Lake Arrowhead, California Short-Term Rental Market
Lake Arrowhead requires a county permit; September 2026 ADR $287, occupancy 30.8%, monthly revenue $2,464.
Quick Answer: Lake Arrowhead, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Big Bear market area is 31%. average monthly revenue in the Big Bear market area is $2,464. average daily rate in the Big Bear market area is $287. the top operator in the Big Bear market area is Destination Big Bear with 486 listings. market score is 46/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Big Bear regional market, which includes Lake Arrowhead. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lake Arrowhead.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers Lake Arrowhead, California, using data through September 2026. The performance figures below describe the San Bernardino Mountains STR market, a region that includes Lake Arrowhead, because nearby communities share one metric series. Treat the numbers as a mountain region benchmark rather than a Lake Arrowhead only measurement. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lake Arrowhead, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the San Bernardino Mountains STR market posted an average daily rate of $287, with entire-home listings averaging $290. Occupancy was 30.8%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $2,464. Houses averaged $2,519 a month, entire places $2,479, and apartments $1,285.
Year over year, occupancy rose 25.6%, ADR slipped 1.3%, and revenue grew 13.9%. The gain came from more booked nights rather than higher rates. September is also the weakest month of the year for occupancy in this market, at 28.4% on the seasonal average, so the current reading reflects a shoulder season.
Lake Arrowhead sits at roughly 5,100 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains and has a population of 10,639. Guests are largely Southern California weekenders from Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, part-time vacation-home owners and their guests, and outdoor recreationists. The surrounding San Bernardino National Forest draws roughly 2.4 million visitors a year. Demand is weekend driven, with occupancy cited at about 90% on holidays and weekends against about 45% midweek.
Calendar year 2026 through September shows 35.3% occupancy, a $320 ADR and $3,258 in average monthly revenue, compared with 35.8%, $339 and $3,412 for full year 2025.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 44% |
| Feb | 43% |
| Mar | 32% |
| Apr | 30% |
| May | 33% |
| Jun | 41% |
| Jul | 46% |
| Aug | 40% |
| Sep | 28% |
| Oct | 34% |
| Nov | 40% |
| Dec | 53% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Lake Arrowhead are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Big Bear market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Big Bear market as a whole, which includes Lake Arrowhead, so these counts are not Lake Arrowhead-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Destination Big Bear | 486 | 27,721 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Big Bear Cool Cabins | 417 | 7,860 | ★ 4.50 |
| 3 | Big Bear Vacations | 416 | 7,402 | ★ 4.35 |
| 4 | Evolve | 269 | 11,248 | ★ 4.66 |
| 5 | Sky High Cabins | 189 | 9,233 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lake Arrowhead?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Lake Arrowhead 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 | 33.8% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 61.5% |
Home Value Trends (Lake Arrowhead)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Lake Arrowhead 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 Lake Arrowhead — 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 permitted in Lake Arrowhead, but a permit is required and enforcement is strict. Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community, so stays of 30 consecutive days or less are governed by San Bernardino County, not a city government.
Owners must obtain a county Short-Term Rental Permit before advertising or renting. Effective July 1, 2025, a new permit costs about $1,144 in total ($600 application, $285 permit and $259 notification). The permit is valid for one year and renews annually, with renewal at roughly $550 when nothing changes. The application requires a site plan, certification that the unit meets county STR standards, and an exterior inspection by a Code Enforcement Officer to verify parking and compliance. Operators must also provide a 24 hour contact for complaint resolution.
A 7% Transient Occupancy Tax applies to rents for stays under 30 days. Measure K, a November 2024 ballot measure to raise the rate to 11%, was defeated with about 57% voting no.
There is no owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement, and no explicit annual night cap. However, the county limits STR density in mountain communities to one STR on parcels under 2 acres and two on parcels over 2 acres. A county density study, prompted by concerns in Lake Arrowhead and other Rim of the World communities, is underway and could lead to broader caps.
Operating without a permit can bring fines of $1,000 per day, escalating to $2,000 and $5,000 for repeat violations, plus potential misdemeanor penalties including up to six months in jail. Confirm current rules with the county before buying.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the San Bernardino Mountains STR market posted 30.8% occupancy and a $287 ADR.
The seasonal peaks look better. December occupancy of 52.7% at a $460 ADR is the strongest month of the year, and July occupancy of 46.3% at $309 is the summer high. The weakest months, such as September at 28.4% and April at 29.5%, sit close to 30%.
Year over year momentum is positive, with occupancy up 25.6% and revenue up 13.9%, though ADR is down 1.3%. Over a longer horizon, occupancy of 35.3% in 2026 so far sits below the 54.9% of 2020 and the 46.9% of 2021.
Operator concentration data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lake Arrowhead, so this profile omits it. Investors comparing markets should weigh the high entry cost, with a typical home value of $538,962, against the higher nightly rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Arrowhead, California
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