When your child is sick or hurt and their pediatrician isn’t available, urgent care for kids in Oakland is often the fastest path to getting them seen and treated. CityHealth Oakland and San Leandro see pediatric patients of all ages — from infants to teenagers — for a wide range of non-emergency medical conditions.
Does CityHealth See Children?
Yes. CityHealth sees pediatric patients at both our Oakland (Montclair) and San Leandro locations. We do not have a separate pediatric urgent care wing, but our providers are experienced in treating children and are comfortable with patients from infancy through adolescence.
If your child has a life-threatening emergency, always go to the nearest emergency room (Children’s Hospital Oakland / UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, or Highland Hospital in Oakland). For non-emergencies — sick visits, minor injuries, ear infections, and more — CityHealth can often see your child the same day.
Common Pediatric Conditions We Treat
Illnesses
- Ear infections (one of the most common reasons parents bring kids to urgent care)
- Strep throat — rapid strep test available, results in minutes
- Colds and flu — including Tamiflu prescriptions for children meeting criteria
- COVID-19 — testing and treatment
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis) — bacterial, viral, and allergic
- Sinus infections
- Fever evaluation
- Stomach bugs (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) — evaluation for dehydration risk
- Croup — barky cough, hoarse voice, breathing difficulty in toddlers
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)
- Impetigo and skin infections
- UTIs — urinary tract infections in older kids
Injuries
- Cuts requiring stitches or wound closure
- Sprains and suspected fractures (X-ray on-site)
- Head bumps and mild concussion evaluation
- Animal bites (assessment, wound care, rabies exposure evaluation)
- Burns (minor to moderate)
- Foreign body in ear, nose, or skin
Preventive Services
- Flu vaccine — available for children 6 months and older
- Sports physicals and school physicals
- Travel health consultations
Pediatric Dermatology (Both Locations)
Our dermatology team at both CityHealth locations treats children for:
- Eczema — very common in Oakland’s climate; we offer management plans
- Molluscum contagiosum — extremely common in school-age kids
- Warts
- Fungal skin infections (ringworm, tinea capitis)
- Acne in teens
When to Go to Urgent Care vs. ER for Your Child
As a parent, it can be hard to know where to go. Here’s a quick guide:
Take your child to the ER if:
- They’re having trouble breathing or turning blue
- They’ve had a severe allergic reaction (throat swelling, hives + vomiting)
- They’re unconscious or have had a seizure
- They have a high fever AND a stiff neck (potential meningitis)
- Significant head injury with loss of consciousness or confusion
- Major fractures with bone visible, severe cuts with heavy bleeding
- Your gut tells you something is very, very wrong
CityHealth is appropriate for:
- Ear infections, strep throat, flu, COVID, pink eye
- Fever without the above serious signs (especially fever 101–104°F that your child is tolerating)
- Cuts needing stitches (unless bleeding is uncontrolled)
- Suspected minor fractures (limping, wrist pain after a fall)
- Mild to moderate asthma exacerbation (if your child has an action plan)
- Vomiting/diarrhea without severe dehydration signs
What to Bring to Your Child’s Urgent Care Visit
- Insurance card (or Medi-Cal card)
- List of current medications, including dosages
- Any allergy information
- Your child’s immunization record (if you have it handy)
- A comfort item for younger children — we’re a patient-friendly environment but procedures can be scary for kids
Insurance for Kids — Including Medi-Cal and Healthy Families
CityHealth accepts Medi-Cal for children’s urgent care visits. Many Oakland families rely on Medi-Cal for their kids’ healthcare, and finding Medi-Cal-accepting urgent care can be challenging. We also accept all major commercial insurance plans. See our insurance page for details.
Book a Same-Day Kids Urgent Care Visit in Oakland
Walk-ins are always welcome at CityHealth Oakland (6301 Thornhill Drive, Montclair) and CityHealth San Leandro (201 Dolores Avenue). Both locations are open 7 days a week.
For shorter wait times, book your child’s appointment online in advance.
FAQ — Kids Urgent Care in Oakland
What age does CityHealth see for urgent care?
We see patients of all ages. This includes infants (3+ months for routine illness visits — for younger infants with fever, the ER is generally recommended as standard of care). Toddlers, school-age children, and teenagers are all welcome at both CityHealth locations.
Can urgent care give my child antibiotics?
Yes. Our providers can prescribe antibiotics when clinically indicated (e.g., confirmed strep throat, ear infection, skin infection, UTI). We do not prescribe antibiotics “just in case” for viral illnesses — appropriate antibiotic use is part of our standard care.
Does CityHealth Oakland offer pediatric X-ray?
Yes. Our Oakland location has on-site X-ray imaging. This allows us to evaluate suspected fractures in children during the same visit without sending you to a separate imaging center.
Does urgent care in Oakland accept Medi-Cal for children?
Yes. CityHealth Oakland and San Leandro both accept Medi-Cal for children’s urgent care visits. Medi-Cal provides coverage for illness and injury visits, vaccinations, lab work, and most other services.
Both CityHealth locations — Oakland Montclair and San Leandro — are equipped to care for children of all ages. Walk-ins are welcome, or book online to save your spot.
Both CityHealth locations — Oakland Montclair and San Leandro — are equipped to care for children of all ages. Walk-ins are welcome, or book online to save your spot.
