Whether you like it rich or spicy, with marshmallows or whipped cream, here’s the best hot chocolate San Francisco has to offer

With the weather we’ve been having, nothing can warm up a rainy day or a snow day adventure than a cup of the best hot cocoa. In our food-obsessed Bay Area, it’s not surprising that people (kids and adults) take their hot chocolate as seriously as any other treat. The best cafes and hot chocolatiers use premium chocolates, freshly steamed milk, and gourmet toppings galore, taking a simple cup of cocoa to a whole new level. Whether you like it rich or spicy, locally sourced or European style, hot chocolate near me will cure a multitude of cold weather woes.

The Best Hot Chocolate in San Francisco

 

1. Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates

This modern chocolatier in Hayes Valley is known for its eye-popping, gorgeous decorated chocolates, but if you haven’t tried their drinking chocolate, you’re only getting half the experience. With numerous flavors to choose from, there's something for everyone. The Classic and Cocoa Noir are the best bets for the kids and can be topped with housemade vanilla bean marshmallows. If your little one can’t finish their chocolate, the staff here recommend taking the remainder home and popping it in the refrigerator. It will set into a zero-effort chocolate pudding by dinner time. If you can’t get enough of the hot chocolate, Christopher Elbow also sells the mixes in canisters so you can get your fix at home.

401 Hayes St.
San Francisco
Online: elbowchocolates.com

2. Socola Chocolatier

Socola’s Asian-inspired chocolates have an enthusiastic following in the Bay Area, and fans cheered when sisters Wendy and Susan Lieu finally opened a jewel box of a shop in SOMA. You can find their whole line of gourmet chocolates, from guava to earl grey to Vietnamese coffee-filled truffles, along with coffee and a killer gourmet hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is made with their 72% dark ganache and freshly steamed milk and is topped with a homemade chocolate marshmallow. 

535 Folsom St.
San Francisco
Online: socolachocolates.com

3. Kokak Chocolates

We love this Castro spot for small batch single origin heirloom chocolates and hot chocolates too. "Kokak," meaning "ribbit" in the Filipino language, stems from Founder and Head Chocolatier Carol Gancia's deep Asian roots and passion for making adventurous flavors with the rare cacao variety, "Naciónal." Your hot cocoa options include classic, hot hot chocolate (spicy drinking chocolate that harkens back to the Mayans), single province hot chocolate, and cold chocolate milk if you want yours chilled. 

3901 18th St.
San Francisco
Onlinekokakchocolates.com

4. XOX Truffles

French truffle maker and San Francisco chocolate hero Jean-Marc Gorce makes quite the show with his fancy hot chocolate at his chocolate shop and cafe on Columbus Ave., just up the hill from North Beach Library. There you’ll find him talking truffles in his tiny, sunshine-yellow and blue storefront. His hot chocolate recipe begins with a ladle full of liquid truffle which is then whisked with hot milk on the countertop before your eyes. Decide if you want whipped cream and claim a free truffle with every drink. Peanut butter truffles are a hit with the kids but there are tons of other flavors to choose from. If the kiddos can’t finish their cup make sure you sneak the final sip to get the luxurious, rich truffle sediment.

754 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco
Online: xoxtruffles.com

5. Dandelion Chocolate

https://www.instagram.com/p/CVk5xdppnsu/?hidecaption=true

This chocolate factory serves up three types of hot chocolate (and bites to eat that look so perfect, glazed, and petite it’s almost a shame to eat them). Take your pick from a thick, rich European drinking chocolate, a Mission blend with Mexican spices, or the Dandelion classic, lighter, and sweeter than the rest. They all come with a micro cookie on the side. Dandelion also serves Frozen Hot Chocolate, a recipe invented by the pastry chef. When they're back open for in-person dining you can pull up a seat in the cafe or better yet, snag a stool at the sidebar and watch chocolate science taking place. You’ll see vats of melted chocolate being stirred and shaken.

740 Valencia
San Francisco

1 Ferry Building
San Francisco
Online: dandelionchocolate.com

6. Lush Gelato

Hot chocolate at an ice cream parlor? Definite yes. Lush is the first store licensed to make gelato from scratch in the city of San Francisco. They feature many local purveyors in their flavors, including Cowgirl Creamery, Frog Hollow Farm, and Bellweather Farms. The house hot chocolate is made with their chocolate gelato, is served piping hot, and is wonderfully rich and smooth—just like everything else at Lush. Your child may have trouble choosing between a hot chocolate and an ice cream cone!

520 Columbus Ave. 
San Francisco
Online: lushgelato.com

The Best Hot Cocoa in the East Bay

1. Chocolaterie

The gourmet chocolates in this store are so artistic they could be installed at SFMOMA. People regularly come in just to take pictures of the meticulously fashioned bon bons. Drinks are made with the same Solstice chocolate that's used to make the signature truffles. The classic hot chocolate blends 75% dark chocolate with sugar and a touch of salt and is then hand-mixed with steamed organic whole milk. There's also a Mexican blend with cinnamon and chili as well as an option to add lavender for a different taste altogether. All are rich, smooth, and silky. Afterward, snag a box of chocolates to continue the indulgence at home.

1964 University Ave.
Berkeley
Online: shopchocolaterie.com

2. The Chocolate Dragon Bittersweet Cafe & Bakery

This favorite chocolate shop offers lots of options when hot cocoa cravings hit. Their classic hot chocolate is made with traditional milk chocolate with a touch of dark, or you can go for a spicy version—an intense and spicy sipping chocolate. Salted caramel combines all those great flavors and chocolate chai melts dark chocolate into their unsweetened house-brewed chai. 

5427 College Ave.
Oakland
Online: chocolatedragoncafe.com

Where to Find the Best Hot Chocolate on the Peninsula & South Bay

1. Timothy Adams Chocolates

Timothy Adams offers the ultimate custom hot chocolate experience. Pick from nine different chocolates ranging from white to dark, from Valrhona to TCHO, combine it with milk, almond milk, or hazelnut milk, and have it served hot with homemade marshmallows or chilled over ice. Spice it up with a Mexican blend, or for parents, make it a mocha. Timothy Adams is a place for the serious chocoholic: the owners have been making chocolate for over twenty years and selling professionally for a decade. 

