Bay Cities Driving School

Locally owned & operated

I don't know where to start because I only have amazing things to say and there aren't enough words…read moreto express my gratitude. Today I passed my behind the wheel as an adult driver. First try! Growing up, I had strict parents who wanted to keep me home and never taught me to drive. All the times I attempted to, I would just lock up and have so much anxiety and it caught on to me. I always took care of everyone growing up and this was the one thing I needed to accomplish for myself. I woke up one day and said enough is enough and having a 2 year old son who has soooo much energy and needs to go to park at least twice a day, that was my motivation. Long is an amazing instructor. He is attentive, asks about your goals and how you want to achieve them, great executor, and most of all a great communicator. I got the 10 hour package and I learned more than I would've learning on my own or with my husband. Every lesson breezed by and Long made me comfortable along with giving me constructive criticism without judgement. My favorite part of our lessons was the beautiful views he showed me which opened up my eyes and motivated to get my license and see what else is out there! Thank you so much Long! 10/10 would recommend to everyone!

We had a great experience with Long and LT Driving School. He explained the DMV test procedure,…read moresimulating what would happen step-by-step. He was also pointed out the top mistakes that people make, and how to avoid them. He helped us understand what the DMV evaluators are looking for, and what will trigger an instant fail. He was also knowledgeable about the typical test routes that they take, which helped us become familiar with the roads. Of course, he also did a great job explaining things in a way that was easy to remember. Highly recommended! Note: we had previously taken three lessons (six hours) with another driving school, well known in the area. Long and LT Driving School were MUCH better!

Another smart and safe driver.

Smart and safe driver

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Thank you.

Bay 1 Driving School

(21 reviews)

1.8 mi

We have only positive things to say about Bay 1 Driving School! We met Wilfin a decade ago when he…read morewas driving my kids on the school bus in Menlo Park. He was always such a kind, warm, helpful driver and so good with the kids. I immediately contacted him when I needed driving lessons for my son. Wilfin is quick to respond and his pricing is reasonable. We went on lessons with Rosa and Mike and both of them were great. He accommodated our schedule and the instructors were punctual, friendly and patient with my son. They took him on the routes for 2 of the local DMV's, and he passed his driving test on the first try. Thank you Wilfin and Bay 1 Team!!!

My wife, Adeline, had to do a behind-the-wheel test because she lost sight in one eye. As a…read moresenior, she was very nervous about the test because her last driver's test was roughly 50 years ago. Her instructor Rosa was excellent. She patiently helped her improve and showed her places where she needed to be careful. She is a wonderful driving teacher.

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Success Driving School

(81 reviews)

8.6 mi

20 years in business

Success driving school had great communication and efficiency over text as someone who prefers…read moretexts over calls. They answer any and all questions asap, and also send convenient text reminders of your appointments the day before. I had my behind the wheel instruction appointments with Keith and Phuong, and they were both incredibly helpful and concise with their explanations. Their patience with me calmed my initial nervousness about these lessons, allowing me to learn in a less stressful environment and I ended up passing the test easily! Could not recommend this company and both of my instructors more.

I had Raymond as my instructor and passed on the first try! He was super patient, nice and explains…read moreeverything in so much detail to make sure I understand the how and why behind each maneuver. He gives a lot of tips on not only how to pass the test but also be a safe and good driver. We practiced all of the routes in Redwood City multiple times just to make sure that I'm more than well prepared. He also likes drawing diagrams to explain things in the beginning to help me understand where to look when turning and where to look when parking/ pulling to the curb which was very helpful as well. He's also always on time as well as flexible with his schedule to fit mine. Highly recommend him and the driving school.

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A-Z Driving School

(99 reviews)

16.2 mi

Speaks Spanish

Our family had a 5-Star experience with A-Z Driving School and highly recommend their services. My…read morethen 16-year-old son initially had 3 - 2-hour intensive driving training sessions and took their thorough on-line training course, which positioned him to pass the written DMV examine. More recently we signed him up for their Drive Test Package which included a 1-hour pre-drivers test lesson with an experienced ex-DMV examiner and followed by a successful driving test at the DMV. Our first interaction with A-Z Driving School was with Erin, she was very helpful and thoroughly went over all the options of service they provide. The prices are fair, they offer continuously flexible session times, and their cars are clean and recent models. A-Z's driving instructors are professional, patient and exude great communication and experience to teach effectively. We'd like to extend special thanks to Erin, Dillion and Anita. They helped us through this necessary but stressful life event and are terrific people.

