Big Bear Lake, CA
LA's mountain escape - ski, lake, and year-round cabin demand
Big Bear Lake is a 2-hour drive from LA and the primary mountain escape for 20 million Southern California residents. Two ski resorts (Bear Mountain and Snow Summit), the lake, and a charming village create genuine dual-season demand. CA STR regulations vary by jurisdiction - the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County each have their own permit requirements.
Estimated Annual Performance
* Estimates based on market averages. Individual property performance varies. Always run a full underwriting analysis.
Why Investors Choose Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake STR investing, answered
Is Big Bear Lake, CA a good short-term rental market?
Big Bear Lake is a West Coast STR market averaging a 10.6% cap rate, 64% annual occupancy, and $375/night across STR-viable listings. Big Bear Lake is a 2-hour drive from LA and the primary mountain escape for 20 million Southern California residents. Two ski resorts (Bear Mountain and Snow Summit), the lake, and a charming village create genuine dual-season demand. CA STR regulations vary by jurisdiction - the City of Big Bear Lake and San Bernardino County each have their own permit requirements.
What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Big Bear Lake?
STR-viable properties in Big Bear Lake average about 64% occupancy across the year. Peak season is Dec - Mar (ski), June - Aug (lake). Occupancy here reflects availability-adjusted booking performance, not raw calendar occupancy, so it represents what a full-time operated rental can realistically achieve.
How much do short-term rentals earn in Big Bear Lake?
At $375/night and 64% occupancy, a typical Big Bear Lake STR grosses roughly $87,600 per year before expenses, leaving an estimated $52,560 in net operating income against a $495K average price, an implied 10.6% cap rate. Individual results depend on property, amenities, and management.
What types of properties work best for STR in Big Bear Lake?
The strongest-performing STR property types in Big Bear Lake are Cabin, Chalet, Single Family, A-Frame. 2-hour drive from 20M LA metro residents. Matching the local guest profile and the amenities that drive bookings in this market matters more than raw square footage.
What is the median STR-viable home price in Big Bear Lake?
STR-viable listings in Big Bear Lake average around $495K. Primary STR ZIP codes include 92315, 92314. Combined with the market's 10.6% average cap rate, that price level sets the return baseline you'd underwrite against.
Market averages, not guarantees. Cap rates, occupancy, and nightly rates are market-wide averages based on active STR listings and historical data. Individual property performance depends on location, amenities, management, and listing quality. Always run a full underwriting analysis before purchasing.
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