Where to Find Shelter From Freezing Temperatures in the Bay Area

With another round of storms affecting the Bay Area this week, bringing rain, cold temperatures and windy weather, agencies are again encouraging unhoused people to seek warming centers and shelters.

Scattered showers and possible thunderstorms are anticipated to persist throughout the Bay Area into Wednesday. Due to those lingering showers, the National Weather Service extended a winter weather advisory through 4 a.m. Wednesday for much of the East and South Bay, and through Thursday evening for North Bay communities. The region will largely get a short break from soggy weather Wednesday through Friday, with rains expected to return this weekend.

Cold overnight lows dipping into the mid-30s expected early Wednesday prompted the NWS to issue a frost advisory for most Bay Area shoreline communities. Blustery winds, expected to continue until at least Wednesday evening, will make temperatures feel colder.

As the Bay Area gets colder, many unhoused people are struggling to stay warm. In light of the cold and windy weather, several warming centers are open this week, with year-round shelters continuing their operations.

Jump straight to shelters available in the Bay Area:

• City and County of San Francisco
• Alameda County
• Santa Clara County
• Sonoma County
• Contra Costa County
• Marin County

Shelters in San Francisco

San Francisco has rotating shelters available through the Interfaith Winter Shelter Program, which runs through March 26. Please note the shelters below have different opening and closing dates:

First Unitarian Universalist
1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Available Monday, Feb. 13 through Thursday, March 2.

• Doors open at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.; shelter closes at 7 a.m.

Public libraries around San Francisco are also available as warming centers. Find a branch of the San Francisco Public Library near you.

Shelters in Alameda County

St. Vincent de Paul
675 23rd Street, West Oakland, CA 94612

• Open 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. Day programs five days a week, Tues. through Sat.
• Shelter beds can be secured through referral, reservation and walk-up on a first-come, first-served basis during the hours above.
• Capacity for up to 100 people
• Contact St. Vincent de Paul directly by phone: (510) 638-7600.

Alameda Warming Center
1700 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, CA 94501

• Shelter is located at Christ Episcopal Church.
• Typically open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening 5 p.m.–7 a.m. (days and hours expanded during winter storms).
• Dinner is provided at 6:30 p.m. and breakfast at 6:30 a.m. On Wednesdays and Fridays, showers are provided 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
• Toiletries and clothes are available along with limited overnight storage for belongings.
• One approved and screened pet is welcome per guest. Space is limited.
• Contact Marichelle Alcantara by phone: (510) 832-1382, ext. 123.

Livermore Warming Center, Veterans Memorial Building
522 S. L Street, Livermore, CA 94550

• Open 6 p.m.–8 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, serving adults from Livermore, Pleasanton and Dublin.
• Shelter is open through April 30, when there's an expected forecast of overnight temperatures at or below 45 degrees and/or a 20% or higher chance of rain.
• Open to anyone; expected to accommodate 15–20 people each evening.
• CityServe does case management; Abode Services helps with street medical team.
• No showers are available at this shelter.
• Call (510) 224-3755 for preregistration.

First Presbyterian Church of Hayward in Castro Valley
2490 Grove Ave., Castro Valley, CA 94546

• Open year-round. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner is served. Check-in ends at 8 p.m.
• Bagged breakfast served; you must be off the property by 7 a.m.
• Possibility to park and live in your car on-site.
• Guests must be able to care for themselves (i.e., transfer, toilet, eat and dress).
• Pets will be admitted if they are on leash or in a crate.
• Call first for availability: (510) 634-4750.

South Hayward Parish
27287 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544

• Open 6:30 p.m.–7 a.m., seven days a week.
• Shelter usually has capacity of 18 people per night, and preregistration is required by calling (510) 634-2229.

In Hayward, community members living unsheltered or displaced due to flooding and other storm effects — or aware of someone in need of assistance — may contact the City of Hayward Emergency Operations Center by phone at (510) 583-2182.

Local service providers also are requesting donations of pocket warmers, ponchos, umbrellas, plastic and rubber shoe covers, and raincoats. Please direct donations to Bay Area Community Services (590 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541), open until 4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Shelters in Santa Clara County

Community Christian Church
17640 Crest Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037

• Available from 7 p.m.–7 a.m.
• Overnight warming center.

Sunnyvale Public Library
665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Thursday, March 2 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, March 3–Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, March 5 from 1p.m.–6 p.m.; Monday, March 6-Thursday, March 9 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Overnight warming center.

Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95051

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28 from noon–7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 1 from noon–6 p.m.; Thursday, March 2 from noon–7 p.m.

Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St., Gilroy, CA 95020

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Wednesday, March 1 from 1 p.m.–9 p.m.

Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos, CA 94022

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington St., Santa Clara, CA 95050

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28 from noon–7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 1 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday March 2 from noon–5 p.m.

Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Wednesday, March 1 from noon–9 p.m.

Northside Branch Library
695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28 from noon–7 p.m.; Wednesday, March 1 from noon–6 p.m.

Santa Clara Senior Center
1303 Fremont St., Santa Clara, CA 95050

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28–Thursday, March 2 from 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070

• Available Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Wednesday, March 1 from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Explore a list of warming centers in Santa Clara County available during the day.

For shelter placements, Santa Clara's Office of Supportive Housing asks that you contact the county's Here4You Hotline at (408) 385-2400, staffed 9 a.m.–7 p.m., seven days a week.

Please note that the following shelters are unable to accept families with children:

CityTeam (for men)
1174 Old Bayshore Highway, San José, CA 95112

• Call (408) 288-2153.
• Intake begins 5:30 p.m., first-come, first-served.

HomeFirst – Boccardo Reception Center
2011 Little Orchard Street, San José, CA 95125

• Call (408) 294-2100.
• Intake begins 3:30 p.m., first-come, first-served.

LifeMoves – Georgia Travis House (for women)
260 Commercial Street, San José, CA 95112

• Call (408) 271-1630 for more information.

LifeMoves – Montgomery Street Inn (for men)
358 North Montgomery Street, San José, CA 95110

• Call (408) 271-5160.
• Program assessments Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Salvation Army – Emmanuel House (for men)
405 North Fourth Street, San José, CA 95112

• Call (408) 282-1175.
• Suggested arrival time is between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

HomeFirst – Veterans Services
2011 Little Orchard Street, San José, CA 95125

• Call (408) 510-7522.
• Beds for veterans are on a first-come, first-served basis; check in at 3:30 p.m.

Shelters in Sonoma County

West County Community Services, Guerneville Veterans Memorial Building
16255 First Street, Guerneville, CA 95446

• Contact this shelter by phone at (707) 823-1640, ext.115.

Social Advocates for Youth, Dream Center at Santa Rosa Junior College
2447 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95405

• A nightly shelter reserved for youth ages 18–24 to escape the cold temperatures, open through March 31.
• Call the crisis line before 5 p.m. at (888) 729-0012 to reserve a spot, or drop in at Coffee House Teen Shelter at 1243 Ripley Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 before 5 p.m. to reserve a spot.
• After reserving a spot, youth must arrive at Coffee House Teen Shelter from 6 p.m.–7 p.m. for transportation to Dream Center.

Homeless Action Sonoma (HAS) Navigation Center and Warming Station
867 West Napa Street, CA 95476 (site of the former Community Café)

• Open 2 p.m.–10 a.m., seven days a week.

Shelters in Contra Costa County

County officials say that anyone needing assistance with getting placed in a shelter should call the Contra Costa Crisis Center directly at 211. People in need of help finding resources in Contra Costa County also can text the word “HOPE” to 20121.

Concord Service Center Overnight Warming Center
2047 Arnold Industrial Way, Suite A, Concord, CA 94520

Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
165 22nd Street, Richmond, CA 94801

Trinity Center Winter Evening Program
1888 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Delta Landing
2101 Loveridge Rd., Pittsburg, CA 94565

Bay Area Rescue Mission
200 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94801

Contra Costa County says its outreach teams are in need of sleeping bags, gloves and beanies, tarps and blankets (in order of importance). Donations can be dropped off at 2400 Bisso Lane, Suite D, Concord, CA 94520.

Shelters in Marin County

Marin County is activating its Severe Weather Emergency Shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

Marin Health and Wellness Campus
3240 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901

• The warming center will be open for three nights, from Wednesday evening through Saturday morning, 5 p.m.–6:30 a.m.
• Individuals are encouraged to sign in by 8 p.m.

People in need also may contact these agencies for services:

Family Center (shelter for families)
430 Mission Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901
Call (415) 457-2115 for more information.
TTY English: (866) 660-4288
TTY Spanish: (866) 288-1311

Jonathan’s Place (shelter for adults)
190 Mill St., San Rafael, CA 94901
Call (415) 457-9651 or (800) 428-1488 for more information.
TTY English: (866) 660-4288
TTY Spanish: (866) 288-1311

St. Vincent de Paul Society Free Dining Room
820 B St., San Rafael, CA 94901

• Open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., serving free breakfast and lunch.
• Call (415) 454-3303 for more information.

Ritter Center
16 Ritter St., San Rafael, CA 94912

• Showers, information, emergency clothing and food, and laundry are available.
• Call (415) 457-8182 for more information.

KQED's Carly Severn contributed to this story.

An earlier version of this story was published on Jan. 30.