Big Bear City, CaliforniaBig Bear City, California

Vacation Rental Management in Big Bear City, California

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Big Bear City, California to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

TechCrunch Logo
Yahoo Logo
AIRDNA Logo
Skift Logo
MarketWatch Logo

Big Bear City, California Airbnb Management Overview

Big Bear City, California, is a thriving Airbnb market, nestled in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains. Known for its year-round outdoor activities, the city attracts a steady stream of tourists, making it a lucrative location for Airbnb hosts. In the winter, the city's ski resorts draw in crowds, while the summer months see visitors flocking to the area for hiking, mountain biking, and lake activities. The city's charming downtown area, with its unique shops and restaurants, also adds to its appeal for short-term renters. The market is characterized by a mix of rustic cabins and luxury homes, catering to a wide range of guest preferences and budgets. Seasonal fluctuations in demand are typical, with peak periods aligning with the ski season and summer vacation months.

In Big Bear City, California, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely driven by the area's natural attractions. The winter months, particularly December through February, see a surge in demand as tourists flock to the region for its renowned ski resorts and winter sports activities. Conversely, the summer months also attract a different set of tourists interested in hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, leading to another peak in bookings. However, the shoulder seasons - spring and fall - tend to see a dip in demand, as they fall between the major tourist seasons. Understanding these trends can help hosts in Big Bear City optimize their pricing and availability strategies to maximize their revenue.

In Big Bear City, California, Airbnb hosts must adhere to specific regulations to ensure a smooth operation of their rental business. The city requires all hosts to obtain a Transient Private Home Rental (TPHR) permit before listing their property on Airbnb. This permit must be renewed annually. Additionally, hosts are required to collect a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from guests, which is then remitted to the city. Noise restrictions are also enforced, with quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, so it's crucial to stay informed and compliant.

Managing Airbnb properties in Big Bear City, California, requires a keen understanding of the seasonal fluctuations in tourism. The winter months, with the allure of skiing and snowboarding, often see a surge in bookings, necessitating efficient turnaround times for cleaning and maintenance. Conversely, the off-peak seasons may require more strategic marketing to attract guests. It's crucial to maintain a robust network of local service providers to ensure timely repairs and upkeep. Additionally, being responsive to guest inquiries and concerns, regardless of the time of year, is key to maintaining high ratings and repeat bookings.

In Big Bear City, California, properties that offer amenities catering to the outdoor enthusiast tend to thrive. Given the city's reputation as a year-round recreational haven, accommodations equipped with ski storage, hot tubs, fireplaces, and BBQ grills are highly sought after. Additionally, properties that offer ample parking for RVs and boats have a competitive edge, as Big Bear Lake and the surrounding wilderness attract a significant number of visitors. Proximity to local attractions such as the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain also adds value. As the city is also known for its stunning natural beauty, properties with panoramic views, outdoor seating areas, and spacious decks often command higher rental rates.

Market Overview

Big Bear City, California, is a thriving Airbnb market, nestled in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains. Known for its year-round outdoor activities, the city attracts a steady stream of tourists, making it a lucrative location for Airbnb hosts. In the winter, the city's ski resorts draw in crowds, while the summer months see visitors flocking to the area for hiking, mountain biking, and lake activities. The city's charming downtown area, with its unique shops and restaurants, also adds to its appeal for short-term renters. The market is characterized by a mix of rustic cabins and luxury homes, catering to a wide range of guest preferences and budgets. Seasonal fluctuations in demand are typical, with peak periods aligning with the ski season and summer vacation months.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Big Bear City, California, the Airbnb market experiences significant seasonality, largely driven by the area's natural attractions. The winter months, particularly December through February, see a surge in demand as tourists flock to the region for its renowned ski resorts and winter sports activities. Conversely, the summer months also attract a different set of tourists interested in hiking, mountain biking, and fishing, leading to another peak in bookings. However, the shoulder seasons - spring and fall - tend to see a dip in demand, as they fall between the major tourist seasons. Understanding these trends can help hosts in Big Bear City optimize their pricing and availability strategies to maximize their revenue.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Big Bear City, California, Airbnb hosts must adhere to specific regulations to ensure a smooth operation of their rental business. The city requires all hosts to obtain a Transient Private Home Rental (TPHR) permit before listing their property on Airbnb. This permit must be renewed annually. Additionally, hosts are required to collect a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from guests, which is then remitted to the city. Noise restrictions are also enforced, with quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, so it's crucial to stay informed and compliant.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Big Bear City, California, requires a keen understanding of the seasonal fluctuations in tourism. The winter months, with the allure of skiing and snowboarding, often see a surge in bookings, necessitating efficient turnaround times for cleaning and maintenance. Conversely, the off-peak seasons may require more strategic marketing to attract guests. It's crucial to maintain a robust network of local service providers to ensure timely repairs and upkeep. Additionally, being responsive to guest inquiries and concerns, regardless of the time of year, is key to maintaining high ratings and repeat bookings.