539 Bryant St.
Palo Alto
Online: timothyadamschocolates.com

2. Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

Although this hot chocolate is only available on Saturdays and Sundays, it’s worth the wait, and the drive. The Ritz-Carlton at Half Moon Bay opens up its hot chocolate bar on its outdoor terrace at 1 p.m. on weekends. After you get your cup of dark or milk hot chocolate, embellish it with all the toppings your heart desires, from cinnamon whipped cream to caramel to chocolate crispies to mini marshmallows. Adults can add a shot of liquor as well if you need extra warming. Enjoy your hot chocolate in front of some of the most spectacular views in the Bay, then get a s’mores kit for your kids to enjoy making over the fire pits.

1 Miramontes Point Rd.
Half Moon Bay
Online: ritzcarlton.com

3. Cocola

Cocola has locations all over the peninsula and we particularly love getting a hot chocolate from their Santana Row location and finding a sunny spot outside to sit. Grab a chocolate eclair if you're feeling especially indulgent. 

Various Locations
Online: cocolabakery.com

The Best Hot Chocolate in Marin County

Equator Coffees & Teas

https://www.instagram.com/p/Chsdw5TFsXZ/?hidecaption=true

Equator might be better known for its coffee but which kid can resist a hot chocolate that comes with frothy bear artwork? The dark chocolate they use comes from TCHO, a Bay Area chocolatier that works directly with cacao bean farmers and cooperatives to improve growing and drying methods. Baristas at Equator add sugar and water and mix the chocolate with soy, almond, or regular milk creating something that just hits the spot on your way to or from the beach or hiking the trails of Marin.

Various Locations
Online: equatorcoffees.com

My son, Sebastian, and I lived in the same house for 15 years. I gave birth to him. I changed his diapers and taught him to ride a bicycle.

I was a stay-at-home mom, and he was my only child. We spent hours together every day playing and doing crafts together. He painted the most extraordinary pictures even as a toddler. His existence filled my imagination from the moment that I looked at the faint blue positive mark on the pregnancy test.

But I didn’t truly know Sebastian until he was 15. I didn’t know him, because I didn’t see him.

Nobody saw him. Sebastian is the only person in the world known to see with words like a dolphin sees with sound. His blindness is an invisible disability. He has always slipped through our sighted world with what appeared to be the same ease as a spinner dolphin flying through the air.

Now Sebastian is 18, and every time he hugs me I can still feel the shell of his tiny newborn ear against my lips and his infant body in the nook of my shoulder where his chest meets mine. I always inhale, trying to recapture that baby smell and the tickle of almost invisible hair on my lips. His hair is now thick and smooth, not the dandelion fuzz of pale blond.

I cherished every sweet moment with him when he was small. Every hug, every smile, every game of hide-and-seek. I rocked him to sleep each night when he was little. We read aloud together until he was 12. He still hates Les Miserables. Tolkien was more his thing, with the dragons, wizards, and the magic ring that makes you invisible but also drains your soul.

He still hugs me every night before I go up to bed. Even after everything, especially after everything, Sebastian tells me that he loves me. When his long arms reach around my shoulders and he leans, I can still feel his little sneakers banging my hips and his little toddler arms hugging my neck. I smell the ghost of Cheerios-past every time.

In the car when we talk about the things we’ve been through together, about how I finally came to know him and see him, I reach out my hand to him. Sebastian’s cool, long-fingered artist’s hand lands in mine, squeezing. In his gentle adult grasp, I feel the ghostly hand of a child in mine, much smaller.

What magic ring did Sebastian have that cast its spell so thoroughly over him that it silently saved him while killing his soul? Surely it was not the cloak of invisibility that he wore all through his childhood as he zoomed through my house waving his wand. He was Darry, King of the Fairies and Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He cast his charm all over so thoroughly that I didn’t see him. Nobody saw him.

I remember his eyes, so bright blue and filled with pain as we both sobbed on the kitchen floor. It was January of 2017, and we had just discovered that 15-year-old Sebastian couldn’t recognize his own face and had taught himself to navigate our own home by counting his steps and turns. I had to tell him that he’d been born blind, not understanding how it was possible myself.

After I finally saw him and his invisible disability, I was crushed with guilt. How could I, as his loving mother, not see what was there before my eyes? Not seeing him kept me from giving the support he truly needed.

Yet with time, I came to realize that I had done nothing wrong. Like him, I did not know I was blind: blind to the side of him nobody could see. My intentions were always good and pure. They were rooted in love and tenderness and a desire to be the best mother I could be.

That’s what we all want as mothers. But sometimes, life creates blind spots. When we come to recognize them, we must accept and learn from them.

Now I am privileged to see the man who walks through this world with dignity and grace. His dry, laconic humor cracks me up, and his striking art inspires me. With his help and support, I am fighting to end the discrimination against the millions of people who have cerebral/cortical visual impairment. (CVI was identified as the number one cause of visual impairment in the developed world more than 10 years ago and still doesn’t have a diagnostic code.)

Every day, I celebrate seeing him for the wonderful man he is.

Originally published May 2021.

RELATED LINKS
No One Tells You About the Guilt You’ll Experience as a Mom with a Chronic Illness
When You’re So Afraid People Are Judging Your Kid That You Get It Totally Wrong
10 Incredible Books That Feature Children with Disabilities

Stephanie Duesing is the author of Eyeless Mind: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, a true story about the discovery of her son Sebastian’s almost total blindness at the age of fifteen. Stephanie is devoted to raising awareness of Cerebral/Cortical-Visual Impairment (CVI) and advocating for patients with this visual impairment.  

