CPMC Birth Center, Van Ness Campus
About This Location
Congratulations! We’re excited to be by your side as you welcome the newest member of your family. At CPMC Birth Center, Van Ness Campus, in San Francisco, you’ll find family-centered care and a skilled, compassionate team. Enjoy a private room with a city view where you can labor, deliver, recover and bond with your baby. You’ll also have access to specialized maternity services that help you feel safe, confident and well cared for throughout your birth experience.
Recognized as one of America’s Best Maternity Hospitals, we provide award-winning prenatal education, Baby-Friendly breastfeeding support and a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We're proud to be recognized by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaboration (CMQCC) for going above and beyond to provide high quality, safe care to California's mothers, families and newborns.
Your Stay
We’re excited to help you get ready for your big day. Review our checklist for helpful tips, links and forms to help you prepare for your delivery at our San Francisco birth center.
- Book your birthing tour
- Explore our classes and support groups for childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care
- Register for delivery during your second trimester (20-28 weeks)
- Fill out our form outlining your birth preferences and bring it with you to the hospital: English | Spanish
- Contact your insurance company about your coverage and costs. Learn more about billing, payment options and financial assistance on our billing and insurance page.
- Learn what to pack for your hospital stay
- Find out when you should head to the delivery room
- Make sure your car seat is installed correctly
Take a look at our Pregnancy, Birth & Babies Guide for more helpful articles covering all three trimesters, plus postpartum and newborns.
Find Your Way
Contact a Patient
Call 415-600-6000 to reach a patient. Our operator will connect you to their room.
Contact a Patient
Call 415-600-6000 to reach a patient. Our operator will connect you to their room.
Visitor Hours and Information
Visitation Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
For the Labor & Delivery unit:
- Up to 2 visitors at the same time, 1 may stay overnight
- In addition, 1 doula is allowed in Labor & Delivery
- Hours are 24/7 for 1 support person and 1 doula
- The second visitor must abide by visitation hours
For other birth center units (postpartum, NICU):
- Up to 2 visitors at the same time, 1 may stay overnight
- The second visitor must abide by visitation hours (10:00 am – 7:00 pm)
Parking
Our secure underground garage has 383 parking spaces. Enter from Geary Street or Cedar Street. Free parking is available for prenatal tours. For all other visits, staff will provide parking vouchers to reduce parking costs.
Public Transportation
Shuttle Service
CPMC provides a complimentary transportation service to and from the Van Ness Campus, 1101 Van Ness, for patients and their families staying at Hotel Kabuki and Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. This service is available Monday – Friday, 6:00 am – 7:00 pm, excluding holidays. From the Van Ness Campus, you can transfer to shuttles that take you to other hospital campuses. Call 415-600-4700 to schedule a pickup.
Accessible Shuttle Service
For accessible shuttle service, call the main hospital number at 415-600-4700.
Shuttle Schedules
- B-Line: Civic Center BART to Van Ness Campus. Every 20 minutes during morning commute hours, 5:10 am – 9:50 am and 2:40 pm – 7:50 pm.
- P-Line: Pacific Campus to Van Ness Campus. Every 20 minutes, 4:55 am – 1:15 am.
- PB-Line: Pacific Campus to Van Ness Campus to BART. Every 30 minutes, 5:00 am – 9:45 am and 2:30 pm – 7:30 pm.
- M-Line: Van Ness Campus to Davies Campus (with stops at Mission Bernal Campus at designated times). Davies Campus to Van Ness Campus. Every 20 minutes, 8:00 am – 4:20 pm.
- Stops at Mission Bernal Campus at 6:20 am, 7:40 am, 12:20 pm, 1:40 pm, 5:05 pm and 6:25 pm.
- To ride shuttle to Mission Bernal Campus: catch shuttle at Davies Campus 20 minutes before or at Van Ness Campus 40 minutes before scheduled stop at Mission Bernal.
CPMC offers a shuttle service (B Line) from Civic Center BART to Van Ness Campus
Nearby Lodging
CPMC patients and their families can receive special room rates at nearby hotels, which also have shuttle service to our campuses. Rates are based on room availability and may change at any time.
Hotel Kabuki
1625 Post Street (between Laguna and Buchanan Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94115
415-614-5423 or 415-922-3200
Discount: Call for CPMC/Sutter Health employees, contractors, patients and their families. Identify yourself as a CPMC patient and ask for the special patient rate.
Discounted room rates don’t include a city hotel tax, which will be applied to your bill.
Holiday Inn Golden Gateway
1500 Van Ness Avenue (between California and Pine Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94109
866-272-7098
Discount: To ensure you receive the special CPMC room rate, please call 866-272-7098 or email reservation@sfhigg.com for reservation assistance.