We needed some extra help with scheduling and Hanaa was an absolute joy to work with! She was so…read morepatient and helpful. She went above and beyond to make sure we got everything we needed. It's so rare to find someone like Hanaa. Really appreciate it!

Qirat just passed her drive test

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Bay Hill Driving School

(273 reviews)

11.0 mi

Bay Hill is the best driving school in the Bay Area. I know that's saying a lot, but truth be…read moretold, I had such a great experience here. I'm a freshly 20 year old female without any experience behind the wheel, and I mean any!! Unfortunately, my nerves got the best of me during my first lesson and I freaked out. I caused myself and my instructor some stress, and sadly I was unmotivated to drive for a while. Before I left a negative review, I contacted Bay Hill's through email. They made things right and scheduled my second appointment with JP, and he was fantastic! I went from shaking like a leaf behind the wheel to having genuine confidence in 2 hours-- No exaggeration! We drove around and shared a heartfelt conversation, in which he also shared some tips on lane switching and turns. Halfway through our session, we stopped for water and stretches, so I knew my comfortability was respected. The negative reviews on this business are so upsetting. This is an excellent Asian-owned, woman-owned small business with so much diversity on their staff. If your first lesson goes awry, contact them!!! They are bound to have someone you are comfortable with. This is an honest review! I could not recommend Bay Hill Driving School enough!

My instructor was a bit of a nightmare who didn't talk me through any steps, she just told me to…read morestart driving right away and harshly corrected anything I did wrong. She would smack gum, eat food, and generally had an attitude of not caring. Only until my last class did she run me through a couple of rules but I never really learnt anything under her teaching. It was high pressure and everything I learned was like being tested without knowing there was a test or what the material was on. The only saving grace here is that the people at the office are great, they kindly signed my second permit and gave me another learning certificate for $25 when I lost my first one. I would shop around for a better driving school before settling on this one.

He passed! Thank you Stacey! The best instructor ever!

One of their vehicles.

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Nice car experienced instructor and supportive team

Strive Driving School

9.0 mi

My daughter's instructor, Eric, was fantastic. We are very sad that Eric left, but we are very…read moregrateful to the owner, Evan, who issued us a letter that enabled us to finish out the remaining two hours at another school. Also, huge shoutout to the lady who works reception! She is very kind, professional, and prompt. Real pleasure to deal with.

Because of his anxiety, my teenage son wasn't motivated to learn to drive. The driver's ed scared…read morehim and he was content to be driven around. I wanted him to learn to drive and gain independence. My friend who used Strive Driving School for her son recommended we try Strive. My 16-year-old son gained confidence and knowledge in his four 1.5 hour lessons leading up to his driver's test. Yesterday he took his driver's license test for the first time and scored 96%. We're extremely happy and relieved. Thank you, Strive.

Evan Mironov - Owner/Instructor

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Annex Driving School

(40 reviews)

8.0 mi

If you have an anxious kid, there is absolutely no other driving teacher to consider…read more Period. Thank you for your kindness and patience

Awful human being!!…read more I paid $250 for driving lessons only to find out my younger brother was not eligible to get a driver's license based on his immigration status at the time. I immediately reached out to Shahriar Assi, the owner, and asked for a refund. But he wouldn't refund the money, even though my brother did not take a single lesson with him. I explained I had just gotten laid off and really needed the money, but every time I called him, he'd pretend he was busy and ask me to call him in the future. Eventually he refunded $100 and but that was after so many calls and after literally begging him to do the right thing... Edit: Responding to owner - yes 1000% sure it was you. I have your contact info and detail in my phone. You don't remember asking me to come to the Starbucks in Burlingame and wrote me a check for $100? You said you sympathize with the Palestinian cause and were giving me a refund when normally there is no refunds. You had me drive to Burlingame only to to be handed a check for $100 instead of the full $250. Shame on you!

