Booking a Field Trip for Academic Year 2012-2013
Before You Apply
Who can apply for a field trip? 
When can we visit?
How much does it cost?
My school is from out-of-state. Can we still receive discounted admission?
How many students can I bring?
How many chaperones should I bring?
Can I bring more chaperones if I’ve exceeded the limit?
How can we see a Planetarium show?
In Preparation for Your Visit
I can’t find my confirmation email! What do I do?
What kind of payment do you accept? What if our visit numbers have changed?
Should I arrange for the bus to arrive exactly at the entry time noted on my confirmation?
Do you issue refunds for cancellations?
Do you issue refunds for students or chaperones that don’t end up attending?
Some of my chaperones are Members. Can they get in free with some of the kids?
What’s the parking situation?
Help me plan – what are the recommended exhibits and activities for my grade?
On the Morning of Your Visit
What paperwork do I have to bring to the entrance?
What if we’re running late?
How can I prepare my chaperones?
What drop-in programs are available on the day of my visit?
Where can we eat lunch?
Can we take photographs?
Can we exit and re-enter the museum on the day of our visit?
What happens if we lost a student, or need first aid?
What other services do you provide that might be useful?
Before You Apply
Who can apply for a field trip?
Field trip reservations are available for formal California school groups of students in grades pre-K through 12, including preschool. Youth groups, afterschool programs, and traveling clubs may qualify for discounted rates offered for Youth Groups. Homeschoolers have their own special events two days per year – check out the last event!
When can we visit?
Generally, field trips can be scheduled on all dates with the exception of Free Days, holidays, and other peak admission days. You can even book a weekend visit! On the online application itself, you will find a calendar displaying dates with available space.
How much does it cost?
San Francisco school groups are admitted free, and other California school groups are only $6.95 per person! Most field trip programs are free, but the Student Labs do require a $120 flat fee per class.
My school is from out-of-state. Can we still receive discounted admission?
Yes! Non-California school groups receive a discount off of general admission for groups of 10 or more people. Click here to be directed to Group Tickets.
How many students can I bring?
You can include up to 5 classes of 35 students on each online application. If you need to bring a larger group, simply submit a second application for the extra classes, using the same preferred visit dates.
How many chaperones should I bring?
A minimum of 1 adult chaperone for every 8 students is required, which the exception of high school groups that require less adult supervision. A maximum of 1 adult for every 4 students will be enforced, with the exception of certain special needs classes, and of course, groups of preschoolers.
Can I bring more chaperones if I’ve exceeded the limit?
Yes, in fact, you may. However, you must pay the full admission price of $29.95 per extra adult. On the application, you will have the option of paying full price in advance for up to 10 extra chaperones per class, which will be helpful if there is a line at the Box Office on the day of your visit. Note that any chaperones in excess of our maximum ratio are not eligible to attend at a discounted group rate for adults.
How can we see a Planetarium show?
School groups may attend a Planetarium show only if they have a reservation, so be sure to rank this highlight on your application if interested. Astronomy-related shows are available for grades K-8 at 10:30am, and middle and high school students are invited to watch the public show at 11:30am. (Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled time in order to be seated.) All other showtimes present a public show to the general visitor; passes will not be distributed to school groups for these presentations.
In Preparation for Your Visit
I can’t find my confirmation email! What do I do?
To receive a copy of your confirmation email, contact
, or call the Teacher & Youth Education hotline at 877.227.3311.
What kind of payment do you accept? What if our visit numbers have changed?
Payment must be received prior to your visit day to be admitted to the museum upon arrival. The Academy accepts payment by credit card or mail-in check; we regret that we cannot accept purchase orders. Additional tickets may be purchased on the date of your visit, but will be done so at the general admission rate. Therefore, we encourage you to make any headcount changes prior to your visit by contacting
or 877.227.3311.
Should I arrange for the bus to arrive exactly at the entry time noted on my confirmation?
To facilitate bus drop-off and minimize lines out front, we’ve created tiered entry times at 9:30am, 10:00am, and 10:30am, respectively. You will be slotted into one of these times based on availability and your expected time of arrival, as noted on the online application. Please aim to arrive at (or even slightly before!) your entry time, but rest assured that you will be allowed in regardless!
