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Toddling Around Potrero Hill

I've had the best breakfast in all of San Francisco and it's at Plow. Why is it that all the best breakfast places in our fine City have to be small and have long waits? It makes me want to stay home and scramble some eggs. But at Plow, I think the wait is completely and totally worth it.

They have two highchairs, a kid's menu, crayons, and super kid-friendly servers. R and I shared "the Plow" which comes with two eggs, two lemon ricotta pancakes, crispy potatoes and your choice of house made sausage, bacon or chicken apple sausage. It is the perfect breakfast... so perfect. (Have I mentioned how perfect it is?) While we waited for our table, we ran up and down 18th street looking in windows, chatting with nice people and petting dogs outside of Farley's. There was even a baby music class going on at The Voice Studio. I've tried to find the details on it, but no response as of this post. I'll update when they get back to me.

After our perfect breakfast at Plow, we headed over to the Potrero Hill Park. This little park has sweeping views, swings (infant and regular), slides, and two jungle gyms, one for toddlers and one for older kids. The only thing they don't have is restrooms, so plan accordingly.

On our way back through the neighborhood we stopped off at Baked for a treat. You might be too stuffed still from breakfast, but there's always room for desert!

There are so many kid-friendly activities to do on Potrero Hill, so this is just a taste. You can find these and more using the GoToddle app, available now for free!

Toddle on!

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Local Tourist - Fisherman's Warf

Today's blog post is all about the neighborhood that we locals love to hate. And until I had kids, I would steer clear of Fisherman's Wharf. But I would argue that it's actually a great neighborhood for families, you just have to roll with it (and bring some cash, it's expensive down here!).

First stop - the sea lions of course. Toddlers will love to check out the mammoth beasts sunning themselves alongside Pier 39. Parents will love the science lesson opportunity and that there are plenty of vantage points for the shortest members of your group. Next stop is the Rainforest Cafe. Yep - you're going into the belly of the beast. This place is like Disneyland (and almost as expensive). But what isn't there to love about the animatronic creatures, the huge fish tanks and jungle vibe throughout?

Rainforest Cafe has about a million highchairs, a changing table, a kid's menu and is totally stroller accessible. Just don't get me wrong, you are here for your child's enjoyment. The food isn't great, and it's overpriced, but the customer service is spot-on and your kid will get a kick out of it for sure. As an antidote to the over-produced, your next stop is the San Francisco Maritime Visitor Center. The Visitor Center if full of gorgeous exhibits and covers the history of the Bay all the way back to the Ohlone tribe that used to inhabit this peninsula. They also have a public restroom with a changing table if the need strikes. Directly across the street is the Hyde Street pier with it's amazing ships and history, including the Balcutha which used to supply San Francisco with it's liquor during the Gold Rush. And for a small fee ($5 for adults, children under 16 free), you can actually board the ships and check them out up close. Finish off the day with some play time at Aquatic Park. Its sheltered water is perfect for your little beach comber, and occasionally you'll get lucky and see a harbor seal bobbing amongst the tethered sail boats. Overall, we've enjoyed many fun days down at Fisherman's Warf - just don't forget to download the GoToddle App before you go. Oh, and watch out for the bush man!

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Day One

Oh Day One, where do I even begin?

When I was a brand new mom, and having trouble nursing, Caroline talked me through every issue that came up. I can say her advice and support is one of the main reasons we are still nursing today.

The new parenting classes are a life saver. There is nothing like being in a room with other sleep deprived parents to make you feel more normal - plus they are a good way to get out of the house. It's easy to forget how important that is when you have a newborn.

Day One also has a fully stocked changing station, with all the supplies you could ever need. So you don't have to stress if you forgot wipes or a diaper or any other essential. And scales - so you can weigh your peanut and see how quickly they're growing (too quickly is the only answer, of course)!

And this doesn't even begin to cover it. There are nursing chairs and filtered water to drink, and a full range of baby clothing/gear/books/toys, and an entire host of classes to prep you for that little one too.

In other words, if you are a stressed out new parent Day One is the place to bring your weary soul. The staff is so welcoming and helpful and they very obviously love what they do. They'll take such good care of you here. To find Day One and other kid-friendly businesses in San Francisco, visit the iTunes App Store to download the new GoToddle App!

Toddle on!