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Allied Driving School and Safety Academy

2.6

(8 reviews)

2.0 mi

Took a manual lesson with Jerry. Do NOT make the mistake I made and book a $140 2 hour lesson with…read morethis company. Jerry had his foot on the clutch the entire time, I couldn't even feel the "bite" mark because he was too worried about his clutch?? You are teaching students on how to drive a manual, of course your car is going to go through abuse. Taught me tips that were ridiculous, for example leaving your foot on the clutch ALL the time (never leaving your car on neutral at stop lights). Didn't learn much from this guy and he kept making subtle insults towards me. Believe the ratings, this company is money hungry with no motivation to teach.

**Buyer Beware**…read more Wow! I have a lot of negative feedback to give about this very unprofessional company. First off, my son was scheduled for 3, two hour lessons; 2 at 7:30AM and the last at 5:30PM. Gary the instructor typically did not do driver training this early in the morning (typically 9AM) and made it clear to my son that he wasn't happy about it. My son got through the first lesson ok with "Dude, push in the clutch", "now the brake" and "Dude, what are you doing?". No positive reinforcements, Gary just barked orders out and without any explanations at all. My son may as well had an older brother in the car! I pay them approx. $55/hour for this?? Hmmm... So, the next day (Sunday) is my son's 2nd appt. at 7:30AM. We had to drive down from San Francisco, which Gary was made aware of the day before. Gary shows up at our meeting point at 7:30AM and was advised that we were on our way from the city and would arrive momentarily. We arrived at 7:37AM and no sign of Gary!! Gary split 2 minutes after he had arrived! We circled around the neighborhood looking for him to no avail. This is Redwood Shores we're talking about... there are 2 ways in/out - no joke! He bolted out of there! We were never given a phone number to reach Gary and they had my cell#. No call. So, I called Monday and spoke with Jerry/manager and he proceeded to get defensive and basically not believe anything I was telling him about good 'ole Gary. Because apparently he or his staff would never do anything like I was describing and conduct themselves with such unprofessionalism or irresponsibility. They refused to refund my money for the day that Gary bailed out on our lesson! I proceeded to cancel the last scheduled day. Please be advised that this is not a professional and reliable company and I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere. Also, Gary is the only trainer that teaches manual/clutch driving. You've been warned! Good luck and happy driving! :)

Female Driving Instructor

(1 review)

3.4 mi

Mingna is an excellent driving instructor. She's kind, patient, and capable of helping anyone who…read morewants to learn driving skills in the USA.

From the owner: Established in 2017, Female Driving Instructor offers expert driving instruction tailored for all…read moreages and skill levels. With a focus on patience and personalized guidance, our certified female instructor ensures a safe and confident driving journey for every student. Your journey to safe driving starts here. Call us today!

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Push Start Driving School

(3 reviews)

7.9 mi

Locally owned & operated

My daughter passed her driving test with only one mistake!…read more She had two lessons with Greg and her last lesson with Kenny. Their coaching, tips, and encouragement made her a confident driver in ways that an anxious and nervous parent can't . She felt very comfortable on the road with them and they both met with me after each lesson to communicate progress. Highly recommend!

Kenny was absolutely amazing supporting my daughter on her joy to become an excellent and safe…read moredriver. As a father of a teenage girl also looked for a driving instructor I am comfortable to have her go in a car Highly recommended.

Happy student! She passed her drive test at Daly City dmv.

My instructor and his car

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Building Kidz of Palo Alto

(70 reviews)

5.1 mi

Women-owned & operated

We are so grateful for the incredible care our baby, received at Building Kidz Palo Alto. From day…read moreone, the infant teachers welcomed us with warmth, patience, and genuine love. They truly made us feel at ease and supported every step of the way. The team went above and beyond--providing daily updates, celebrating every little milestone, and treating my baby with so much care and attention. It was clear they saw him as more than just a baby in daycare--they treated him like family. My son has developed so much during his time here, and it's bittersweet to be saying goodbye as we prepare to move. We will always remember the loving foundation Building Kidz provided during such a special stage in his life. Thank you to the amazing infant room team for everything--you've left a lasting mark on our hearts.

We moved to Palo Alto for 2 months last spring and enrolled our 13m and 3.5y old sons at Building…read moreKidz. My 3.5 y old has been very happy in the school, since the very first day. He did tell us often that it was his favorite school. The teachers and staff are dedicated, warm and caring. They were always available to comunicate with us; and also worked hard to help our sons integrate with the classmates, despite our short stay. Both sons bonded well with the teachers; it has been hard to say good bye! When we left we got a card signed by all the teachers, the director and the assistant director. We are grateful to everyone for the wonderful care that our sons received, despite the short stay.