Last year I wrote a popular article on using scheduled “Worry Time” to help shrink kid’s anxiety. One common response was that parents need their own “Worry Time” too. “We are as stressed as our kids!” wrote one mom. And I agree. Therefore, this article is for all parents who want to have less worry and more fun.

There are hundreds of reasons parents get stressed. Too many expectations of self, too much food, altered routines, visits with relatives, and money concerns are just a few of the stressors. And you probably have kids who are needier than usual, partly because they pick up on their parents’ levels of worry.

The most useful and best researched anti-worry techniques come from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). These strategies include talking back to the worry, holding the worry in a box, and scheduling worry time. The last two techniques are best understood as containing the worry.

Containing Worry

Imagine an immature dandelion flower. The seeds are contained in the seed head and do not scatter. Now imagine a fully mature dandelion seed head which is round, white, and fluffy with parachute-like seeds. The slightest wind will scatter the seeds everywhere—all over the yard, next door, and down the street. Soon there are hundreds of dandelions coming up. If only you could contain those dandelion seed before they spread.

Now imagine those seeds are your worries. You can’t contain a field of mature dandelion seeds, but you can contain your worries (which makes them more manageable). Excellent techniques include naming the worries and then containing them in time or space. These very effective strategies are widely used for both kids and adults. This article is about containing worries in time for adults (parents). Containing worries in space for adults will be the subject of another article.

Steps for Scheduled Worry Time: The Parent Version

The steps for scheduling “Worry Time” with kids is outlined in my previous article. The steps include scheduling the worry, explaining the worry to the child, using the One Rule, and what to do when it isn’t worry time. These same steps can be adapted and be as effective for parents.

Step One: Schedule Worry

Do you have trouble giving yourself any “Me Time”? Of course you do! Yet, this is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself and your family. In order for this to work, you have to pick a time that is just for you and then take it! The amount of time could be from 20 to 60 minutes for you to sit quietly and be undisturbed. Some people actually sit in their car, go to a library, wait until everyone is in bed, or ask their spouse to “contain” the kids.

Set a timer for how much time you have given yourself. Then focus only on your worries during that time. Write about them in a journal or draw them in an art book. You are not to worry whether your writing or art is good quality. No one will see it but you and you are just using the paper medium to get the worries out of your head and onto paper. When the timer goes off, put away your tools and resume your life. Your worries are now safely contained on the paper.

Step Two: Understand What You are Doing

Just like explaining “Worry Time” to your children, you need to understand what you are doing. You are giving yourself time to control your worries by putting them down on paper through words or art. You may wonder whether bringing up all these worries will only make things worse. The answer is no. You are taking charge of the worries by naming them, getting them out of your head, and then not thinking about them after the timer goes off.

Step Three: The One Rule

There is only one very big rule with “Worry Time.” When it is not “Worry Time,” you will work very hard to push your worry thoughts away. You may not talk to your family and friends about your worries (within reason). Instead you need to distract yourself with other things. Ask yourself whether worrying 24/7 really accomplishes anything. And remind yourself that you can focus on your worries during your scheduled time.

Step Four: What to Do When It Isn’t Worry Time

Now you need to think of other things to do when it isn’t scheduled Worry Time. Here are some ideas:

  • Write or draw the worry and put the paper into a jar
  • Imagine putting the worry in a safe and locking it up
  • Exercise
  • Call a friend (you may not talk about your worries)
  • Read a book or go to a movie
  • Do something fun

The important part is that you try not think of your worries during the 23 or so hours you are taking off from worrying. You can tell yourself that you will return to “Worry Time” the next day.

Some adults find they need to schedule two “Worry Times” per day as they begin. Soon they may find they can space out the “Worry Time” to once a day. Hopefully you will get to the point where you don’t have that many worries to write down. That’s good news. Then you can change the “Worry Time” to “Me Time” and just think about what you want to do with your new time. If your worries do not get better, do not hesitate to get professional help.

That’s it! If you can provide “Worry Time” for your kids, you certainly can provide it for yourself. Give yourself this gift of containing your worries this year. Your family will thank-you.

Sally Baird, PhD, is a retired child psychologist and co-author of the book Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kid’s Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. See her website and blog at http://www.drsallyb.com. She is available for zoom events about anxiety, sleep, and children throughout the year.

This post originally appeared on www.drsallyb.com.

I am a child psychologist who specializes in children's anxiety. I just published a top seller children's book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kid's Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. I love sharing ideas about decreasing worry in children, especially now. I also love to hike and bike in beautiful Pacific NW. 

What if there was a DIY Worry Box that helped reduce your child’s worry, improved her sleep, and gave you a fun activity to do with her? What if the idea behind the craft was based on research-based strategies that successfully lowered anxiety? Would you be interested? Of course!

More than ever, we need help reducing our anxiety. Research shows that the mental health toll on children (and their parents) from the pandemic is growing. In other words, our children are showing ever more symptoms of anxiety, poor sleep, and feeling lonely and uncertain. With online school, we expect anxiety to only get worse. In addition, many parents are with their children 24/7 and are desperate for activities that will calm their kids. A DIY Worry Box offers a way to keep the worries in check, improve sleep, AND make a fun craft.

As a child psychologist who specialized in work with anxious children, I often had kids write down their worries and put the paper in a “Worry Box.” The relief for most children was immediate because they could name their worry, write it down, and then put the paper into a closed container. The worry was contained and felt more manageable. Initially, I used a simple box with a lid and named it the Worry Box. With the writing of my children’s book on worry, the Worry Box was enhanced to be a child-created monster that can be as unique, crazy, or silly as the child wants.

The simple-sounding idea of putting a written worry in a Worry Box (containment) comes from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is widely regarded as the most effective way to manage anxiety in both children and adults. Before learning to make the Worry Box, let’s learn more about containment and why it is so effective.

Containment

Containment is one of the basic principles of CBT. An analogy can help to understand it better. Imagine a yellow dandelion flower. The immature seeds are contained within the yellow flower and are not reproducing. But when the flower changes to a white fluffy seedhead, the mature seeds scatter in the wind. The seeds are no longer contained and they spread everywhere! Soon there are hundreds of new dandelions. If only you could contain all those seeds before they spread.

