List of Woodworking Classes in San Francisco, California [Updated]
San Francisco is a cultural and artistic hub in northern California. The city and the surrounding Bay Area are home to artists and creatives in a wide range mediums.
Woodworking is enjoying an increase in popularity in the San Francisco area. Woodworking studios have opened their doors to students by offering classes between commissions.
Art schools and public adult education centers also offer high-quality woodworking classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
Woodworking enthusiasts can even take college courses to hone their skills and transition to careers in carpentry and related fields.
The following are the top places to learn woodworking in San Francisco this year. Be sure to check out our Woodworking in San Jose article for classes located south of San Francisco.
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1) Clayroom
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, intermediate, single day, 6-weeks
- Price: $110-$525
- Website: https://www.clayroomsoma.com/classes?category=445d7992-1f12-4579-ab8b-0a49eabc337f
- Telephone: (415) 851-4846
- Location: 375 9th St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Clayroom is a pottery and woodworking studio that offers classes and memberships. Students can choose from one-time classes and multiple-week courses.
The single “Try Day” classes teach the basics of woodworking and focus on specific projects. These projects include chopsticks, serving boards, muddlers, and vases.
Both beginner and intermediate students can dive deep into woodworking techniques in Clayroom’s 6-week courses. Students learn how to use miter saws, table saws, jointers, planers, bandsaws, and router tables safely.
Project options for the 6-week courses are tool trays, salt boxes, tables, and woodturning objects.
2) Wood Thumb Woodworking
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, weekdays, weekends, mornings, evenings
- Price: $94-$398
- Website: https://woodthumb.com/workshops
- Telephone: (415) 715-9135
- Location: 968 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94103
Wood Thumb Woodworking opened in 2011 and is one of San Francisco’s most well-known workshops. The owners of Wood Thumb now offer classes for all levels.
Classes are project based and reasonably priced. Projects include cutting boards, picture frames, shelves, side tables, and coffee tables.
Students are guided through the entire woodworking process and learn skills that can transfer to a range of woodworking projects.
3) The Crucible
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, intermediate, advanced
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.thecrucible.org/departments/woodworking/
- Telephone: (510) 444-0919
- Location: 1260 7th St. Oakland, CA 94607
The Crucible is a non profit art school that opened in 1999. Woodworking classes at The Crucible are suitable for all skill levels.
Beginner students can learn the basics of the craft in the Woodworking I and II classes. Tool use, simple construction methods, hardware installation, and finishing are covered in these classes.
Students with experience can take project-based or technique-based classes. Projects include toys, boxes, benches, and skateboards.
Technique classes include woodturning, carving, and dovetails.
Discounts on classes are offered to members of The Crucible. Visit their website or give them a call for information on membership, class availability, and pricing.
4) Randall Museum
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, intermediate, weekdays, evenings
- Price: $175-$415
- Website: https://randallmuseum.org/teen-adult-classes/
- Telephone: (415) 554-9600
- Location: 199 Museum Way San Francisco, CA 94114
Randall Museum is a hands on science, art, and nature museum that offers woodworking classes for teens and adults.
Classes at Randall focus on the basics of woodworking. Students learn how to use saws, jointers, and planers to complete their projects. Finishing techniques are also covered.
Projects include shaker tables, spoons, and other simple projects. More experienced students can attend open studio time.
A safety class is required before taking woodworking classes at Randall. Discounted class fees are offered to members of the museum.
5) City College of San Francisco
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: college coursework, certificates, associate degree
- Price: Free for San Francisco residents
- Website: https://www.ccsf.edu/degrees-certificates/construction-technology
- Telephone: (415) 239-3000
- Location: 50 Frida Kahlo Way San Francisco, CA 94112
City College of San Francisco offers hundreds of degrees and programs that are free for San Francisco residents.
Woodworkers and those interested in construction can pursue an associate degree in construction or a certificate in carpentry.
Students learn skills like woodworking, framing, and furniture making in required program classes and electives.
6) Pleasant Hill Education Center
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: beginner, intermediate, weekdays, mornings, afternoons, evenings
- Price: $105-$150
- Website: https://mdae.mdusd.org/lifelongeducation
- Telephone: (925) 937-1530
- Location: One Santa Barbara Rd. Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Pleasant Hill Education Center is affiliated with the Mount Diablo Unified School District. The center offers woodworking and furniture making classes for all skill levels.
The introductory woodworking class at Pleasant Hill teaches students how to create their own step stools and small tables. More experienced students learn to craft classic furniture and other projects.
Technique classes are also available. These focus on certain skills like hand tool use or finishing wood projects.
7) Woodcraft of San Carlos
- Type: Woodworking
- Classes: private
- Price: Contact pricing information
- Website: https://www.woodcraft.com/stores/san-carlos/blog/entry/whattoknowclassesprograms_san-carlos
- Telephone: (650) 631-9663
- Location: 40 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 94070
Woodcraft of San Carlos is one of many Woodcraft stores located across the United States. The retail store offers lumber, woodworking supplies, and classes.
The San Carlos location has changed its class format since 2020. The store is currently only offering private classes for individuals and small groups.
Contact Woodcraft of San Carlos at the number provided above for the latest class offerings, pricing, and scheduling.