Family travel looks very different in 2025 than it did a decade ago. Instead of booking adjoining hotel rooms, more parents are choosing entire homes on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, especially in kid-magnet destinations such as San Diego. Behind the shift is a potent mix of economics, space, decor, and a new ecosystem of on-demand childcare that makes rentals feel as effortless as a resort.
The Rise of Family-First Rentals
Airbnb says family nights now account for nearly one in five stays worldwide and grew 15 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2024. Price plays a role: a two-bedroom, two-bath Airbnb typically costs about the same as one standard hotel room at a major chain. Parents generally value their proverbial elbow room. Almost three in five guests report that the ability to keep the whole clan under one roof is a decisive factor, while 71 percent rank kitchens, workspaces, and backyards as must-have amenities.
Why Hotels Are Losing Ground
Space and savings aren’t the only draws. Vacation rentals offer:
- Flexible sleeping arrangements (bunk rooms, nurseries, bunkies).
- Home-style routines, think laundry rooms for sandy clothes and fridges for picky-eater snacks.
- Privacy for multigenerational trips, bookings of 10 or more guests have surged, with coastal cities such as San Diego ranking among the top U.S. destinations for large family groups.
In markets like San Diego the data are clear: nearly 17,000 active short-term listings now average a 59 percent occupancy rate, and 89 percent are entire homes, the format families prefer.
Childcare Moves In-House
Families still crave the break that hotel kids’ clubs once provided, and a cottage industry of vetted sitters now fills that gap. Sitterwise sends CPR-certified caregivers, fully vetted with background checks, directly to Airbnbs & VRBOs with heavy demand in San Diego County. Booking is quick through a concierge-style system that matches each family with the ideal sitter, and transparent pricing means no surprises. For travelers who crave flexibility, safety and fun, Sitterwise delivers on every trip to sun-soaked San Diego.
Caregivers arrive at hotels, vacation rentals or private residences with age-appropriate toys, crafts and games, transforming unfamiliar spaces into safe play zones.
Case Study: San Diego
San Diego’s year-round sunshine and family-friendly attractions make it a bell-wether for the rental boom. AirDNA numbers show nightly rates hovering around $358 with revenue up 6 percent year-over-year, signaling robust demand. Local property managers have responded by stocking homes with pack-and-plays, beach wagons, and blackout shades, while forging preferred-provider agreements with babysitting agencies so guests can book childcare as easily as a kayak tour.
What This Means for Owners, and Parents
| For Hosts | For Traveling Families |
| Partner with reputable childcare providers and list them in your welcome book. | Ask about on-call sitter networks before you book; many properties already have partnerships. |
| Invest in kid gear, highchairs, stair gates, baby monitors, to stand out in search filters. | Compare total cost: two- or three-bedroom rentals often undercut booking multiple hotel rooms. |
| Highlight safety (fenced pools, door alarms) and family-friendly amenities in your listing photos. | Look for listings tagged “family” and filter for essentials like kitchens and laundry. |
The Bottom Line
The pandemic accelerated a trend that is now baked into travel behavior: families want private space and professional services. Vacation-rental owners who layer high-quality childcare onto roomy, well-equipped homes are capturing a slice of the $18 billion U.S. short-term-rental pie, and giving parents a reason to skip the hotel lobby for good.
