Wow!! Why didn't I discover this place sooner? It is GREAT for kids!!…read more Not too many places offer camps during August, or drop in/drop off activities five days per week for kids. Studio 4 art offers both. We signed our daughter up for one of the weekly camps and she loved every day of it! It was "clay week", so every day they've been doing activities with clay - the wheel, braiding clay into basket forms, and making all kinds of things. The studio will fire them in the kiln and you can then take them home the next week. Outside of the camps during school breaks, you can do the drop in/drop off option and the kids can pick the activity they'd like to do. It's about the same cost as paying a sitter/nanny, so it seems a great option for a few hours when needed between 10a.m. and 5:30 p,m, M - F. Apparently they also do kids birthday parties on the weekends and some Fridays. What a great, artistic option for kids!

We had a wonderful birthday party for our kids and their friends at the San Rafael DoArt space. The…read morepet adoption project was perfect, and the teacher adapted it when storm related traffic led to late arrivals. The back area was perfect for having an after project treat. We recommend this highly!

Great relaxing place, cute animals. Nature all around you…read more The staff is very nice and welcoming.

My daughter had a field trip here and it was a delightful experience. Thank you Connolly Ranch.read more

This suburban farm offers horse boarding, riding lessons, kids camps and birthday parties…read more We have friends who's daughter attended their summer camp and loved it. Based on their experience we decided to have our daughter's 6th birthday party here and it was great fun for all. For Birthday parties you essentially have the exclusive use of a little park-like area in the center of the farm that has a play structure, picnic tables, a good number of shady trees and a small barn with petting-zoo type animals. The party rentals are two hours, with the first hour offering pony rides and during the second hour the petting zoo barn is open. We had two pony's at a time for the kids to ride, and with 10 kids that worked out to about two rides each. This was perfect timing so that we could do Pizza and cup cakes after the pony rides, then once the kids were done eating they excitedly ran over to pet the animals in the petting zoo. For the petting zoo portion there were chickens, pigs, bunnies, goats, sheep and a miniature horse the size of a large dog. The kids LOVED petting and brushing the animals. You don't need to add any additional activities or entertainment for the kids because the two hours are nicely full. The kids were constantly in motion and playing on the play structure when not riding a pony or in the petting zoo. All the kids seemed thrilled with the activities and were having tons of fun. All-in-all the process of having a party here, from reserving the day to clean up afterward, is pretty smooth. The only downside was a multi-page contract form that had to be signed by the parents of all the kids. The forms have to be returned to the hostess and the hostess then returns them to the farm with a guest list, as one packet, the Thursday before the party. It would be easier if the parents could just do the form on-site, but I'm guessing that the management wants to be sure the parents read it fully and agree to the terms in advance. But despite the paperwork I highly recommend Morning Star to anyone with grade school age kids.

Kid's Birthday party review…read more Discovered via local moms club and "background checked" on yelp, we decided to have our son's 4th birthday party at Morning Star and I prayed it would live up to its stars b/c we had friends driving from Concord, SF, and beyond to attend. The verdict is that we'd give it a 6th star if we could! The things we loved were that they have a covered option in case of rain, a sweet playground at the uncovered area, where the 2-5 yr olds had a total blast, and a little petting zoo. The trainer Rachel, who led the kids and ponies, two by two, was a pro and helped even the nervous kids feel confident. Each kid got about two rides, which was perfect. The owner helped us set up tables and put up a shade/rain structure since it had rained all morning and we weren't sure if we'd need it. Also, $200 for a 2-pony party for two hours is a great deal in my book, esp compared to $800-1,000 Discovery Museum party price tag (we love it there too, just, gulp). The only down side, as others noted, is the release forms. They are necessary of course, but the onus of getting each family to sign them and submit before the party is on the party-thrower. It is time consuming up front and I wasn't making any friends for a while there, but it makes it so guests don't have to mess with forms when they get there. One idea is to have people use CamScanner or another scanning app on their phones so it can all be done electronically, and to leave a few day's cushion for missing forms. Lastly, I appreciated that all of the animals looked very well-cared for and the whole property was clean and inviting.

