Oakhurst, California Short-Term Rental Market
Oakhurst area STR earns $4,362 monthly at $311 ADR and 50.1% occupancy in September 2026
Quick Answer: Oakhurst, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is $4,362. average daily rate in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is $311. the top operator in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is Vacasa with 143 listings. market score is 79/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Southern Sierra Mtns regional market, which includes Oakhurst. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Oakhurst.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Oakhurst is an unincorporated community in Madera County and the main southern gateway to Yosemite National Park, about 16 miles from the park’s South Entrance on Highway 41. The population is 6,091. Performance figures on this page describe the Oakhurst and Bass Lake area STR market, because Oakhurst and Bass Lake share one tracked metric series. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $311 and occupancy was 50.1%, producing average monthly revenue of $4,362 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy is up 14.8%, ADR is up 6.0%, and revenue is up 18.1%. The area’s 2026 year to date figures (nine months) show occupancy of 50.0%, an ADR of $314, and monthly revenue of $4,408, which is ahead of every full year on record, including 2021’s $4,006. For context, 2021 posted 59.7% occupancy at a $254 ADR, while 2025 closed at 47.2% occupancy and a $297 ADR. The pattern since 2022 is a higher rate on lower occupancy, and 2026 is the first year in that stretch where occupancy has turned upward. Demand is driven by Yosemite, which drew roughly 4.1 million recreation visits in 2024, along with Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and the top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Oakhurst, so this profile omits them. Oakhurst’s overall market score in the StaySTRA model is 79.5 out of 100, with revenue growth the strongest component at 84.7 and seasonality the weakest at 63.0.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 35% |
| Feb | 40% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 49% |
| May | 56% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 58% |
| Sep | 46% |
| Oct | 46% |
| Nov | 44% |
| Dec | 45% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Oakhurst are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Southern Sierra Mtns market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Southern Sierra Mtns market as a whole, which includes Oakhurst, so these counts are not Oakhurst-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 143 | 7,885 | ★ 4.45 |
| 2 | Evolve | 68 | 2,967 | ★ 4.63 |
| 3 | Acorn Vacation Properties | 57 | 9,776 | ★ 4.79 |
| 4 | The Cabin Host | 55 | 2,942 | ★ 4.96 |
| 5 | www loveyosemitepm com | 52 | 5,387 | ★ 4.89 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Oakhurst?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Oakhurst 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 | 44.6% |
| vrbo | 4.8% |
| both | 50.6% |
Home Value Trends (Oakhurst)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Oakhurst 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 Oakhurst — 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 Oakhurst. The community is unincorporated and governed by Madera County, which currently has few STR-specific rules, and enforcement is rated minimal. Operators need an annual Transient Occupancy Registration (TOT) Certificate and a County business license. The Transient Occupancy Tax is 9%, and a 2.5% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment brings the combined guest levy to 11.5% on stays of 30 days or less. Permit renewal is annual. There is currently no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence rule, and no annual night cap, and no STR-specific zoning restrictions are codified. The key issue is change. Madera County is finalizing its first Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) ordinance. The draft was released in early January 2026, the Planning Commission heard it on February 4, 2026, and a public hearing was held on April 29, 2026. As of mid-2026 the Board of Supervisors had not adopted it. If adopted, it would require a separate, non-transferable STVR permit that does not transfer on sale, a passed fire inspection (the 2026 fee is $196 and rises each July 1), and standards for occupancy tied to unit size, parking, quiet hours, and trash. Caps on permit numbers or density limits are not specified in released materials. The draft has drawn significant opposition from mountain-area owners. Treat the environment as light today but tightening, and budget for a permit and inspection.
Market Comparison
The Oakhurst and Bass Lake area earns through price rather than volume. September 2026 occupancy was 50.1% and the all-listings ADR was $311. Entire-place listings at $322, professionally managed listings at $362, and luxury listings at $487 all sit above the all-listings average. Occupancy is highly seasonal: July occupancy of 69.4% and June at 66.1% are the peaks, while the winter months from November to March run between 35.3% and 44.6%. Over a full year the area averaged 47.2% occupancy in 2025 and 50.0% so far in 2026. Growth is strong, with revenue up 18.1% year over year. The top operators are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Oakhurst, so this profile omits them. Investors comparing markets should weigh the premium rates and Yosemite demand against a pronounced winter lull and a pending permit ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oakhurst, California
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