Crescent City, California Short-Term Rental Market
Crescent City STRs averaged $233/night at 52.3% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 5.2% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Crescent City, 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 Crescent City. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Crescent City.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Crescent City, CA short-term rental market serves as the primary lodging hub for visitors to Redwood National and State Parks, which drew roughly 2.5 million visitors in 2025. As of April 2026, the market posted an average daily rate of $233 and occupancy of 52.3%, generating a RevPAR of $122. Revenue grew 5.2% year-over-year while ADR rose 2.9%, signaling steady demand.
The listing inventory is dominated by entire-place rentals, which account for 8,490 of approximately 9,320 total listings, with private rooms making up 828. By bedroom count, 1-bedroom units are the largest segment at 3,774 listings, followed by 2-bedroom (2,224), 3-bedroom (2,095), 4-bedroom (853), and 5-bedroom-plus (360). Airbnb carries the largest platform share at 4,871 listings, while 3,819 listings appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 630 are VRBO-exclusive. The market’s overall investment score is 72.3 out of 100, with rental demand scoring 77.1 and regulation scoring 71.9, reflecting a permissive environment for conventional dwellings.
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 Crescent City
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 Crescent City?
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
Crescent City presents an above-average gross yield opportunity relative to its coastal California peers, driven by a lower entry price. The Zillow typical home value is $362,033, while the median list price stands at $455,500 with 99 active listings for sale. At the April 2026 revenue run rate of $3,229 per month, a property at that performance level would generate approximately $38,744 in annualized gross revenue, representing a gross yield of roughly 10.7% on the typical home value before expenses.
Performance varies by property type. Houses averaged $3,498/month in revenue, entire-place listings $3,384, and apartments $2,054. The ADR spread across tiers is also wide: the professionally managed tier averaged $308/night versus $244 for standard entire-home listings and $427 for luxury units. Revenue has been recovering steadily: the 2025 annual average of $3,352 improved from $3,174 in 2024 and $3,091 in 2023, after the post-pandemic correction from the 2021 peak of $3,652.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Crescent City guests book an average of 44.6 days in advance, and the average length of stay is 3.55 nights. The roughly six-week lead time indicates that operators can hold rates firm through the 60-day window and rely on near-term fill rather than discounting early to secure inventory. Most bookings materialize in the 30-to-45-day window.
The 3.55-night average stay falls between a weekend trip and a full-week visit, consistent with a national park itinerary. More frequent turnovers mean higher cleaning costs relative to weekly-rental markets. Operators should factor turnover costs carefully and consider minimum-stay requirements of 3 to 4 nights during peak summer months to reduce low-value single-night fills without sacrificing occupancy.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in Crescent City. Operators must register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate and collect and remit a 10% TOT on gross room rent. The 10% rate has been in effect since January 1, 2019. The TOT applies to the nightly rate; cleaning and linen fees are excluded. Operators must display the TOT certificate number in all advertising.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement for conventional single-family dwellings, and no published annual night cap. The main restriction targets accessory units: an ADU ordinance effective October 4, 2023 prohibits most ADUs from STR use (stays under 31 days). The sole exception is Junior ADUs (JADUs) of up to 500 square feet built within an existing structure, which may be rented short-term only if the owner occupies either the JADU or the primary dwelling. Coastal Zone properties may require additional review under California Coastal Act regulations. Enforcement is rated moderate. Investors should confirm parcel-level zoning with both the City of Crescent City and Del Norte County Planning Division, as county rules also apply to surrounding properties.
Market Comparison
At $233 average ADR and 52.3% occupancy in April 2026, Crescent City exceeds the US STR market median ADR of approximately $220 and sits near the national median occupancy of roughly 55%. The 5.2% year-over-year revenue growth outpaces many comparable rural coastal markets and reflects resilient demand from national park tourism.
The market has a strong professional management presence. Vacasa leads with 373 listings and 38,306 reviews (4.67 rating), representing the largest operator by a wide margin. Evolve holds 221 listings (9,242 reviews, 4.68 rating) and Casago manages 123 listings (6,490 reviews, 4.74 rating). Humboldt Retreats (71 listings, 4.89 rating) and Grand Welcome (56 listings) round out the top five. The concentration of professionally managed inventory explains in part why the professionally managed ADR tier ($308) runs 32% above the all-listings average. The market’s investment score of 72.3 and rental demand score of 77.1 are both above average.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crescent City, California
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