We love Giant Steps!! My son has only been to one session, and I have already seen so much…read moreprogress. His anxiety often keeps him from trying new activities. I was worried that being with these huge animals might be too much. Over the weeks though, with the gentle guidance of the staff, his confidence has soared! He is so proud of his courage to take new risks and his newfound success. He adores his instructor and his sweet horse "therapist". I can't wait to see what develops next session.

I think it's ridiculous to question how the funds are spent - running a center of this quality…read moreobviously takes money and commitment. To give the FACILITY a bad review because you didn't like the "sales pitch" is just mean spirited. I am a child advocate who was able to enroll a boy at Giant Steps because GS was kind enough to wave the fee due to financial hardship - as a ward of the court with delinquent parents this child would otherwise have had no chance to experience the benefits of the program. The facility, trainers, and horses are top notch. I can personally attest to the positive influence this center had on at least one child with emotional/behavioral problems.

Our son has participated in both SJW year round (Giant Steps and Miles Ahead) and the summer…read moreprogram and both are great. The staff is excellent - they work well with kids, are strong music teachers and make the experience positive and rewarding. Our son started with SJW when he was a beginner musician and the program has help him develop into a strong musician. Thanks to the support and teaching at SJW he has made California All State Honor Jazz band multiple times and he still feels challenged by the SJW program and continues to grow as a musician thanks to them. I would highly recommend this program to any young musician - whether they have never tried jazz, are serious about jazz or are just interested in taking their music to the next level. Like any program though you get out what you put in, so be prepared to practice.

In contrast to some of the other reviews, our son had a fantastic experience in the Miles Ahead Big…read moreBand program that ran during the 2018/19 school year. They rehearsed once a week at the College of San Mateo (great facility and campus) and he left each session drained yet excited as they rehearsed non stop, requiring all his focus and playing the best he could. This "conglomerate" band was a perfect opportunity to play with liked minded student musicians, at a higher level than he could get in his high school program. Our son looked up to music director Mike Galisatus, who worked closely with the students, provided great feedback, and seemed to truly care about the band and program. We look forward to auditioning again and hope that we can continue with the program while our son finishes high school.

The place is beautiful with well kept horses. Love it! Cyd is awesome trainer and everything is run…read morewell

Lisa and Cyd run an incredible stable. In 30 years of riding, I've never experienced the level of…read moreservice Longview provides. The horses are impeccably cared for. The training rides are top notch, the show schedule is extensive and the lessons are challenging. I can't say enough to recommend this barn. it's abs the best.

I sent my daughter here in summer of 2018 to be a counselor/leader in training at age 12. She…read moremostly enjoyed it. She said that being around the young kids was nice because she could help them and also liked the camp's program. I felt that the camp director was very friendly and personal over the phone, and even gave us a small break on the price along with a discounted lunchtime supervision(20 dollars a day). Lets make no mistake about it, this camp is VERY expensive compared to other camps. it was over 700 dollars for a week just to be out in nature for the whole day, which is more than double of what a camp from the East Bay Regional Parks or even San Francisco Parks and Rec would charge. I wanted to give Linda the benefit of the doubt and just assume it would be a great opportunity for my daughter to learn some leadership skills and have fun, while being close to her mom's house, which I am hoping she did. So here is the reason why only the two stars. I requested via email and over the phone leaving a voicemail that Linda provide some feedback on how the camp went for my daughter. She did not even bother answering my email or calling me back. I would have accepted a simple acknowledgement saying she can not do that but would write something up for a fee, but she did not even have the courtesy to do that. For a camp of this price, I am SHOCKED she didn't even bother to reach out to me. I am not sure this is because my ex wife is African American and that my daughter is mixed but I surely hope not. Linda would also not even provide her tax ID so I had to indicate "would not provide" when doing my taxes. I did not have any verbal exchange between her and me that would warrant any ill feelings so it has troubled me to the point that I am leaving this review for yelpers to see. I would say that this camp seems to be a very enriching camp in the Presidio, but is mostly for the elite upper middle class. It does not offer scholarships or is inclusive to the community of children whose parents may not be able to afford such a high price point of a summer camp. I would research other more affordable camps before choosing this one. In the future, it would also help that Linda communicates just as effectively both before and after the camp has concluded.