Now imagine that the mature dandelion seeds are worries. With the slightest provocation and without a container, worries can scatter everywhere. The worries can spread to bother a child (or an adult) anywhere and anytime. If you were just able to hold the worries in a container, they would feel manageable. You know you CANNOT contain mature dandelion seeds, but you CAN contain worries!

How to Make a Worry Box    

Children will feel more in control (and have fun) if they are the ones to make their own container to hold their worries. You can make a worry box out of any kind of container. This Worry Box is designed to look similar to the big green Worry Monster in the author’s book. The difference between a Worry Box and Worry Monster is that the Worry Box holds your worries for you (a good thing) and the Worry Monster takes the worries in so he can grow bigger and scare you more (not so good).

For this Worry Box, supplies include a tissue box, chenille pipe cleaners, wiggle eyes, glue, an egg carton, acrylic paint, markers, stapler, puffballs, and foam sheets.

1. Paint the tissue box with acrylic.
2. Cut the foam to make teeth and hands.
3. Stick pipe cleaners into the box sides for arms and then staple the hands to the arms.
4. Cut and glue an egg carton for the top of head and glue on eyes.
5. Stick a pipe cleaner in for the sign and write “FEED ME WORRIES!”.

That’s it! A tutorial on how to make the box will be available on my website.

Your monster could be any color and have anything added to it. There are endless ideas on the internet. Let this monster be your child’s creation. The important concept is to have a mouth or a slot where your child can insert a paper with a written or drawn worry.

How to Use a Worry Monster Box

The Worry Box is ideal for preschoolers through teens. After the box is made, show your child how to use it. Tell her that when a worry pops up, she can write or draw the worry to put into the monster’s mouth. If necessary, you can write the worry for her, but you shouldn’t get into a big discussion about the worry at that time. The main ideas are that the child is learning to contain her worry with very little adult help and the worry is being released from the child into a container. Tell your child that any number of worries, big or small, can be put in the monster’s mouth.

Ideally don’t peek at the worries, instead make it a safe place for your child. Then set up a Worry Time (another form of containment in time) each day to discuss the worries.

To help with sleep, have your child write down her worries just before bedtime and then put them in the Worry Box to be safely held. She can also put the Worry Box under her bed so she can write down worries that might bother her in the middle of the night. Children often have great success with this.

Of course, you want to help your child with his or her worry and sleep problems and you want to have fun with your kids. So get out your crafts and get to work!

Sally Baird, PhD is a retired child psychologist and co-author of a new book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kids’ Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. See her website at www.drsallyb.com. If your child has worries about COVID-19, you may want to read Dr. Sally’s blog on helping kids who worry about the pandemic, school, illness, and so much more!

This post originally appeared on www.drsallyb.com.

I am a child psychologist who specializes in children's anxiety. I just published a top seller children's book titled Shrinking the Worry Monster, A Kid's Guide for Saying Goodbye to Worries. I love sharing ideas about decreasing worry in children, especially now. I also love to hike and bike in beautiful Pacific NW. 

Looking for new ways to entertain the kids outdoors? We’ve got a nature-meets-suburbs scavenger hunt just for Angelenos. Get ready for a social distancing-friendly walk around the block—and see how many of these critters, plants and objects you can spot along the way.

1. Make a Wish

Whether you consider them a weed or a wildflower, these plants are regulars on lawns around town. Kinds can search for the white fluffy blooms and wish away!

Fun fact: It takes one to two weeks for the yellow petals of a dandelion to evolve into the delicate wisps (actually seeds) that carry wishes. 

2. Butterfly Effect

Ian Lindsay via Pixabay

While the peak of butterfly season typically ends in March, you may still be able to spot some of these winged beauties this month. 

Fun fact: Painted lady butterflies (with their graphic orange and black wings) migrate from the deserts of Mexico to the Pacific Northwest in spring. 

3. Buzzing Around

Busy little honey bees can be seen circling flowers this time of year—just make sure kiddos keep a safe distance. 

Fun fact: Lavender is a favorite of honeybees. (Of course, If you're bee-averse, you'll want to steer clear of the purple blooms.)

4. Getting Antsy

Little ones are experts at finding ants. And it's the perfect chance to make use of that magnifying glass. 

Fun fact: Ants are one of the strongest creatures, able to lift 10 to 50 times their weight! That would be like a toddler lifting a horse. 

5. Critter Connection

Mike Desisto via flickr

Keep an eye out for squirrels scurrying up trees, balance on power lines and darting across lawns—or even sunbathing in the park

6. Think Pink

Bougainvillea's bold, fuchsia blooms are a commons sight in LA—and they make for a great photo op. 

Fun fact: The largest bougainvillea was planted in 1902 and is still growing today in the city of Glendora in LA county.

7. Hoop Dreams

Live in the sprawling 'burbs? Count how many basketball hoops you see on your excursion.

8. Rock On

Chances are you'll spot one of these drought-tolerant "lawns" before you round the block. The low-water landscaping is quintessential LA.

9. Humming Along

Tom Benson via flickr

According to the L.A. Nature Map (which lets you share your own pictures and sightings), hummingbirds abound around LA right now.

Fun fact: In addition to being able to hover mid-air and fly straight up and down, the amazing hummingbird can also fly backwards, . 

10. Hi, Hydrant!

And you thought fire hydrants were red? Nope. Turns out LA's public hydrants are yellow, and you can find them every block or so. 

Fun fact: Red hydrants are actually designated for private use and have much less water pressure than their yellow counterparts.

–Shannan Rouss

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The Bay Area is a mecca for all things savory and sweet, but did you know that there are tons of opportunities for the little ones to get up close and in on the action? From to ice cream to cheese to small batch chocolate, check out our list for the best Bay Area tours for foodies, big and small, to go behind the scenes and sample some of the Bay Area’s most popular bites.