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Satori Yoga Studio

So, why is a yoga studio on GoToddle? Well, it's because this one is located in the heart of the Financial District, and I'm not sure if you've ever tried to find a changing table in the FiDi, but I have. And it's pretty near impossible - until now. The lovely Andrea Stern, owner of Satori Yoga, has gone out of her way to make the studio super inviting to families. Aside from offering Prenatal Yoga classes during the week, she has also installed a changing table, and offered this peaceful environment for nursing moms too. Because the space is pretty open, I would recommend trying to keep the kid noise to a minimum while class is in session. But if your baby is anything like mine, and requires a quiet place with no distraction for feeding time, then this is the place to go. And if you happen to get some time to yourself, check out any of the number of classes they offer. You'll understand in no time why the teachers here have such a devoted following. Toddle on!

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Inner Richmond - a Perfect Saturday Morning

I really love the Inner Richmond for toddlers. There are so many kid-friendly places to check out and amazing playgrounds nearby. So here are a few of our favorites - and for more info download our new free App on the iTunes App Store!

I always love to start out with breakfast at Eats. Now, this requires at least two adults, because you'll need to switch off who waits for the table, and who watches the kid(s). R runs up and down the streets, looking into the stores and having a blast checking stuff out. I've found it's a great way to work up an appetite for me, while getting his wiggles out before our meal.

The food at Eats is pretty much all kid-friendly, and they have an amazing variety. So even the pickiest eaters will find something they like. We went with the chicken and waffles and a Power C juice. It was fresh and tasty, and the portion sizes were just right. Next stop is story time at the Green Apple! It starts at 11:00am and is hosted by the amazing Ashley, the children's book buyer. The Green Apple is a such a fun place to browse away a day. But be aware, with grabby toddlers it might be good to bee-line to the kid's section. The staff here is super accommodating but you won't want to spend your morning picking up after your toddler.

After story time we head over to Rossi Park. It's a perfect playground for kids of any age, from toddlers to big kids. It's fenced in, so you don't have to worry about the kids running off. And there are so many fun toys, swings and climbing gyms that you'll be able to get the rest of that energy burned off before nap time. A full day in the Inner Richmond leads to a happy (and long) nap time in our house, I hope it leads to one in yours too!

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SF Zoo - Free Day Edition

We just got back from the free day at the San Francisco Zoo. Every month the Zoo has a free day for all San Francisco residents. The days don't happen according to any particular pattern, so you have to visit the Zoo's Website to plan for the next free day.

So we usually try to steer clear of the free days since I think they'd be super crowded, but I think we've discovered the tips for making the most of these ultra busy days.

1. Get there when they open (10am). There will be a line, but it moves really fast once those doors open.

2. Bring ID - They won't let you in for free if you can't show ID with a San Francisco address. 3. Bring snacks - the lines for food will be long, the food isn't great, and it is expensive.

4. Bring cash - there is only one ATM in the park and it's back at the Lemur Cafe. They charge a fee of $2.75, and the hassle of dragging the kids back near the entrance when they're already pumped to get on the train ($4 - cash only) is just not worth it!

5. Pay for parking on your way into the park. If you decided, like us, to pay for parking ($8) since the park was free, make sure to stop at the ticket booth and pay for your parking before you go into the park. The later the day gets, the longer the lines will be, and you'd better do it early while the kids are fresh.

6. Leave by 12:00. The crowds really pick up at this point and although you only got a couple of hours there, it was free - so no big loss, right? Toddle On!

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Bay Area Discovery Museum

Judging by the number of kids at the Discovery Museum, I am officially the last mom in the bay area to have visited this magical place. We were there for a scant three hours and didn't even scratch the surface of the fun offerings. R's favorites included the train room (of course), the outside play area with the dump trucks, the art room with paints and clay, and the toddler room with the aquariums. My favorites included the toddler outside area with it's whimsical creature statues and garden paths and tunnels for the little ones. It reminded me of the book The Secret Garden, which was always one of my favorites as a kid. We went with a wonderful group of friends and their kids, and there were plenty of options for each child in the group. And I'm not sure how long it's going on, but we were able to get a one year family membership for $125 (regular price $150). I jumped at the chance since I know this is going to be a new favorite for sure.

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Ghiradelli Square

Ghiradelli Square is one of those places I never spent time at before kids. I always wrote it off as a touristy place without anything for us locals. But now that I have a little one, it's become one of our must-visits.

Our perfect day begins on the beach at Aquatic Park for some sun and surf. Then we head to Ghiradelli Square for a lunch of fish and chips at McCormick and Kuleto's. And of course, what trip to Ghiradelli Square would be complete without a trip to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory?

Now that the kiddos are good and amped up on chocolate, take them to Lola to burn off some steam. Lola is a dream come true for parents and kids. It's like the mother ship of toys!

