Lakehead, California Short-Term Rental Market
Lakehead Shasta Lake STRs averaged $193/night at 63.1% occupancy in April 2026, with revenue up 7.6% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Lakehead, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 66%. average monthly revenue is $4,327. average daily rate is $240. the top operator is Shasta Lakeshore Retreat with 22 listings. market score is 74/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Redding regional market, which includes Lakehead. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lakehead.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Lakehead is a small unincorporated community of approximately 469 permanent residents on the northern shore of Shasta Lake in Shasta County, California. The lake draws well over 1 million visitors annually to California’s largest reservoir, with 30,000 acres and roughly 365 miles of shoreline attracting houseboaters, anglers, boaters, and campers from the Sacramento area, the Bay Area, and the Pacific Northwest.
In April 2026, the Lakehead STR market posted an average daily rate of $193 and an occupancy rate of 63.1%, generating $122 in revenue per available room. Revenue grew 7.6% year-over-year through April 2026, a strong result despite a 3.48 percentage point occupancy decline, indicating that ADR gains and mix shift toward higher-value listings offset reduced occupancy.
Approximately 847 listings are active in the market. Entire-place rentals account for 700 listings (83% of the market), with 147 private rooms. The bedroom mix shows a concentration of one-bedroom units (343 listings, 40% of the market), followed by three-bedroom (213), two-bedroom (142), four-bedroom (108), and five-bedroom-plus (41). The one-bedroom concentration may reflect a mix of cabins, private rooms, and smaller units that serve individual travelers and couples alongside the larger group houseboat market.
Channel distribution: 515 listings are Airbnb-only, 298 appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 34 are VRBO-only. Airbnb dominates at about 61% of listings exclusively. The overall market score is 74.3 out of 100, with a rental demand score of 78.5, indicating strong underlying visitor demand relative to inventory.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52% | $127 | $1,904 |
| Feb | 60% | $133 | $1,994 |
| Mar | 57% | $136 | $2,195 |
| Apr | 62% | $153 | $2,479 |
| May | 65% | $168 | $2,795 |
| Jun | 69% | $203 | $3,616 |
| Jul | 73% | $191 | $3,725 |
| Aug | 66% | $182 | $3,283 |
| Sep | 60% | $162 | $2,580 |
| Oct | 59% | $146 | $2,360 |
| Nov | 57% | $143 | $2,130 |
| Dec | 54% | $144 | $2,165 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Lakehead
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shasta Lakeshore Retreat | 22 | 1,063 | ★ 4.95 |
| 2 | MSTR | 21 | 1,432 | ★ 4.88 |
| 3 | Evolve | 19 | 730 | ★ 4.72 |
| 4 | Railroad Park Resort | 13 | 441 | ★ 4.87 |
| 5 | Mt Shasta Vacation Rentals | 6 | 328 | ★ 4.67 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lakehead?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 343 |
| 2 bed | 142 |
| 3 bed | 213 |
| 4 bed | 108 |
| 5 bed | 41 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $266 |
| Luxury | $451 |
| Professionally Managed | $346 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $1,908 |
| Entire Place | $4,749 |
| House | $4,669 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 60.8% |
| vrbo | 4% |
| both | 35.2% |
Investment Analysis
Lakehead presents a distinct STR investment profile anchored by high occupancy and above-average revenue growth in a rural Northern California lake market. The April 2026 occupancy of 63.1% exceeds the national STR average, and revenue growth of 7.6% year-over-year places this market in the solid upper tier nationally on that metric.
The average daily rate of $193 is below many California coastal markets but reflects the rural, budget-oriented character of Shasta Lake recreation. The tier spread is significant: luxury listings averaged $397 per night and professionally managed listings averaged $275, compared to the market average of $193 and entire-home average of $215. Operators positioning in the upper tier have meaningful ADR upside.
Monthly revenue for the average listing was $3,235 in April 2026. Entire-place listings averaged $3,555 and house listings averaged $3,462. At the April 2026 pace, annualized revenue would be approximately $38,824. No housing value data was available for Lakehead, so a gross yield calculation cannot be provided. Investors should source current comparable property values independently.