Creator Burger

Creator Burger
Anita Chu

Having robots assemble your food is the hottest trend and at Creator you can see it happen right in front of your eyes. Creator's massive, custom-made burger assembly machine sits prominently in the back of the restaurant and makes your burger to order—no humans required. After you place your order, you can watch the machine slice your bun, apply sauces and toppings and finally add the freshly cooked burger patty. Anyone, especially eager kids, can walk up to the machine and watch, and usually there are staff on hand to explain the entire process. If you want a more formal tour,  they also offer a full "robot tour" that includes lunch, for $25/person. Visit the website for more details.

Good to know: Creator is only open Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so it can get busy. The burgers are worth the wait though, as is the show.

680 Folsom St.
San Francisco, CA
Online: creator.rest

Fenton's Creamery

Fenton's

Fenton's Creamery opened in 1894 and it's still satisfying everyone's love of ice cream. Their Oakland shop offers a half hour Arctic Tour specifically geared for little kids six and up: guests will learn about the history of Fenton's, visit the ice cream production room to see ice cream being churned, and then visit the icy cold blast freezer where the ice cream is stored. You'll need to call Fenton's to find out about tour availability and to make a reservation. There are several options to choose from including adding a treat of ice cream, sundae or lunch to the tour. This will be the sweetest fun your kids will ever have learning!

Good to know: Tours require 8 guests minimum and need to be arranged in advance; call 510--58-7000 or e-mail info@fentonscreamery.com.

4226 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA
Online: fentonscreamery.com

Boudin Bakery

Kate Loweth

Enjoy a taste of a San Francisco’s institution, Boudin Bakery—the city’s oldest continuously operating business since 1849—and tour their flagship location at Fisherman’s Wharf. Boudin’s Museum and Bakery Tour not only offers interactive exhibits about the history of Boudin and San Francisco, but a 30-foot observation window into the ground floor demonstration bakery, where you and your little chef can see a team of bakers up to their elbows in sourdough. You can walk the route on your own for free, or you can go on a 30-minute tour with a guide to learn more about the bread-making process. Afterwards, you can grab lunch at the café, which offers sandwiches, pizzas, and Boudin's classic soup in a sourdough bread bowl.

Good to Know: Self-guided tours are free and can occur at your leisure during operating hours of 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Docent-guided museum tours are $5/person, and require calling ahead to secure a tour time between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 415-928-8882.

160 Jefferson St.
San Francisco, CA
Onlineboudinbakery.com

Jelly Belly

Gabby Cullen

From Sour Apple to Berry Blue to the popular Buttered Popcorn, see how all your favorite Jelly Belly flavors are made at the Jelly Belly Factory. Located in Fairfield, you and your little one will enjoy the factory’s walking tour showcasing their 150 different sweet treats. You'll follow an observation track over the production floor seeing the whole manufacturing process, and free samples are given out at the end.  Since this is a fully functioning manufacturing facility, production schedules may change so be sure to plan your trip and check for dates on their events calendar.

Good to Know: Tours are offered Monday–Friday 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m. You can either do a self-guided tour, or you can book a 40-minute personal guided tour which lets you bypass the line and gives your group a guide to explain the jelly bean making process. Guided tours must be booked in advance through the website; cost is $39/person and maximum group size is 6. 

1 Jelly Belly Lane
Fairfield, CA
Onlinejellybelly.com

It's-It Ice Cream

It's-It Ice Cream
Lizelle P via Yelp

What's better than an ice cream-cookie sandwich? One dipped in chocolate! The It's-It, an iconic Bay Area dessert, was created nearly 90 years ago when founder George Whitley placed a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two fresh oatmeal cookies, then upped the ante by dipping it into dark chocolate. The decadent desserts are now created in their Burlingame factory. There are no tours of the actual factory floor, but the factory store offers a video showing you the process. Bonus: you can buy all of the flavors there, including hard to find seasonal ones like pumpkin and strawberry, plus unique memorabilia and other frozen treats.

Good to know: The shop is open Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

865 Burlway Rd
Burlingame, CA
Onlineitsiticecream.com

Dandelion Chocolate

Dandelion Chocolate

For the eight and older set, the new Dandelion Chocolate factory in San Francisco’s Mission district is a true foodie destination. Your child’s eyes will light up as they taste cacao as it goes through the process of bean to chocolate bar. Dandelion Chocolate offers hour-long tours every day of the week, but you need book your tour ahead of time online—check the website for available dates and times. Tours cost $15/person, and include a hot chocolate gift card. Dandelion Chocolate also offers children’s classes—interactive, behind-the-scenes workshops catered towards children ages 7-13.

Good to Know: The factory operates Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 5.p.m if you want to select a tour time when the machinery is in operation!

2600 16th St.
San Francisco, CA
Onlinedandelionchocolate.com

Cowgirl Creamery

Evan F via Yelp

Cowgirl Creamery is a must-visit destination for all the cheese lovers out there. They offer 60-minute guided tours at their original Pt. Reyes creamery on Fridays at 11 a.m. every week—reservations required. You and your little one will not only see their curd-making techniques, but you can indulge in samples of all of Cowgirl Creamery’s fine cheeses. If you can't do the guided tour, they suggest visiting the creamery between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday for the best time to view them making cheese. There's also a deli at the creamery selling sandwiches, salads and drinks, so you can grab a picnic lunch and make a day trip out of your visit.

Good to Know: Tour cost $5 per person, and maximum tour group is 18 spots. Reserve your spot online as they can sell out quickly.

80 4th St.
Point Reyes Station, CA
Onlinecowgirlcreamery.com

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Ruth R via Yelp

Ever wonder how a fortune gets inside a fortune cookie?  See for yourself and go on a culinary adventure to San Francisco’s Chinatown, where tucked away in a nondescript alley is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. This small factory has been churning out fortune cookies since 1962. Enjoy the sweet smell of freshly-baked goodies as you and your kiddo watch cookies pressed and molded right before your eyes. Free samples of “mistakes,” or flat fortune cookies, are abundant! You can also purchase bags of fortune cookies in various flavors, from original to chocolate to matcha. They even have glazed and chocolate-dipped ones!