Now, there are two Lolas in Ghiradelli Square, the first one is up on the main level, near the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. It's got more of the big kid stuff and touristy items. BUT the one downstairs is full of kids stuff, train tables, games and toys for the kids to play with and a super helpful and friendly staff. It's a great way to spend some time recuperating from your busy morning before heading home for nap time. Toddle on!

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A Random Thursday in Bernal Heights

I love Bernal Heights. I've always heard about how kid-friendly the neighborhood is, how welcoming the parks are for families, and that the streets are lined with BPA free sippy cups in case your little one gets thirsty while perusing the shops on Cortland (ok - maybe not that last part). But I have to admit, I've never spent much time there. Living in North Beach kinda leads us to live a Northeast SF life. As most of us do with our respective corners of the City. Well I'm so glad we went to explore yesterday, because it's a treat! We started our morning with coffee and a maple bacon scone at the Sandbox Bakery. They have enormous play trucks for the kiddos and freshly baked mouth-watering pastries. And even though R decided to post up under the condiments, no one seemed to mind all that much.

We headed over to Chloe's Closet after that, because I forgot to pack a sun hat (again!). What a great store, with fantastic deals on used kids stuff. We found two sun hats for under $5 each, and were even able to use their changing table in the bathroom after R played for a while in the toy area. They also buy children's items, which is a great way to recoup some of the mucho dinero we all spend on that stuff.

We continued our stroll down Cortland and came across Badger Books, and right on time too! They have story time every Thursday at 11 am, and the strollers descended on that corner. Some were even parked outside locked up like bikes. The turnout was impressive, and so was the story time. I think they read about 30 books, some for older and some for younger kids. It was a good mix.

Finally we could ignore our hunger no longer, so we headed over to the Liberty Cafe for lunch. Such a sweet place, with a full dining room in front, a garden patio in back and a casual cafe behind that. They have high chairs, a changing table, and some of the most stroller friendly walkways in the City (considering the size of the restaurant). The food was delicious, the service was super friendly and the atmosphere was great for a mid day lunch with kids. As for desert, you can have your pick of Mitchell's Ice Cream from Progressive Grounds or frozen custard over at 331 Cortland. We went with the frozen custard at the little waffle stand in 331 Cortland. It was rich and cold and super creamy. Perfect for this little summer we've been having. So I guess it is true what they say about how kid-friendly Bernal Heights is. And not just the people who work in the neighborhood either. There seems to be a welcome sense of letting kids be kids around here. What a nice way to spend the day.

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What is GoToddle.com?

So... what the heck is GoToddle.com? GoToddle is an online map that helps parents find kid-friendly amenities in San Francisco. Just pull up GoToddle on your smartphone’s browser, and tell us what you need (changing table, a play area, a restaurant with highchairs perhaps?) and the map will show what is available nearby.

Need more info about the location you’re considering? Just click on the business name and it will open a page with live links for their website and phone number, as well as a list of the available kid friendly amenities.

You can also share your favorite kid-friendly location with our “submit” feature and instantly post your submission to Facebook so all of your friends will know what you've found.

Right now we are only in San Francisco, but you can help us grow. Enter locations world-wide so no parents have to travel on a wing and prayer (with a really stocked diaper bag!). After all, we parents tend to get stuck in a rut. It’s hard to leave the house not knowing whether you’ll be able to properly care for your children. GoToddle helps remove the worry and allows us to get out and explore more. Give it a try at GoToddle.com and let us know what you think! Our app will launch in late July, but you can use our site on any device you can dream up. :)

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GoToddle on the Road - Lake Oswego

Lake Oswego is just outside of Portland, and is the definition of Northern Oregon charm. We stayed at the Lakeshore Inn, which has studio, one bedroom and two bedroom suites directly on the lake. We were able to get a mid-week one bedroom studio for only $103/night. The view from the deck is amazing!

The Lakeshore Inn is a perfect fit for traveling with kids, and the affordable suites make it a great choice so you can put the baby down in the bedroom and enjoy a twilight lounge on your deck overlooking the water. The only downside is that a freight train runs next to it (bizarrely enough), and sometimes at night. It came by at 1am when we were there, but that was fine with R since we had the white noise machine and he slept right through it. On the adjacent property is the Millennium Plaza Park, with fountains shooting out of the ground. They're like an elaborate sprinkler system for these warm summer days. There are also large expanses of grass and gravel, great for running the kids after a day in the car. We grabbed dinner at Stickmen Brewery which has a great kid's menu, crayons to use and plenty of highchairs and booster seats. Plus when the weather is great you can sit outside directly on the water. The food was just ok, but the atmosphere can't be beat!

