Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area

Backyard Boogie Bash: An Inclusive Dance Party
2026-08-01 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Leap Center, 311 MacArthur Blvd., San Leandro, CA, 94577, United States
Backyard Boogie Bash: An Inclusive Dance Party
[Max 150 tickets]
When: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 5-7:30pm
Where: LEAP Center, 311 MacArthur Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94577
What: Dance, Connect, and Celebrate Together! Everyone belongs on the dance floor of this outdoor party for families with special needs, in partnership with the LEAP Center. All ages and all abilities are welcome.
Cost: $5 per ticket, additional donations are appreciated
Questions? Please email Anahita at anahitapd1@gmail.com

Summer Pool Days July 26 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-07-26 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JULY 26th
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Green & Greet
2026-07-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Old Greenwood BBQ at Sunken Gardens, Sunnyvale, 1010 S. Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, United States
Friend-Meeting Event for Young Adults, Sunnyvale
[Max 30 participants]
When: Sunday, July 19, 4-6pm
Where: The patio at Old Greenwood BBQ, at the Sunken Gardens Golf Course, 1010 S Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
What: Co-hosted by SFASA and Find Love Safely, this is a casual outdoor event for young adults 18+ who want to meet new friends (this is not a match-making event). We will supply structured activities, beverages and light appetizers. Free parking.
Full meals are available for purchase from Old Greenwood BBQ. You may also order your own drinks at the bar.
Supervision is not provided — those who need supervision must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Registration: Pre-registration is required. The event is free for Find Love Safely members. Sliding scale fee for other participants, $10-20. Parents/caregivers may attend free. Donations are gladly accepted
Questions? Please email Mary at mary@findlovesafely.com

Friend-Meeting Event for Young Adults
2026-07-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Old Greenwood BBQ at Sunken Gardens, Sunnyvale, 1010 S. Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale, CA, 94086, United States

Summer Pool Days July 19th 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-07-19 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JULY 19th
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Water Park Splash!
2026-07-18 11:00 - 17:00 | Aqua Adventure Water Park, Fremont
SFASA Water Park Splash! at Aqua Adventure, Fremont
[Max 94 people]
When: Saturday, July 18, 11am-5pm, drop in whenever you would like
Where: Aqua Adventure Water Park, Fremont
What: We will have 4 cabanas (A, B, D, E) reserved for our SFASA group. Pizza, soft drinks/water, and Dippin Dots with ticket purchase (please note season pass holders are welcome to join us but would need to purchase their own food and may have cabana space only if space allows)
Tickets: $30 (subsidized) – $35 (full price)
Questions? Please email Anahita at anahitapd1@gmail.com

Autism on Tap
2026-07-12 16:00 - 18:00 | Pier 23, the Embarcadero, Pier 23 Cafe Restaurant & Bar, Pier 23 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA, 94111, United States
SFASA’s Autism on Tap, San Francisco
[Max 30 people]
When: Sunday, July 12, 2026, 4-6pm
Where: Pier 23 Cafe, Restaurant and Bar, 23 The Embarcadero, SF
What: A friendly gathering overlooking the Bay. Drinks provided, please purchase your own food. Not recommended for small children.
Cost: $5, plus donations appreciated. Please register in advance so we can plan space and orders.
Questions? Please email Susan at susan.d.andrews@icloud.com

Summer Pool Days July 12th 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-07-12 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JULY 12th
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Self Compassion Support Group
2026-07-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
SFASA Self-Compassion Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Kids with Autism and other Developmental Disorders
Self-compassion flows from the desire to alleviate our own suffering. Sometimes this requires tender acceptance — being with ourselves in all our glorious imperfections. At other times, self-compassion isn’t soft or yielding—sometimes we need to be fierce, stand up for ourselves, or find the courage to forge a new path. This is especially true if you are a mama or papa bear caring for a child who is challenged by autism and/or other developmental disorders. This series of support group sessions will provide you the opportunity to:

identify and embody the three components of self-compassion: kindness, mindfulness (including mindful movement), and common humanity;
develop skills for responding in a compassionate way whenever you or your child suffers;
explore the role of tender and fierce self-compassion;
practice strategies to soothe and comfort yourself and your child in order to handle difficult emotions with greater ease, but also to draw boundaries, fight against injustice, or motivate change;
Identify and self-reflect on your journey as a caregiver and find common humanity with others.

Where: On Zoom
Who: Parents and Caregivers of ASD kids and related developmental disorders
When: 7-9 p.m.
For questions: Contact the group facilitator, Sara Kole at: president@sfautismsociety.org
or 408-242-2595 (M)

Summer Pool Days July 5th 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-07-05 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JULY 5th
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

SFASA at San Jose Giants!
2026-07-04 18:30 - 21:00 | Excite Ballpark – San Jose, 588 E. Alma Ave., San Jose, CA, United States
When: July 4, 2026, 6.30pm, gates open at 5.30pm
Where: Excite Ballpark, 588 E. Alma Ave, San Jose
What: Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with SFASA! We have reserved six areas of Gatorade Gardens just past the first base line, with lots of room to walk around or watch the game. Fireworks after the game! Light beverages and snacks are included with your ticket.
Tickets: $35 each (subsidized), $40 (full cost).
Questions? Please email the Events chair at jill.escher@gmail.com

