Santa Cruz Seaside Company

Work Where America Comes to Play

Imagine clocking in to the sound of roller coasters, seagulls and crashing Pacific waves. The Santa Cruz Seaside Company operates the legendary Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – California’s oldest surviving amusement park and one of the most photographed beachfronts in the United States. As part of the Guest Services team, you’ll be the friendly face that turns an ordinary day at the beach into a memory families keep for a lifetime.

This is a classic Work & Travel USA summer-to-fall placement built for university students who want a real American experience: paid work, a beach-town lifestyle, and coworkers from all over the world.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Welcoming guests, answering questions and giving directions around the Boardwalk
• Selling and scanning ride tickets, wristbands and season passes
• Operating point-of-sale registers and handling cash and card payments accurately
• Assisting at information booths, guest relations, lost & found and rental counters
• Supporting rides, games, retail or admissions areas as needed during peak days
• Keeping your work area clean, safe and welcoming
• Helping resolve guest concerns with patience and a smile

The Details

• Position: Boardwalk Guest Services
• Employer: Santa Cruz Seaside Company
• Location: Santa Cruz, California
• Industry: Recreation / Amusement Park
• Pay: $17.50 per hour
• Hours: approximately 32 hours per week (overtime possible on busy weekends)
• Season: Summer through Fall
• Tips: Not applicable for this position

Why Santa Cruz?

Santa Cruz sits on the northern tip of Monterey Bay, about 75 minutes from San Francisco and 40 minutes from Silicon Valley. It’s a laid-back surf city surrounded by redwood forests, cliffside walking trails and some of the best beaches in California.

• Learn to surf at Cowell Beach – one of the world’s friendliest beginner breaks
• Watch sea lions, otters and whales right from the wharf
• Hike among giant redwoods at Henry Cowell and Big Basin State Parks
• Weekend trips to San Francisco, Monterey, Big Sur, Yosemite and Los Angeles
• A young, international, student-friendly town thanks to UC Santa Cruz

What You Get

• Competitive $17.50/hour wage in one of California’s best-loved destinations
• Employee perks typical of the amusement industry – ride privileges and staff discounts
• Real customer-service and cash-handling experience for your CV
• Rapid improvement in spoken English through daily guest interaction
• A worldwide friend group – Boardwalk staff come from dozens of countries
• Free time to explore the West Coast between shifts

Who We’re Looking For

• University students aged 18–25 enrolled in a Work & Travel USA program
• Good conversational English – you’ll be talking to guests all day
• Outgoing, positive attitude and genuine love of people
• Ability to stand and stay active during shifts in an outdoor environment
• Flexibility to work weekends, evenings and public holidays
• Reliable, punctual and comfortable in a fast-paced team

Spots on the Boardwalk fill up fast every season. If you want your summer story to start with sunshine, roller coasters and the Pacific Ocean – apply today and claim your place in Santa Cruz.