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Tikiland Daycare & Preschool

(26 reviews)

5.2 mi

So grateful we found Tikiland during our daycare search. Mrs. Pily & team are warm, caring,…read moreattentive, kind and supportive. Leaving your LO isn't easy, but TL feels safe comforting welcoming and full of heart. Here are some selling points- Why we Tikiland: *A+ comms w/ parents, super responsive to Qs. The teachers were BORN for this! *Big shaded yard w/ fun play structures (cars, playhouse, giant playground) for exploration and play *Curriculum is well rounded which helps Kids thrive socially & academically. *Bilingual program to help kids become multilingual *Fun holiday celebrations (VDay, may5, MDay, etc.) *Welcoming family community-never cliquey * The drop-in program has been a lifesaver, giving us time to reset/recharge. Very flexible-start w/ a few drop-in hrs & add more as needed TL is 5/5 quality child care program top to bottom TY for taking such good care of the kiddos! (Sharing a quick snap of one of my LOs--a tiny peek into how special this place is.)

Coming from a bilingual Spanish/English-speaking household, finding Tikiland was the perfect fit…read morefor my family. From the 1st moment I pulled up, the lush greenery set the tone for a welcoming, enriching space, where kids create/explore/thrive. The teachers are attentive/nurturing/trustworthy and truly invested in each child--you see it in the way they eagerly walk up each morning! Here are some of my kids' fave activities: - Story-based Arts & Crafts - Themed storytime w/ hands-on projects connected to what they read (one day, animal masks; another, a paper-plate whale reinforcing Spanish/English vocab; another, a decorated bear mask blending literacy & creativity). -STEM + hands-on discovery - Learning feels like play as they build, experiment w/ circuits, & explore STEM concepts ("We made it light up!" my son said about their snap circuit activity--so cool!!). - Outdoor exploration - Nature walks introduce plants/flowers/birds/ environmental awareness. - Gardening activities - Outdoor spaces turn into classrooms, where kids observe/engage/teach ("You have to be gentle, or the plants won't grow," my son reminds me--wise kiddo tbh). -Imaginative play + role-playing - The playhouse kitchen turns into a full-on restaurant (my daughter proudly declared herself both chef/boss when she runs the pretend lunch service @ TL), while the dollhouse encourages creative storytelling (she reenacts her gentle parenting skills back @ home lol). - Music & Movement - Days include dance/rhythm games/interactive songs (hand-clapping in Span/Eng performances of Los Pollitos Dicen & De Colores, & the highly competitive freeze dance which according to my son, demands absolute focus -don't interrupt when the music stops!!). W/ dedicated teachers/engaging activities/a vibrant outdoor setting- TL is where kids develop curiosity/confidence/love for learning in a nurturing bilingual environment. If you're looking for a place that truly understands childhood where education is joyful/immersive/hands-on Tikiland is IT!!

Tikiland Daycare & Preschool Palo Alto Discover a CrEaTiVe Outdoors

Tikiland Daycare & Preschool Palo Alto

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Arts & Crafts Arts & Crafts: From grasping crayons to creating intricate designs, our art projects cater to all ages.

Little Builders Preschool & Daycare

(14 reviews)

3.9 mi

My son (age 2) has been enrolled in Little Builders since he was 18 months and we continue to have…read morea positive experience at the school! It is a happy, safe place he loves to go to every day. All the teachers and staff are friendly and great with the kids. Highlights of the school include: Small teacher to student ratio; also the students form a tight bond with the small class. Great outdoor play space, lunch and snacks are provided and included with tuition. I'm also impressed with what my son has learned at age 2 has learned Spanish and knows all his colors and and animals and starting to learn numbers and letters in both English and Spanish.

We feel so lucky to have found Little Builders Daycare. Our daughter has been attending since she…read morewas 18 months old, and over the past 10 months, we've seen her grow and thrive in so many ways. Andy, Amy, Katelyn and Andrew do such a thoughtful job creating age-appropriate activities that keep the kids engaged, learning, and having fun. We're always impressed by the creativity they bring to each day (all of the art projects, sensory play, storytime and lots of music) . We love getting the daily photo updates. It's clear she feels safe, happy, and loved there, and we're so grateful to have this nurturing little gem in our neighborhood.

