Dana Point, California Short-Term Rental Market
Permit-capped Dana Point sits in an Orange County market with $328 ADR, 67.0% occupancy, $5,889 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Dana Point, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Anaheim market area is 67%. average monthly revenue in the Anaheim market area is $5,889. average daily rate in the Anaheim market area is $328. the top operator in the Anaheim market area is Tower 17 Properties & Mgmt, LLC with 244 listings. market score is 69/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Anaheim regional market, which includes Dana Point. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Dana Point.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Dana Point is a coastal Orange County city of 33,107 residents, and its short-term rental performance is measured here at the Orange County STR market level. Every performance number on this page describes the Orange County STR market rather than Dana Point alone. In September 2026 the Orange County STR market recorded an average daily rate of $328, occupancy of 67.0%, and average monthly revenue per listing of $5,889. Year over year, occupancy rose 6.5%, ADR rose 8.5%, and revenue rose 16.8%, a combination that points to both stronger demand and higher pricing. Entire place listings averaged $376 per night and $6,652 in monthly revenue, while apartments averaged $4,988 and houses $6,331. The year to date picture is stronger still: 2026 through September shows 71.0% occupancy, a $335 ADR, and $6,421 in monthly revenue, compared with 67.1%, $306, and $5,627 for full year 2025. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Dana Point, so this profile omits them. Demand in Dana Point itself rests on Dana Point Harbor, which draws an estimated 1.5 million visitors a year, along with whale and dolphin watching, Doheny State Beach, the Ocean Institute, and events such as the Festival of Whales in March and the Tall Ships Festival. Investors should treat the regional numbers as a benchmark rather than a Dana Point guarantee, because supply inside the city is capped by permit and performance depends on property type, location, and management quality.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 58% |
| Feb | 65% |
| Mar | 69% |
| Apr | 62% |
| May | 66% |
| Jun | 75% |
| Jul | 79% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 63% |
| Oct | 65% |
| Nov | 60% |
| Dec | 62% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Dana Point are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Anaheim market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Anaheim market as a whole, which includes Dana Point, so these counts are not Dana Point-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tower 17 Properties & Mgmt, LLC | 244 | 11,217 | ★ 4.70 |
| 2 | Dream Resorts | 195 | 9,053 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Newport Beach Vacation Properties | 137 | 5,374 | ★ 4.61 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 126 | 8,872 | ★ 4.49 |
| 5 | OC Rentals | 121 | 1,263 | ★ 3.85 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Dana Point?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Dana Point are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 59.7% |
| vrbo | 5.3% |
| both | 35% |
Home Value Trends (Dana Point)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Dana Point are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Dana Point — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are legal in Dana Point but tightly regulated under Municipal Code Chapter 5.38, and enforcement severity is rated strict. Supply is hard capped. The coastal zone is limited to 115 non-primary, homestay, and mixed-use non-primary permits under Coastal Development Permit CDP22-0010, and the non-coastal zone has a separate cap of 115. New entrants typically join a waitlist. Every rental needs a city permit, an initial safety inspection, and a Transient Occupancy Tax registration. The new permit fee is about $780, permits renew annually, and a permit inactive for two permit years is not renewed. The occupancy tax is 10%, collected and remitted quarterly. Owner occupancy and primary residence are not required, so dedicated non-primary rentals are allowed within the cap. Operating rules include a minimum two-night stay and at least two off-street parking spaces. In buildings with 5 or fewer units, at most 1 unit may convert to STR use, and in buildings with 6 or more units, at most 20% may convert. Fines escalate from $1,500 to $3,000 to $5,000, and a third violation revokes the permit. Recent changes favor the existing program. In November 2024, Measure T, which would have halved permits and added annual renewals, was defeated 64% to 36%. In May 2025, the City Council voted 4 to 1 to streamline approvals and approved 15 waitlisted permits. The city also contracted Deckard Technologies, at roughly $11,000 per year, to use AI to detect unpermitted rentals and unpaid bed tax.
Market Comparison
The Orange County STR market combines high rates with firm demand, with September 2026 occupancy of 67.0% and a $328 ADR. Entire place listings at $376, professionally managed listings at $583, and luxury listings at $721 sit well above that all-listings rate. Growth is also firm, with revenue up 16.8% year over year, supported by ADR growth of 8.5% and occupancy growth of 6.5%. The tradeoffs are cost and access. Dana Point’s typical home value is $1,773,166, and permits are capped at 115 in each of two zones, so a buyer cannot assume a legal rental is available with the purchase. Operator rankings are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Dana Point, so this profile omits them. Investors comparing Dana Point with less regulated markets should weigh the higher rates and occupancy against the permit limits, the 10% occupancy tax, and strict enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dana Point, California
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How much does a Dana Point STR permit cost?
What is the average daily rate for short-term rentals near Dana Point?
What is the occupancy rate for Dana Point vacation rentals?
What is the best month for Dana Point short-term rental income?
What fines apply to unpermitted rentals in Dana Point?
How much does a home cost in Dana Point?
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