Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California

Vacation Rental Management in Santa Monica, California

Discover the best vacation rental management companies in Santa Monica, California to maximize your revenue and create incredible guest experiences

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Santa Monica, California Airbnb Management Overview

Santa Monica, California, is a vibrant and thriving Airbnb market, thanks to its prime location on the Pacific Ocean, its world-renowned attractions, and its status as a hub for the entertainment and tech industries. The city's year-round mild climate, iconic Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and close proximity to other Los Angeles hotspots make it a highly desirable destination for both domestic and international travelers. The market is diverse, with high demand for a range of property types, from luxury beachfront condos to quirky bungalows. However, hosts should be aware that Santa Monica has some of the strictest short-term rental regulations in the country, which can impact the profitability and operation of Airbnb rentals. Despite these challenges, the high average daily rate and consistent demand make Santa Monica a potentially lucrative market for savvy Airbnb hosts.

In Santa Monica, California, the Airbnb market experiences a significant uptick during the summer months, from June to August, when the city's beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and iconic Santa Monica Pier attract a large influx of tourists. However, due to the city's mild, Mediterranean climate, there is a steady demand for Airbnb rentals throughout the year. The winter months, from December to February, see a slight decrease in bookings, but the drop is not as drastic as in other markets with harsher winter climates. Additionally, events such as the Santa Monica Film Festival in January and the Louisiana Marathon in March can lead to spikes in demand outside of the peak summer season. Therefore, it's crucial for Airbnb hosts in Santa Monica to stay informed about local events and adjust their pricing and availability accordingly.

In Santa Monica, California, Airbnb hosts must navigate a unique set of regulations to operate legally. The city requires hosts to obtain a business license and pay a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax on all bookings. Additionally, hosts are only allowed to rent out their primary residence, defined as the place where they live for at least six months out of the year. This rule effectively bans non-owner occupied rentals, including vacation rentals and second homes. Furthermore, the city has imposed a cap of 31 days for the total number of days a property can be rented out in a year when the host is not present. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, making compliance a top priority for all Airbnb hosts in Santa Monica.

Managing Airbnb properties in Santa Monica, California, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The high demand for short-term rentals, driven by the city's popular beaches and vibrant nightlife, often leads to a competitive market. However, this also presents challenges such as fluctuating rental rates, seasonal demand, and high guest expectations for property quality and amenities. To navigate these challenges, it's crucial to stay updated on local real estate trends, adjust pricing strategies according to peak and off-peak seasons, and ensure properties are well-maintained and equipped with modern amenities. Regular communication with guests to understand their needs and feedback can also help in providing a superior guest experience and maintaining a high occupancy rate.

In Santa Monica, California, properties that offer amenities catering to the outdoor lifestyle are highly sought after. Proximity to the beach, bike paths, and hiking trails can significantly increase a property's appeal. Additionally, amenities such as surfboard storage, bike rentals, or even simple additions like beach towels and picnic baskets can make a property stand out. Given the city's commitment to sustainability, properties that feature eco-friendly amenities such as solar power, recycling services, and electric vehicle charging stations are also highly attractive to the environmentally-conscious traveler. Lastly, with the city's thriving food scene, properties located near popular restaurants, farmers markets, or those offering fully equipped kitchens for home cooking, are particularly appealing to foodie travelers.

Market Overview

Santa Monica, California, is a vibrant and thriving Airbnb market, thanks to its prime location on the Pacific Ocean, its world-renowned attractions, and its status as a hub for the entertainment and tech industries. The city's year-round mild climate, iconic Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade, and close proximity to other Los Angeles hotspots make it a highly desirable destination for both domestic and international travelers. The market is diverse, with high demand for a range of property types, from luxury beachfront condos to quirky bungalows. However, hosts should be aware that Santa Monica has some of the strictest short-term rental regulations in the country, which can impact the profitability and operation of Airbnb rentals. Despite these challenges, the high average daily rate and consistent demand make Santa Monica a potentially lucrative market for savvy Airbnb hosts.

Airbnb Seasonality

In Santa Monica, California, the Airbnb market experiences a significant uptick during the summer months, from June to August, when the city's beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and iconic Santa Monica Pier attract a large influx of tourists. However, due to the city's mild, Mediterranean climate, there is a steady demand for Airbnb rentals throughout the year. The winter months, from December to February, see a slight decrease in bookings, but the drop is not as drastic as in other markets with harsher winter climates. Additionally, events such as the Santa Monica Film Festival in January and the Louisiana Marathon in March can lead to spikes in demand outside of the peak summer season. Therefore, it's crucial for Airbnb hosts in Santa Monica to stay informed about local events and adjust their pricing and availability accordingly.

Short Term Rental Regulations

In Santa Monica, California, Airbnb hosts must navigate a unique set of regulations to operate legally. The city requires hosts to obtain a business license and pay a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax on all bookings. Additionally, hosts are only allowed to rent out their primary residence, defined as the place where they live for at least six months out of the year. This rule effectively bans non-owner occupied rentals, including vacation rentals and second homes. Furthermore, the city has imposed a cap of 31 days for the total number of days a property can be rented out in a year when the host is not present. Violations of these regulations can result in hefty fines, making compliance a top priority for all Airbnb hosts in Santa Monica.

Best Practices for Management

Managing Airbnb properties in Santa Monica, California, requires a keen understanding of the local market dynamics. The high demand for short-term rentals, driven by the city's popular beaches and vibrant nightlife, often leads to a competitive market. However, this also presents challenges such as fluctuating rental rates, seasonal demand, and high guest expectations for property quality and amenities. To navigate these challenges, it's crucial to stay updated on local real estate trends, adjust pricing strategies according to peak and off-peak seasons, and ensure properties are well-maintained and equipped with modern amenities. Regular communication with guests to understand their needs and feedback can also help in providing a superior guest experience and maintaining a high occupancy rate.

Locations and Amenities

In Santa Monica, California, properties that offer amenities catering to the outdoor lifestyle are highly sought after. Proximity to the beach, bike paths, and hiking trails can significantly increase a property's appeal. Additionally, amenities such as surfboard storage, bike rentals, or even simple additions like beach towels and picnic baskets can make a property stand out. Given the city's commitment to sustainability, properties that feature eco-friendly amenities such as solar power, recycling services, and electric vehicle charging stations are also highly attractive to the environmentally-conscious traveler. Lastly, with the city's thriving food scene, properties located near popular restaurants, farmers markets, or those offering fully equipped kitchens for home cooking, are particularly appealing to foodie travelers.

How It Works

Meet with membership

Connect With Local Pros

Summer matches you with top vacation rental managers who know the Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, 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.

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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.