If you have reserved seats in the 10:30am Planetarium student show, you must arrive by 10:15am to give us time to process your order and escort you to the show. Note that we cannot place your class in later public shows if you missed your reservation.
If you have reserved a Student Lab or Docent Program, there is a 15-minute grace period before we may have to cancel your program to prepare for the next.
Do you issue refunds for cancellations?
Just be sure to cancel 30 days in advance of your visit to receive a full refund. Refunds will not be issued due to inclement weather or other day-of circumstances; however, a credit may be extended to a future trip within the same school year – let’s just reschedule you in!
Do you issue refunds for students or chaperones that don’t end up attending?
Discounted admission is given in part because you are a large group; as such, refunds are not given for students or adults who do not attend on the day of your visit. However, you can adjust your headcount as your visit date approaches to more accurately reflect expected participation. Just give us a call at 877.227.3311.
Some of my chaperones are Members. Can they get in free with some of the kids?
Alas, no. Member benefits for individuals or families do not apply to field trips, as these orders are taken on behalf of the school itself. Also, your class(es) enter the building via group entry, rather than the Membership door. You must reserve a space for any Members, and pay any associated admission fees.
What’s the parking situation?
Cars may park on surface streets for a limited time (up to 4 hours in Golden Gate Park) or in the underground city garage, but we cannot validate parking. The bus loading/unloading zone is located at the front of the Academy. City parking for buses is available behind the Music Concourse Bandshell for a low fee.
Help me plan – what are the recommended exhibits and activities for my grade?
We’ve created suggestions for grade-specific learning pathways to make it easy for you! Click on the ‘Program Options’ tab at left, and select Option 1: Choose Your Own Pathway (Grades preK-12).
On the Morning of Your Visit
What paperwork do I have to bring to the entrance?
Bring a copy of your confirmation email, and please have your Field Trip Admission Form ready. A Guest Services associate will meet and direct your group to the appropriate line. Expect entry to take up to 10 minutes.
What if we’re running late?
Please aim to arrive at (or even slightly before!) your entry time, but rest assured that you will be allowed in regardless! Remember that your entire group must be present before you can be admitted to the museum, so plan accordingly when carpooling.
If you have reserved seats in the 10:30am Planetarium student show, you must arrive by 10:15am to give us time to process your order and escort you to the show. Note that we cannot place your class in later public shows if you missed your reservation.
If you have reserved a Student Lab or Docent Program, there is a 15-minute grace period before we may have to cancel your program to prepare for the next.
How can I prepare my chaperones?
Download a chaperone guide for ideas on how to facilitate student learning! The Chaperone Guide is available in English, Spanish, or Chinese.
What drop-in programs are available on the day of my visit?
Schedules for daily presentations can be obtained in the lobby on the day of your visit. Don’t forget the tide pool in the Aquarium, the Naturalist Center on Level 3, the Project Lab outside of the Rainforest, or the main docent carts stationed throughout!
Where can we eat lunch?
You may eat lunch in the central Piazza or in the Academy Gardens, which flank both the east and west sides of the building. You can bring you own lunches, or purchase food from the Academy café. We regret that storage for lunches is unavailable.
Can we take photographs?
Yes! Please avoid using a flash and do not take pictures where signs forbid it. Tripods can be set up in certain locations, but not in a thoroughfare (e.g., the ramp up the Rainforest dome).
Can we exit and re-enter the museum on the day of our visit?
Yep! If anyone in the group wishes to leave the building and re-enter, they must get their hand stamped at the exit door. Students may not leave or enter the Academy without a teacher or chaperone.
What happens if we lost a student, or need first aid?
For lost children or first aid, please go to the Security Office located near the Alligator Swamp or flag down the closest Security guard or Guest Services staff on the public floor.
What other services do you provide that might be useful?
For lost and found items, go to the Coat Check in the front lobby. An ATM is also located nearby. Wheel-chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those in need. A family restroom is located on the main floor near the Swamp.
