Visitors gather at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica on Aug. 2, 2025. The beach is a major draw for tourists and surfers. Photo by Kathryn Wheeler
The tension between tourists, Californians living in the state’s coastal enclaves, and the tech companies that profit from vacation rentals is coming to a boil.
The small coastal city of Pacifica has recently become the poster child for the battle between Airbnb and the unhappy locals. Officials in Pacifica recently tried to pass rules aimed at curtailing short-term vacation rentals, only to meet unexpected stiff resistance. That led to delays and watered down regulations that some sources attribute to Airbnb’s lobbying efforts.
California’s coastal zone makes up just over 1% of the state’s total land area but accounts for a significant amount of Airbnb’s reported economic impact, according to the company. Airbnb says it contributed around $13.9 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product in 2025, nearly 17% of it — almost $2.3 billion — generated from the coastal zone.
The lucrative nature of California’s coast as a tourist destination has brought Airbnb into regular conflict with the California Coastal Commission.
The commission has ultimate say on regulatory, planning and permitting matters…
