Free housing in California: The National Park Service is seeking a volunteer to live at this 19th-century lighthouse on the windiest and foggiest spot on the West Coast

Stephen Leonardi / Pexels Save Share The National Park Service (NPS) just posted a curious new volunteer position at the historic Point Reyes Lighthouse that's been turning heads in California: in exchange for 30 volunteer hours a week from November through January, you can get free housing in one of the lighthouse's on-site apartments. Between the dramatic winter storms, ocean fog, and housing explicitly described as not rodent-proof, this is no cozy coastal getaway. But for those who love connecting with California history and want to experience one of the most dramatic sections of coastline in the state, it could be quite the opportunity. Here's a closer look. The Residential Lighthouse Volunteer position The position seeks a live-in volunteer who can work 30 hours per week from November 6, 2026, through February 1, 2027. During four 7.5-hour shifts per week, the volunteer will work alongside NPS rangers and other volunteers to provide friendly, knowledgeable service to visitors, offering interpretive talks and answering questions about wildlife and local natural history. In exchange, NPS provides free shared housing just a five-minute walk from the visitor center. The accommodation is a shared, co-ed apartment with two or three bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, dining area, kitchen, and basic appliances. Head, water, laundry, and parking are all included, while internet service is reimbursed at $59 per month. NPS is also forthcoming about a few less-than-welcoming elements, warning that the apartments are 'not rodent-proof,' and that mice may enter units or nest in vehicle engine compartments. Pets are not allowed, and the position requires a personal vehicle to reach the lighthouse's remote location. The historic lighthouse is located at the bottom of a 313-step concrete staircase below the visitor center, perched on a section of coastline known to be the windiest and foggiest place on the West Coast. Volunteers should be in decent physical condition to climb up and down the steps, and to move around in cold, damp conditions. Still, for someone comfortable with isolation and rugged weather, the opportunity offers a one-of-a-kind chance to live inside of one of California's most dramatic national park landscapes, and continue the legacy of more than a century of lighthouse keepers. More about the Point Reyes Lighthouse After decades of shipwrecks had piled up on the foggy, exposed coastline of Point Reyes, a first-order Fresnel lens was shipped around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and the Point Reyes Lighthouse was lit on December 1, 1870. Keepers lived on site, tending to the oil lamp and running fog signals for more than 100 years. The station withstood major events including the 1906 earthquake and was modernized with electricity in the 1930s. In 1975, the lighthouse was decommissioned and replaced wtih a lighted beacon nearby, coming under the ownership of NPS, which now preserves it as a museum. The area is roughly an hour north of San Francisco, drawing Bay Area locals and tourists alike to one of the most cinematic coasts in California. Are you up for the job? Head to Volunteer.gov to learn more and apply.