Hokali

(3 reviews)

0.8 mi

I took a lesson with Joey at Ocean Beach a few weeks back after having not been on a surfboard in a…read morelong time. Joey was communicative, prompt, encouraging, flexible (met me at a different spot that worked better for me), technical, and answered all my questions - all while maintaining a laid back vibe. I felt much more confident being in the water (OB, no less) and on the board by the end of our lesson! Would highly recommend!

The first thing I did when I found out I was going to San Francisco for the first time was book a…read moresurf lesson, and I am really glad I did. Communication and planning with Joey beforehand was super easy, and he met me at the beach with a board and wet suit ready to go first thing in the morning the day of. We covered some on land basics and then headed into the water. He picked waves, helped push me into them, and i even managed to stand up a few times on the board!! We chatted a bunch about how to read the water, time the waves, how to maneuver yourself and the board if bigger waves are coming in while youre trying to go out. I was comically bad, but he was encouraging the whole time. And i feel prepared enough to pick out a board and try some non guided surfing at my local east coast beaches! All in all great experience for something I've wanted to do for a long time.

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HOKALI Surf School

(2 reviews)

5.4 mi

Kalu is the best Surf School in California. They coached me with the best tips to learn about this…read moreamazing sport and also Surf Lifestyle. Nacho is awesome. And you can reach your Surf goals in the School quickly and effectively. I recommend them so much. Have Fun, enjoy the Surf, enjoy life.

Guys here are great! Took my first lesson with Scotty- got a wetsuit and board and both worked…read moregreat even for me- 6'2 and 210. Walked to the beach, got some great education about the board and reading the waves, sets, breaks, and current. Got in, paddled around, and stood up on my own and rode the third wave! Everyone at the shop is great and the beach they use is filled with beginners and the vibe is friendly and welcoming to all. Highly recommend HOKALI and I'll be back!

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Sea, Surf & Fun

(82 reviews)

17.2 mi

Fabien has been an incredible surfing coach. He's super friendly, approachable, and immediately…read moremakes you feel comfortable in the water. What really stands out is how supportive he is--he pays close attention to your technique and gives clear, practical feedback that you can actually apply right away. His tips on how to pop up were especially helpful. He broke the movement down step by step, corrected small details I didn't even realize I was doing wrong, and made the whole process feel much more natural and consistent. I saw improvement quickly because of how clearly he explained everything. What I appreciated most is that he didn't just focus on the session itself--he also gave me specific drills and practice tips to work on at home. That made a huge difference in building muscle memory and confidence before getting back in the water. If you're looking for a coach who's knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping you improve, I highly recommend Fabien!

Thank you Fabian!!! You got me up on the board, finally. And I feel like a genuine surfer now, no…read morelonger a poseur.

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Ladies Shred

(3 reviews)

10.5 mi

Local Girl Does Good! Much Love to Ladies Shred!!…read moreLil is passionate about skate and surf!!! Check out Ladiesshred.com for the latest information on the first ever Ladies Shred Sk8 Jam Saturday August 31st 2024 Bolinas Skate Park. It's gonna be fun!

I signed up my 6-year-old daughter for the surf/skate/art camp, which was amazing! The owner Lil…read moreput so much love and intention into the program that creates a safe environment for these girls to learn to skate and surf. My daughter couldn't get enough. She loved all the kids and the instructors. I was a bit nervous since my daughter was the youngest, but since the culture of the camp was all love and support - it made it all good. I was apprehensive of my daughter going into the ocean because she is young, the instructors create a plan for each girl depending on where they are at with their comfort with the ocean. It was such a positive experience that I signed her up for two additional camps for this Summer. Highly recommend!

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Lil shredding

BayFoils

(9 reviews)

12.0 mi

Very satisfied with the service and instruction. They have a…read moresystem down and waste no time on getting you on the water. Good instruction when needed and left alone to ride when appropriate. Did the efoil as training for wing-foiling. Good practice. Now time to sail that foil.

First time foil boarder here; had a fantastic time with our instructor Mike Wang! Mike's a great…read moreinstructor who helped my clumsy self get out on the water and learn basic foil board skills all while we were having SO MUCH FUN FLYING ON WATER! We practiced foundational skills in the calm waters, then wandered out into the bay to see a phenomenal view of SF. Mike's up beat attitude was wonderful when I was feeling nervous out on the water. Odds and ends: All of the staff were incredibly friendly The facility had tons of parking Wetsuit provided Covid safe activity and covid precautions are still being taken seriously

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Bolinas Surf Lessons

(53 reviews)

14.8 mi

We love this surf camp and come every year. Nick is awesome and my son also loves all the other…read morecamp counselors who are helpful and fun to be with. It's a great camp. Also, Bolinas is the best place in all of Northern CA for kids to learn how to surf. We are ready to sign up for 2024 summer surf camp!

My boy (11) who is a strong pool swimmer has done this camp 2 times in two year. 1st time he was…read moreable to catch a wave or two w some help...2nd time he was catching waves easily himself and even went out further. Nick and his counselors focus on safety, learning, and fun. They are experienced and clearly knows the location. I never had a doubt about safety and my boy is excited to come back next year.

