Earthfire Arts Studio

This is such a fun studio!! Christine helped get our large group settled and there were sooo many…read moreceramics to choose from. The wall of color was so helpful to see how the colors would fire and how many coats to achieve the right color we wanted! Lots of brushes and tools to get the design you want! Firing takes a few days so plan to come back and pic up. A perfect Saturday with Terra Mia:)

Usually I am not the one to leave bad reviews but our experience here was unacceptable to the point…read morewhere I had to. Initially, we had a great experience! We came here last month to paint 2 bowls which cost us only ~$76 total for the studio time and bowls themselves. And, before anyone says anything and blames us, YES we did a double coat of paint! Then, we came a week later to pick them up and in the moment, they looked good! Then once we got home, we realized that there was a little paint chip on one of the bowls, making it no longer food safe. Granted, we probably should have noticed this ourselves when we picked up the bowls but we believe it is also the employees' responsibility to perform a quality check before giving a product to a paying customer?! Instead, they didn't say a word when we picked it up the first time so we had to notice the defect ourselves and drive all the way back from the east bay to get it fixed. After coming back to get it fixed, we came back yet another time to pick up the fixed bowl, believing that the bowl's paint chip would be fixed this time. However, to our surprise, the bowl was not fixed. Rather, the paint chips were even worse this time...going from a single small paint chip to SEVERAL large paint chips along the outer edge of the bowl. Again, the employee didn't say anything to us when they gave us the bowl until we pointed out how the paint chips were even WORSE this time. In response, they blamed the worsened condition of the bowl on their "finicky burner" and offered us either a $36 refund or store credit. They didn't even apologize for their mistake or wasting our time yet again. Of course, we took the refund because why would we take another chance here... Personally, I am grateful that they gave us a refund but I feel this experience was a huge waste of time and money. We had to make 4 separate trips from the east bay to SF and what did we get out of it? A bowl with a shitty paint job that somehow got worse with each "fix". A $36 refund doesn't even cover the cost of tolls to cross the bay bridge and come back this many times, not mention the cost of the time and GAS we spent coming back so many times. Overall, I hope Terra Mia Ceramic Studios takes this as a learning lesson to perform more rigorous quality inspections before giving the finished product to paying customers as prevent their customers from wasting time and money coming back to get it fixed. After all, after we finish painting, everything else is in the hands of the employees (glazing, firing, quality check, etc), all we do is come back to pick up the finished product. I feel as though this all could have been avoided, especially since it's just a simple bowl...there are so many more intricate complicated objects that people paint at the studio... Painting the bowls was a great fun experience but we are not happy about coming back 3 additional times to get it fixed only for it to get worse each successive time.

Color Me Mine

4.1

(155 reviews)

Amazing staff, as a first time goin my experience was great, customer service was great, well…read moreexplain on instructions, super easy and flexible .. My daughters loved it! Planning on going back again.

We came here for my daughter's 6th birthday recently and it was perfect from beginning to end. The…read moreteam was so knowledgeable and friendly on the phone when I called to ask questions about the event. I came in a few days prior to pre-select some pieces for the event for the kids to choose from. When we showed up day of the party, the team was pleasant and let us into the party room a bit early to decorate. I love that you can bring in your own food and drinks. The team member who worked our party was so patient and friendly with all the kids. The kids loved that they could pick out their own piece to paint. Everyone did a great job painting and had a lot of fun. My daughter ended up getting a birthday plate with her handprint and all her guests' fingerprints. It was such a nice memento! This is definitely a fun and unique spot for a birthday party!

Speckle Studio

(15 reviews)

Such a fun and community-oriented studio! I took Paul's handbuilding class twice and then recently…read morebecame a member.

Great studio, clean space. I took a handful of classes here and a couple of workshops. They provide…read moreall the tools you need and the instructors are fairly helpful. Sadly I moved, so I can't continue going here, but I enjoyed the space and the open studio hours!

All Fired Up

3.5

(86 reviews)

•$$$

This is such a fun and kid-friendly place to come in this local area…read more The instructions are simple: pick your ceramic to paint, select 6 colors, and sit down to start. They provide several different size brushes and have a great selection of colors to choose from. The inside is also spacious and open which makes the experience more pleasant. Only downside is that it takes 7 days to pick up the ceramic and their items are a bit on the pricier side. We painted a small ice cream bowl and that was $36. Overall though, will definitely be coming back again!