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Alpha Kids Academy

(6 reviews)

2.0 mi

Our children were enrolled at Alpha Kids Academy when we lived in the Bay Area (Menlo Park…read morelocation). It was a godsend and probably one of the things about the Bay Area that we miss the most. They provide an amazing educational program for the kids.

Alpha Academy was a good choice for my daughter. The teachers helped her to develop social and…read morecommunication skills. As a parent I see a positive progress in my daughter in both personal and academics. She always comeback happy and tell me what she did during the day. This school is amazing and the teaching process is in two languages English and Spanish. Also, I really enjoyed of the activities that the school celebrate with parents and children such as Easter and Christmas. This school care a lot of children.

Cool playground equipment

Writing table activity

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Working on our projects

Gina's Daycare

4.5

(24 reviews)

0.4 mi

Gina's Day Care provides an all around wonderful experience for children. When considering day care…read moreoptions for our children, we wanted an environment that would help them become wonderful people and experience having fun as kids with other kids. We are very pleased to share that we found that with Gina's Day Care; a wonderful place for children to make friends and enjoy their day. Gina is very knowledgeable in child care and is able to help children through their stages and have fun. Furthermore, we value the time and effort Gina places in helping children enjoy parties and special days throughout the year; thus helping create special memories for the children at Gina's Day Care. Gina clearly goes the extra distance to make the children of her day care feel loved. We are always pleased to learn of the fun times our boys experience at Gina's Day Care. In our view, Gina's Day Care brings the best day care experience for children on the Peninsula in Silicon Valley, primarily serving Atherton, Menlo Park, and Redwood City.

So we decided to overlook the negative reviews about kicking people out of her daycare and keeping…read morepeoples' deposits and give her a try. We went with a very expensive $300 a week for 3 days of care and a $300 deposit was required. A week after my son started daycare she put a yelp deal for $250 per week for 5 days of care. I asked her about it and she made up some BS about yelp doing that automatically and the deal wasnt valid. That was obviously a lie but whatever we went with her anyway. Unfortunately the bad reviews are very accurate of what kind of person Georgina Manzo is. She is shady and all she cares about is money. After the shelter in place order we tried put a pause to daycare and we were promptly kicked out after I told her that I would not be able to pay her during the pandemic. She kept my $300 deposit and my sons clothes, medicine and epipens. We tried to get our stuff back various times. We went to her home and her husband answered the door and said she was in the shower during daycare hours. More BS. Overall a person you do not want to be in business with. We have decided to take her to small claims court to recover our deposit and costs for the items she kept. Please be advised and don't make the same mistake we did. You have been warned.

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56 reviews that are not currently recommended

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M.R. S.

7 years ago

My experience is VERY similar to that of others. I used them years ago for my oldest child and they were great. Super responsive, all lessons with the same instructor, no problem scheduling. This time around I wanted to schedule extra lessons, which they agreed to do. I scheduled an extra lesson for my son and was told to get back to them to schedule his final test preparation lesson. After my son had the one extra lesson, I went back to schedule the test preparation and was told that the owner changed the rules since I scheduled and would not let them schedule any "additional lessons" now. I explained (multiple times) that I was NOT trying to schedule an extra lesson I was trying to schedule his test preparation lesson which is supposed to be part of their package. She told me that the "extra" lesson was going to have to be the "test preparation lesson" as she could not schedule anything else for me--I explained that having my son have his test preparation almost 3 months before his test made literally no sense. I got multiple apologies, but she kept going back to the fact that the owner refused to allow her to schedule anybody (despite her prior promise to the contrary) so I asked to speak to the owner as it appeared to me that she had screwed up and was trying to cover it. I own my own business and I would never in a million years do this to a client. After requesting to speak to the owner no less than 5 times in writing and eventually not even getting a response (I am going to dispute the credit card charges next) I gave up and went to a competitor of theirs. The competitor is just as busy, but was AMAZING, scheduled my son for 3 additional lessons including appropriate test preparation (I am not even sure of the quality of the lessons from the original school after she told me that they had a lot of trouble hiring/keeping instructors--it sounds like they are hiring any warm body they can get) all in the next few weeks!! They made room for him even with their packed schedule---as can be seen by their easy online booking. To top it all off? They have specialty lessons in anything you need---freeway and high traffic areas, remote areas etc. Bay Cities did not even take my son on the freeway, which was part of their instruction years ago. The new company? Website and everything is 1000 times better and easier to use. I am part of a 50+ women's group, most of which have kids the same age and will not only be recommending the new place to all of them (used to recommend Bay Cities) will be warning them about my experience here as well. Good example of a business that completely went downhill. read more

Tim F.