Courtyard Marriott San Francisco Downtown Van Ness
1050 Van Ness Avenue (directly across the street from CPMC/Sutter Health)
415-673-4711
Direct booking link
Discount: Discounted rate may be available by calling Marriott at 866-999-1576 and asking for the Sutter Health rate.
Joie de Vivre Hotels in San Francisco
Discount: Joie de Vivre Hotels in San Francisco may have discounted rates for CPMC patients and guests based on availability. Please contact the hotels directly for details.
1. Hotel Del Sol
3100 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
415-921-5520
2. Laurel Inn
444 Presidio Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115
415-567-8467
Campus Maps
Plan your visit with confidence. Our maps show entrances, parking options and other helpful locations.
Food and Dining
Cafeteria hours:
Monday-Friday
Breakfast: 6:30 am – 9:30 am
Lunch: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Dinner: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Salad Bar: 11:30 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday
Breakfast: 6:30 am – 9:30 am
Lunch: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Dinner: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Vending machines are available 24/7. They’re located near the cafeterias.
Gift Shop
CPMC’s gift shops carry a selection of personal items, flowers, balloons, greeting cards and gifts. The hours vary for each location.
Van Ness Campus Gift Shop
Location: 1101 Van Ness 280, San Francisco, CA 94109
Hours: Open seven days a week*, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
*except holidays
Phone: 415-600-0596
Van Ness Newborn Connections
Location: 1101 Van Ness 280, San Francisco, CA 94109
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Phone: 415-600-2229
Register for Your Delivery
Awards and Accreditations
View All Awards and Accreditations
Frequently Asked Questions
You can sign up online for a virtual or in-person tour of our birth center or call 888-407-8576.
Come in when contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute each, for 1 hour.
Come sooner if you experience any of these:
- Your water breaks
- Bleeding like a period
- Severe pain
- Decreased baby movement
- You feel something isn’t right
If you’re unsure, call us — we’ll help you decide. You can reach us at 415-600-6000.
Pack a small bag ahead of time with a few essentials for you, your baby and your support person. Here are the basics to consider:
Important items: ID, insurance card, phone and chargers
Comfort items for labor: lip balm, water bottle, socks, pillow, hair ties, light entertainment
Clothing for you: robe or pajamas, slippers, nursing bra, going‑home outfit
Toiletries and personal care: toothbrush, deodorant, medications, glasses or contacts
For your baby: car seat, going‑home outfit, hat, blanket
For your support person: change of clothes, snacks and basic toiletries
You may not need everything, so focus on what will help you feel comfortable. For a complete checklist, read our hospital packing list.
Insurance coverage and out‑of‑pocket costs can vary based on your plan. Care related to having a baby may include prenatal visits, labor and delivery services, your hospital stay, postpartum care and care for your newborn.
You may receive separate bills for different parts of your care, such as your provider, the hospital, anesthesia and your baby’s care. Some services may be covered differently depending on your insurance plan and whether providers are in network.
For the most accurate information about your coverage, we recommend contacting your insurance company directly. You can also learn more about billing, payment options and financial assistance on our Billing and Insurance page.
Yes. Free medical interpreters are available 24/7 in person, by phone or video. Ask any staff member when you arrive and we’ll connect you right away.
You’ll go to triage first so we can check you and your baby.
We will:
- Check your vital signs
- Monitor the baby’s heartbeat
- Examine your cervix, if needed
- Decide whether you’re in active labor
If you’re ready to deliver, you’ll move to a birth room. If not, we’ll give guidance on next steps.
You can discuss pain relief options with your care team at any time during labor.
Options may include comfort measures and medical pain relief, depending on your needs and preferences. Nonmedical measures can include birthing balls, heating pads, cold packs, massage, music, aromatherapy, and showers or tubs. Your team will explain what’s available and help you decide what’s right for you.
We review your birth plan when you arrive and support your preferences when it’s safe to do so. If your care needs to change, we’ll explain why and talk through next steps so you can make informed decisions.
You can fill out our birth preferences list and bring it with you to the hospital: English | Spanish
If your labor or delivery requires extra medical support, your care team will explain your options and act quickly to keep you and your baby safe. Specialists, including obstetricians and neonatal experts, are available if needed.
Yes. We have a Level III NICU located on the fifth floor, for babies who need a little extra medical care after birth. Your baby can receive monitoring, breathing support or specialized treatment without transfer to another hospital whenever appropriate.
Yes. Your support person can usually stay with you during labor, birth and recovery. They can help with comfort, communication and bonding after delivery.
Your birthing suite is equipped with seating for visitors and a chair that converts for sleeping so your support person can stay overnight.
After delivery, your care team checks your baby’s breathing, heartbeat and overall health. Learn about the routine newborn procedures that are performed right after your baby is born.
When possible, your baby stays with you in your room so you can begin bonding and feeding right away.