Southern California is more than just a hotbed of sunshine and beaches—it is the epicenter of the U.S. self storage industry. A dozen of the 50 largest operators in the nation are headquartered here, with six based in Orange County alone, including Public Storage, the world’s largest self storage REIT (SpareFoot, 2024). This concentration of expertise, paired with the region’s dense population, high housing costs, and constrained development environment, makes understanding the total size of the market — in square footage — an essential step for investors and developers.
According to data from Storage Café, the Southern California self storage market includes:
| Metro Area | Facilities | Units | Total Square Feet |
| Los Angeles | 213 | 9,535 | 6.8M+ SF |
| San Diego | 83 | 10,388 | 6.6M+ SF |
| Inland Empire* | Data not fully disclosed | __ | Significant, growing rapidly |
The Inland Empire has become one of California’s fastest-expanding storage markets, fueled by migration from Los Angeles County, more attainable housing, and a development environment with fewer restrictions.
Combined, Los Angeles and San Diego alone account for over 13.4 million square feet of self storage space. Factoring in the Inland Empire, Orange County, and smaller Southern California markets would likely push the regional total well above 20 million square feet.
Smaller Living Spaces
California apartments average roughly 50 square feet smaller than the national norm, while households are larger at 2.8 people compared to 2.5 across the U.S. This density drives storage demand.
High Barriers to Entry
Limited buildable space in coastal metros constraints supply growth. Even with some new facilities entering the pipeline, such as the 6.62% projected supply increase in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (Radius+, 2024), availability remains tight.
Headquarters Hub
Southern California’s role as the headquarters for many of the nation’s top storage operators creates an industry ecosystem that fosters expansion and innovation (SpareFoot, 2024).
The region is also a top performer in sales and pricing:
The California legislature is considering SB 709, which would cap annual self storage rent increases at 5% plus CPI (or 10%, whichever is lower). While supported by consumer advocates, the measure is opposed by industry groups, which argue it could limit operational flexibility (California Senate Judiciary Committee, 2025).
The self storage market in Southern California is vast, valuable, and strategically positioned for long-term growth. With more than 13.4 million square feet in Los Angeles and San Diego alone—and significant inventory in surrounding metros—the region offers one of the most compelling investment stories in the U.S. storage sector.
SVN | Vanguard specializes in identifying, evaluating, and transacting on self storage opportunities across Southern California, leveraging both national reach and deep local knowledge.
Are you interested in learning more? Contact us to request a full Southern California Self Storage Market Briefing!
Sources:
Radius+, California’s Top Growing Self Storage Markets (2024)
SpareFoot, Why Are So Many Self Storage Companies Based in Southern California? (2024)
Modern Storage Media, Q1 2025 Self Storage Sales at $855M Amid Positive Investor Sentiment
California Senate Judiciary Committee, SB 709: Self Service Storage Facilities