Just around the corner from the Lake View Shopping Center is the Tillamook Ice Creamery. They have plenty of high chairs and booster seats, and that's a good thing because they have fantastic locally made ice cream and super friendly service too. Just check out R's food coma face!

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GoToddle on the Road - Orcas Island

Orcas Island, for the uninitiated, is located in San Juan Islands off the mainland coast of Washington State. To get there, you can drive north of Seattle to Anacortes and load your car onto a ferry for a beautiful ride out to the island. Sometimes they'll even stop the ferry to watch a pod of Orca whales swim by - it's truly amazing!

Orcas is fantastic with kids, there is great camping, hiking, kayaking, dining, beach-combing and plenty of lodging options.

During the summer you can stay in a tent or tent cabin in Moran State Park, or at the nearby Rosario Resort and Spa in a luxurious room or suite. On this trip we opted for a tent site at the South End Campground of Moran State Park and we were not disappointed. Of all the campgrounds in the park, the South End is the most secluded and scenic. We stayed in Campsite #17, which was amazing but had some steep drop offs to the water. If we went back, we would definitely book ahead to get campsite #13 (pictured). It's a great site for toddlers who want to dip their toes in the water and for parents who treasure the privacy of the shrubs around the site.

On the opposite side of the lake is a full playground perfect for little ones, with clean bathrooms, paddle boat rentals, a swimming area (if you're brave enough - brrrrr!) and lot of lawn to run around on. If you don't want to pack a ton of food for the trip, then wake up and head over to Cafe Olga in Olga (appropriately). Just a short drive past the Park, Cafe Olga has a huge variety of freshly baked goods, egg dishes, fruit and seafood options. The pie is killer here and they have fresh varieties every day. There is an attached Artworks here, with beautiful local handcrafts, but it's not the best for the curious toddler, although we've always felt welcome there.

Over on the other side of the island is West Beach Resort. The little cabins on the beach are perfect for families. They have kitchenettes so you don't have to eat each meal at a restaurant, and the views are amazing. There is also a little general store that serves beer and wine and the BEST ice cream in the San Juans. The Lopez Island Ice Cream served up on a fresh house made waffle cone is not to be missed. Enjoy it with your munchkin as you walk along the coast during low tide checking out all the great little creatures that come out of hiding. Unfortunately there is no changing table at the store since most of the patrons are staying there, but you can always get creative!

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The Plant Organic - Marina

The Plant Organic is my favorite go-to restaurant for fresh food, friendly service and a kid-friendly menu.

R goes crazy for the Green Banana Almond Smoothie, and I usually go for one of their amazing salads with a piece of Wild Alaskan Salmon on top. You can easily get all your veggies for the day with just one of their salads, but if you want to kick it up a notch, try adding on a fresh juice. My favorite is the Spicy Red with Green (extra ginger!).

So now for the sweets... they have an extensive list of deserts that can satisfy any dietary restriction. Vegan, Gluten Free or Raw, they have something for everyone. But my absolute favorite is the Carrot Cake. I have eaten it with my hands when I forgot a fork, because it is THAT GOOD.

So how is it kid-friendly? Not only do they have highchairs, but they also have a changing table in the stroller accessible bathroom.

But the kicker is this: You know those times when the baby won't go the f*** to sleep? So you put him in the car seat and drive for hours - environment be damned? Yeah, you can call ahead to the Plant, place an order, and pull up into the passenger loading zone they will bring your order out to your car for you. I always, always, always try to do this during off peak hours, and have cash and a nice tip ready to go. Hmmm, maybe the next post should be on the best drive-up ATMS in the City? The Plant Organic 3352 Steiner San Francisco, CA 94123 415/931-2777

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The Exploratorium - Toddler Edition

