Baby & Me: Do

California Pacific Medical Center Women & Children’s Center
3698 California St., First Fl.
415-600-BABY (2229)
cpmc.org/services/newbornconnections

Whether you’ve recently given birth or are just thinking of having a baby, Newborn Connections offers support, education and tools to get you through pregnancy and the early part of parenthood. New parents can take advantage of ongoing classes, support groups and lactation services or browse the large selection of breastfeeding and baby supplies. The comprehensive book and video lending library is open to the public and offers titles like The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger and Buns & Abs of Steel: Post Pregnancy.

Alloparent
alloparent.org

This Mill Valley–based group does more than give you information and a place to gather with other parents online; it’s actually a forum where parents can exchange hands-on help and services such as babysitting, tutoring, carpooling, music lessons, clothing swaps, playdates, home repairs and lots more. Members go through a background check and form groups based on their shared needs and interests; you can also use the site’s exchange services à la carte (on a one-time basis), putting to action the dictum that “it takes a village to raise a child.”

Ballet with Miss Tilly 5499 California St. 415-923-9965 misstillysballet.com Tilly Abbe has been teaching ballet for more than 35 years, and over 10,000 children have passed through the doors of her studio. Offering over 35 classes a week for students of all ages, Miss Tilly trains children aged 3-6, while Wendy Van Dyck guides older dancers. All students learn a dance to be performed at Herbst Theater at the end of the year so family and friends can cheer them on. Kids with a passion for musical theater can also enroll in the Introduction to Theatre Arts program, which incorporates singing, dancing and make-believe.

Dance Mission Theater
3316 24th St.
415-826-4441
dancemission.com

With more than 50 weekly classes for all ages, Dance Mission Theater has something for every aspiring performer in the family. Little ones as young as 3 years old can learn the basics in Creative Movement, and older children can enroll in everything from kids’ hip hop to kids’ salsa. Parents can get in on the fun with family dance and receive exercise handouts to practice at home. Dance Mission is also home to the GRRRL Brigade: an intensive dance/leadership development program that provides girls aged 9–18 with “high-quality dance training, performance opportunities, and a sense of self-empowerment.”

DayOne
3490 California St., Ste. 203
415-440-DAY1 (3291)
dayonecenter.com

In 2000, Andrew Zenoff, inventor of the My Brest Friend breastfeeding pillow, and Nancy Held, an expert in perinatal nursing, joined forces to open the first DayOne Center in San Francisco. Providing essential baby services, support and products to new parents and babies, DayOne offers groups, classes, workshops, yoga, breastfeeding support, plus plenty of parenting must-haves. Here’s where you can find a Dutalier glider for nursing moms and a slew of baby gear by brands like Bugaboo, Köhlr and Zutano.

Golden Gate Mothers Group
ggmg.org

Since 1996, Golden Gate Mothers Group has been San Francisco’s go-to support resource run for moms, by moms. Organizing events, activities, playgroups and more, GGMG is a volunteer group that counts over 3,700 SF moms as members. General monthly meetings are free and open to the public, and cover topics like “Stranger Danger” and “Parent/Child Empowerment.” Members can enjoy benefits like the GGMG newsletter, online discussion groups and frequent events for families, as well as special mom-only outings.

Gymboree Play & Music
1525 Sloat Blvd.
415-242-5637
gymboreeclasses.com

Developed in collaboration with national child development company Zero to Three, the curriculum at Gymboree Play & Music helps kids develop skills while parents get involved. Marin County mom Joan Barnes founded the company in 1976 when
she was unable to find a safe, fun place featuring age-appropriate activities for parents and young children to play together. Gymboree Play & Music can now be found in some
550 locations in 30 countries, offering programs in music, art, sports and more. Sign up for the
Family Gymboree Play & Learn class, and bring your kids in for an exploration in
play environments, movement games and parachute activities.

Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
3200 California St.
415-292-1200
Jccsf.org

Dedicated to fostering family life since 1877, the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco offers art, music, dance, ceramics, swimming, sports clinics and leagues, after-school programs and educational classes for parent/child, youth, preteens, teens and parents all week long. On weekends, familiews can participate in activities, special performances and playgroups. The facilities at the JCCSF include an indoor aquatics center with a lap and children’s pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center and gym, a preschool, an after-school program, teen center, dance studios, classrooms and outdoor playgrounds. In addition to the plentiful family services, the JCCSF’s Claude & Louise Rosenberg Early Childhood Education Program provides opportunities for learning, growth and exploration through three preschools inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach and guided by Jewish values and culture. The program also offers playgroups, parent education, family education, social programs and holiday celebrations.

Koret Children’s Quarter
320 Bowling Green Dr.,Golden Gate Park
415-831-5500

Formerly known as the Children’s Playground, the Koret Children’s Quarter was built in 1887—one of the nation’s first public playgrounds. The site underwent a $3.8 million renovation project and the revamped location is open once again. Aside from the famous play structures, the Children’s Quarter also boasts the original Golden Gate Park Carousel (one of the oldest in the country). For just $1, kids can take a ride on one of the 62 menagerie animals. Parents can also reserve the adjacent picnic area for birthday parties and celebrations.

La Petite Baleen
933 Mason St.
866-896-3603
swimlpb.com

Guided by the mantra, “Pace, Pattern, Compassion and Fun!,” La Petite Baleen believes in teaching life skills through swimming. The thirty-minute classes are offered seven days a week, and children as young as two months can learn to feel at ease in the water. Classes are organized by age and skill, and advancing levels of ability are recognized through the Ribbon Level program. Training for the school’s teachers include 40 hours of “team teaching” with senior mentor instructors, and all staffers attend regular, in-house meetings, study sessions and in-
pool clinics.

Natural Resources
1367 Valencia St.
415-550-2611
naturalresources-sf.com

This pregnancy, childbirth and early-parenting resource center, located in the Mission District, provides classes, support groups and supplies for new parents, as well as a doula training program. Members receive discounts on classes and retail products, and a rental center has books, DVDs, baby carriers, breast pumps and even birthing tubs on loan. Classes and support groups cover everything from sleep training your child to cloth diapering and breastfeeding.

One Martial Arts
850 Taraval St.
415-731-9988
onemartialarts.com

Offering a traditional curriculum balanced with progressive philosophies, One Martial Arts is a family-oriented facility focused on learning and growth. Students of all ages and physical levels are welcome, and classes are offered throughout the day. Professionally developed specifically for preschoolers, the Little Ninjas program is designed to teach children aged 3–6 focus, discipline and confidence. Older students can enroll in Kids Karate, which teaches the three S’s: self-confidence, self-esteem and self-respect. Karate Day Camp combines daily outdoor park activities, arts and crafts, library hour and weekly field trips, and the facility even hosts birthday parties where kids can break boards, earn merit badges, eat pizza and dance.