Foster City, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 30, 2023
Foster City Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.3
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Competition
5.7 -
Real Estate Cost
2.4 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.4 -
Rental Rates
7.5
Foster City, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 33,056
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May to September
- County
- San Mateo
- Airports
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Want to learn more about Foster City?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Foster City rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Foster City rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Foster City.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Foster City guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Foster City a great place to invest?
- Waterfront Activities: Foster City is surrounded by water on three sides, making it a haven for water enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of water-based activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Proximity to Tech Hubs: Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Foster City is just a short drive away from major tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple. This makes it an ideal location for business travelers and tech professionals looking for short-term accommodations.
- Family-Friendly Attractions: Foster City boasts a range of family-friendly attractions, including parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. The Leo J. Ryan Park, for example, offers a beautiful setting for picnics, walks, and outdoor activities for the whole family.
- Excellent Dining Options: Foster City is home to a diverse array of dining options, from casual eateries to upscale restaurants. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of cuisines, including Asian, Mediterranean, and American, catering to all taste buds.
- Convenient Transportation: Foster City’s strategic location provides easy access to major highways, airports, and public transportation. This makes it convenient for visitors to explore the surrounding areas and attractions, making it an attractive option for short-term renters.
Foster City Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.0
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.5
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Foster City?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Foster City has decreased -12% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $910, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,505,023
-12% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$910
-13% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,367
1% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Foster City, California
Common terms for Foster City short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Foster City has a description approximately 1,709 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 1,655 listings in Foster City, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are San Francisco, Beach, San Mateo, SFO, Easy, Car, Place, Moon Bay, Half Moon, and Backyard.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Foster City?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Foster City involve Adventure Activities, Hiking, the Beach, Surfing, and Swimming. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Adventure Activities
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Hiking
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Beach
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Surfing
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Swimming
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Whale Watching
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Mountain Biking
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Horseback Riding
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Boating
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Wildlife Viewing
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Marina
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Kayaking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Foster City, including Golden Gate Park, San Francisco Bay, San Francisco Zoo, Miramar Beach, and San Mateo County Event Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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San Francisco Bay
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Rockaway Beach
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Miramar Beach
Included on 54% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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San Mateo County Event Center
Included on 50% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pacifica State Beach
Included on 45% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Half Moon Bay State Beach
Included on 41% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Twin Peaks
Included on 40% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Golden Gate Park
Included on 39% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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San Francisco Zoo
Included on 39% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Venice Beach in Half Moon Bay
Included on 39% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Dunes Beach
Included on 37% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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South San Francisco Convention Center
Included on 36% of listings
What’s the weather like in Foster City, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 68°, while the average low is about 52°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 18 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Foster City are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
46° Low 59° High
Spring
March through May
51° Low 67° High
Summer
June through August
57° Low 74° High
Fall
September through November
53° Low 70° High
Cities Near Foster City
Foster City, California, is located in San Mateo County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
