Running Springs, California Short-Term Rental Market
Running Springs area STRs (San Bernardino Mountains) peak in winter, averaging $460/night in December versus a $255 spring low.
Quick Answer: Running Springs, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Big Bear market area is 40%. average monthly revenue in the Big Bear market area is $2,980. average daily rate in the Big Bear market area is $288. 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 Running Springs. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Running Springs.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Running Springs is a small mountain gateway community of about 4,917 residents in the San Bernardino Mountains, along SR-18, drawing primarily Southern California day-trippers and weekend visitors. Its main draw is Snow Valley Mountain Resort, now part of Alterra’s Big Bear Mountain Resort, the longest continually operating ski area in Southern California, known for beginner-friendly terrain and the region’s only lift-served snow-play and tubing. Summer brings lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and access to nearby lakes (Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear Lake, and Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake, about 11 miles east). The town functions as an affordable lodging base for the broader Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead corridor.
Because StaySTRA’s short-term rental performance data for this submarket is shared across the San Bernardino Mountains cluster (Running Springs, Big Bear Lake, Cedar Glen, Crestline, and Twin Peaks), this profile frames occupancy, rate, and revenue figures as describing the Running Springs area (San Bernardino Mountains) STR market rather than claiming Running Springs-only precision.
In June 2026, that area STR market averaged 39.51% occupancy and a $288.26 average daily rate, with average monthly revenue of $2,980.05 per active listing. Year over year, occupancy grew 4.11 points even as ADR softened 3.93%, and revenue still climbed 3.59% overall.
Listing count, bedroom mix, and channel split data for this area are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Running Springs, so this profile omits those specific breakdowns.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 44% |
| Feb | 43% |
| Mar | 32% |
| Apr | 30% |
| May | 33% |
| Jun | 41% |
| Jul | 47% |
| Aug | 40% |
| Sep | 28% |
| Oct | 34% |
| Nov | 40% |
| Dec | 53% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Running Springs 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 Running Springs, so these counts are not Running Springs-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Destination Big Bear | 486 | 27,786 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Big Bear Vacations | 439 | 7,588 | ★ 4.35 |
| 3 | Big Bear Cool Cabins | 429 | 7,943 | ★ 4.49 |
| 4 | Evolve | 268 | 11,254 | ★ 4.66 |
| 5 | Sky High Cabins | 189 | 9,267 | ★ 4.91 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Running Springs?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Running Springs 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 | 34.2% |
| vrbo | 4.7% |
| both | 61.1% |
Home Value Trends (Running Springs)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Running Springs 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 Running Springs — 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
Running Springs is an unincorporated census-designated place in San Bernardino County, so short-term rentals are governed by the county’s Short-Term Residential Rentals ordinance (County Code Chapter 84.28), not a city government. STRs are legal in the mountain region but require a Short-Term Residential Rental Unit Permit obtained through the county’s EZ Online Permitting portal. As of July 1, 2025, a new application costs about $1,144 (a $600 application fee, $285 permit fee, and $259 neighbor-notification fee), with annual renewal running roughly $550. Permits are valid one year and must be renewed annually; lapses beyond 45 days close the permit entirely.
Owners must pass an exterior inspection covering parking and health-safety items, complete an interior checklist and owner acknowledgment forms, and demonstrate ownership. Operators collect and remit a 7% Transient Occupancy Tax to the county, one of the lower rates in the region. There is no county-wide owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no explicit annual night cap, though occupancy is limited by bedroom count and operational standards, including a 24-hour local contact who can respond within one hour, plus noise, parking, and fire and building code compliance.
Enforcement is active: administrative citations escalate from $1,000 to $2,000 to $5,000, and operating without a permit can bring fines up to $1,000 per violation per day. Permit fees were updated effective July 1, 2025, with a $150 one-time credit available for installing a noise-monitoring device.
Market Comparison
Running Springs’ 39.51% occupancy in June 2026 runs well below the roughly 55% occupancy typical of the broader U.S. short-term rental market, reflecting that June is a shoulder month here rather than this market’s peak, while its $288.26 ADR still outpaces the national median of roughly $220.
Property manager data for this area is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Running Springs, so this profile omits naming specific operators here.
What most distinguishes Running Springs from other markets in this pipeline is its winter-first seasonality: December’s 52.69% occupancy and $6,149 in revenue make it the market’s clear high season, the opposite pattern from the summer-peak markets that dominate this dataset, meaning any comparison using June (or another summer month) as a proxy for annual performance will understate this market’s true earning potential.
Frequently Asked Questions About Running Springs, California
What is the average nightly rate for a short-term rental in Running Springs, CA?
How much does an STR permit cost in Running Springs, CA?
Is short-term rental enforcement strict in Running Springs, CA?
What is the strongest month for short-term rentals in Running Springs, CA?
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Running Springs, CA?
What is the typical home value in Running Springs, CA?
Analyze Running Springs Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Running Springs.
Free Running Springs STR Calculator →
