Current mission. Www.Nearbytraveler.org

I’m Aaron. I live in Playa del Rey, Los Angeles — my front yard is basically the beach. If you walk 15 seconds, you’re on the sand.

I started hosting in 2010 in New York City, where I quickly became one of the most active Couchsurfing hosts in Manhattan. Over the years I’ve welcomed more than 400 travelers — almost always one at a time, which meant I really got to know people. Some surfers returned to stay with me 6–7 times. Others I’ve met again years later while traveling abroad. Hosting has been one of the biggest adventures of my life, filled with stories, friendships, and a lot of laughter.

I’m easygoing, love hearing people’s stories, and enjoy a mix of hanging out and giving guests space to do their own thing.

What I’m Into

Music and fun: I owned a bar and live music venue in Nashville, wrote some songs, and I still love going out to see live music. If the timing’s right, I often take surfers to a show.

Entrepreneurship: I’ve worked in real estate in New York, owned a bar and restaurant, and ran a travel events company. Now I’m building a new startup (for travelers, of course signup above ) and working on my MBA.

Outdoors: I love biking the coast from Venice down to Redondo, hiking the Hollywood sign, and spending time at the beach with my son. Santa Monica Pier is a favorite for people-watching.

Theme parks: I’ve got a Universal Studios annual pass and sometimes go with my son. If you’re heading there and already have a ticket, I’ll join.

My Home

I live in a three-bedroom (guests have their own room) in Playa del Rey. It’s a quiet little beach town with coffee shops, bars, and restaurants, but the real highlight is just walking along the ocean bike path.

9 minutes from LAX.

Bus stop 30 seconds away (easy ride to Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice). From Culver City you can grab the train downtown.

No smoking in the yard or the house, but the beach is right there.

I used to have a dog — if you have a quiet one, I’m open to it.

Hosting Style

Think of me as your local brother, fellow traveler, and sometimes tour guide. I’ve had every kind of guest you can imagine, and I’m still here because I love meeting new people. I introduce people to others, to friends and I will try to join other CS events with you like taco Tuesday, karaoke, any party happening or the beach bonfire we have which is just down the beach from me.

If you just need a place to crash, no problem. But I do prefer to host some guests that have at least a good social vibe.

If you want to hang out, explore the beaches, or swap stories in the hot tub, even better.

I don’t party much in LA anymore and hardly drink, but if you’re looking to go out, I won’t hold you back.

In Short

I’ve “seen it all” through Couchsurfing — hundreds of surfers, countless adventures, and lifelong friendships. Come with good vibes, enjoy the beach, and we’ll get along great.

My photos on here are mostly all very old 2010-2014, my ex-wife is on here as well in her own section. We used to host together, and though it looks like I party a lot, I do not anymore. I almost never drink (1 max) and have more of a busy, chill vibe right now. But if you want to let loose, awesome. It is your trip, I am just here to make it the best it can be.

my ex wife old profile (SHE IS NOT active on here anymore, but some of my references are there with her, we hosted about 75 people together) https://www.couchsurfing.org/people/juliane.l/

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I’m here because I love the interaction and connection that comes from meeting travelers. After hosting hundreds of people over the years, I’ve learned that the best experiences happen when we actually spend a little time together — whether it’s chatting over coffee, swapping travel stories, or heading out to explore.

If your plan is to just use the bedroom, close the door, and disappear… honestly, you’d probably be happier with an Airbnb (or hey, I’ll gladly accept donations).

For me, Couchsurfing is about community. I love to travel myself, and hosting brings that feeling home — like the world is coming to me. It’s my way of giving back, offering a safe, comfortable place, and making sure you can enjoy LA with a little more connection.

Interests

I like going out and being social — I used to be EXTREMELY SOCIAL- As a dad, my son has changed me from being super social, lol, but my interests have also changed a lot focused around fatherhood. But I still love shooting pool, catching live music, or hanging out with good people. I’m also just as happy with a late walk on the beach or sitting around a bonfire swapping stories.

I’ve always preferred warm weather to cold (which is why Los Angeles feels like home). I enjoy exploring, traveling, and creating experiences that turn into great memories.

Music is a big part of my life. I lived in Nashville for five years, wrote lyrics and songs there, and still make it a point to see live shows whenever I can. Nashville, NOLA and Austin happen to be my favorite USA cities and they all have great music scenes.

Travel has also shaped me in a big way. I’ve lived in New York, Nashville, Denver, and now LA — each place gave me new perspectives, friends, and plenty of stories to share.

In short, I like doing things that make a day feel more memorable, whether that’s a simple walk by the ocean, a spontaneous adventure, or just connecting with new people and their stories.

• concerts
• drinking
• traveling
• painting
• music
• hiking
• beaches
• parties
• biking
• foodie
• songwriting
• nature lover
• food and drinks
• universal studios
• drinking coffee
• food lover
• writing poetry
• pet lover

Music, Movies, and Books

All types as long as the words are good. Lyrics make the song.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My Couchsurfing stories could fill a book —hence why I still host after 15 years.
most of these are super old, I have not really updated this.
I try not to say no if something could become a memory.
Floated in the Dead Sea and rafted both the Jordan River and in Boulder, Colorado.
Took a cab to Dahab and walked across the Egypt border, back when this was really stupid.. lol.
Climbed Masada at sunrise.
Rode mechanical bulls in Tijuana and Las Vegas.
Spent New Year’s in New Orleans, Edinburgh, Times Square, Cuba, Madrid, Italy, San Francisco, NYC, Nashville, Denver, and Los Angeles.
Went to NYU for my Masters in Real Estate, Promoted clubs in NYC, founded Entrepreneurs and Investors Group,
Opened a live music bar and later a restaurant in Nashville.
Wrote songs in Nashville, including one with a famous country songwriter who, by chance, became my roommate.
Won poetry awards and nearly landed on a reality TV show (got the call back but the show didn't happen, it involved all 7 continents, should have been amazing experience, somewhere in the world is my audition tape.
Partied in Vail on the 4th of July, went off road Jeep racing in Cozumel, and played sand volleyball with an English rugby team in Antigua.
Spontaneously bought a one-way ticket to Europe two days before my flight (for a couchsurfer) and stayed over a month, visiting 15 of my former couch surfers along the way over 33 days.
Hosted way more than 400 travelers through Couchsurfing.
Watched countless sunsets I didn’t plan to see but stayed just because the moment felt right.
And yes, along the way there have been wild nights across the world including fun Nashville music industry parties, and plenty of adventures that probably shouldn’t be written down. Let’s just say I’ve lived fully.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach:
I can teach you about Couchsurfing itself (after hosting 400+ people, I’ve seen it all). I know a lot about travel hacks, real estate, starting businesses, and the music scene in Nashville and LA. If you’re curious about building something, I love sharing my experiences.

Learn:
I’m always looking to learn about new cultures, foods, and perspectives. If you play music, I’d love to hear or jam. If you have a passion or story, I want to know what drives you.

Share:
I can share my home, my beach town, and some of my favorite LA experiences — bike rides along the coast, local hikes, hidden spots, or just good conversation in the hot tub. I can also share a few travel stories (some that might make you laugh, some that might make you wonder how I’m still alive)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I mostly only host. Be respectful and share experiences and conversation. Don't just go to your bedroom and close the door, be social and have fun.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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