I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lived in Santa Cruz for about 15 years. Moved to Sonoma County 21 years ago. I enjoy meeting new people and am open to hosting travelers.

Ideally, one person (the room has a twin bed) but 2 is fine if at least one is an adult and, if you are travelling with your child, the child is 10 or older and you are 100% responsible cleaning up after both of you.

I prefer a female guest. I will consider a male guest if you have positive references and tell me how to find you and confirm who you are online (like social media, work website, online articles).

I'm also very busy. So, it's important to me that my guests are independent. I'm happy to tell you great places to visit in my area but it's not likely I will be available to take you myself.

As I'm new to Couchsurfing, guests are welcome when I am home.

Guests can use the kitchen, stay the night and make breakfast in the morning. And please be thorough cleaning up after yourselves.

Sonoma County is beautiful with many County Regional Parks & State Parks, the Russian River, a few small lakes, and many miles of coastline with beautiful beaches and gorgeous views from the cliffs.

If you have seasonal alergies, please know this is likely not where you want to be in the spring. Offshore wind blows pollen east, over the land. The best place for people with allergies is at the coast where there is no pollen. I do have an air filter we can use in the guest room that helps clean the air.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am on Couchsurfing because I'm being very careful how I spend my money and right now paying for hotel rooms is not a good option. I would love to keep the cost down when I travel! Also, I am friendly and an extrovert and very much enjoy meeting new people.

And even though I am a woman who often travels alone, I'm not concerned for my safety the way many women are because I started taking self-defense classes when I was 19 and I've been teaching self-defense for 30 years. I know how to stay alert and aware, trust my intuition, set boundaries and stand up for myself, deescalate heated situations, create a good safety plan and physically defend myself if I ever needed to.

Interests

I love walking, hiking, spending time in the beautiful parks near me, going to the coast and the beach. I am a mom with two kids age 20 and 13. Love my kids and love being a good mom to them! I have a counseling background and currently work as a social worker. I teach self-defense classes, and am in training to be a transformational - empowerment coach. I would love to travel throughout the US and other countries to see more beautiful places and meet new people!

• meditation
• gardening
• movies
• hiking
• kayaking
• creativity
• coaching
• paddleboarding
• self-defense
• house plants
• cooking healthy
• dancing,

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One amazing thing I've done is learn how to scuba dive! I classes in college and join the Scuba Club. I went on numerous Dives in the Santa Cruz and Monterey area as well as the Channel Islands, an incredible dive at a shipwreck off the North Shore of Bali and one dive on the North Shore of Hawaii.

Teach, Learn, Share

In exchange for Couchsurfing in your home I would be happy to offer a 1-2 hour self-defense workshop or a 1-hour empowerment coaching session.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am polite, respectful, friendly, kind and caring, communicate clearly and I always clean up after myself. I don't smoke or drink alcohol. If it works out for all involved, I'm happy to cook a vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian meal for everyone. I respect whatever boundaries you have as a host about your home and your time.

Countries I’ve Visited

Indonesia, Mexico