12 years ago

To me, sending off your children with a stranger in a car is extremely disconcerting! I do not consider myself super overprotective, but this concept of driving lessons with strangers in cars is just so weird to me, being a father. I learned to drive on my parents private property decades ago and just got my license at 18. No biggie! Everything is different now and so I had to really dig around and call almost every local driving school I could locate. I called any that got at least 3.5 starts on Yelp and gathered all my info for about a month. We were going to go with Stanford, but they had nothing for a month during the off season, which greatly concerned me, considering it was almost summer. When would their next opening be during the summer??? So, I then called Bay Cities and spoke to Carla who was a delight to talk to. She explained how this all worked and gave me some info about each instructor. I did not feel like I was calling a big ole call center or some national company like DriverEd.com. It felt personal and that's what I was gunning for. My son used Bay Cities for all his lessons and I never write reviews, but had to for this place. He went out with two different instructors. I believe it was Andrea and Dale? Both were great! Completely different personalities, but going out with two different instructors actually helped my son get different and very useful feedback that made him pass his road test on the first try. Awesome! If you are an apprehensive parent like I am about this, then Bay Cities should suit you well. Good luck out there1 read more

Larasha C.

12 years ago

I tried to learn to drive on my own. I moved here from out of state a while back, but the few friends I had here that were willing to let me drive their cars and also drive with me to critique me, were of little help. I failed my DMV test the first try and only after being on the test rout for like 10 minutes. Super embarrassing! I took lessons with Bay Cities like 2 years ago I think. Just getting to writing a review now cos I just got a Yelp account. I was out driving today and was remembering my drive lessons and how I enjoyed them, so I thought it was only right to write a review. I took around 6 lessons and went with one female instructors and once with a man. I think his name was Alex and I don't remember the women's name. Both were good. I leaned a lot and passed the drive test first try after that. I like to drive now whereas before I was scared. It's scary driving in the bay area! But with the skills they taught me, I think I do well now. Scheduling was always easy and the office person/people got back to me quickly anytime I could not reach someone first try. I have recommended Bay Cities 3 times to other friends who don't drive so well :) Cars are easy to drive and they remind you of lessons in advance. That's nice since I'd forget otherwise. read more

Jerry M.

11 years ago

I used them a couple of years ago. I had just moved here from NY and did not drive much when in NY, so I wanted to get my CA license here. I had never thought to take driving lessons as an adult, but saw a bay cities car one day with an adult learning to drive and then I called their office. A sweet lady answered who was super upbeat and empathetic to my needs and concerns. She assured me I was not the only adult who took driving lessons lol. My instructor was Dale and he was kind, also empathetic, and explained everything in a clear and concise manner. Was a great experience! They only offer private lessons and as Dale explained, Bay Cities instructors get the highest pay out of all the peninsula driving schools, so that factors into employee moral and overall cost. I did price check about 3 other places before making my decision and could barely understand the person who answered the phone lol. Was not about to do something as dangerous as drive in CA with an instructor who may speak little to no English! Prices were a touch cheaper, but who cares?! Those places did not make me feel remotely comfy on the phone. got my license here 4 weeks after taking my first of 3 lessons read more

Sally R.

10 years ago

I had scoured all the local driving schools for a month or so trying to find the best one for the cost and found that most charged less, but the availability was atrocious and most, if asked, said they do freeway on the first lesson!!!! That is insane. I wanted a school that had rhyme and reason for the 6 hours, since my teen was obviously a new driver. Most schools also did not offer private lessons or charged more than $40 over the listed price for them and I did not want my daughter being driven by new drivers! That defies the entire point. Bay Cities was like my 5th call and the lady who answered was very informative and kind. She broke down how they do it, which was based on simple logic and went over instructors schedules vs my daughters. Made me feel comfortable choosing Bay Cities. My daughter learned a lot and passed on her first test on the road. She loved Dale, as he helped her pass. Niklos was not great, but she did not NOT like him. Just didn't speak much she said. I would recommend this school over the others as I am now an expert of local driving schools, so message me if you have questions about them lol! Cheers! read more

Laura H.