There are so many wonderful things to say about the new Exploratorium, I don't even know where to begin. So let's start with food... Food There are two dining options at the Exploratorium, the cafe near the entrance The Seismic Joint and the Seaglass Restaurant towards the back of the pier. Both have local and organic options, and the food looks and tastes amazing. The Seismic Joint is where you go when you need a cup of coffee and a small bite before heading in. The Seaglass Restaurant is where you go when you want a substantial breakfast or lunch that you can eat while feeling like you're sitting on the deck of a ship. The views are amazing! The food is fresh and there's a ton of different options that would please even the pickiest San Francisco food lover. The Seaglass Restaurant has 5 high chairs, and 5 booster seats and it's located right next to restrooms with changing tables (in both men's and women's). As far as I could tell there are no high chairs at the Seismic Joint, but the coffee and pastry are delicious so it might be worth a stop. Activities When you first enter the Exploratorium, directly in front of you is a red barn with a train inside. If your toddler loves trains, then plan to spend the next hour right here (hope you grabbed a coffee!). If you can get them past the red barn, then just off to the left is an exhibit that uses airflow to float different balls around like magic. R loves that one. Next stop when you head towards the East Wing is the Tinkering Studio. There are lots of little parts around this area, but if you have an older toddler who doesn't love putting everything in their mouth, then it is a ton of fun. The staff rotates out new crafts and projects for the kids, and you can even build your very own marble machine (think Rube Goldberg) on the pegboard wall. Past that is the black light room, R loved that room! There are a ton of toys and that all glow in the dark. Get ready to spend some time in there, and hey - it makes for some amazing pics.

Right around the corner from the black light room is the biggest bubble-maker ever. The kids can pull up on the pulley and create about a five foot wide bubble - and we all know that bubbles are always a hit! Our next favorite is the xylophone room. It's a special room where you can play completely discordant tunes and it still comes out sounding amazing. Perfect for your budding musician. Overall, with your toddler you can really just cruise around all day from exhibit to exhibit. I would love to hear what your favorites are with kids, keep us posted! The Breakdown

So here are the basics. There are three bathroom areas throughout the building. The first one is right on Embarcadero, just past the gift shop. Both the men's and women's restrooms have changing tables there and they are open to the public. Just inside the main entrance there are restrooms (men's, women's and two family restrooms). Only the first family restroom (closest to the entrance), has a changing table. And finally, back by the Seaglass restaurant, there are men's and women's restrooms that both have changing tables. The entire museum is fully stroller accessible, and most of the exhibits are kid-safe. The only worry would be the smaller parts in some. And finally, we've been there about five times now and the crowds have never been a worry. In fact there have been some times when it felt like we had the run of the place. But even when it's crowded, it's so big that it doesn't feel oppressive (even on a Sunday mid-morning). Overall the Exploratorium and their super friendly and helpful staff will make for a fun and educational day. I would highly recommend checking it out asap! For all super specifics, visit http://www.gotoddle.com/locations/371-Exploratorium.html

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Peekadoodle Kids Club

So we went to Peekadoodle the other day for the first time, and I gotta say, I’m impressed. The space is pretty large, with tons of rooms for classes and activities, plus a play area with built-in play spaces (a cable car, a fire station, a grocery store, gas station, and even a boat).

But the best thing (as far as this food and coffee obsessed mom is concerned) is the café. This café actually has food that I would be happy to eat, and a kid’s menu that’s has healthy options rather than just chicken fingers and French fries. So now Peekadoodle is the place to get myself fed AND caffeinated, while the boy runs wild in the multiple playspaces.

Right now Golden Gate Mother’s Group members get two free months of membership, plus a free 8 week class. We signed up for the Edible Art class, what could be better than eating your creations, right? But I have a feeling we’ll be staying on well after our two month trial runs out.

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The Pizza Place on Noriega

Last week we were out cruising around Ocean Beach and Ronan had the dreaded blowout. It was a huge mess, and we needed a spot to change him right away. I'd heard the Pizza Place was kid-friendly so we checked it out.

The owners were super sympathetic to our needs, and let us know that there was a dresser in one of the bathrooms that we could use as a changing table.

Once the damage was controlled, we ordered a delicious salad and a couple of slices. They also have some really amazing beers on tap to go with your pizza. It was a great meal, a great deal and well deserved!

I would whole-heartedly recommend giving this sweet little place a try. Because really, what kid doesn't love pizza?!

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New Developments at GoToddle!

We've missed you all, but we've had good reason for the radio silence - the GoToddle crew has been busy making improvements and updates to the site.

We've entered a ton of new entries in San Francisco, to make it even easier for busy parents on the go to find what we need.

The site has also been updated to work seamlessly on any device (iPhone, iPad, and Android). There are even some new mobile tricks in our toolbox, like our "find nearby" feature for submitting new locations. This feature will automatically fill all of the address and phone number fields so you don't have to.

Plus, now when you submit a new listing to GoToddle you can share it directly on your Facebook wall. Now you can share your favorite kid-friendly locations with your friends too!

This week we'll be back to our regularly scheduled program of fantastic kid-friendly activities and businesses in the San Francisco Bay area and beyond!