Museum Field Trip FAQ

Jump to a category from the links below. This information applies to the 2025–26 school year. For our sister campus on Stearns Wharf, see Sea Center Field Trip FAQ. 

Registration link coming soon >

Offerings and Capacity
Booking and Payment
Visit Logistics

Offerings and Capacity 

When are field trips offered?

In the 2025–26 school year, field trips will be offered September 22, 2025–May 22, 2026 (excluding major holidays).

Field trips are offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and are best suited for K-5th grade students. Monday programs are only for 5th–12th grade students.

How many students can I bring?

Class groups are 10–30 students.

  • We serve 5th–12th grade on Mondays, and can accommodate one class group on those days (up to 30 students).   
  • We serve K–5th grade on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and can accommodate up to three* class groups. 

*Please note: Although three classes are able to book on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, not all students can attend the same programs. Reach out to 805-682-4711 ext. 168 or bookings@sbnature2.org with questions.

What if I have more than 30 students in my class?

The capacity for one class is 30 students due to program space and resource limits. If you have more than 30 students, please plan to book 2 separate reservations.

Can I combine my small classes to make one class group?

We do not recommend combining classes – teachers should only book their own class when registering for a guided school visit.

How many parent chaperones can attend?

We strongly recommend one adult chaperone for every five students. We require one adult chaperone for every ten students.

Your field trip fee includes up to six adult chaperones (not including teachers or aides) per class group. Any adults attending beyond this capacity will be asked to pay full admission price before entering the Museum.

If your group is arriving by car, we allow the ratio of adults to students to be one adult for every three students to account for parents driving (we strongly request that you carpool).

Can I bring my class for a self-guided visit (without field trip programs)?

Self-guided visits can only be accommodated on weekday afternoons or on the weekends. Self-guided visits are booked with the Guest Services Department with a different group rate. For more information, please visit our groups page or contact bookings@sbnature2.org or 805-682-4711 ext. 162.

Booking and Payment

How and when can I book a field trip?

If you can pay by credit card, you can book online and must book at least two weeks in advance. If you must pay by check, you cannot use our online booking system and must book a month in advance; contact bookings@sbnature2.org for more details.

  • Registration for Fall 2025 (September 22–December 19, 2025) opens Wednesday, August 27, 2025.  
  • Registration for Winter/Spring 2026 (January 7–March 27, 2026) will open on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.  
  • Registration for Spring 2026 (April 6–May 22, 2026) will open on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 

What information will I need before booking?

  • A few dates in mind that would work for your visit–have your school calendar ready, as reschedules are not guaranteed  
  • Name, email, and cell phone number of the teacher attending the visit  
  • Number of students and adults attending  
  • How you will be arriving (bus, car, walking)  
  • If you plan to eat lunch on site   
  • Any accommodations your students may need during their visit  

How much does a field trip cost?

The field trip fee is $100 per class group (10–30 students, as described above). If your school is a Title I school, your class is eligible for a discount of $50 per class group. We confirm Title I status with data from the California Department of Education before finalizing a booking.

When do I pay?

The field trip fee is due at the time of booking using our online registration system.

What forms of payment do you accept?

  • Credit card payments are conveniently accepted by our online booking system. 
  • If you must pay by check, online booking is not available. Contact bookings@sbnature2.org or call 805-682-4711 ext. 168 instead. If paying by check, book at least a month in advance to ensure that we receive your payment and can confirm your visit. Your visit will not be confirmed until full payment is received. 

What is your cancellation policy?

All payments are final and non-refundable, barring cancellation by the Museum due to extenuating circumstances or natural disasters. If you must reschedule, please contact us immediately at 805-682-4711 ext. 168 or bookings@sbnature2.org to determine an alternative date. Reschedules are not guaranteed.

Visit Logistics

What time do we need to arrive?

All field trips begin at 10:00 AM. We suggest that schools arrive 10–15 minutes early to ensure we begin programs on time.

Where should we park?

Bus parking is available in our parking lot for reserved school groups. Buses should drop off students in front of the Museum entrance before parking in the lot. Our free parking lot has limited space, so if your group is arriving by car, we strongly request carpooling.

What is the itinerary for a field trip?

  • 10:00 AM–10:45 AM – Program 1  
  • 10:45 AM–11:15 AM – Break in our Prehistoric Forest (have students bring a snack)  
  • 11:15 AM–Noon – Program 2   
  • Noon–1:00 PM – Lunch in our Prehistoric Forest (if you choose to eat on site)   

All field trips include a short break between activities when students can have a quick snack, drink some water, and stretch their legs. During breaks, teachers and chaperones will be responsible for making sure students stay in the break area. Students may leave to use restrooms in groups of no more than five students, together with an adult.

Can we have lunch on site after our programs have ended?

Yes, if you reserve space when booking. School groups are welcome to use our outdoor area across Mission Creek, the Prehistoric Forest, for lunch after their field trip.

Can we enter the Museum after our programs?

School groups may not re-enter the Museum or other areas on site (including the Store) after programs have concluded at noon. All students will receive free tickets to return with their families, and we will be very happy to welcome them again on another day.

Ready to book?

Use our online booking system to register for a field trip – link coming soon.

Have more questions? Contact bookings@sbnature2.org or call 805-682-4711 ext. 168