My 4 year old son did a week with Nature Nurture in the Presidio this summer and he absolutely…read moreloved it! It was a small groups of kids and he really bonded with them. Linda constant and the high school age counselor kept the kids safe. The adventures they went on were all over the Presidio- they rode the bus and walked a lot. They saw parts of the Presidio that I didn't even know existed! My son would definitely do it another summer! Amazing! Linda took photos and posted them in a secure site for the parents to see. She summarized what the children did each day. This was great to see.

What a super fun and cool experience! Been here twice with…read moremy toddler. Yes I highly recommend this to any one who loves SLIME! The whole experience experiences is about 25 to 30 minutes. Kids put on aprons, choose the texture of the type of slime they want. They have about five different options. Then you picked the color. (Lots of cool options) then you pick the scent, and you get to watch the slime master get your slime mixed all together.. you then head to a table to play with the slime, once you're ready for the mix ins you can pick between glitter, kinetic sand, and a few other options, and then a bottle up your slime. You're welcome to sit and play longer than the 25 to 30 minutes.... Each visit we stayed about a total of 40 minutes, which seemed to be enough for my three year-old. You are welcome to stand and watch you do not have to participate, but it's always nice to take part in creating precious moments and memories with kids. Starting price is about $25... they also have premade slime and some fun seasonal character slime which is a little more expensive. They even have slime kits. You can have a birthday party if you reserve the date in advance.. if I didn't live so far, I would definitely do this with my child and a few other kids. I highly recommend this experience for any age person just as long as you love slime! Me and my toddler will definitely be back in the future.

Fabulous time with our toddlers!! Thank you Mr. Luis! Can't wait to come back again- it's such a…read morefun place

I was completely unprepared for what would unfold during my time at the Hypnotherapy Training…read moreInstitute (HTI). When I enrolled, I was already practicing some hypnotherapy as an adjunct to my EFT counseling practice, and I wanted to take my knowledge a little deeper. After attending the info session, I signed up and waited six months, knowing the institute had international renown. I assumed I'd get some solid professional training out of it. Little did I know what awaited me. After just a few weekends in the local Weekend Program, it became clear why HTI consistently shows up in the top three recommended programs--and why many consider it the very best place to train. 1. Breadth and Depth of Training What sets HTI apart is its truly integrative orientation. Students are exposed to a wide range of schools of thought (e.g., Ericksonian, transpersonal, and more) as well as diverse domains of practice (e.g., medical hypnosis, stress resilience, deep emotional clearing, resolving inner conflicts, hypnosis for problem-solving). Like any serious graduate-level study, it's up to each student to dig deeper into particular approaches of interest--but HTI provided quality resources at every step of the way. More importantly, the curriculum emphasizes practice. We had abundant supervised sessions and received thoughtful, detailed feedback. Few training programs in hypnotherapy can say the same. This emphasis on practical application--alongside the solid theoretical foundation--taught me to listen deeply, attune to the client, and meet them exactly where they are. 2. Confidence in Practice Because HTI grounds students in principles rather than rigid techniques, I developed the freedom and intuition to use whatever works best for each client. The training is structured in such a way that I've naturally found my way into my own unique style or practice. I now feel 100% confident walking into sessions with clients presenting novel or complex issues, knowing I can skillfully navigate and facilitate meaningful outcomes: blindfold me, spin me around, and drop me in an unfamiliar place with a new client and a novel issue, and I am confident that I can facillitate an amazing process for them. Before HTI, I was preoccupied with "doing it right." Now, that anxiety has been replaced by a simple guiding question: What would make this even more excellent and helpful for my client? What a beneficial and meaningful shift for clients to have a therapist that has her eyes on that! This shift is priceless. It allowed me to see hypnotherapy as much an art as it is a science, and it gave me the confidence to trust my skills in any situation. 3. Faculty and Mentorship The depth of the curriculum reflects the hearts and minds of those who teach it. Each instructor has a unique style, and I've learned something invaluable from every one of them. I truly feel I stand on the shoulders of giants. I found the faculty to be very personable and professional, both. It would be hard to overstate how profound Randal's (the founder's) presence is--his passion, his dedication to the work, and his unflagging commitment to his students. He taught me to stand for each client I serve, to bring love and integrity to the work, and to listen so deeply that the next step in the session becomes self-evident. 4. Transformative Impact In my professional life, I strive for excellence and integrity. I found HTI to be a shining example of both. For perspective: my Master's degree in transformative psychology and learning cost me about $60,000. HTI tuition was a fraction of that--and I would value it at $80,000 or more, given the training and personal development it offers. In truth, HTI developed me far more than graduate school. The impact was not just professional but deeply personal. Because I was continually being hypnotized and developed by both staff and peers, my own life transformed in ways I can barely put into words. Without exaggeration, I now divide my life into "Before HTI" and "After HTI." 5. Balanced Notes If I had to offer a critique, it would be small things: Randal's preference for chairs in rows instead of circles, or wishing lunch breaks were a bit longer. That's it! *** If you're considering, do it. May you find the courage to take the leap into this exquisite world beyond your imagination. For me, HTI was one of the best decisions of my life.