I spent a relaxing hour painting w/ my gf on a Saturday afternoon. There was a birthday party going…read moreon, which took up a full table. I don't think they have enough room to fit everyone comfortably. Since one table is filled, everyone is sitting with one chair or two in between. This leaves people to succumb sitting in the middle of strangers. Who wants to sit in the middle of strangers? Do you want them to hear your conversation too? Not me! For two paintings (depicted) it costed $70 total. I thought this was pricy just for two. There was only one worker working a full birthday party, giving everyone their paint, cutting the cake, etc. I thought this was pretty understaffed for the amount of people. All in all, it was a fun and chill time despite the price and claustrophobia.

Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge

4.1

(328 reviews)

We visited on a weekday afternoon for a date and had so much fun! They have absolutely amazing…read morecustomer service, Monica in particular was exceptional. There were a couple other parties with young children and she was so patient and cheerful. Her energy and positivity made our visit extra memorable, thank you Monica! When we arrived, because we were new the staff helped show us around, and explained the process. The area itself is super cute and cozy, with seating by the windows as well as large tables for bigger parties. We were able to pick up our pieces about 5 days later? And the staff were super nice and helpful then as well! I'm in love with how the finished pieces turned out after firing. Overall, it was such a pleasant experience, they had some music playing and everything was neat and organized. We had a great time and I would definitely recommend stopping by if you're ever looking for something creative to do!

My favorite place to go pottery painting! I have made 4 pieces from here and it has always been a…read moregreat experience Price: $15 studio fee + the item you are painting Unlimited time limit - if you can't finish your piece, you can bring it home and come back another time to paint without paying the studio fee again! So many colors and ceramic pieces to choose from! From sculptures to household/practical items. I love that they show tiles of what the paint color will look like Turnaround time to pick up your piece is relatively quick: ~4 days (ie finish sunday, pick up thursday) They have a lot of tools / resources to help design your piece (ie tape, lace, stencils, puffy paint, etc) An area they could improve on is their brushes - I don't always love the brushes they provide since it feels like they've been misused (not their fault but could be prevented but informing customers on how to properly use brushes), so i usually bring my own. Parking: never had trouble- there's free parking behind the store or around the neighborhood

Color Me Mine

4.5

(111 reviews)

•$$$

Worker was very nice, checked up and explained everything well. Good color choices and overall…read moregreat experience!

Such a fun day! Tea Party + Painting = Perfect Experience…read more The staff were so friendly, helpful and courteous. We are excited to see our creations.

Plant Connection SF

(18 reviews)

This is my new go-to plant place for all of my plant needs and questions! I came by here last month…read morelooking for a Monstera Deliciosa that was not too expensive after looking all over the city for one and I stumbled into this place. Initially when I was looking for this place, it was difficult to find, however after calling and getting directions, turned out it was easier than expected! As a beginner plant parent, Allie was extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the plants I had questions about. She alleviated any worries I had about taking care of a plant and ensured that the Monstera Deliciosa is an easy plant to take care of. She gave thorough plant care tips which was proven to be helpful in the weeks coming. After weeks of taking care of this plant, it was very simple to take care of this plant! It has sprouted new leaves since coming to its new home. If I have any questions concerning the plant, they're responsive on instagram, in the situation I do not have the time to go into the shop! If you are a new plant parent, I wholeheartedly recommend this place due to the excellent service, ambiance and the valuable knowledge of the staff!

The moment we walked into Plant Connection SF I knew it was the perfect place to host the kind of…read moreunconventional wedding celebration we had in mind. The setting with the plants inside and out was important to me as my mother who is no longer in this realm was a gardener/plant whisperer. I could feel connected to her in the setting. Ali the main coordinator we worked with was very helpful and a great communicator both through email and in person. We really liked having the ability to set up the bar outside and keep the doors open to keep the flow of air circulating as people mixed and mingled. It was a wonderful whirlwind day and it seemed like it was over in a flash, but we keep hearing from people about how much fun they had. We highly recommend Plant Connection SF for people who want to embrace an unconventional setting for a celebration in the heart of the city.

Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge

4.3

(76 reviews)

Wow this location have the best light and breezy environment. You truly feel you're in a different…read moreworld once you start a project here. They even gave some cute seating areas, front by the window, back as if you're having a private party, really great location and parking isn't as bad as I had anticipated. The staff is 100% more helpful; a lady from LG - Haley - I think, directed us to this location as it had the pieces we were looking for in their inventory. I wish the Bay had such relaxing places. So many grandparents with kids, new moms for footprints, and everyone else who was so kind and pleasant as we looked through colors and waited in line for questions. This is my happy place.

