Scintillant Studio

(14 reviews)

2.6 mi

Had so much fun! Went with my husband, aunt and 85 year old grandma when they were visiting. An…read moreactivity anyone could do, Angie was so helpful to my grandma as well

I'd heard great things about OKO, so I decided to take a one day stained glass workshop (the "daisy…read moresuncatcher class"), and had the most incredible time! I knew absolutely nothing going in, but Angie was an incredible instructor and took time with each of us to answer questions and help us with the techniques. I've never been very artistic, but this class actually felt approachable and fun even at my skill level, and I can see it being even more rewarding once you gained more experience. Definitely a good intro to a unique form of art, and you get to bring home something cool that you made yourself in just a few hours! I took the class alone, but it would be a great date activity or with friends! There are a ton of cute restaurants and cafes nearby to make a day of it! So glad I took this class!

Merchant Roots Bar Orso Commission

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Merchant Roots Bar Orso Commission

23rd Street Studio

4.7

(45 reviews)

0.3 mi

This review is based on my experience with the instructional classes at the studio…read more I'm not an artist but I strive to live in touch with creativity. For a long time, I've made art but struggled with feeling like what I was doing was really creative. Michael, the owner and instructor at the studio, has transformed the way I think about the creative process through the avenue of figure drawing. His classes are the most meaningful part of my week. If you're looking for an instructional class focused on technique for drawing more accurately, this may not be the right place for you. Instead, the classes offer a new connected way of living--engaged with beauty both around you and internal to you. So much of the class is about unlearning not just how you draw but also how you value the creative process. It is the most challenging class I've ever taken and there's no amount of brute force I can apply to get it other than trusting the process and the instructor. Nonetheless, as frustrating as it is, there's nothing else I do that is more rewarding. It takes a lot of effort to strip away your aesthetic value system to get at the core of what you find beautiful, but if the result is a more meaningful existence, then that investment is priceless. Some practical aspects of the instructional sessions. Michael strives to provide only the best models to inspire you not to capture their poses but to feel something in yourself. The medium is stick charcoal and newsprint is available cheaply at the studio. The class is a lengthy commitment of 20 weeks of three-hour sessions but is highly structured and builds on successive lessons. Michael also allows you to make-up classes. Although there is a high upfront cost, for the hours of instruction and model time spread out over the weeks, it's a steal.

Excellent in all ways: location, furniture, back up supplies, equipment, atmosphere and,…read moreespecially, the models.

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Speckle Studio

(15 reviews)

1.0 mi

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!

Dad and daughter clay!

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Moon pipe makers

SMAart Gallery & Studio

4.6

(33 reviews)

0.3 mi

Took a beginning intro to throwing on the wheel class last Friday, and I am still glowing from the…read morefun! Jason was the teacher and he made things very welcoming and accessible, even for a first time pottery student. Such fun that I am signing up for a 6-week course as soon as possible!

Kaytea was awesome! Yesterday I took my team to a private pottery wheel throwing class and everyone…read moretold me how much fun they had. Kaytea is very knowledgeable, funny, and helpful. Me and most of the team have personally never done this before and we appreciated her patience, humor, and story telling. I've always been interested in wheel pottery as a personal hobby and I'm leaning towards coming back here on my own time :) plus the studio is super cute!

Pottery studio & clay pieces on a blue round table

Pieces I made during the course

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Wow

Wood Thumb

Such a fun, thorough, accessible, and fulfilling workshop! I love that Chris and his brother are…read moreholding down the space. I wish it was closer to my house and if it was I would come use the shop all the time. Makes me want have my birthday here and make some awesome wooden project with all my friends! I brought home my art deco shelf and my six-year-old son promptly knew what to do with it. See photo!

The wedge table class was worth every single second of our time and every dollar. Our instructor…read morewas Chris who was kind, knowledgeable, and patient. The studio and the class environment were lovely. I cannot recommend Wood Thumb enough!

Catch those caps, securely mounts to any magnetic surface

Work bench

Bottle opener workshop

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Yi Yan Art Academy

(45 reviews)

0.7 mi

This is my first time leaving a Yelp review. We had a group…read moreof 14 people, and Yi's class was very fun. Yi's a great instructor and an amazing singer.

