Is Wrightwood, California Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Wrightwood, California, begin by researching San Bernardino County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and compliance with zoning laws that may restrict rentals in residential areas to a maximum of 30 days per year without special permits. Contact San Bernardino County Planning Department to obtain necessary permits, including a business license ($50-200 annually) and potentially a Conditional Use Permit ($1,500-3,000) if operating in restricted zones. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings or working with local realtors, focusing on mountain cabins or homes near Snow Valley Mountain Resort, with prices ranging from $400,000-800,000 for typical vacation rental properties. Furnish the space with mountain-appropriate amenities including heating systems, firewood, snow gear storage, and cozy furnishings, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting mountain views and proximity to skiing, hiking, and the Angeles National Forest, setting rates between $150-400 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services ($75-150 per turnover), maintenance contractors familiar with mountain properties, and consider hiring property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning that charge 20-35% commission but handle guest communication, cleaning coordination, and maintenance issues while ensuring compliance with Wrightwood's fire safety requirements and snow removal obligations during winter months.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Wrightwood, California, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of Mountain High ski resort and near popular hiking trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, as proximity to outdoor recreation drives year-round demand. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or mountain homes with features like fireplaces, hot tubs, mountain views, parking for multiple vehicles, and rustic charm that appeals to both winter ski groups and summer hiking families. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties, aiming for $150-300 per night depending on size and amenities, with peak winter rates 30-50% higher during ski season. Research competition by studying occupancy rates of existing STRs on Airbnb and VRBO, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved property types, and monitoring seasonal pricing patterns since Wrightwood experiences distinct winter and summer peak seasons. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local property management companies familiar with San Bernardino County regulations, while also monitoring the Angeles National Forest website for trail closures or events that impact visitor traffic to this mountain community located 90 minutes from Los Angeles.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Wrightwood, California, you must first contact the San Bernardino County Planning Department since Wrightwood is an unincorporated area, and submit an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for short-term rental operations. Required documents typically include a completed CUP application form, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas and property boundaries, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a good neighbor policy outlining house rules. The application fee ranges from $2,000 to $3,500 depending on the complexity of the review, plus additional fees for environmental review if required. The timeline typically takes 3-6 months from application submission to approval, including a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Specific Wrightwood requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), ensuring the property meets all fire safety codes due to high fire risk areas, limiting occupancy based on bedroom count and septic system capacity, providing 24/7 local contact information to neighbors and county, and adhering to noise ordinances and trash collection schedules. You must also register with the county for transient occupancy tax collection and remit the required taxes quarterly.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Wrightwood, California are currently legal but subject to regulations under San Bernardino County's jurisdiction, as Wrightwood is an unincorporated community. The county requires STR operators to obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and comply with zoning requirements, with most residential properties in Wrightwood's mountain resort areas being permitted for short-term use. Key restrictions include occupancy limits based on property size, parking requirements (typically 2 spaces minimum), noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and mandatory posting of house rules and emergency contact information. Properties must also collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at rates around 10-12%. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement mechanisms, increased penalties for violations, and enhanced complaint response procedures due to growing concerns from permanent residents about noise and parking issues. While no areas in Wrightwood are completely prohibited from STR operations, properties in certain residential zones may face additional scrutiny, and the county has implemented a good neighbor policy requiring 24/7 local contact availability and response to complaints within 30 minutes.

The most attractive Airbnb investment areas in Wrightwood, California include the Village area near Highway 2 and Lone Pine Canyon Road, which offers proximity to restaurants, shops, and easy mountain access, making it ideal for both winter ski visitors to Mountain High Resort and summer hikers exploring the Angeles National Forest. The Upper Wrightwood neighborhoods along Angeles Forest Highway provide secluded cabin experiences with panoramic mountain views, attracting couples and families seeking peaceful retreats year-round. Areas near Big Pines and Table Mountain offer excellent access to winter sports facilities and summer camping, drawing outdoor enthusiasts from Los Angeles and Orange County who prefer mountain escapes over beach destinations. The Heath Canyon and Blue Ridge areas are particularly valuable for their proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, attracting long-distance hikers and nature photographers, while properties near Inspiration Point capitalize on scenic overlooks and wedding venue proximity, generating bookings from special event attendees and romantic getaway seekers throughout the year.