Came to town for our anniversary. We had made a series of plans and painting a commemorative piece…read moreof ceramic art was our first stop. As I had made a reservation, a table was set up for us. The options of ceramics were very diverse and left us with many choices to pick from. My wife was drawn to a plate that had some Van Gogh vibes. Quite a challenge for a pair of first timers. Thankfully, she was able to get some outstanding help and guidance from Alice. While we exceeded our reservation time, my wife was very pleased with both the outcome and the experience. Highly recommend stopping by and letting your creativity shine!

Petaluma Pottery Studio

(7 reviews)

Took an absolutely delightful class -- Date Night -- my first time working with clay. Very fun and…read morethe instructor was wonderful.

I've been wanting to take a class here for the longest time - and finally did! We did one night on…read morethe wheel, quick intro class to learning and using the wheel. We all had a good time and I would definitely take another class here again! I've also been to a pottery sale they've had here, which was amazing to see all the work and find some unique pieces!

Arts and Crafts Workshops

(124 reviews)

I went about a year ago, and tried out the rug tufting workshop. It was so fun! They went over…read moresafety protocol and how to tuft, and we picked our own designs literally just from browsing google images. They have an area in the back that has so many different balls of yarn colors to choose from and different shades of each color too. You set up a sheet onto a wooden frame and first draw out your design, then tuft onto it with the rug tufting gun. Once you get used to it, you can go decently fast. The rug will be on the other side of your drawing so it will be flipped fyi! They also had complimentary snacks, tea, coffee, etc

Had a wonderful experience learning how to tuft rugs as part of a work event here. The staff are…read moresuper friendly and welcoming and the place itself is super cozy and well organized. All the tools and materials needed were ready-to-go. Grateful to have had the opportunity to learn a new skill and create something we could take home with us. Parking can be challenging-I ended up at the Safeway lot on King's street which was quite convenient. Thank you to Arts and Crafts Workshops for a great experience!

Apple Tree Children Center

(99 reviews)

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had our daughter attend Apple Tree for a short but very…read moreimpactful six months before we moved out of San Francisco. It was, without a doubt, one of the best decisions we made for her early development and happiness. From day one, we had complete confidence in Jasmine and her dedicated team. They made a thoughtful effort to ensure our daughter felt welcome during her transition into daycare--bringing her favorite toys (baby dolls) to her at drop-off to help soothe her. By the third day, she was no longer crying at drop-off and quickly began looking forward to going to school. She regularly talks about her amazing teachers--Chloe, Toni, and Ruby--and all the friends she made in her classroom. One standout example of Apple Tree's incredible attention to detail: during her very first week, they surprised us by celebrating her 2nd birthday with a cake and singing, even though she was brand new. She was absolutely beaming in the photos they shared with us. The classroom activities were varied, thoughtful and based on monthly themes. We loved receiving weekly photo updates that showed all the fun and educational things she was doing. It was clear she was thriving in this environment. A unique and helpful perk of Apple Tree is the monthly Parent's Day--offering full-day weekend drop-in care. This gave us valuable time to recharge, knowing she was in a safe and familiar space where she was happy and well-cared for. We also really appreciated the flexibility Apple Tree provided with our variable weekly schedule, allowing for earlier drop-offs when needed. Since starting at Apple Tree, our daughter's confidence and independence have blossomed. The school gently encouraged her to do things on her own--like putting on her jacket and shoes--which built her self-esteem. We started potty training over spring break, and thanks to the attentive support from her teachers, she was fully potty trained within a month. There are so many more positive things we could say about Apple Tree. We are deeply grateful for the nurturing and joyful community they created, and we feel so lucky our daughter was a part of it, even for a short time. If you're considering enrolling your child here and have any hesitations, let this review be the encouragement you need--Apple Tree is truly a gem.

We have been sending our daughter to Apple Tree for the past year and a half, since she was a baby,…read moreon the recommendation of a friend. Now as a toddler, she loves to tell us about her friends and teachers there. Jasmine and the team are very warm, experienced and communicative, and all the kids look delighted to see them each day at dropoff. They plan an amazing range of activities, usually with a fun "theme" of the week, and we've noticed at home that she picks up practical skills like tidying and putting on clothes. We also appreciate that they have a large outdoor space, and provide meals for the kids. We are very grateful and would highly recommend!

