Running Springs, California Short-Term Rental Market
San Bernardino Mountains STRs averaged $287 ADR, 30.8% occupancy and $2,464 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Running Springs, 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 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 sits along SR-18 in the San Bernardino Mountains, and its short-term rental performance is reported for the San Bernardino Mountains STR market. Every performance figure on this page describes that regional market rather than Running Springs alone. In September 2026 the average daily rate was $287, occupancy was 30.8%, and the average listing earned $2,464 for the month. Entire-home listings averaged $290 per night, slightly above the all-listings figure. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 25.6%, ADR slipped 1.3%, and revenue per listing grew 13.9%, so the gain came from more booked nights rather than higher rates. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Running Springs, so this profile omits them. September is also the weakest occupancy month of the year in this market, at 28.4% on the seasonal average, so the latest reading should be viewed as an off-season data point and not a yearly run rate. Over a full year the seasonal figures add up to roughly $40,802 in revenue per listing. The longer record shows how far the market has moved from its peak. Occupancy reached 54.9% in 2020 and revenue averaged $4,816 per month in 2021. By 2025 occupancy was 35.7%, ADR was $339 and monthly revenue was $3,408. Through nine months of 2026 the averages are 35.3% occupancy, $320 ADR and $3,258 monthly revenue. Demand here is driven by Southern California day-trippers and weekend visitors drawn by Snow Valley Mountain Resort, now part of Big Bear Mountain Resort, plus summer mountain biking, hiking and nearby lakes. Running Springs is an unincorporated community of 4,917 residents, so county rules apply, covered in the regulatory section below.
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 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
Short-term rentals are legal in Running Springs but tightly regulated, and enforcement is strict. Running Springs is an unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, so rentals fall under the County Short-Term Residential Rentals ordinance (County Code Chapter 84.28) rather than a city code. Every host needs a Short-Term Residential Rental Unit Permit, obtained through the County’s EZ Online Permitting portal. Since July 1, 2025 a new application costs about $1,144, made up of a $600 application fee, a $285 permit fee and a $259 neighbor-notification fee. Renewal is annual at about $550, and a permit that lapses more than 45 days is closed. A $150 one-time credit is available for installing a noise-monitoring device. Permits are limited by parcel size: up to two on parcels of 2 acres or more, and one on smaller parcels. Residential buildings with multiple units are ineligible, and an exterior inspection verifies parking capacity and code compliance. Operators must collect and remit a 7% Transient Occupancy Tax to the County. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no annual night cap, although occupancy is limited by bedroom count and operators must provide a 24-hour local contact who can respond within one hour. 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. Confirm current rules with the County before buying.
Market Comparison
The San Bernardino Mountains STR market shows a split result. September 2026 occupancy of 30.8% is low, and even the December peak of 52.7% shows how much the market depends on a few months. Rates are the strength: the $287 ADR is the all-listings average, and the winter ADR of $460 is well above it. The market therefore relies on rate and seasonality rather than on volume. Revenue per listing of $2,464 in September looks reasonable only because of the premium pricing, and the full-year seasonal sum of $40,802 reflects a few strong months. Year over year the trend is improving, with occupancy up 25.6% and revenue up 13.9% in September. Top-operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Running Springs, so this profile omits them. Investors comparing this area with other markets should weigh the higher rates and low-priced entry points, with a typical home value of $348,302, against low occupancy, strong seasonality and a county permit process that costs about $1,144 to start.
Frequently Asked Questions About Running Springs, California
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