I trained at the Hypnotherapy Training Institute and had an outstanding experience. The instructors…read moreare excellent, and the training is truly client-centered, coming from the heart while still being rigorous, practical, and grounded in real-world application. The in-person experience and curriculum are what set HTI apart. You're trained to think critically and respond to each client's needs in real time, not just apply techniques mechanically. The result is a program that consistently develops some of the best hypnotherapists in the world. Beyond the professional training, I met incredible people and experienced personal growth I never would have expected. This program set off both my career and my life in powerful ways. If you're committed to becoming an effective hypnotherapist, or even your own healing, I can't recommend it highly enough.

We really enjoyed the Charlie Brown Christmas special here. Parking is pretty easy. You'll need to…read morereserve tickets online for the performances. Acoustics here are amazing and you can hear all the instruments from any part of the studio. Great for adults and kids!

Stanford Jazz Festival 2023. $50+ to sit in Campbell Recital - a classroom! $60+ to sit in…read moreDinkelspiel - probably the worst music venue in the Bay Area! Keepin' the riff-raff out, that's for sure. Stanford's endowment is $40 billion. Checked Bing Concert Hall prices? No (non-Stanford) student or senior rates. Isn't an MBA an entry into the largest crime syndicate in the world. A law degree lets you and your cronies set the rules. Medical degrees don't change a corrupt health care system. Stanford churns out in equity like a fine tuned machine. They owe the local non-Stanford community some small consideration, like reasonably priced tickets to their grossly expensive events. That'll be the day! Ha!

*** NOTE: This review is NOT about Village Elementary School! (which is a FABULOUS school!!) This…read morereview is intended to describe their Parent's Club President (Sherina Saul-Tuxson) ONLY. *** I attended "Family Night" here at my 3rd grade daughter's brand new school. It was especially exciting for us since I had just got married, so we were brand new to town and couldn't wait to meet new friends here! Everything was SO much fun... all the activities we got to share in with our kids and their teachers, great food and atmosphere! Then, as i was simply filling out a raffle ticket alongside other moms for our kids to win a park-date with their teacher, this woman comes STOMPING up behind me and (literally!) RIPS out my ticket from underneath my pen!!!! ...causing it to tear. I was in shock. Why this level of aggression, and in the midst of such a good time at an elementary school, and by a woman who i'd never seen before in my entire life??? Maybe it was an accident, etc... so I laughed it off and kindly asked her for a new ticket. But instead of apologizing, or explaining, or handing me another ticket... or any of the normal reactions i expected to get back from her, she took 2 giant steps -- directly into my face!! -- and yelled, "Too bad!," then walked away. I just stood there quietly IN SHOCK and confusion by what had just happened... when another mom (who saw it all) came right over to me. She told me that nasty girl was actually the Parents Club President named Sherina Saul-Tuxson, and that she had personally WITNESSED Sherina plotting with another mom to win that very raffle that i was entering!!! I coudn't believe it -- THAT is why Sherina ripped my ticket away from me!!! This woman also said that all her friends witnessed it too! (Apparently Sherina isn't terribly good at covering up her cheating.) Sure enough, that mom who Sherina was cheating for, went on to win the raffle. I just could not believe that this so-called president was capable of such low-life behavior, especially at an elementary school!!! Her CHEATING and AGGRESSIVE behavior toward me was ATROCIOUS beyond words. The next day, i reported Sherina to the principal. Although the principal was sympathetic and apologetic, she told me that since the Parents Club is separate from the school, there was nothing she could do. That is why i'm posting here -- To inform other mothers in the school, and the parents club members, about what Sherina did to me, how physically and verbally aggressively she treated me at the very first event of our loving new school, and all for NO other reason than to BULLY an unsuspecting Mother, in order to CHEAT at an elementary school family raffle. How pathetic and shameful. I'd also like to please raise awareness to elect a NEW president! I CAN'T WAIT to join the Parents Club -- as soon as she is dismissed. There is just NO ROOM for that kind of disgraceful behavior toward our fellow moms, and especially in the midst of our elementary-aged children. Thank you.

