Family Amenities

At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we strive to make your child’s and your whole family’s experience as easy as possible. Recognizing that a hospital visit can be stressful and overwhelming, we offer many amenities to make your time here more comfortable.

Family Resource Center

Our Family Resource Center is here to support any parent who has a child in the hospital. We are a source of information, comfort and respite – a quiet place where adult family members can accomplish tasks while remaining near their children. Parents can use the center to do online research, access reading materials, find local resources, learn about navigating the hospital system and more. The center also stocks sundries, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, that families may need. Both our San Francisco and Oakland hospitals offer these services.

Lounges

Our family lounges are quiet, comfortable places for family and friends to relax. Accompanied by an adult, siblings coming to visit can wait in a lounge until a nurse is able to check them in.

At the San Francisco hospital, family lounges are located on the third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors.
At the Oakland hospital, family lounges are located on the third, fourth and fifth floors. The third- and fourth-floor lounges are also available for sleeping.

The San Francisco surgical lounge is a check-in and waiting area for patients who will be staying overnight after surgery, as well as for their family members and friends. Our Guest Services staff provides amenities for those waiting and updates on patients during surgery. Your child's surgeon may connect with you and your family in the lounge after the procedure. Please don’t bring food or beverages into the lounge as a courtesy to surgery patients, who are required to fast. The San Francisco lounge is located on the second floor. It is open Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (415) 476-0343.

The Oakland surgical lounge is located on the third floor and is always open.

Kitchens

Most of our pediatric hospital units have mini-kitchens, equipped with a microwave and ice dispenser, for families to use. Juice, milk, ice cream, fruit ice pops and graham crackers are provided as snacks. You're welcome to store food for your child in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Please label all items with your child’s name and the date. If your child has a condition affecting the immune system, be sure to check with your child's doctor or nurse regarding any food you provide.

Showers and laundry

We have showers and laundry facilities that families may use. Please bring your personal toiletries from home. If you forget something, you’re welcome to visit the Family Resource Center.

Breastfeeding facilities

Breastfeeding rooms equipped with breast pumps are available for your convenience. Please ask your nurse or lactation consultant for any equipment, labels or instructions you need. Refrigerators and freezers are available for storing breast milk.

Sleeping accommodations for parents

At our San Francisco campus, we encourage parents to stay with their children. All patient rooms have a dedicated family area equipped with a sleeper sofa and locking storage cabinets, as well as wireless high-speed internet service. Because space is limited, please plan for only one parent to stay overnight.

When the hospital stay will last more than a few days, we will do our best to assist your family with finding housing options. The social worker assigned to support your child can provide you with information on short-term lodging in the area. Both our San Francisco and Oakland locations have facilities nearby that offer free or low-cost housing to eligible families during a child's treatment at UCSF.

Food services

To provide healthy, convenient dining options for patients, visitors and staff, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals operate cafes and cafeterias at all our campuses. Room service meals are available to parents and visitors for a nominal fee. Get more details about our food services.

Your child's hospital stay

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.

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.

Contact a Patient

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hospital Policies

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

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.

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.

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.

Visiting Hours & Guidelines

The visiting hours at our hospitals include policies for critical care areas and flu season. Find out more.

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.

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.

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.

Support services

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Child Life Services

Activity rooms, pet therapy and more to help kids feel at home.

Child Life

Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.

Social Services

Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.

Patient Relations

Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.

Parent Support Program

Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.

Spiritual Care

Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.

Activity Rooms

Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.

Art Therapy

Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.

Music Therapy Program

Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.

Individual Playtime & Instruction

If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.

School Program

Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.

School Re-Entry Program

We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.

Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance

Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.

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