Good to Know: The factory is open M-F 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-7 p.m. While the visit is free, if you want to take a snapshot of the fortune cookies being made it’ll cost a whopping 50¢ per click!

56 Ross Alley
San Francisco, CA

Anchor Brewing Company

Anchor Brewing Company
Michael T via Yelp

A family outing to Anchor Brewing, America’s first and oldest craft brewery, is a fun and totally unique experience. Your kiddos obviously won’t be able to partake in the tastings, but they’ll still appreciate the history of this brewery and its ties to the history of San Francisco, as the brewery dates back to the days of the Gold Rush. Seeing the huge copper vats and fermentation tanks is pretty cool, too. The hour and a half tour takes you through the brewery and ends in the taproom where adults can sample Anchor Brewing's lineup in a fun tasting session. 

Good to Know: Anchor Brewing guided tours are offered seven days a week—check the website for available times and to make reservations. It costs $25 per person, but 21 and under are free. Closed toe shoes are required and be aware the plant operates Monday through Friday only, if you want to see the brewing process in action.

1705 Mariposa St.
San Francisco, CA
Onlineanchorbrewing.com

Ramini Mozzarella, Tomales

To learn how authentic mozzarella di bufala is made, head to Tomales to meet the buffalo of Ramini Mozzarella. Tours and tastings are offered on Saturdays and includes a 45-minute talk, a tasting of cheese in the picnic area surrounded by buffalo and a chance to pet and interact with the buffalo. Children are welcome. Everyone should dress in layers for cool weather and wear closed-toed shoes. 

175 Gericke Rd.
Tomales, CA
Online: raminimozzarella.com

—Anita Chu, Sandra Lee, Melissa Bouse & Yannina Pacis

Photo: Kristin Van de Water

Dear Mom of Four,

“Are they all yours?” you asked and responded with such glee when I said, “Yes—all four!”

There we were, peering off the overlook at a snoozing grizzly bear at the Central Park Zoo. I snapped a gazillion photos of my brood, trying to get eight eyes to stop squinting simultaneously. Then you rolled up in your double stroller, big kids clamoring for a spot on-board while your baby tried for a nap.

“Four! That makes me so happy!” you gushed. “I can’t wait to go without a stroller, like you.”

As it was a school holiday, we were both loaded up with four kiddos apiece plus plenty of gear, making the most of a beautiful spring day in New York City.

“Well, our stroller is waiting at the bottom of the steps,” I explained, “but it is a lot easier when the youngest can walk a bit.”

“And you live in the city?” you continued. “Do you know anyone else here with four kids?”

“We know lots with three but just a few with four. And yes, Upper East.”

“Me too!”

But when I learned that we lived 25 blocks apart—including a few hilly avenues—I shied away from exchanging contact information and pursuing a friendship. We chatted for a moment as we strolled toward the snow leopard exhibit but left it at that. In the moment, I couldn’t fathom the logistics involved in getting our families going in the same direction at the same time. That’s just too many bodies to coordinate.

I live most of my life within 10 blocks of my apartment. Realistically, if you live outside my kids’ walkable radius, it just isn’t going to happen. Our day at the zoo was a rare excursion out of the neighborhood in honor of Grandma’s visit. I connect most readily with the people I naturally do life with—families we see regularly at our local playground, playgroup, church, library or school.

Four kids in, I have my community established, and I’m guessing you do too. To be honest, I often feel like I’m not a good enough friend to those people. I’m lucky if I can see my best friend even once a month. Adding another family to the mix would dilute the time I have for those established connections.

How sad, though, that friendships must be so calculated. For better or worse, relationships take work. Like a garden, they must be weeded and watered in order to flourish. That day at the zoo, I had just bumped into a couple of other friends by the penguins. Unfortunately, that blinded me enough to mistake you for a dandelion instead of a sunflower.

While I generally don’t dwell on the past or live with many regrets, I keep replaying our interaction in my mind, wondering if I should have paused to plant another seed in my friendship garden. The work of pursuing a new mom friend would certainly be worth it if I found a new BFF.

So much of our conversation went unspoken because we just automatically understood each other. There’s no way we were going to spend the public-school holiday cooped up inside. Rather than turning our tiny apartments into madhouses with kids bouncing off the walls, we geared up and headed to the real zoo instead. I already knew what your morning looked like because I, too, had spent several hours pouring cereal, brushing teeth, tying ponytails, slathering sunscreen, packing lunch, locating shoes, convincing everyone to use the bathroom, hyping up the zoo to at least one cranky kid, and trekking back upstairs for forgotten hats.

Maybe I didn’t catch your name because, subconsciously, it felt like I already knew you.

Anyway, I think you are a rock star for parenting four kids in New York City. Stick it out. Invest in this great city and your neighborhood. Get creative with your living space. Live simply. Don’t feel like you must have it all or do it all—because “normal” gets a whole new definition when a family of six is involved. Spend time with your incredible family and dare to dig your roots into the city instead of searching for your suburban escape plan. Let’s do this together, even if we never physically cross paths again.

And if we run into each other grabbing frozen waffles at the grocery store while the kids negotiate who gets to hold the basket, counting books at the library because we’re close to the 50-item max, or stocking up on popcorn and pretzels at the Dollar Tree, I’ll know our mom friendship was meant to be.

Yours truly,

Kristin

Kristin Van de Water
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Kristin Van de Water is a former journalist and teacher who relies on humor, faith, and her mom crew to get her through the day. Raising four kids in a two-bedroom NYC apartment, Kristin is always on the lookout for life hacks to save time, space, money, and her sanity.

A is for Awesome, and A is for April. So why not read some awesome new books for kids this month? We’ve rounded up a shortlist of our favorites that are fresh off the presses.

