California
Field Trips
Annotated Lists
Adventure Schooling NEW
This group is for families who enjoy getting out of the house and being adventurous. You are welcome to join us. Tell us about great field trips in your area, and about good family vacations you have enjoyed, and any other advice you may have about traveling and learning as a family.
Barbary Coast Trail
Video Tour of this 3.8 mile walking tour of historic San Francisco. Download the audio tour to your cell phone or ipod.
Bay Area Experiences
A database of fun and unusual things to do and see in the San
Francisco Bay Area. Some are quite unusual, such as where you
can go to learn to blow glass.
Bay Area
Family Travel
We will focus on a specific Bay Area locale for our monthly cover
story. And in the How-to with Kids department, writers
provide the essentials on how to ski with kids, camp with kids,
visit museums with kids...you get the idea.
Bay Area
Homeschool Field Trips
This Yahoo group is for Homeschooling families in the SF- San
Jose Bay Area who enjoy field trips. At least 2 field trips a
month; some are free, some having fees. Everyone is welcome to
post field trips that they are organizing.
Bay Area Kid Fun
Find fun things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area and also
get discount
coupons for doing them!
BestHomeschooling.org's
Guide to California Field Trip Resources
This directory provides information about finding and planning
an endless array of field trip opportunities throughout the state.
Formerly on the HSC site. Researched by Lillian Jones.
CaliforniaHS-Calendar
An announcement-only email list concerning field trips and events
of interest to California Homeschoolers.
Central Coast Homeschoolers Field Trips
Each Monday from 12:00 - 2:30 Homeschoolers of the Central Coast hosts field trips. The field trips are open to anyone who would like to attend. They are geared to the age group 4 - 11 but children of other ages are welcome.
Field Trip
Directory
Homefires ~ The Journal of Homeschooling, famous in Northern
California for its field trip announcements, has put up a dozen
lists of its readers' favorite places to take kids.
OC
Homeschool Events
This is an announcements only (low volume) for events and activities
that may be of interest to homeschooling families in and around
the Orange County, California area.
Sacramento Area Field Trip & info
For homeschoolers in the Sacramento Area. Posts are limited to field trips, classes, park days and events of interest to homeschoolers. Any member may organize trips, and post events sponsored by other groups.
San Diego Indoor Activities for Kids
Due to the wildfires in San Diego many people have been told to stay inside to avoid the hazardous outdoor conditions. Air quality remains a concern. Children and the elderly are more susceptible to smoke. If it's smoky outside, it's probably not a good time to go jogging. And it's probably a good time for your children to remain indoors.
Aquariums & Ocean Life
Birch Aquarium
at Scripps
We provide ocean science education through creative exhibits,
programs, and activities designed to help people use critical
thinking, and to make science relevant to their daily lives.
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, (619) 534-FISH
Monterey Bay Aquarium
All you need to know to plan your aquarium visit, including hours,
prices, maps, online tickets and more. 886 Cannery Row, Monterey,
(408) 648-4800
Area Guides
Enter
San Diego
Beaches, Sea World, Zoos, LegoLand, and more from this local
site. Oh, don't forget that Mexico is about 15 minutes from downtown,
so they include it, too.
Aquariums
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Holds Homeschool Days each fall. Fall 2009 is sold out. Sign up early for the 2010 days. As with other education groups, home school groups and families are eligible to participate in only one free field trip each school year.
Art
Bowers Museum of Cultural
Art
We offer Docent led tours of our Museum galleries and the facilities
at our Kidseum provide Art Classes and a Lunch Area. We have
a special promotion for groups booking before June 30th: Receive
a complimentary Curriculum Guide. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana,
CA. 92706, (714) 567-3679.
Paramount
Theatre Guided Tours
Art Deco style. My father was the general contractor on the remodeling
of this center for performing arts in Oakland. Public tours of
the Paramount Theatre are given on the first and third Saturdays
of each month, excluding holidays. Children must be at least
10 years old and adult chaperones are required. (510) 893-2300
ext. 801.
Astronomy
Chabot Space &
Science Center
The universe is yours to experience! Set amid 13 trail-laced
acres of East Bay parkland, with glorious views of San Francisco
Bay and the Oakland foothills, Chabot is a hands-on celebration
of sights, sounds, and sensations.10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland,
CA 94619, 510-336-7300.