I can not rave enough about this amazing school! We transferred into the school from another…read moredistrict and feel blessed to be a part of the school community. The Principal is dynamic, invested, focused and caring. The Teachers are superb. BUT, my FAVORITE thing about Village is the diversity! The families of Village truly represent the best of America: they stem from many backgrounds but are all focused on a successful and prosperous future for their children. A++++++++++

My friend organized a private weekday tour and tasting here to celebrate my birthday. Our group of…read more7 had a fantastic time! it started with a presentation on the overview and history of this family farm, then a tour of the cheesemaking facilities and barn where the dairy and beef cows hang out. We met their farm dogs, took photos with the sweet cows, and saw the family working around the property. We then ended with a tasting of their products: cheese, curds, and kefir (all delicious!) Since it was a birthday party, my friend brought a picnic lunch which we enjoyed along with the cheese. We ended by choosing to buy a selection of the cheeses we liked, to take home and share. I was thrilled to find they sell at my local farmers market - I plan to buy more of the Herby Curds when I've run out of cheese next!

My husband and two kids did the farm tour this weekend. While it was very interesting to get such a…read moreclose up view of a family owned and run working dairy farm, I do not recommend this tour for families. While they sell discounted tickets for kids 5-12 and kids under 5 are free, we and all the other families there found the tour to be a real struggle for our little ones. We all felt a little misled about the experience based on the online description. It's a lot of standing very still (in rooms with equipment that shouldn't be contaminated by guests, or next to equipment that has cow poop on it), listening to the owner talk for long stretches. We expected more movement around the farm and time outdoors, instead of something closer to a lecture with a large group in tight spaces. It also ran over time (to 2 hours!) ending with a nice close up visit with the cows and some small cheese samples. We did really enjoy meeting the cows and learning the details of how cheese making works. It is a real labor of love. I think there's a lot of potential here; the Achadinha tour has all the ingredients for an awesome visit but could use some editing. This tour could easily be 30 minutes, an hour tops. We would've liked to stay and buy some cheese but by 1pm we were all starving and fled to find lunch elsewhere. Other parents shared they would've had a great time there on a date, but definitely wouldn't go with small kids again. I'll also flag that they require you to step through a decontamination footbath to go inside the facilities. There were a lot of miserable people in sandals who had to get their feet wet in the chemicals. Closed toed shoes that can get wet recommended for this tour.

Making the decision to trust a childcare provider with our precious little boy was not a decision…read morewe took lightly. However, after meeting with Diana Mei and seeing the unbelievably gorgeous space she has created it was an EASY decision. Diana, is a mother herself and is a trained/licensed and seasoned Waldorf teacher. To us this translates to a care giver who is highly skilled, warm, compassionate, wise, intelligent, passionate, dedicated and most importantly a person who really loves being with children. Diana, supports the imaginations of the children through, songs, stories, puppetry, and classroom aesthetics. The Rose School is on a Oak studded piece of land with a beautiful view. The curriculum includes, YOGA, SPANISH and Farming! Children collect eggs from chickens and grow vegi's, herbs and flowers in the garden. We are deeply grateful to Diana and her staff for the amazing care they provide.Oh and the FOOD is ridiculous.. in fact we have been making it at home. Organic, wholesome and super tasty! I could go on.. But I think you get a good taste of what Rose Kindergarten has to offer!

This is a wonderful, magical place for children. A wholesome environment with a beautiful…read moreoutdoors. The owner, Diana Mei, has been teaching for over 14 years. With this wealth of experience, she brings a deep understanding and love of children to her school every day. Dedicated to learning more about children, she herself studies and provides her staff with continuing training. The school provides an encompassing Waldorf curriculum, from languages, art, stories, healthy food, animal care, gardening, crafts and, even, yoga.