Bolinas Surf Camp, best camp for kids in CA

Bolinas Surf Camp

Bolinas

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Surf School Santa Cruz

(259 reviews)

61.8 mi

We had. Great day of surf instruction and surfing with Ryan and Kevin. They were great guides and…read moreoffered a lot of tips that got us surfing. They also did a lot of work towing us around much of the day.

I recently visited my best friend in California, traveling all the way from New Jersey. It was my…read morefirst time in Cali, and since I've always wanted to learn how to surf--especially living near the water at the Jersey Shore--I knew this was the perfect opportunity. While visiting, we booked a lesson with Surf School Santa Cruz, and I'm so glad we did. From the moment we met our instructor, Ryan, he made us feel comfortable and excited to get out on the water. He stayed right by our side the entire time, offering encouragement and guidance that kept us motivated. Learning to surf with Ryan was such an incredible experience--he's not only an amazing teacher but also truly one of the best surfers out there. If you've ever thought about trying surfing, I can't recommend Surf School Santa Cruz (and Ryan!) enough.

Kids learning to surf with Ryan and Miles.

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Post-surf pic at Surf School Santa Cruz!

Tommy Tsunami Surf School

(48 reviews)

17.2 mi

My daughter absolutely loved these surf lessons! She said that the instructors were super helpful…read moreand that she was able to stand up on a lot of waves. She also enjoyed the games that they played after snack.

I was recommended this surf school by a local person who grew up in HMB and she took her kid here…read morefor surf camp and she loved it. I had friends with teenager boys come in town from Austin, and I recommended we do this and EVERYONE LOVED IT. The teachers were patient and actually seemed genuinely happy with what they do. One kid was intimidated before we got there only bc it seemed so new and hard to learn to surf. All the fear went away with the instructors kindness, and he surfed like he was a natural.

Definitely worth it. Looking forward to keeping it up -- @alexander.mcquitty

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Nor-Cal Surf Shop

We arrived for our lesson and were greeted at the door, shown in and guided thru the steps to…read morefinish paperwork and get suited up. Our instructor and the staff were friendly, kind, and clear. We had a great lesson and time to practice our skills and enjoy time playing in the ocean. We appreciated being able to use the equipment as long as we wanted to after the lesson was over.

We got surf lessons for myself, my 8yo and a friend. Rod was great with the adults and the kiddo -…read morehe made us feel comfortable and confident in our ability to learn. I went into it assuming I wouldn't stand up - but I did! And, the kid really took to it and got up too! Overall I really commend Rod and NorCal for us having a great experience.

Rental rates as of March 2024

Group lesson

Julie and B.O.

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Community Music Center - Richmond Branch

This is a little gem right in the center of the Richmond District. I have been taking cello lessons…read morehere for about 1.5 years and my teacher Leo is fantastic. Very professional but approachable. A great value and an asset to our community!

We started our 5 year old with CMC Richmond branch to learn violin and was happy with the teacher…read moreand facility. It's a nice quiet place in the neighborhood with two little playgrounds for the kids. The teacher is skilled and the staff very helpful.

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Apple Tree Children Center

(99 reviews)

6.0 mi

Women-owned & operated

Certified professionals

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!

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SOMA Daycare & Preschool

(59 reviews)

6.4 mi

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.

Teacher Ngoc teaching kids about sea animals.

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Holistic Seedlings

(13 reviews)

6.7 mi

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.

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Cool Valley Kids

(3 reviews)

3.2 mi

We've had such a great experience at Cool Valley Kids! Eli is incredibly warm and caring, and it's…read moreobvious how much attention she gives to each child's individual needs. Stacey and Vika do an amazing job with the food and are always so communicative, which we really appreciate. Stacey also creates opportunities to connect with the wider parent community. It's no pressure, but really valuable if that's something you're interested in. We love getting the daily updates, photos, and videos to see what the kids are up to. It's a bit more expensive than some other options that we looked at, but having meals provided, the overall quality of care, and the super convenient location right off the N line make it totally worth it. Our daughter comes home happy and tired every day, and it's clear she enjoys her time there. I whole heartedly recommend Cool Valley Kids for anyone in the market for a new daycare.

My child went here before switching to another by same owners closer to our house but had to leave…read morea review because they loved going so much! Wonderful loving environment. My child always was happy to go and I cannot thank them enough for being one of my kids first daycare experiences. Made the transition smooth and easy and relieved any guilt I had prior. They thrived! Thank you.

Lots of opportunities for imaginative play

Nap room

Main play room

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Building Kidz of Daly City

4.8

(16 reviews)

4.5 mi

Certified professionals

Women-owned & operated

Inquired for daycare services and was routed to so many different locations when I was referred to…read morethe pacifica location and was told by the regional manager there was spaces for my child. Upon arrival for my tour that was not the case... they took a $25 waitlist fee and the rates provided to me over email were not the rates provided to me upon my visit. Also when I did visit the facility the care takers or teachers looked as if there were in some sort of tension or disagreement. All in all it didn't seem like a peaceful environment I would want my child to be admitted to. Unfortunately building kids isn't for me and the can keep my $25 waitlist fee I guess.

We could not love BK more! The teachers are kind, caring, and nurturing, and you can tell they love…read morewhat they do. Parents are kept in the loop and there are regular updates in the school app. Plus the staff plans fun, themed days for the kids.