Airbnb properties in Wrightwood, California are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the California state Transient Occupancy Tax and local San Bernardino County transient occupancy tax at a combined rate of approximately 12-14%. The state portion is typically 7.25% sales tax plus additional local taxes, while San Bernardino County imposes its own transient occupancy tax of around 6-8% on stays less than 30 days. These taxes are collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which began around 2016-2017. Hosts may still need to register with local tax authorities and file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects taxes, and properties rented for 30 days or longer are typically exempt from transient occupancy taxes. Additional local assessment districts or tourism improvement districts may impose supplementary fees of 1-3%, and hosts should verify current rates with San Bernardino County's tax collector office as rates can change annually and vary by specific location within the county.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Wrightwood, California is approximately $650,000-$750,000. Property purchase costs around $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in this mountain community. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom cabin typically costs $25,000-$35,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, linens, kitchen essentials, and mountain-appropriate decor. Initial setup expenses total $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies. Permits and fees range from $1,500-$3,000 including short-term rental permits, business licenses, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs $2,000-$3,500 annually for comprehensive short-term rental coverage. Utilities average $300-$500 monthly including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs total approximately $15,000-$20,000 covering utilities ($1,800-$3,000), cleaning services ($3,000-$4,500), maintenance and repairs ($2,000-$3,000), platform fees ($2,500-$3,500), marketing ($1,000-$2,000), supplies and amenities ($1,500-$2,500), property management if used ($3,000-$4,000), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,200-$2,500).

Airbnb properties in Wrightwood, California demonstrate strong seasonal profitability due to the area's proximity to Mountain High ski resort and Angeles National Forest, with average nightly rates ranging from $150-300 depending on property size and amenities. A typical 3-bedroom cabin generates approximately $45,000-65,000 in annual revenue, while operating expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning fees, property management, insurance, and maintenance average $35,000-45,000 annually, resulting in profit margins of 15-35%. Success factors include proximity to ski slopes (properties within 5 miles of Mountain High command 20-30% premium rates), hot tubs and fireplaces (increasing bookings by 40%), and professional property management services like Vacasa or RedAwning which optimize pricing and occupancy rates. Properties purchased in 2019-2020 for $400,000-600,000 have shown particularly strong returns, with some owners reporting 12-18% annual ROI when factoring in both rental income and property appreciation. Peak winter months (December-March) generate 60% of annual revenue, while summer hiking season provides additional income streams, making year-round profitability achievable for well-positioned properties with proper marketing and management.

Airbnb investments in Wrightwood, California typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's popularity as a mountain resort destination near ski areas and hiking trails, with properties averaging $400-600 per night during peak winter and summer seasons. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with higher-end cabins and properties near Mountain High ski resort achieving the upper range, while standard vacation rentals perform at the lower end. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months, with properties requiring initial investments of $150,000-300,000 for down payments and renovations to meet vacation rental standards. The market benefits from year-round demand driven by winter sports enthusiasts, summer hikers accessing the Angeles National Forest, and weekend getaway travelers from Los Angeles metropolitan area, though occupancy rates typically fluctuate between 65-75% annually with seasonal peaks during December-March and June-September periods.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Wrightwood, California. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments in the San Bernardino Mountains area include Mountain High Realty, Big Bear Lake Properties, and Wrightwood Mountain Properties, with agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Rodriguez focusing on vacation rental acquisitions since 2018. National services include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which provides rental property analytics, AirDNA for market data analysis, RedAwning for property management and acquisition consulting, and Awning for turnkey Airbnb investments. Local property management companies that also assist with acquisitions include Mountain Vacation Rentals and High Country Property Management. Investment-focused brokerages like BiggerPockets-affiliated agents, Roofstock for single-family rental properties, and Arrived Homes for fractional ownership opportunities serve the Wrightwood market. Additional services include STR Helper for market analysis, Hostfully for property management software with acquisition guidance, and local mortgage brokers like Mountain Mortgage Solutions who specialize in investment property financing for vacation rentals in the San Bernardino National Forest area.