SchoolBus_MarioSánchezPrada school field trip ideas

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Each year, more than 1,600 schools visit the Academy on a field trip. School field trips are available for formal school groups bringing grades preK-12, including preschool, on a trip with their classroom teacher. Bring one class, or the entire grade!

Want to visit the Academy this summer?

School field trips are not available during the summer months. However, you are welcome to visit using discounted Group rates, which vary by visit day based on demand. 

Email groupsales@calacademy.org with your preferred visit date, number of expected adults, and number of expected youth, and we will email you a quote!

Eligibility and Pricing

School field trip reservations are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool, attending on a school day with their classroom teacher.

  • To receive the school group rate, you must bring more than 10 people on your field trip, entering the building together at one time.
     
  • San Francisco school groups receive free admission during the academic year. For other California school groups, pricing is a discounted flat rate per person, regardless of Title I status, and assumes the group follows all relevant policies including adhering to stated chaperone ratios. Eligibility for these free or discounted rates is at the discretion of the Academy, as subsidized admission is available thanks to generous annual donations to the Academy for All initiative, many of which have restrictions. Pricing may change seasonally.
     
  • Payment must be received in full at least two weeks prior to your visit date, although you may modify your headcount before submitting payment. We accept mailed checks or payment by credit card over the phone to 877-227-3311.
     
  • More details can be found in our Frequently Asked Questions, and you'll sign these School Group Guidelines on the morning of your field trip.
Tips for Planning a Visit Date

Generally, field trips can be scheduled on most dates with the exception of holidays and school breaks. Your school's academic calendar plays a role; a field trip happens on a school day during the school day, not on weekends, afterschool, or during any dates that are off for students.

For those interested in our newest exhibits:

For those interested in reserving seats in the Morrison Planetarium for your school group, be sure to review the calendar of student shows to select a date when a grade-appropriate show is playing. Seats are limited and reservations for schools usually book by the end of December for dates through May.

For additional planning tips and day-of resources, visit our Plan a Field Trip page.

Seeking transportation scholarships?

Schools from the 9 Bay Area counties may be eligible for the Let's Go Field Trip Fund from the Environmental Volunteers, Excursion Grants from Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, or free BART tickets through Yoots.

Schools from Oakland should check out the A to Z Fund.

Find a reserved program

6th Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: General Audience

This show is offered daily at 11:30 am from April 21-28, 2023, to celebrate International Astronomy Day.

3rd Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: General Audience

This show is offered on most weekdays at 12:30 pm throughout the school year.

3rd Grade - 12th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Wednesdays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

3rd Grade - 5th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

6th Grade - 8th Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Wednesdays at 10:30 am from October to February.

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade
Free
Planetarium: School Show

This show is offered on select Mondays, Thursday, and Fridays at 10:30 am throughout the school year.

Book a Field Trip

The application for the 2023-2024 school year will open in early August. Come back then!

Do you teach elementary school in San Francisco?

The Rock Fund Program is open to K-5 classes in the city of San Francisco. This unique opportunity includes free field trip programming and needs-based transportation scholarships.

We Thank Our Sponsors

The School & Youth Field Trips program is generously supported by an anonymous donor, BioMarin, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Hearst Endowed Fund for Science Education, Jacques M. Littlefield Foundation, and Koret Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Academy’s local business donors.

Biomarin and Koret Foundation logos.