Three New Indestructibles Titles

Babies put everything in their mouths and even the most sturdy board books can fall prey to a toddler's destruction. New this month is three titles from the popular Indestructibles series: The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Row, Row, Row Your Boat all by Amy Pixton and illustrated by Maddie Frost. All of these books are chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic, 100% washable and are super thin and light so they make for great reads to throw in your diaper bag. 

Ages 0+

Available on amazon.com 

 

Look, There's a Helicopter!

Each book in this charming board book series follows a vehicle on its journey, introducing new readers to a host of words. Die-cut pages mean there's an interactive component, engaging those chubby little fingers in the story. This charming board book and its companion, Look, There's a Tractor (both out this April) are wonderfully illustrated by Dutch artist, Esther Arts. 

Ages: 1-4

Get yours here. $7.99

Maisy at Home: A First Words Book

Candlewick Press

Little Maisy mouse is back again, this time with a wonderful board book designed to boost your kiddos vocabulary. Lucy Cousins' classic illustrations are enhanced by this tabbed board book: there are tabs with images like fish, an apple, a moon that kids can use to open the book to a page all about that theme (the moon leads to bedtime words, for example). We also loved Maisy's Day Out, just released in April as well. 

Ages: 1-3 

Get a copy here. $7.05

A Piglet Named Mercy

This picture-book prequel to the beloved Mercy Watson chapter book series by Kate DiCamillo (and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen) brings us right to the doorstep of the Watsons and tells the hilarious origins of that porcine wonder, Mercy, in full-color illustrations. The perfect introduction to the series, but even older readers will appreciate the origin tale. Available April 2. 

Ages: 3-7

Get yours here, $13.28

High Five

Penguin Random House

From the wonder-twins who brought you Dragons Love Tacos and RoboSauce (and many other epic books), author Adam Rubin and illustrator Daniel Salmieri have teamed up again for High Five. Discover the fine, lost art of high five-ing. From hand-limbering stretches to lessons on five-ing with finesse, readers are guided through a series of interactive challenges, each goofier than the next! 

Available April, 2019. 

Ages: 3-5

Pre-order your copy here, $18.99

Tomorrow Most Likely

Chronicle Books

Dave Eggers is at it again with his newest release for kiddos ages 3-5, Tomorrow Most Likely. Publishing this month from Chronicle Books, this new read illustrated by Lane Smith reinvents the classic bedtime book. Instead of focusing on what happened that day, the little boy protagonist focuses on the future and imagines all the fun, dreamy and whimsical things that might happen tomorrow. 

Ages 3-5

Available for $12.75 on amazon.com,

¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market

Versify

Fans of Richard Scarry will appreciate the lively details of this Mexican-American story by award-winning illustration Raúl the Third. This bilingual book teaches kids new words in Spanish while traveling through the bustling, border-town marketplace. Inspired by the author-illustrator's own life growing up between El Paso, Texas and Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, this exciting new book is a must-read for April and beyond. On sale Apr. 2. 

Ages: 4-7

Get your copy at amazon.com, $10.91

 

Gondra's Treasure

Linda Sue Park's new book Gondra's Treasure introduces young readers to the differences between dragons of the East and dragons of the West, but it also teaches a sweet lesson in how differences can come together to make something even greater than caverns of gold and shining pearls. Illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. 

Ages: 4-7

Get it here, $12.75

Dandy

Little, Brown and Company

One dad faces the ultimate challenge: convincing his daughter that the weed on his perfectly manicured lawn must go. From trying to snip the dandelion at naptime to sneaking behind his daughter's back when he thinks she's not looking, Dad does everything to try to convince his daughter, Sweetie that the dandelion (which she lovingly names Charlotte) is not fit for his perfect yard. Find out what happens in this endearing and funny tale from Ame Dyckman and illustrator Charles Santoso in this book debuting this month. 

Ages: 4-8

$12.75, on Amazon.com

Swarm of Bees

Little Brown/Hatchett

Beloved author Lemony Snicket teams up with Rilla Alexander for a brightly illustrated romp through one little boy's town as he mischievously chucks tomatoes and is followed by a swarm of bees. In spite of the funny, colorful tale it's really about feeling anger and other emotions, and figuring out where to put it. 

Ages: 4-8

Get your copy today. $12.75

You Are Never Alone

A STEAM-based picture book that teaches kids about global warming and and environmental distress in a gentle, positive way? Yes, please! Beautifully illustrated by Soyeon Kim, Elin Kelsey's You Are Never Alone encourages questions, discussion and empathy for the beautiful, natural word around us. From the healing power of plants to the life cycles of the ocean, it's poetic learning at its best. Highly recommended. Available Apr. 15. 

Ages: 4-8

Get a copy here. $12.89.

Guitar Genius

Chronicle Books

Kim Tomsic's Guitar Genius: How Les Paul Engineered the Solid-Body Electric Guitar and Rocked the World, illustrated by Brett Heiquist gives a detailed account of how Les Paul became the father of the modern electric guitar. Kids will appreciate the inventiveness of Paul even as a child, and parents will appreciate the historical significance of this great inventor. 

Ages: 5-8

Get a copy here. $17.99

Georgia’s Terrific, Colorific Experiment

Meet Georgia. She’s a budding scientist in a family of artists, and they all have an idea of how she can conduct her experiments. At first, Georgia doesn’t want their “silly imaginative ideas,” but after an afternoon spent trying to discover something new (and failing to re-create things that have already been proven as true), she realizes that sometimes, in order to be a scientist, you must think creatively. Accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by author Zoe Persico, this book is a perfect fit for any spunky kid who’s creatively curious.

Ages: 5-8

Buy it at amazon.com, $12.32.

Bikes for Sale

Carter Higgins' Bikes for Sale tells the story of two busy bike-riders whose accidental collision sets them up for a big success. It's not just about bikes, it's about friendship. "They were new once. And then, they weren't." Brightly illustrated by Zachariah OHora. 