Fremont Peak Observatory
Fremont Peak Observatory is open to the public for viewing and
educational programs from April through October on Saturday evenings
that don't include a full moon (usually three Saturdays each
month). San Juan Bautista, 831-623-2465.
Classes
Lawrence Livermore Labs Student Enrichment Programs
Free lectures and demonstrations intended for students 5th grade
through high school.
Discovery Centers
The Children's Discovery Museum
Encompassing the broad themes of community, connections and creativity,
exhibits invite self-directed, open-ended explorations, while
programs provide facilitated, focused, and sustained interactions.
180 Woz Way, San Jose, (408) 298-5437
The Discovery Center Museum of Science & Natural History
An educational science center offering children an outdoor hands-on learning experience to stimulate passion, curiosity and wonder for the environment and physical sciences. 1937 N. Winery, Fresno, CA 93703. (559) 251-5533.
Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art, History, and Science
A good place to see dinosaurs. 1515 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno,
CA 93721, (209) 441-1444
Sacramento Museum of History, Science, and Technology (DBA: Discovery Museum)
Innovative programs and special events that engage participants
in lifelong learning. 101 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, (916)
264-7057 and 3615 Auburn Blvd. (916) 575-3941.
Disney World Homeschool Days
September 8 & 9, 2010 and January 24 & 25, 2011. Learning has never been more fun. Disney Homeschool Days invites your students to explore scientific, cultural, creative and natural exhibits of the Walt Disney World¨ Resort Theme Parks for hands-on, eye-opening experiences.
History Trips
California Gold
These folks will take you on a gold mining tour. Kids under 12
are free. Write them an interesting email about gold, and they
may send you a nugget. (Do ask a parent before giving anyone
your email address online.)
The
California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento
The world-class tribute to the role of the "iron horse"
in connecting California to the rest of the nation.
Ghost Town - Bodie, California
AN A TO Z ARTICLE
Homeschoolers haunt this historic gold mining town on a fine
October day. An online field trip.
Go Milpitas!
Silicon Valley, San Francisco Bay Area and general California
resources for homeschooling families, such as California History, field trip ideas, and Drivers Ed.
(My community website. Shameless plug.)
Jamestown Gold Panning NEW
You can keep all of the gold that you find. However, if you insist on donating it to Miner John, he surely will not object. Open all year long. 17712 Harvard Mine Road, Jamestown, CA 95327. To Make Reservations call 209-984-4038.
Old Sacramento
Experience the Sacramento of the Gold Rush. Enjoy museums,entertainment,
restaurants, lots of interesting shops, and plenty of great places
to stay at this National Registered Landmark and 28-acre State
Historic Park, on the river, in downtown Sacramento.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation
From this site you can access Presidential Papers and Presidential Photographs, learn about the Museum and Air Force One, become a member of the Library Foundation, learn about our events, and shop at our online Museum Store. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, California 93065. 800-410-8354.
Rosie the Riveter Historical Park
The memorial is located at Melville Square & Esplanade Drive, Richmond, CA 94804. Download the < href="http://www.nps.gov/rori/upload/drivingtour-for_web_05-2009%20SMALL.pdf">self-guided auto tour which will take you around to all the sites.
Industry & Technology
Factory
Tours
Visit and learn about the industries that
make our state great. Members may submit reviews of their favorite
field trips.
Science on Saturday
A series of free lectures and demonstrations targeted at middle
and high school students. Topics are selected from the forefront
of science and technology research in a variety of disciplines.
Held in Pleasanton and in the Central Valley. Check back monthly
for new classes.
Music
Clarion Music
Chinese musical instruments and exotic musical instruments of
the world. 816 Sacramento Street, San Francisco, CA, 415-391-1317.
Music at Kohl Mansion
We have two series which would be appropriate for homeschoolers:
Family Concerts and Children's Concerts. In Burlingame. 2750
Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010. (650) 762-1130
Natural History
Caverns of California
Guided Cave Tours, Spelunking Trips and Underground Gold Mine
Tours - Advanced Expeditions, Rappels and Family Cavern Expeditions
- Sutter Gold Mine explorations underground - Sierra Nevada Recreation
Corp.
Coyote Point Museum
for Environmental Education
Watch otters or foxes play as they are being fed. 1651 Coyote
Point Drive, San Mateo, CA 94401, (650) 342-7755
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching NEW
Orange County. Student groups go for only $14 per person! These 2-hour whale watching cruises are fully narrated by our expert captains. Our staff are available on board to answer any of your questions. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629. (949) 496-5794.
