I'm a tech person who rents out a furnished spare room (including to interns in the past) for $1000 in Mountain View, after looking at the going rates; from my

I'm a tech person who rents out a furnished spare room (including to interns in the past) for $1000 in Mountain View, after looking at the going rates; from my experience, your advice isn't too far off. It's just a case of supply and demand, there aren't many people like me in the local area. (Note: We rent via Airbnb rather than their "sublets" specific program, which you call out explicitly.) If interns team up they can maybe get a short term lease at one of the many south bay housing complexes (Archstone, Avalon, Prometheus, Irvine Company). Most are horrible landlords and several charge ridiculous, but understandable, rent increases if you are shorter term - however, if you're prepared to share and lay out on furniture, it could be a saving over the course of a summer. Plus, could get lucky and find a relocating person or off-season intern to hand off to at the end of summer.