1 year ago

We hired Bee for a final driving lesson the night before my 16-year-old stepson's test, and she was fantastic. Energetic, encouraging, and clearly experienced, she struck the right balance between making driving feel serious and helping him stay calm and confident. What really stood out was her focus on real-world driving skills beyond the test -- like U-turns, parallel parking, and practical safety tips. That extra attention helped boost his confidence and made the session feel like a real value add. Bee's feedback was clear, constructive, and actionable. She even demonstrated techniques herself, which my stepson hadn't seen in other lessons, and her instruction on hand placement and control was thoughtful and specific. With her background as a test driver for Zoox, Bee brings a unique level of insight and safety awareness. Whether you're just starting out or need a final polish before the test, Bee's a great choice. Highly recommend! read more

Sloan B.

10 years ago

I very much appreciate Bay Cities helping my daughter to drive and apparently my older sis!!! I had no idea until my daughter had gotten her license and I was bragging to my sis about how great Bay Cities was and she asked if it was the one in Redwood City and I was like YES! She used then a couple decades ago! hey have been around for many decades and I think the oldest driving school in this part of the bay. They got stamina! My daughter adored her driving lessons and used 2 instructors. Both were great! Can't recall their names. Scheduling was easy, but don't be a dummy and give no notice when it's the super busy seasons like Spring and Summer breaks. i did that for her 2nd lesson like a dumbass as my brain was not functioning that day. They try to schedule teens with instructors who have compatible schedules which is awesome and appreciated. Always was pleasant to call and schedule and they are open every day for lessons. Cheers! read more

Cindy W.

2 years ago

I heard about this company from a co-worker. His son took lessons with a male instructor but didn't felt that he learned anything nor knew much about what he needed to learn. He asked for a different instructor and Karla suggested instructor Bee. After the first lesson, I was sold how much detailed and skill Bee was. I called and was able to book lessons for my son with Karla. Bee was straight to the point and clear about her instructions. My son enjoyed and always looked forward to getting feedback at the end of his lessons. My son passed and we couldn't wait to update instructor Bee. I wanted to tip her for her excellent teaching skills but Karla advised us not to since there weren't any way to add in a tip in payment. Instead we gave her a Starbucks gift card. I highly recommend Instructor Bee. Thank you for everything! read more

Asma A.

5 years ago

I've tried other driving schools and other driving instructors and that experience was not so great for me. But then my mom recommended the school that she learned to drive with, Bay Cities. I took her advice, and I can honestly say with no doubt, Bay Cities is the best driving school. And instructor Long is absolutely great! He's more than just instructor, he's a good friend. He was extremely kind and patient with me throughout all of my driving lessons with him. We went on so many adventures and I've learned so much from him. It's really hard to find someone who will do this from their heart and not just as a job. So I really appreciated that. I 1,000,000% recommend him to anyone who is looking for a great driving instructor who will really give his all and truly loves him job and does it completely from his heart. read more

Belinda M.

10 years ago

This school helped me set my skills in check. Since I was a late bloomer, in regards to driving, I needed help and this was one of 3 schools I recall contacting. I choose this place because they actually answered their phones (other schools never did or never got back to my messages). They were also one of very few that I found in that area that did not pick up other students during the lesson (i.e. NOT private). I had no idea driving schools were so archaic and did anything OTHER THAN private now! Bay Cities only does private, so it is worth any extra dinero $$. Far more comfortable with no strange teenagers in the back seat lol. I had 2 diff instructors and bother were great. Receptionist lady was nice and easy to schedule with. All around great school! YAY! read more

Linda N.

150

2 years ago

We had an excellent experience with instructor Bee. From the very first lesson, she made my niece feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel. Her teaching style is clear, patient, and encouraging, which really helped ease her nerves. She explained every step thoroughly, gave useful tips, and always remained calm, even when she made mistakes. What she appreciated most was her focus on safe driving habits and real-world scenarios, which made her feel fully prepared for her driving test and future driving. Thanks to her guidance, she passed her test on the first try! I highly recommend instructor Bee to anyone looking for a skilled and supportive driving instructor. read more

Ana A.