A unique experience to definitely do in SF!!!…read more A bottle of red wine, chill music, homely atmosphere, & art. Yi is the shiiiz. Not only was she easy to talk to, she taught so well, and spoke to us as peers. She made it fun and chill, and had a glass of wine with us! 1 con - we got started late. 10,000 pros - her art studio was amazeballs, her art itself was brilliant, the music set the artistic mood, and then others in the class + the ease of learning Yi made it made the WHOLE NITE PERFECTO!!! :: melt my heart now!! :::

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Example of student work

The Center for Creative Exploration: Intuitive Painting SF

(36 reviews)

1.1 mi

I've taken a weekend intensive with Stewart Cubley and Erika Jenssen as well as a 4-week (8…read morecalendar weeks, on/off every other week) intuitive painting class. Prior to picking up the brush here, I had dabbled in a paint and sip here and there, a doodle once in a while, but it had been a while since I had really sat down and committed myself to making a piece of art. Sitting down in front of a blank canvas with no prompt, subject, or directions to go off was intimidating, and vastly rewarding. I've learned to trust my first impulse, let go of worrying if something looks "right" (hint: it never does, no matter how hard I try :^) ), and ultimately embrace whatever's coming up. Of course, something new happens every class - every stroke, even - and the process continues. I'm grateful to have the structured series plus the option to drop in on an adhoc basis to continue my work. Thanks Stewart, Erika, and CCE! :)

I just completed a 4 week intuitive painting course with Claudia yesterday & it's been interesting…read more& powerful experience. I initially found the center through an instagram ad that was advertising their free open studio & decided to check it out. The intuitive painting course is not your typical course. The focus is being in community, learning to listen in & lean into your own intuition & creativity. There's no formal technique, no critiques or comments, but there is a lot of guidance & prompts to help you tap into your creative spirit. The goal is to create a painting from within & quiet the inner critic. It's about the process of letting go of "perfection" & to be create whatever comes up. It may sound a little woo-woo but the beauty of this process is that there's no right or wrong or good or bad painting - it's about your experience. If you're still unsure, I'd recommend dropping into a class to see what it's about. I definitely plan to take more classes in the new year.

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Artillery AG

Amazing space, I've been a guest here for three years and will not go anywhere else to purchase…read moreplants, gifts, prints and do clay work. If you haven't checked out the space, I highly recommend it. -Gomez

I spent so much $ and wasted time here. The hand sculpture class is a joke. She never remembers…read morewhen you have class, she's late, She got her dates wrong.... Throw class teacher very profesional and on top of her stuff. Hand building, no returned phone calls, material is still at the store and nobody there to help you collect items. Spend your hard earned $$ elsewhere!!!

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Peps Aquarel Art Studio

(8 reviews)

0.4 mi

Tiphaine was a great watercolor instructor. She taught us different techniques and brush strokes…read moreas well as some color theory. The paintings were challenging but Tiphaine guided us with the initial sketching through to the final stroke of the brush. I highly recommend Tiphaine if you are interested in learning how to paint with watercolors or if you want to take your skills to the next level.

J'adore! Such a fun night! The space was so peaceful and welcoming. I was so impressed by how much…read morewe learned about color theory and technique. It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to book another lesson soon!

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Workshop

4.5

(158 reviews)

1.8 mi

Loved the mosaic class I took the other week! Came with two of my friends and had the best time…read more The space at Workshop is perfect - love all the snake plants they had going on and made it even better that I could bring a nice crisp honey cider into class with me! The instructor Elena was great - really helpful instruction and jumped in to help whenever you needed it! Our pieces came out perfectly and we are so excited to hang them up in our apartment! Will definitely be back in the future for another class at Workshop or another mosaic class!

Amaaaaazing watercolors class with Kaitlin, our sub last Wed night!! She was hilarious and taught…read moreus some great basic techniques, while enabling us to move forward with our own creativity. Definitely coming back, and definitely NOT doing a wine & sip again because I'm realizing how little I actually learn in those classes!

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Apple Tree Children Center

(99 reviews)

2.2 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)

2.4 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)

2.9 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)

1.8 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)

5.2 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.