233. Luxury-tier properties averaged $427/night, and professionally managed listings averaged $308/night. The investability score of 66.3 out of 100 is above average, and the low home values relative to rental income make the math more favorable here than in coastal California markets.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Clearlake-area guests book an average of 45 days in advance as of April 2026, a relatively long lead time consistent with leisure and recreation markets where guests plan trips well ahead. This gives operators roughly six weeks of forward visibility into upcoming occupancy.
Average length of stay is 3.6 nights, pointing to a guest mix dominated by long-weekend and short-week trips tied to lake recreation rather than extended stays. A 3.6-night average means operators should expect approximately 8 checkout-to-check-in cycles per month, with corresponding cleaning frequency and supply costs.
The 45-day lead time suggests that last-minute pricing adjustments can be effective starting around the 2 to 3 week mark before arrival. For summer weekends, which represent the bulk of peak revenue, early demand capture at firm rates typically outperforms last-minute discounting in recreation markets like this one.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
STR regulations across the California North region vary significantly by county, and operators must research the specific jurisdiction for their property before proceeding. The profile below reflects the broader regional picture; Lake County (where Clearlake is located) should be researched directly for current local requirements.
Across the region, STRs are permitted but require permits in most jurisdictions. Humboldt County adopted a comprehensive STR ordinance in March 2024, requiring Administrative Permits and capping STR density at 2% of housing units in the Greater Humboldt Bay area and 5% in other community plan areas. Shasta County (2020 ordinance) requires a use permit for STRs but allows them by right in residential zones. Siskiyou County requires a use permit, with a prior moratorium on new permits for parcels under 2.5 acres. Mendocino County adopted an inland zoning code update in September 2024 with enforcement rules still evolving. Trinity County had no county-level STR ordinance as of early 2026.
Transient Occupancy Tax rates vary by county: Humboldt at 12%, Shasta (unincorporated) at 8%, Siskiyou (unincorporated) at 12%, and the City of Mount Shasta at 12% as of July 2024. Lake County investors should verify the current TOT rate and permit requirements directly with the county.
No regional owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement was confirmed. Given this regulatory patchwork, due diligence at the specific county and jurisdiction level is essential before investing.
Market Comparison
Against U.S. STR benchmarks (roughly 55% median occupancy, $220 median ADR nationally), Clearlake tracks near the national ADR ($233 versus $220) but runs below median occupancy (52.3% versus 55%). This reflects the market’s seasonal nature and its position as a regional recreation destination rather than a year-round demand driver.
The professional management presence is significant and concentrated. Vacasa leads with 373 listings and 38,306 reviews (4.67 average rating). Evolve follows with 221 listings and 9,242 reviews (4.68 rating). Casago holds 123 listings with 6,490 reviews (4.74 rating). Humboldt Retreats operates 71 listings with the highest rating in the top five (4.89). Grand Welcome rounds out the top five with 56 listings and 4,140 reviews (4.69 rating). The concentration of large operators, particularly Vacasa’s position at the top, indicates a competitive professional management environment.
The market’s overall score of 72.3 positions it above average relative to other Apivex-tracked markets, with investability (66.3) and revenue growth (67.3) both above midpoint, making it more compelling than the occupancy figure alone suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clearlake, California
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