The market is small by listing count (847 total), which limits liquidity and comparables but also means supply growth is constrained. The investability score of 68.7 out of 100 and revenue growth score of 73.3 are both above the national median, and the rental demand score of 78.5 is notably strong, reflecting the high visitation draw of Shasta Lake relative to the limited STR supply. The 2025 annual average of 60.0% occupancy and $189 ADR provides a baseline for investors modeling annual returns.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
Run a Free Address Analysis
Skip the market averages. Get revenue projections, comp analysis, and ROI for your specific property address. Free, instant, no signup required.
Analyze My Property →Home Value Trends (Lakehead)
Booking Insights
Lakehead guests booked an average of 43 days in advance in April 2026, and the average length of stay was 4.18 nights. The 43-day lead time is moderate for a Northern California lake market, suggesting a mix of planners who secure summer houseboat and cabin trips weeks in advance and more spontaneous visitors during the spring and fall shoulder seasons.
The 4.18-night average stay reflects the multi-night character of Shasta Lake recreation. Visitors driving from Sacramento (about 2.5 hours) or the Bay Area (roughly 4 hours) typically plan minimum three-to-four-night trips to justify the drive and enjoy the lake. This extended stay pattern reduces turnover frequency and lowers the operational burden per guest relative to urban STR markets.
For pricing strategy, the 43-day window suggests that summer inventory (Memorial Day through Labor Day) should be fully priced by late April. Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day) at Shasta Lake are high-compression events where advance pricing is critical. The spring shoulder season (March through May) at 57% to 65% occupancy offers pricing flexibility without heavy discounting, given the inherent demand from fishing enthusiasts and early-season recreation visitors.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals in Lakehead fall under Shasta County jurisdiction, not a city, as Lakehead is unincorporated. The county adopted Ordinance 2020-05 on July 21, 2020, codified at Shasta County Code Section 17.88.230, creating two permit paths for STRs.
The Vacation Rental permit covers entire one-family residences rented for 30 days or less and does not require owner-occupancy or primary-residence status, making investor-owned properties eligible. The Hosted Homestay permit applies when an owner resides on-site and rents only rooms. Permits are issued annually and must be renewed each year. Permits are tied to the specific property and are not transferable to a new owner, meaning buyers must obtain their own permit.
Every short-term rental is subject to an annual fire inspection. Operators must collect and remit the county Transient Occupancy Tax of 10% on stays of 30 days or less. Vacation Rentals are permitted in any zone that allows a one-family residence by right, plus the Mixed Use District. There is no published annual night cap and no limit on rental nights per year for Vacation Rentals.
The specific permit fee was not confirmed in available sources; investors should contact the Shasta County Planning Division to verify current fee schedules. Enforcement is rated moderate. County reporting indicated that approximately two-thirds of an estimated 300 county vacation rentals were remitting TOT, suggesting enforcement is active but not comprehensive.
Market Comparison
Nationally, STR markets average approximately 55% occupancy and $220 in ADR. Lakehead’s April 2026 occupancy of 63.1% is well above the national average, ranking it among the stronger occupancy markets in the data set. The $193 ADR is below the national median, reflecting the rural and budget-oriented Shasta Lake visitor base.
Revenue growth of 7.6% year-over-year through April 2026 is above average for established lake markets. The revenue growth score of 73.3 and rental demand score of 78.5 both exceed the national median, placing Lakehead in the upper-middle tier nationally on those dimensions, despite the small market size.
Shasta Lakeshore Retreat leads the Lakehead market with 22 listings and 1,063 reviews at a 4.95 average rating, representing a 2.6% share of the 847-listing market. MSTR holds 21 listings with 1,432 reviews (4.88 rating). Evolve manages 19 listings with 730 reviews (4.72 rating). The top five operators together account for 81 listings, approximately 9.6% of the market. The low concentration reflects a market dominated by independent owner-operators, consistent with the community’s character as a small residential and second-home destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lakehead, California
What is the average nightly rate for short-term rentals in Lakehead, CA?
What occupancy rates do Lakehead STRs achieve?
How much revenue can a short-term rental in Lakehead generate?
What permits are required for a short-term rental in Lakehead (Shasta County)?
Is owner-occupancy required for an STR permit in Lakehead?
What are the peak and off-peak seasons for STRs in Lakehead?
Who are the top property managers operating in the Lakehead Shasta Lake market?
Analyze Lakehead Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Lakehead.
Free Lakehead STR Calculator →