We started Jan 2024. I had a kindergarten boy and a 8th grade girl that started at Marin Christian…read moreAcademy. I see a huge changes in both of my children for the better. My son is now in 1st grade: He loves his school and looks forward to hearing about God and reading his bible. His reading and math skills have caught up as last year he was behind when we started at Marin Christian. We are so grateful to see how great he is doing and my son is so proud of his achievements here. My daughter was only at Marin Christian for Jan 2024 to June 2024, then transitioned to high school. She says what she learned in those few months have stayed with her and that she is much closer to God and this has helped her find her way at high school. She also was behind as she was home schooled over covid. In these few months this school was able to help with confidences and taught her what she was missing to do great in high school. She loved the middle school and we wished that we find this school sooner. Thank you Brenda

Fantastic local school that offers an alternative to public school. Great teachers and the school…read moreadministration is top notch. My children are very happy here and I feel they are receiving quality academia and being well-cared for. The MCA parents association offers ample opportunity to meet other parents and support the school.

I have lived in the Peninsula for years and had no idea this place existed until I chaperoned my…read morechild's 2nd grade field trip here. The visit was very educational. The kids participated in a variety of hands-on activities, including working together to pull a fishing net and small fish out of the water. They were able to touch different fish, shrimp, and even small sharks, and observe plankton under microscopes. The staff were knowledgeable and engaging, and the kids had a wonderful time throughout the visit!

What a hidden gem in Redwood City! I got to visit the Marine Science Institute with my 3rd grader…read moreand her classmates. I never knew this place existed. We had the best interactive learning experience here. Children were split up into 4-5 groups with an educator from the institute. We were lucky to be in Emma's group. The kids got to see and touch shrimp, fish, spider crabs, mussels, clams, sea sponge and more! We also learned about the leopard shark and got to pet one. The kids worked collaboratively to collect samples from the bay and even got to look at plankton under a microscope. At the very end of the field trip the children all pulled on ropes together to reel in a giant net. They caught a few fish. It was such a fun experience. Thank you!!! Highly recommend

The best place for summer camp for my kiddos! Bonnie is amazing and we have been going here for 2…read moreyears. We are going again this summer. Our kids love it. Seriously a hidden gem.

I work in San Rafael and I live in Fairfield. I had to find some type of activity for my 10 year…read moreold and I found Summer Crest. Bonnie was very informative when I called and explained to me about the activities. This was my son's first time there and after the first day he loved it. He had made friends right away and loved the activities. The first week they did chemistry and he enjoyed it a lot. This camp made learning fun. We are definitely coming back.

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

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

My newly minted 5-year old just completed a week of summer camp here. She is obsessed and eager to…read morego back. This place is such a gem. Amber is a beautiful human and wonderful to work with. The coaches are incredibly nice and supportive. Sarah leads super fun and age appropriate games and exercises. Obstacle course is well thought out and well executed. My daughter's absolute favorite is the foam pit. And honestly, mine too. Who wouldn't love hanging on the barre above, and drop into a pool of cushiony and cuddling softness :) If you are looking for a gymnastics summer camp or classes for your kiddos, Cal Star is a fantastic choice. Plenty of parking. Awesome facilities and coaches. It seems to run like a well oiled machine with lots of heart. Your kiddos will be in the best hands.

My grand daughter was loving gymnastics but just wanted to get more training and advance. She is…read moreclearly progressing and very happy at Cal-Star!

The cell service is awful but I love this bar. I've only…read moreeaten there at golf tournaments and the food was really good. Aldo is the greatest bartender! Very accommodating, very personable and my favorite. The bar itself is pretty cool. Elevated a little from the bartender. TV's for your favorite games and free parking!

First time visiting and it was a nice Sunday and the conditions on the course were perfect. Started…read moreoff in the practice area and they have plenty of putting greens to warm up on each located one near the club house and the other next to the range. The driving range was pretty unique as it was hitting uphill. Although, the ball dispenser was a bit weird as I tried to buy a large bucket and it kept giving me small. The mats were nice considering it was outdoors and it also had rubber tees. The pro shop was nice and clean with a ton of clubs and merch to check out. Bought the obligatory souvenir ball. The pro shop guy was very nice and welcoming. The course itself was worth the drive. Great fairways all around. The roughs were in good shape too. The greens were superb. A bit fast since we did play in the afternoon but good for a challenge. Great views and hills to get good pictures for if you're like me and love photography. Ill be bringing my camera next time. The golf carts were good too and maintained. I wish they had the monitor gps but regardless it worked just fine. Would of gave the last star had there only been a beverage cart making rounds and the restaurant being open a bit longer since we weren't able to order any food. Will be coming again with my buddies as theh enjoyed this course as well. Thanks Indian Valley!