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Your Stay

Visiting Hours & Guidelines

Policies to maintain health and safety

Our visitor policies are subject to change, depending on infection outbreaks and government health-related orders. See Visitor Policies to Maintain Health and Safety for:

  • Up-to-date rules on visiting
  • Masking policies
  • Information about inpatient visits, outpatient visits and video visits

Visiting hours and rules

San Francisco

Visiting hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

  • Two primary caregivers are allowed on a patient's visitor list.
  • Unless there are space constraints, both caregivers are allowed at the patient's bedside anytime.
  • With approval from the patient's care team, siblings or other loved ones who are not primary caregivers are allowed at the patient's bedside during visiting hours.

Oakland

Visiting hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

  • Up to two visitors are allowed at the patient's bedside.
  • During visiting hours, visitors can include two primary caregivers and up to four additional visitors, who must be added to the visitor list prior to entry. For more information, contact the patient's nurse.
  • From 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., two primary caregivers are allowed at the patient's bedside. After 10 p.m., one primary caregiver is allowed at the patient's bedside.
  • Children under 10 years old may not visit patients who are in isolation for an infection.

At both our San Francisco and Oakland campuses, children under age 5 may not visit during respiratory virus season, which is typically from November 1 to May 1.

Visitor check-in process

For the safety of our patients and community, we require every visitor to wear a badge while in the hospital. We also strongly recommend wearing a mask when indoors. When you arrive, please check in at the information desk (San Francisco campus) or ambassador's desk (Oakland campus). A representative will perform a brief health screening before issuing the badge. If you're the patient's parent or guardian and your child will be with us for an extended stay, ask about getting a badge that is good for more than one day.

The desk staff is also happy to help direct visitors, provide information on lodging and dining options, answer parking and transportation questions, and more.

Check-in desks

Information desk (San Francisco)

(415) 476-1583

M-F, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

1975 Fourth St., First Floor

San Francisco, CA

Ambassador's desk (Oakland)

(510) 428-3474 (or ext. 3474 from inside the hospital)

747 52nd St., Main Lobby

Oakland, CA

Visitor rules

During your visit, we ask that you:

  • Check with the department you're visiting about whether masking is required. Even if it isn't, we strongly recommend wearing a mask when indoors.
  • Wear your badge at all times while in the hospital.
  • Wash your hands before entering a patient room.
  • Supervise underage visitors at all times.
  • Be mindful of noise levels, particularly if your child is sharing a room with another patient.
  • Latex balloons are not allowed as they are a health and safety risk. You may bring mylar balloons.

Preparing siblings for a hospital visit

Child life specialists are trained to support kids and teens in a medical setting. They offer many services for families, including help with preparing children to visit a sick or injured sibling in the hospital. For more information, contact Child Life Services.

Your child's hospital stay

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Your Stay

We offer valuable information to help you plan for your child's upcoming hospital stay. Find out about food services, family accommodations and more.

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Admissions & Discharge

To plan for your child's hospital stay, read about admission to and discharge from the hospital, and details to make your child as comfortable as possible.

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Contact a Patient

You can contact your child or other patients by phone, message or postal mail during their hospital stay. Find out how.

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Family Accommodations

Most of our patient rooms can accommodate one overnight guest, and we offer many family amenities. Short-term lodging is also available nearby.

Family Amenities

Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.

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Food Services

We offer healthy, convenient options for food and beverages at our cafe's, cafeterias, kiosks and vending machines at our facilities. Learn more.

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Gift Shops

Our gift shops offer a variety of gifts, such as flowers, plants, balloons, toys, books, candy and more, for children and families during a hospital stay.

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Health Insurance

We accept numerous health insurance plans at our pediatric hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland. Find out if your plan is one of them.

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Hospital Policies

Our hospital policies cover cell phone use, smoking, safety drills and more. Find the details you need to know before your visit.

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Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Our list of patient rights and responsibilities describes the partnership of mutual respect between you and your child's care team. Learn more.

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Patient Rooms

Our patient rooms offer a cheerful, comfortable setting for rest and recovery during your child's stay, with amenities such as TVs, WiFi and sofa sleepers.

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Patient Safety: How You Can Help

You can help the care team safeguard your child's well-being by asking questions, keeping track of medications and other steps for a safe experience.

Patient Transport: A Parent's Guide

Our transport service provides high-level care on the way to our hospitals. Find out what to expect and how you can help ensure a smooth transport.

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Preparing Kids for a Hospital Stay

Preparing your child for a hospital stay or surgery can be challenging. Read our tips for making this process less stressful for you and your child.

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Your Child's Care Team

Our doctors, nurses, child life specialists and other providers have special training to care for children. Meet your child's care team.

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Your Child's Hospital Stay: What to Bring

A favorite pillow, toy, book or electronic device can help your child feel more comfortable while in the hospital. Find out what you can bring.

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Preparing for Your Child's Surgery

If your child is having surgery, there are many details about how to prepare, what to bring, and what to expect during and after surgery. Learn more.

Learning never stops

Our classroom and bedside classes help kids get credit and keep learning during treatment.

See our school program
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