Locations and Amenities

In Big Bear City, California, properties that offer amenities catering to the outdoor enthusiast tend to thrive. Given the city's reputation as a year-round recreational haven, accommodations equipped with ski storage, hot tubs, fireplaces, and BBQ grills are highly sought after. Additionally, properties that offer ample parking for RVs and boats have a competitive edge, as Big Bear Lake and the surrounding wilderness attract a significant number of visitors. Proximity to local attractions such as the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountain also adds value. As the city is also known for its stunning natural beauty, properties with panoramic views, outdoor seating areas, and spacious decks often command higher rental rates.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Big Bear City, California market and can help you maximize your revenue and improve guest experiences. 

We'll make sure to introduce you to Airbnb managers who offer the right services for your needs.

Get Onboarded

Seamless Onboarding

Your manager can handle everything—from listing setup and pricing optimization to guest communication and maintenance.

They’ll take care of professional photography, lockbox installation, profile setup, and everything you need to get your Big Bear City, California property guest-ready.

Collect Revenue

Sit Back And Earn

With the right vacation rental property manager, your home is in good hands.

They'll handle the bookings, guests, pricing updates, and day-to-day operations while you enjoy stress-free earnings and more time for what matters most.

Who We Trust

What makes our partners stand out from other short-term rental property managers in Big Bear City, California

Access to the Summer Network

Personalized Support

Each home and host is different. The best property managers work with you to find the services and support that make sense.

Best in class revenue Optimization

Demonstrated Earnings

Your investment is important. Our partners have proven they can substantially increase revenue on properties over market averages.

Accuracy with our technology

Tech-Forward Focus

The best property managers use data to make smart decisions, and technology to create seamless guest experiences.

Trusted brand reputation

Trusted Brand Reputation

We partner with property managers with Superhost status and high guest ratings, so guests always know what to expect.

Sticker badge that says "The gist"

Who’s a good fit for a professional manager?

You think your short-term rental can make more money

Your property is not beating market averages, getting enough bookings, or does not have visibility across the major rental platforms.

You want a partner where you are valued

Our preferred managers build personal relationships with all of their owners and care about each property like it's their own.

You want hassle-free hosting

Whether you're down the street or a flight away, dealing with guest inquiries, cleaning, and everything in between is too time consuming and challenging.

Ready To Get Started Form

Get connected

We'd love to hear about what you're looking for, and we’ll connect you with top vacation property managers in your area!

FAQ

Answers to common questions

What is vacation rental property management?

Vacation rental property management is a service provider that maintains and improves a vacation rental on behalf of owners. They manage the ongoing operation, marketing, maintenance, and promotion of a vacation rental, short-term rental, or Airbnb property.

What services does a vacation rental manager offer?

Most managers offer partial or complete end-to-end management of vacation rental properties. Complete management includes all aspects of home maintenance, cleaning, guest and host communications, and marketing, pricing, and promotion of your property. In addition to these services, Summer connects owners and hosts with professional design and investing services for their vacation home.

Can they help me convert an existing home into a vacation rental?

Absolutely! Many property managers do onboard homes that were recently purchased or are being converted into vacation rentals. The best teams will provide advice, guidance, and services to help your home prepare for its short-term rental launch.

How long does the onboarding process take?

The onboarding process usually takes 2-4 weeks. This gives the manager and owner ample time to inspect the property, get it ready for guests, and get the listing live. In the event that owners need additional time to furnish or otherwise improve the property, the onboarding process can be extended.

Will I get a smart lock?

Yes, most managers provide a smart lock. This helps them operate the home and seamlessly let guests in. While there is some upfront expense associated with the lock and some additional time to set it up, there’s nothing worse than a guest not being able to access the property when they arrive.

Will they take updated photos of the property?

In most cases, your manager will hire a professional photographer to do a shoot at the home. This happens after the home is both cleaned and staged for photography. This helps the home stand out on vacation rental booking sites and results in better bookings overall. If you have really high-quality photos already, you can skip this step in the onboarding process.

How do I know my property will be safe with guests?

Professional managers put a number of security measures in place at the home to monitor noise and avoid unwanted guests in the property. Most also have built-in procedures for resolving any immediate guest issues involving parties, extra guests, and anything else in violation of the booking and local laws and requirements.