Morro Bay, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Morro Bay Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.9
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Competition
5.4 -
Real Estate Cost
3.0 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
6.6 -
Rental Rates
8.4
Morro Bay, 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
- 10,757
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May to September
- County
- San Luis Obispo
- Airports
- San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
- Santa Maria Public Airport (SMX)
Want to learn more about Morro Bay?
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 Morro Bay rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Morro Bay rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Morro Bay.
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 Morro Bay guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Morro Bay a great place to invest?
- Scenic Beauty and Outdoor Activities: Morro Bay is home to the iconic Morro Rock, a volcanic plug that stands as a sentinel at the entrance to the harbor. The area is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Morro Bay National Estuary, providing a plethora of outdoor activities such as kayaking, bird watching, and hiking. Visitors are drawn to the natural beauty and the opportunity to engage in healthy, outdoor activities.
- Popular Tourist Destination: Morro Bay is a popular destination for tourists year-round. It is well-known for its seafood, especially oysters and abalones, and its unique shops and boutiques. The town also hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Morro Bay Kite Festival and the Morro Bay Harbor Festival, which attract visitors from all over.
- Proximity to Other Attractions: Morro Bay is conveniently located near other major attractions in California. It is just a short drive from the famous Hearst Castle, the wine regions of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, and the beautiful beaches of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach. This makes Morro Bay a convenient base for travelers looking to explore the Central Coast of California.
- Favorable Climate: The climate in Morro Bay is Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and dry summers. The average temperature ranges from 50°F to 70°F throughout the year, making it a comfortable destination for visitors at any time of the year.
- Growing Demand for Short-Term Rentals: With the increasing popularity of vacation rentals and the growing trend of remote work, there is a rising demand for short-term rentals. Morro Bay, with its natural attractions and proximity to other popular destinations, is well-positioned to benefit from this trend. Additionally, the town has a relatively low cost of living compared to other coastal California towns, making it an attractive option for investors.
Morro Bay Nearby Cities
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3 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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15 miles away
- Rating: 6.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Morro Bay?
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 Morro Bay has increased 8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $635, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,054,572
8% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$635
-8% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,832
0% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Morro Bay, California
Common terms for Morro Bay 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 Morro Bay has a description approximately 1,748 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 863 listings in Morro Bay, 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 Beach, Morro Bay, Vacation, Patio, Deck, View, Beautiful, Family, San Luis, and Flat screen.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Morro Bay?
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 Morro Bay involve Hiking, Surfing, Whale Watching, Kayaking, and Boating. 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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Hiking
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Surfing
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Whale Watching
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Kayaking
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Boating
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Antiquing
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Adventure Activities
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Winery Tours
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Wildlife Viewing
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Sailing
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Cycling
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Swimming
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Morro Bay, including California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Cayucos State Beach, Morro Rock, Morro Strand State Beach, and Morro Bay State Park. 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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Regional Landmark
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Cayucos State Beach
Included on 66% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cayucos Pier
Included on 66% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morro Bay Golf Course
Included on 66% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morro Rock
Included on 65% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morro Rock Beach
Included on 63% of listings
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Local Landmark
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El Chorro Regional Park
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cuesta College
Included on 60% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Elfin Forest Preserve
Included on 57% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morro Strand State Beach
Included on 55% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Morro Bay State Park
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Included on 39% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bubblegum Alley
Included on 27% of listings
What’s the weather like in Morro Bay, 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 50°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 13 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 Morro Bay 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
45° Low 63° High
Spring
March through May
49° Low 66° High
Summer
June through August
55° Low 73° High
Fall
September through November
52° Low 71° High
Cities Near Morro Bay
Morro Bay, California, is located in San Luis Obispo County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