Ages: 5-8

Buy your copy here. $12.14

Extraordinary Birds

This debut novel from fifth-grade teacher and award-winning poet Sandy Stark-McGinnis tells the story of an eleven-year-old foster girl named December who is placed in a home with a woman who cares for injured birds. The story of heartbreak, hope and an unlikely home is one parents will love reading with the kids, too. Available Apr. 30.

Ages: 8-12

Preorder it here, $11.72

Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Feather

The second in a new series: The Falcon’s Feather follows three pre-teens: Cruz, Sailor and Emmett, as they set off on their first around-the-world adventure in hopes of discovering more about the important puzzle that 12-year-old Cruz’s mother left for him. Follow the kids as they set sail for Iceland and Norway, explore the ocean via underwater dives and yes, end up with more of a mystery!

Ages: 8-12

Buy it at shopnationalgeographic.com, $14.44.

The Inventors and the Lost Island

A.M. Morgan's new novel, a sequel to The Inventors at No 8, is part steampunk adventure, part royal drama and a whole lot of invention. George (the 3rd Lord of Devonshire) might be the unluckiest boy in London, and things aren't getting any better when his new next door neighbor turns out to be a nefarious foe. But thanks to Ada Byron, the future Countess of Lovelace, George manages to stay one step ahead. Available Apr. 2. 

Ages: 8-12

Find your copy here. $16.99

I Am Hermes

This graphic novel is filled with vivid illustrations that follow the mischievous Hermes: messenger of the Gods. Illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winner Mordicai Gerstein, read all about how Hermes steals his brother Apollo’s cows, tricks a turtle into giving up his shell and even gives humans common sense. A delightful way to introduce kids to Greek Mythology.

Ages 8-12

Grab a copy at amazon.com, $12.91.

The Ghost Network, Book 1

Four friends from four very different ends of the world have something in common: they love computers, coding, hacking and gaming. John, Slack, Akane and Salome, all age 12, have something else in common, too: technically, they're all dead. When they discover that the Wolf's Den in Alaska isn't just a top-secret school for coders, but actually a dangerous project in disguise, the four ghostly pals must work together to save the living kids. Written by I. I Davidson. Available Apr. 16. 

Ages: 10-12

Preorder it here. $9.99 

 

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Raising kids can easily be equated with growing flowers: they both require nurturing to thrive, but the type of flower also makes a big difference in what that nurturing looks like. According to an expert, the same is true for different types of kids, and he has an answer to the question what’s an “orchid” child and how do you raise one?

Dr. Thomas Boyce, an emeritus professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, is the author of a new book titled The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive. He was interviewed recently on NPR’s Fresh Air where he explains that the majority of kids can be classified as “dandelions” because they are generally able to cope with stress and challenges in a healthy way.

photo: Petra Kebler via Unsplash

Orchid children, on the other hand, are more sensitive to both good and bad environments. They have biological reactions to their experiences which makes it difficult to cope with stress. Boyce conducted research in a laboratory setting to observe primary stress response systems in kids. One test measured the stress hormone cortisol and the other looked at the autonomic nervous system, otherwise known as the “fight-or-flight” system.

“We found that there were huge differences (among) children,” Boyce told NPR. “There were some children at the high end of the spectrum who had dramatic reactivity in both the cortisol system and the fight-or-flight system, and there were other children who had almost no biological response to the challenges that we presented to them.”

Boyce recommends that parents of orchid children can help their kids by being supportive and not trying to change them. They should also encourage their kids to try to move outside of their comfort zone. He told NPR, “I think that this is probably the most difficult parenting task in raising an orchid child. The parent of an orchid child needs to walk this very fine line between, on the one hand, not pushing them into circumstances that are really going to overwhelm them and make them greatly fearful, but, on the other hand, not protecting them so much that they don’t have experiences of mastery of these kinds of fearful situations.”

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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What’s your idea of the perfect purchase at Whole Foods Market? Recently employees and customers revealed their picks to INSIDER. Read on for some of the most sought-after selections. Did your favorite Whole Foods product make the cut?

Sir Kensington's Special Sauce

Amazon

It's non-GMO, gluten free and a favorite. Yep, shoppers picked this condiment as one of the top products. Slather this sauce on a hamburger, veggie burger or just about anything else. 

365 Tortilla Chips

Amazon

One customer told INSIDER that these restaurant style chips are his favorite item in the store. And with that taste...well, they should be.

The Cheese Section

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Okay, so an entire department isn't exactly one pick. But the cheese section does have anywhere from 250 to 1,000 selections—making it a store standout. 

Hummus

Amazon

Yum! With plenty of varieties to choose from, Whole Foods Market hummus is a spread that shoppers seem to love. 

Stone Crabs

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market/Georg Beyer

Even though the seafood section as a whole is a fan favorite, it looks like the stone crabs stood apart as one of the best picks. 

Dandelion Greens

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market

Unlike other salad selections, dandelion greens aren't exactly easy to come by. And that's precisely why Whole Foods Market's customers choose this healthy choice as one of the winners.

Gorgonzola Panini

Courtesy of Whole Foods Market/Georg Beyer

Take a trip to the hot food section and you'll find this top-placing sandwich. Of course, it wasn't the only prepared foods pick. But one loyal customer did note that they make a special trip to their local store just for this superior sammie. 

Bananas

Hans via Pixabay

Yep, Whole Foods customers are bananas about...well, the bananas. Even though this is a grocery store staple, it still earns high marks from the retailer's fans. 

Waterloo Water

Courtesy of Whole Foods

It's refreshing, it has zero calories and it's naturally flavored! Waterloo Watermelon Sparkling Water isn't just tasty, it's a top Whole Foods choice among regular customers.

Grass-Fed Steak

Courtesy of Whole Foods/Georg Beyer

Like the seafood section, the beef section also got top marks. But it was the grass-fed steak that truly caught the attention of Whole Foods shoppers.

 

Click here for the full list.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Whole Foods Market

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