Help with cleaning and gardening, while enjoying Santa Cruz!

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 8 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with international travelers: 8 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Needs help immediately

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What you offer

20h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Housekeeping: Help with changing the bed linens and general housekeeping.

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Reception: Help with check-ins, check-outs and guest assistance.

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Yoga classes: Take free yoga classes at our place.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Stay at least: 4 weeks

The Experience

We are a small 42-bed non-profit hostel on the coast of California! Volunteers help staff by folding laundry, cleaning, making beds and being social with other guests. We are seeking volunteers that want to experience all things Santa Cruz, engage with other guests and bring a positive vibe. [5 days - 18-20 hours/week] If you have any special skills you want to share with us, please let us know!

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Requirements

Intermediate English
Between 21 and 35 years old
Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)
Be from outside United States

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

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a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

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10 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

8 Get in touch with nature
8 Meeting international travelers
8 Meeting locals
8 Immersing in the local culture
5 Practicing English
5 Developing social awareness

Mariana

Brazil

I stayed for 1 month and had such a wondefull experience! Everybody were very kind and helpfull, I felt home every single Day, thank you all Sarah and family, Jamie and Aurora, you are AMAZING! I could Live like a local in an amazing place! The small town is beatiful, cozy, peacefull, I Just loved it! I alse was able to travel around to Big Sur, Yosemite, LA, Monterrey.. Tasks were about cleaning, organizing and gardenig, witch were simple and easy, hours were respected and flexible. I stayed in a female dorm. The hostel is amazing, full of facilitys and I hardly recommend this experience! :D

6 months ago

Clémence

Netherlands

After seeing the positive reviews of the volunteers that came before me I had a hunch that this would be a wonderful opportunity to discover California. I visited in September and felt welcome from the beginning. The atmosphere at the hostel is safe, homey and peaceful. It's also the perfect place to find other travellers and it's close to the beach (highly recommended for surfers). I helped out with some housekeeping and gardening and there is enough flexibility and time to travel around (SF/LA/Red Woods/Big Sur). I feel very lucky for getting the chance to stay with you, thank you! <3

7 months ago

Ana

Spain

I've been volunteering for a month, and it couldn't have been better! The tasks were simple and they always helped me if I needed it. The location of the hostel is perfect, very close to the beach and the Boardwalk! and you can also use the bikes if you want to go anywhere. I am very grateful to have chosen this hostel, my coworkers made me feel at home! Thank you Sara and family, Jamie, Emma and Aurora. I hope I can come back someday! <3

10 months ago

Aleksandr

Russia

Sara is an amazing human being, great host and a hospitality professional. The team at the hostel including Brian, Jamie, and Emma is supportive and fun! I'm so grateful it turned out to be an awesome experience working in a hostel. I enjoyed community dinners and meeting people from all over the world and expand my horizons. You, the next volunteer, are very lucky my friend to find yourself here! I definitely recommend volunteering at the hostel, the best place in the hostel! Thank you guys for everything ✨💛🫶

11 months ago

Ali

Canada

I had an amazing experience at the hostel! Everyone was very friendly, kind, and welcoming, and there was almost always something going on to join. Work hours/tasks and amenities were as described, leaving lots of time to explore. The hostel itself is made of lovely cottages and is located perfectly for walking to the downtown area or to the beach. This experience is perfect if you are looking for a hostel community experience that's a bit more relaxed and quiet but still offers lots of opportunities to interact with locals and other guests.

11 months ago

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About the host

Hosted by Sara

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 90% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in A few hours

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