11 months ago

My daughter had a fantastic experience learning to drive with Cesar. As a first-time driver, she was quite nervous to get behind the wheel, but Cesar's calm, kind, and patient demeanor made all the difference. Cesar gave clear, step-by-step instructions that were easy to understand. His feedback was constructive and supportive, never overwhelming or critical, which made her feel comfortable asking questions and learning at her own pace. Thanks to Cesar, she not only learned the skills needed but also gained the confidence to drive independently. I highly recommend Cesar to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, encouraging, and professional driving instructor! read more

Elise T.

342

2 years ago

I am thrilled to share my positive experience with my daughter's driving instructor Bee! From the very first lesson, it was clear that dhe was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly patient and supportive. She tailored each lesson to my daughter's pace, ensuring she felt comfortable behind the wheel. Bees clear explanations and constructive feedback helped her build confidence and improve her driving skills quickly. The instructor fostered a positive learning environment, making each session enjoyable and informative. Thanks to her dedication, my daughter is now a confident driver, and we couldn't be more grateful. Highly recommend Bee read more

Carlos A.

6 months ago

Great experience with a minor hiccup- Nicki was amazing walked us through the process and helped us get on course with the instructors-1st instructor i would never recommend (Bee) was terrible and i would never recommend working with her as she has no patients and is no help to a young person learning to drive. Contacted Nicki and she helped getting us with a new driving instructor as my son did not want to drive with Bee anymore. We then took our other lessons with Josh and Jeffrey and they are great extremely helpful and very knowledgeable-great experience with Nicki all around with the re-scheduling-i would just stay awake from Bee read more

Asher G.

1 year ago

I was very nervous about driving at first, but my instructor Sandra's approach helped ease me into driving while also teaching me valuable skills. I've had 2 sessions with her so far, and both times she has not only been engaging and fun, but she has also been providing a quality experience, helping progress my driving skills. I have always felt safe in the car with her and know that she is looking out for me. I HIGHLY recommend driving with her, as she has helped me build confidence and learn more about the road. I look forward to my future sessions with her and am excited to see what we will do next! read more

Claire F.

9 years ago

Highly recommend this company for anyone who might have any fear or anxiety about driving. I'm 26. I started lessons in April and passed my road test in June, and in those 3 months I went from crying and hyperventilating any time I tried to drive to being a calm, confident driver. I expressed my anxiety about driving stemming from a family members serious accident to the office receptionist, and she was helpful and kind, pairing me with an instructor she felt would fit my needs. My instructor, Dale, was wonderful, patient, and a great teacher. If I can learn to drive, anyone can! read more

William K.

6 years ago

All three of my kids did their behind-the-wheel training here. For the most recent one, my daughter had done only 4 hours when covid hit. Unbeknownst to us, the DMV recently started accepting appointments, and Bay Cities immediately informed us. Because of the DMV appointment we got, my daughter was unable to take the remaining 2 hours with Bay Cities. They immediately sent us a letter to transfer her hours to another company, and we took the remaining training elsewhere. In other words, Bay Cities took care of us even though it meant losing business. read more

Lisa C.

2 years ago

I already wrote a review about recommending this company for teaching my child to drive and I want to recommend them again for great customer service. After we were no longer needed their services and my child got licensed by the DMV, insurance needed a copy of the behind the wheel certificate and they responded the next day with a copy. I really appreciate the professionalism, time and kind way Bay Cities Driving school is and will definitely be using them again for my next student driver. Thank you so much and Happy New Year. read more

Nargiza K.

19 years ago

So far I've had 2 driving classes and I've had 2 different driving instructors. I am an adult with no driving experience. The instructore are very professional. They show up in time pick you up from home and drop you off. I would recommend everybody take classes at this school. If your native language is not English they have one instructor whose native language is Russian. She is a very nice woman. She is understanding, patient and very kind. I can't wait for my next class. read more

Rebecca K.

2 years ago

I had Sandra, and she was amazing! So kind and patient, it really helped with my driving! She corrected my mistakes appropriately and gave advice, demonstrations (as needed) and told me what the DMV instructors would be looking for every session (especially the last one) this included marks being awarded or taken away for my driving. She's a very very kind woman, I found her teaching phenomenal! Would highly recommend her!! Thank you Sandra!!! read more

Bay Cities Driving School - driving_schools - Updated July 2026

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