Trampoline Party!
2026-06-28 18:00 - 19:30 | Sky Zone – Fremont, 39177 Farwell Dr., Fremont, CA, 94538, United States
For autism and special needs families. We’re renting the entire place! Must be age 3+ to jump.
When: Sunday, June 28, 2026. Check-in 5.30pm. Jumping at 6-7.30pm.
Where: SkyZone, 39177 Farwell Dr, Fremont, CA
Tickets: $12 per jumper (online registration / waivers are required, we provide SkyZone sock loaners if you need them.) Free for non-jumpers, but adults who must assist jumpers on the mats must register and pay as jumpers.
Questions: Please email the Events chair at jill.escher@gmail.com
Waivers: All participants, including parents, must sign the online SkyZone Fremont waiver, which is good for one year, here: https://waiver.haveablast.roller.app/SkyZoneFremont/home

Summer Pool Days June 28 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-06-28 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JUNE 28th
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

SFASA Come Fish with Us June 28
2026-06-28 13:00 - 15:00 | Fort Mson Pier 2
When: Sunday, 6/28/26: San Francisco
Where: Fort Mason, Pier 2/Gateway Pavilion (east side)
What: Introduction to fishing for beginners.
Questions: Please email leslieerindavis@gmail.com
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING LOCATION
Sunday, 6/28/26: San Francisco: Fort Mason Pier 2/Gateway Pavilion (east side), 1-3 PM

Directions to Pier 2: Google Maps
Note: We will be meeting on the east side of the Pier

See parking map here: Visit Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture | (415) 345-7500
NOTE: there is free parking located along Marina Green (see here), but it is about a 5-10 minute walk to the Fort Mason Pier 2/Gateway Pavilion

Summer Music Showcase
2026-06-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford, 94305
When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2-3pm
Where: Campbell Recital Hall, Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford 94305
Parking: We recommend the Tressider Lot which is near Braun. Plan to arrive for parking by 1.45pm. For a detailed parking map see here.
What: Our popular summer Azure concert, just for autism and special needs families, led by SFASA past president and concert pianist Stephen Prutsman.
Free – But pre-registration is required.
Questions? Please email the Events chair at jill.escher@gmail.com

Summer Pool Days June 21 1PM OR 2:30PM
2026-06-21 13:00 - 16:00 | AnT Swim School, 520 W Virginia St., San Jose, CA, 95125, United States
SFASA Summer Pool Days 2026
When: Sunday, two sessions. Session 1: 1-2.30pm. Session 2: 2.30-4pm
JUNE 21st
Where:
AnT Swim School
520 West Virginia Street
San Jose, CA 95125
(Just off Hwy 280 and Bird, near Willow Glen)
This address is the Gardner Community Center, the pool is actually down the block toward Delmas, just past the park playground.
Street parking is available. Per City rules, please do not park in the driveway of the swimschool.
No need to bring tickets, we’ll have your name at the gate – please sign in.
What to bring:

Swimsuits/swimshirts
Sunscreen — applied 30 minutes before getting into pool
Hats
Towels
Lounge chairs/beach chairs, if desired (the venue has bench seating)
Pool toys, if desired. Please note the pool’s insurance carrier prohibits inflatables😞.We will have noodles, kickboards, and foam floats, balls and toys onhand.
Lifejackets for non-swimmers (the facility has youth sizes available to borrow)
We will provide some refreshments, but if you have special diets please consider bringing your own. (We generally have snacks but not drinks).
Your own filled water bottles.

About the venue:

The AnT Swim School features a large pool with a concrete perimeter and some grassy areas and benches.
The pool is fairly warm, shallow at both ends, reaching a depth of 5 feet at the middle.
Lifeguards will be present
Street parking is available, please do not block any driveways
Bathrooms onsite but they can get crowded – please change ahead of time or in the tents
Public park with play equipment is adjacent
Swimdiapers: you can purchase pool-approved child-todder’s swim daiper (older child and adult swim diapers are not available) from AnT. Older children and adults who are not potty trained may not use the pool, per AnT Swim rules.

Questions? Please email jill.escher@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Friend-Making Dinner and Dance
2026-06-20 17:00 - 19:30 | Masonic Lodge, 145 Park Rd, Burlingame, 94010, United States
SFASA joins with Special Match for a fun friend-making event for young adults with developmental disabilities, followed by a DJ dance!
When: June 20, 2026 at 5-7.30pm
Where: Masonic Lodge, 145 Park Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
What: An hour of structured conversation and sharing, followed by an hour and a half of DJ dancing and light dinner. If the participant requires any level of supervision a caregiver must register and remain onsite.
Registration: Fees are $20-30 sliding scale per participant and $12 per caregiver (due to space restrictions, only one caregiver per participant may register).
Questions? Please email the Events chair at jill.escher@gmail.com

Bay Model Visitor Center and Sausalito Saunter
2026-06-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Bay Model Vistor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA, 94965
When: Saturday, June 20, 11am -1pm
Where: We meet at the Bay Model Visitor Center, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965. After touring the model we walk south to Sausalito for a bite and then walk back.
What: The Bay Model is the world’s largest working model of San Francisco Bay. The fully-accessible education center administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is a huge working hydraulic model (showing the tides coming in and out) of the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta System.
Registration: $0-10 sliding scale.
Questions: Please email the Events chair at jill.escher@gmail.com

Sibling Webinar Series
2026-06-16 07:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
