California, United States
Field trips near San Diego, CA
Local school field trips, kids field trips, and day trips with official photos, prices, weather fit, lunch, parking, accessibility, and booking links.
Local planning snapshot
This page is built around local searches like field trips near San Diego, school field trips near me, scout and camp field trips, youth group trips, and kids field trips near San Diego. Start with distance and weather fit, then open detail pages to verify current ticket calendars, reservation windows, group rules, arrival logistics, food policies, and source freshness.
Where to start in San Diego
Start with the local places that have enough price, booking, photo, and logistics detail for a useful first comparison.
If you need a quick first pass, start with venues like Batiquitos Lagoon School Programs, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and Cabrillo National Monument School Programs before checking their exact student, adult, or group rate lines.
Batiquitos Lagoon School Programs, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, and Cabrillo National Monument School Programs are good first checks when you want indoor backup before digging into more weather-sensitive options.
23 places lean museum, science, history, or culture, which makes this metro stronger for curriculum-tied classroom trips than for purely outdoor day trips.
That gives you a cleaner local shortlist for class groups, homeschool meetups, or scout/camp planning without relying on broad “things to do” pages.
What this metro page answers best
Use these blocks to compare nearby options by cost, weather fit, trip type, and how much planning detail is available before you open each venue page.
That makes this page stronger than a generic “things to do” list when you need a nearby comparison set with official links, prices, and trip-day logistics in one place.
Start with those for class planning, then open the venue pages to confirm current dates, class-size rules, chaperone ratios, and arrival details.
That gives homeschool pods and co-ops a narrower local set to check before falling back to broader statewide exploration.
Use those counts together when the trip needs to work for younger students, short bus windows, or uncertain weather.

Batiquitos Lagoon School Programs
Carlsbad / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Birch Aquarium at Scripps
San Diego Birch Aquarium field trip with $15 school-year student visits, $17 summer 2026 student visits, 1:2 Pre-K/TK and 1:5 K-12 free chaperone ratios, extra adult pricing, lunch preorder options, bus drop-off notes.
- Reserve
- Book self-guided school/youth visits through the official Birch Aquarium page and treat the three-week-before-trip checklist as the key deadline for self-guided booking, cancellation, transportation planning, and final reminder forms.
- Lunch
- The official checklist points groups to boxed lunch preorders through Blue Wave Bistro and says the menu is attached to the Self-Guided Visit logistics form; plan lunch before arrival rather than assuming storage or open seating.
- Bus
- Use the official 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla address. The official field-trip checklist says buses are not permitted to park in the Birch Aquarium parking lot, so distribute transportation instructions and set a drop-off/pick-up plan with bus drivers and chaperone drivers.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Cabrillo National Monument School Programs
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Comic-Con Museum
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve Education Programs
Escondido / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Bus
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Fleet Science Center
San Diego Fleet Science Center field trip with discounted school-group galleries, optional workshops or films, 1:5 Pre-K-1 and 1:10 grade 2+ required free chaperone ratios, Title I Access Science scholarships, lunch planning, paid Balboa Park parking.
- Reserve
- Start with the official Field Trips at the Fleet page and request form; the education team contacts schools to confirm booking, and Access Science Scholarships for San Diego County Title I public schools are first-come-first-served from September through June.
- Lunch
- The official field-trip page points groups to Element 8 Cafe as the current dining context; confirm whether the class is eating onsite, bringing lunches, or using cafe timing before finalizing the daily schedule.
- Bus
- Use the official 1875 El Prado address and the Fleet lot at Space Theater Way off Park Boulevard. Official directions say Balboa Park Cultural District parking is city-managed paid parking from 8 AM to 8 PM as of January 5, 2026, and the field-trip FAQ says no school parking discounts or passes are available at this time.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Fleet Science Center Field Trips
San Diego Fleet Science Center field trip with discounted school-group galleries, optional workshops or films, 1:5 Pre-K-1 and 1:10 grade 2+ required free chaperone ratios, Title I Access Science scholarships, lunch planning, paid Balboa Park parking.
- Reserve
- Start with the official Field Trips at the Fleet page and request form; the education team contacts schools to confirm booking, and Access Science Scholarships for San Diego County Title I public schools are first-come-first-served from September through June.
- Lunch
- The official field-trip page points groups to Element 8 Cafe as the current dining context; confirm whether the class is eating onsite, bringing lunches, or using cafe timing before finalizing the daily schedule.
- Bus
- Use the official 1875 El Prado address and the Fleet lot at Space Theater Way off Park Boulevard. Official directions say Balboa Park Cultural District parking is city-managed paid parking from 8 AM to 8 PM as of January 5, 2026, and the field-trip FAQ says no school parking discounts or passes are available at this time.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum
San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Living Coast Discovery Center
San Diego option for animals and live exhibits; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Mingei International Museum
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Mission San Luis Rey School Tours
Oceanside / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Mission Trails Regional Park
San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and reservation.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Museum of Making Music
Carlsbad / San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Museum of Photographic Arts at The San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Museum of Us
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

Oceanside Museum of Art School Tours
Oceanside / San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego option for STEM exhibits and class discussion; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Archaeological Center School Programs
Escondido / San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Automotive Museum School Visits
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Botanic Garden School Programs
Encinitas / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Children's Discovery Museum
San Diego option for hands-on play and younger elementary kids; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Diego Zoo
San Diego option for animals and live exhibits; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

San Elijo Lagoon School Programs
Encinitas / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Check the ticket page for current rates.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch School Tours
Carlsbad / San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

The New Children's Museum School Visits
San Diego option for hands-on play and younger elementary kids; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5
The Old Globe Student Matinees
San Diego option with useful basics for families or groups.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

The San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego option for a museum-style learning day; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

The Water Conservation Garden
San Diego option for an outdoor or weather-aware trip; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5

USS Midway Museum Youth Programs
San Diego option for STEM exhibits and class discussion; helpful details include price, school trip, and group visit.
- Reserve
- Use the ticket or visit page for current reservation timing.
- Lunch
- Use the visit page for lunch, snack, and outside-food rules.
- Bus
- Use the visit page for bus, parking, and drop-off instructions.
- Grades
- Pre-K, K-2, 3-5