East
Bay Regional Park District
Activities for kids page, but do wander further into the site
for information about such things as boating, fishing, and camping.
Humboldt State
University Natural History Museum
Learn more about the natural wonders of the north coast of California.
1315 G Street, Arcata, CA 95521, (707) 826-4479
Lindsay Wildlife
Museum
A wildlife rehabilitation and educational center that focuses
on native California wildlife and natural history. 1931 First
Ave., Walnut Creek, (925) 935-1978.
Nature Explorers
of the East Bay
Our nature hikes in the East San Francisco Bay area for parents
and their young children (ages have been ranging from 18 months
to 10 years, with a lot of 4- to 7-year-old kids) have been wonderful
so far, and we have had a great time meeting new moms and their
children!
Point Reyes Outdoors
We provide customized guided hiking, kayaking, team building and camping trips for groups and families in and around Point Reyes National Seashore. Our organization strives to provide quality instruction, education, and outdoor experiences. Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. (415) 663-8192.
San Francisco Zoo
Despite the many reasons that draw people here, we know that
once they arrive at the Zoo, they will inevitably fall in love
with wildlife, and that upon their departure from the Zoo they
will begin their journey to become conservationists. Take a virtual
tour. Fees, hours and directions.
Santa Barbara Museum
of Natural History
A close look at the story of the region's birth, geology and
paleontology, native wildlife, rich marine life, and the culture
of the Chumash Indians. 2559 Puesta del Sol Road, Santa Barbara,
CA 93105, (805) 682-4711
Turtle Bay Museums
and Arboretum on the River
A collection of indoor/outdoor learning attractions with a focus
on the Sacramento River watershed, its natural inhabitants, regional
culture, and human history. 800 Auditorium Drive (street address),
P.O. Box 992360, Redding, CA 96099-2360, (530) 243-8850
Rural Life
McFarland Living History Ranch
The students enter a portal of time back to the late 1800's.
Judging by the smiles and laughter learning is fun, not only
fun but also something students remember a lifetime. Galt Area
Historical Society, Inc. Galt CA 95632. For information call
(209) 745-0951.
Science Museums
California Academy of Sciences
Be sure to check the Education section for great ideas and lesson
plans. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118-4499, (415) 221-5100
California Science
Center
The mission of the California Science Center is to stimulate
and nurture interest in science, mathematics, and technology,
to take an interdisciplinary approach that places them in a social
and cultural context. 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, (213) SCI-ENCE
Discovery Science
Center
Science, math and technology through interactive exhibits and
programs. 2500 Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 542-CUBE
Exploratorium
Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts,
the Exploratorium is a collage of over 650 science, art, and
human perception exhibits. 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, (415)
561-0360
Homeschool Science Program, 20 spaces available!
Experiment Ideas,
Museum Store,
Exploratorium Exhibit Cross Reference.
Explorit
Science Center
Our hands-on experiences are involving, open ended, user friendly,
and incorporate inquiry and problem solving strategies. P.O.
Box 1288, Davis, (530) 756-0191
Hall of Health
A community health-education museum and science center dedicated
to promoting wellness and individual responsibility for health.
2230 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, (510) 549-1564
Lawrence Hall of
Science
A singular resource center for preschool through high school
science and mathematics education, and a public science center
with exciting hands-on experiences for learners of all ages.
Centennial Dr., University of California Berkeley, (510) 642-5132
Reuben H. Fleet Science
Center
Seeks to inspire life-long learning by furthering the public's
understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. P.O. Box
33303, San Diego, (619) 238-1233
The Tech Museum of Innovation
With its worldwide reputation for technical innovation and economic
growth, Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area offer an
opportunity to create an educational model linking industry,
the schools and the community. 201 South Market St., San Jose,
(408) 294-TECH
Water Ways
Bay Model
Visitor Center
Why a Bay Model? By building the Model in the late 1950's and
testing the Reber Plan, scientists and engineers were able to
determine that the proposed creation of several dams across the
Bay would adversly affect it's unique ecosystem. 2100 Bridgeway,
Sausalito, CA 94965, (415) 332-3871
Guadalupe
River Park & Gardens
2-Day Water Wizard summer enrichment day camps for ages 7-11
in San Jose. 408-298-7657.
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