SOMA Daycare & Preschool

(59 reviews)

We sent both of our sons to SOMA over the course of four years. Our older son was there for three…read moreyears, and our younger son for one. We would have happily kept sending our younger son there longer, but we moved to Berkeley. We had such a wonderful experience at SOMA. Over the years, we built really close relationships with the teachers--so much so that on our son's last day, all of us were tearing up. It really felt like saying goodbye to people who had become part of our family's daily life. Our kids loved the teachers, the activities, and all the little "firsts" they experienced there. They learned how to try new things, make friends, share, work through conflicts, and grow in so many ways. The teachers were also amazing partners for us as parents, helping us guide the kids through changes, transitions, and the normal ups and downs of family life. Communication was another thing we really appreciated. Between Brightwheel updates, photos, messages, and seeing the teachers every day at drop-off and pick-up, we always felt connected and supported. It truly felt like we had partners helping us through some of the most important years of our kids' lives. SOMA set the bar so high that when our older son started kindergarten, it was a real adjustment. No daily pictures? No regular drop-off and pick-up chats with teachers? No easy messaging? We had gotten spoiled. And when we moved to Berkeley, it was hard to find another preschool that matched the warmth, care, and community we had at SOMA. We're so grateful our kids got to spend those four years there. We'll really miss SOMA and the wonderful teachers who made such a lasting impact on our family.

SOMA has been an incredibly special place for our family and, most importantly, for our son . We…read morejoined the SOMA community after moving to San Francisco from Houston, and it was a year filled with big changes and emotions for our little one. From day one, the teachers at SOMA welcomed him with open arms, creating a warm, nurturing, and joyful environment where he could truly thrive. The care, empathy, and intention the staff brings to each child is remarkable. The teachers took the time to understand our son as an individual--his personality, his sensitivities, his interests--and supported him through his transitions with patience and love. Under their guidance, we saw him blossom socially, emotionally, and intellectually. He is always full of stories about his teachers and friends. SOMA is more than just a preschool--it's a place that values connection, creativity, and growth. We're so grateful to the entire team for such a strong and loving foundation. While we're sad to be leaving due to a move, SOMA will always have a very special place in our hearts.

Holistic Seedlings

(13 reviews)

Massiva, Younes and their family are such warm and supportive caregivers and I am so grateful that…read morethey founded Holistic Seedlings and I feel so blessed that we were fortunate enough to find them online and for our son Camden to be accepted into their program. What Massiva offers at Holistic Seedlings is truly unique. It is clear that running her daycare, in the way in which she does, is both her passion and purpose in life. She an exceptional cook and with her holistic nutrition knowledge she makes the most delicious and nourishing food from scratch for all the children every day. (Breakfast, lunch and snacks). She often shares homemade snacks, dates or freshly baked sourdough loaves with the parents as well! She takes the children to their community garden every week to teach them about where their food comes from, how to tend to the plants and how to harvest and enjoy whatever is in season. Her eldest sons host and teach soccer every Friday afternoon. Their support and influence has had a remarkable impact on my son, who loves soccer and basketball and clearly looks up to the older boys and enjoys playing with them. It warms my heart to see Camden so well taken care of. Massiva and her husband Younes, provide such a warm and loving environment at their home. I trust them wholeheartedly and I honestly could not imagine what I would do without their holistic support. My husband and I felt instantly at ease with them, in contrast to other daycares we visited that just cannot compare. An added bonus is that Massiva an excellent and creative photographer! The regular photos she sends parents through the daycare app are an absolute gift and treasure for us to have. We can see all the wonderful activities she has created for the children and get to witness all of the joy that radiates from their smiling and excited faces. I also keep each of these high quality photos as a document of my son's growth and development. I also so appreciate the bi-monthly mother meetings that Massiva hosts to bring the mums together over a delicious homemade meal to discuss important topics related to our children and how best we can support them and align in our approach. Most importantly it's been an incredible blessing to find someone like Massiva that shares so many of my own concerns and values regarding nutrition and a blend of both traditional and modern, holistic approach to childcare. Her care is not only consistent with our approach at home but supports, amplifies and exceeds any expectations we could have for Camden's health, happiness and wellbeing.

We've had our little one at the holistic seedlings wonderschool for just about six months now from…read morethe age of 11 months. From the moment we met Massiva, we were assured our son would be well taken care of. We have had no problems at all, a testament to how Massiva keeps the kids safe and happy (what more can you ask for?) She fills his tummy with nutritious (and delicious!) food, helped us put him on a regular nap schedule, and she regularly updates us with pics and videos on how much fun he's having throughout the day (indoors and outdoors). Definitely the best option you will find with a home day care in SF.

Cool Valley Kids