Bodega Bay, California Short-Term Rental Market
Bodega Bay STRs averaged $448/night at 53.4% occupancy in April 2026, among the highest ADRs on the Northern California coast.
Quick Answer: Bodega Bay, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 63%. average monthly revenue is $8,770. average daily rate is $518. the top operator is Vacasa with 134 listings. market score is 67/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Sonoma regional market, which includes Bodega Bay. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Bodega Bay.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Bodega Bay sits in unincorporated Sonoma County within the California Coastal Zone, commanding premium nightly rates driven by its dramatic Pacific coastline, whale watching, sport fishing, and proximity to the Sonoma Coast State Park. As of April 2026, the average daily rate is $448, occupancy is 53.4%, and RevPAR is $239. Year-over-year, occupancy rose 5.3 percentage points while ADR declined 1.0%, producing a net revenue gain of 4.2% versus April 2025.
The market is extremely small in population (approximately 1,139 residents) but supports a large STR inventory relative to community size. The typical listing is an entire-place coastal home or cottage commanding premium rates. The for-sale inventory of just 23 units confirms the scarcity of entry opportunities in this coastal community.
Sonoma County Ordinance No. 6427 (adopted May 2023) established a formal licensing framework with the compliance deadline of April 11, 2025. Bodega Bay operators in the Coastal Zone have a specific exemption pathway for properties that operated legally between 2018 and 2023, but strict enforcement is now in effect for all listings.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39% | $316 | $3,585 |
| Feb | 48% | $320 | $3,631 |
| Mar | 51% | $350 | $4,715 |
| Apr | 56% | $382 | $5,441 |
| May | 58% | $418 | $6,122 |
| Jun | 64% | $438 | $7,195 |
| Jul | 67% | $427 | $7,531 |
| Aug | 64% | $432 | $7,396 |
| Sep | 58% | $421 | $6,421 |
| Oct | 55% | $412 | $6,132 |
| Nov | 51% | $391 | $5,197 |
| Dec | 45% | $359 | $4,551 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Bodega Bay
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 134 | 8,019 | ★ 4.55 |
| 2 | Bodega Bay & Beyond Vacation Home Rentals | 91 | 3,479 | ★ 4.81 |
| 3 | Russian River Vacation Homes | 86 | 6,961 | ★ 4.81 |
| 4 | Woodfield | 49 | 621 | ★ 4.86 |
| 5 | Bodega Bay Escapes | 44 | 784 | ★ 4.83 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Bodega Bay?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 1,117 |
| 2 bed | 968 |
| 3 bed | 971 |
| 4 bed | 515 |
| 5 bed | 280 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $545 |
| Luxury | $966 |
| Professionally Managed | $645 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $4,758 |
| Entire Place | $9,254 |
| House | $9,202 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 42.9% |
| vrbo | 7.4% |
| both | 49.7% |
Investment Analysis
Bodega Bay is one of the highest-ADR markets in California at $448 average daily rate. At a typical home value of $1,463,890 and April 2026 average monthly revenue of $6,247, annualized gross revenue is approximately $74,964, implying a gross revenue yield of roughly 5.1%.
The entry cost is substantial: the median list price of $1,682,333 reflects the scarcity premium on California Coastal Zone property. Investors must factor in the $765 annual license fee, the certified vacation rental property manager credential requirement, and the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax. However, the revenue profile is strong: houses average $6,590 per month and entire-place units $6,570, both well above the all-listing average of $6,247.
ADR tiers show significant upside for premium-positioned properties: entire-home listings average $472 versus $448 overall, professionally managed properties average $578 (a 29% premium), and luxury-tier listings reach $878 per night. The professionally managed premium of 29% is particularly notable, suggesting that operators with the Sonoma County certified manager credential and professional marketing can capture substantially higher rates.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Bodega Bay bookings average a 55-day lead time, roughly 8 weeks in advance. This reflects the deliberate planning of Bay Area and broader California visitors who book Bodega Bay as a destination getaway rather than a spontaneous weekend trip.
Average length of stay is 3.7 nights, consistent with a multi-night coastal retreat. The strong summer peak and the 8-week lead time mean that peak summer weeks (especially July Fourth and Labor Day weekends) should be priced and minimum-stay requirements set 3 to 4 months in advance. Whale watching season (January through May) and fall coastal visits create moderate off-peak demand that can be captured with strategic shoulder-season pricing.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Bodega Bay falls in unincorporated Sonoma County within the California Coastal Zone. Operators must complete four sequential steps: (1) Obtain a Sonoma County Certified Vacation Rental Property Manager credential for themselves or a designated manager; (2) Apply for a Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) Zoning Permit, though Coastal Zone properties with documented operation and TOT payments between October 26, 2018 and October 26, 2023 are exempt from this step; (3) Register for a Transient Occupancy Tax account with the Sonoma County Auditor-Controller; (4) Obtain an Annual Vacation Rental License under Ordinance No. 6427 (adopted May 16, 2023). The coastal compliance deadline was April 11, 2025. The annual license fee is $765.
The Transient Occupancy Tax rate is 12% of gross rent for stays under 30 days, established by voter-approved Measure L in 2016. No nightly or annual night cap applies. No owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement exists. Enforcement is rated strict.
Market Comparison
Bodega Bay’s April 2026 ADR of $448 is more than double the US STR median of approximately $220, placing it among California’s highest-ADR coastal markets. Occupancy at 53.4% is slightly below the national median of approximately 55%, typical for a premium-priced coastal market where high rates offset lower utilization.
Vacasa leads the market with 134 listings and 8,019 reviews (4.55 average rating). Bodega Bay and Beyond Vacation Home Rentals follows with 91 listings and 3,479 reviews (4.81 rating). Russian River Vacation Homes holds 86 listings with 6,961 reviews (4.81 rating). Woodfield manages 49 listings with a 4.86 rating. Bodega Bay Escapes rounds out the top five with 44 listings (4.83 rating).
The top operators are predominantly regional specialists (Bodega Bay and Beyond, Russian River Vacation Homes, Bodega Bay Escapes) rather than national chains, reflecting the specialized knowledge required to market and manage premium coastal properties in Sonoma County’s regulatory environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bodega Bay, California
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