Best Places for School Trips in San Diego

By Katie Sagal

San Diego is a prime cultural destination for families, students, and school groups from across the country. With its wealth of cultural attractions ranging from art museums to historic naval vessels to one of the best zoos in the country, San Diego boasts an appropriate attraction for every type of trip. If you're looking for some ideas while planning your school trip San Diego, check out our favorites, including:

  • San Diego Zoo
  • USS Midway Museum
  • San Diego Natural History Museum
  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • Birch Aquarium

Save on Field Trip Admission in San Diego

For those of you planning a school trip for your children or students, you're sure to be looking for ways to save. With budgets as tight as they are these days, the all-inclusive Go San Diego Card is a smart choice. Save up to 55% on combined admission prices vs. paying at the gate. See all available, passes, and prices -- learn more.

San Diego Zoo

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Arguably the best field trip attraction in the entire city is the San Diego Zoo. It's a perfect educational destination, offering plenty of informative content alongside the excitement of meeting new exotic critters from around the globe. Don't miss the world-famous Giant Pandas, or their newest exhibit area, Africa Rocks, which features African flora and fauna like penguins, lemurs, and more. Insider tip: Use the free Guided Bus Tour ticket to get your group around, because this zoo is very sizable and little feet will get tired quickly. Getting In: San Diego Zoo tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.

USS Midway Museum

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For groups emphasizing American history in general, or even military history in particular, the USS Midway Museum is an ideal attraction. Groups can tour the fascinating collection of painstakingly restored historical aircraft and 60 different educational exhibits. There's also an audio tour which explains each component along the way, like the sleeping quarters and flight control deck. Getting In: USS Midway Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.

San Diego Natural History Museum

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Also known as theNAT, this fascinating museum is an attractive destination for field trips for its exemplary exhibits and interactive components. School groups can explore a wide variety of exhibits, from dinosaur bones to rare books to live cacti. Accompanying instructional panels are also ideal for school children looking to learn about the exhibits in accessible ways. Some of their featured exhibitions also specifically explore the natural history of the region, so it's a good option for local groups looking to learn more about Southern California. Getting In: San Diego Natural History Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.

San Diego Air & Space Museum

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This popular Balboa Park museum has plenty to offer school groups that are learning about the history of flight across time. Exhibits include everything from the first hot air balloon (from the eighteenth century!) to military aircraft hailing from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. They also educational films in the Zable Theater, including "Fly Me to the Moon" and "Space Chase." Don't forget to show the kids the Apollo XI Space Pen! Getting In: San Diego Air & Space Museum tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.

Birch Aquarium

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Aquariums are reliable field trip destinations for a reason. They're filled with interactive exhibits, fascinating collections of marine species, and plenty of informative tours, talks, and guides. The Birch Aquarium is particularly notable for its wealth of diverse exhibits that span the gamut from photographs of Mexican marine environments to a showcase of new innovations in renewable energy. School groups especially love the "Tide Pool Plaza," where little guests can actually touch sea stars, hermit crabs, and more. Getting In: Birch Aquarium tickets are included with the Go San Diego Card.

Don't Forget to Save on Field Trip Admission

So remember, if you're planning a field trip to San Diego don't forget to look into the all-inclusive Go San Diego Cards. You can save up to 55% for your whole group on attraction admission vs. paying at the gate, which can be a boon for tight budgets. We also offer discounts for large groups, too, to help you save even more.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Endangered California condor in flight.
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San Diego Zoo Vs LA Zoo Comparison in California

Here’s a clash of titans and no mistake. Two of the biggest and best in the States, the zoos in San Diego and LA are Sunshine State behemoths, welcoming millions of wildlife-loving visitors every year. Each has enough going on to while away an entire day or more, with hundreds of species and thousands of critters between them, ranging from tiny Honduran hummingbirds all the way up to ginormous giraffes. But which is best? San Diego Zoo with its enviable location in sprawling Balboa Park, or LA Zoo with its epic elephant and gorilla enclosures? We took a closer look to discover what these California giants have in common, and what sets them apart. But first... Zoos have a tendency to split opinion due to issues around conservation and animal welfare, so let’s address the (ahem) elephant in the room straight away...   Conservation and Animal Welfare Both San Diego and LA zoos are committed to conservation and have mission statements that clearly reflect a desire to preserve endangered species and contribute towards a better future for our shared planet. And they’re not all talk either. Far from it. San Diego Zoo pioneered the cageless, open-air exhibits that you’ll now find in most zoos worth their salt, while their Institute for Conservation Research has helped reintroduce more than 30 endangered species back into the wild. LA Zoo is no slouch either, having made perhaps the greatest single contribution to the number of California condors now in the wild, thanks to its intensive breeding program for this rare, threatened animal. Both run a number of talks and demonstrations aimed at educating visitors (especially younger visitors) in how best to appreciate, interact with and protect all wildlife.   Fast facts: San Diego Zoo Tickets You can save by buying tickets in advance online at the official San Diego Zoo website. A range of options are available, from one-day zoo passes to multi-passes that include zoo entry as well as tickets to San Diego Safari Park and SeaWorld San Diego. The All-Inclusive attraction pass from Go City also includes all three of those attractions, plus more including Knott’s Berry Farm theme park and the San Diego Museum of Art. Opening Hours Open daily from 9AM to 5PM, with some seasonal variation. Getting There San Diego Zoo is at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 9210. Rapid 215 and Route 7 bus routes connect the zoo to downtown San Diego. Parking at the zoo is free.   Fast facts: LA Zoo Tickets Buying advance tickets from the official LA Zoo website is recommended as walk-in entry cannot always be guaranteed at busier times. An attraction pass from Go City also includes entry to the zoo, plus many more LA highlights including Universal Studios Hollywood, La Brea Tar Pits and Madame Tussauds. Opening Hours Open daily from 10AM to 5PM, with some seasonal variation. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Getting There LA Zoo is at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027. You’ll find the entrance at the northeast corner of Griffith Park, at the junction of the I-5 (Golden State) and the 134 (Ventura) freeways. The LA Metro bus line 96 route serves the zoo from Burbank and downtown LA.   Save on entry with Go City Grab whicever San Diego pass suits you best, and save while you sightsee!
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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San Diego Zoo vs. SeaWorld

Trying to decide whether to visit San Diego Zoo vs SeaWorld? Both are iconic San Diego attractions, but both offer different experiences. Our guide has all you need to know about admission, thrill rides, practical details, and more.
Casey Makovich
Woman meditating on a rock at sunset in San Diego
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Relaxing Things to do in San Diego

What could be more soul-soothing than seeing the sun rise from the cliffs on the California coast, watching the world go by from a cute brunch spot or getting up close to some of the most colorful marine life this side of the tropics? Check out our guide to the 10 most relaxing things to do in San Diego. Take a Morning Walk by the Ocean Early morning is by far the best time to get San Diego’s golden beaches all to yourself. Ok, almost all to yourself. Stroll the sands with just fisherman and curious native harbor seals for company, as they vie for the morning catch. Strike out along the wooden pier at Pacific Beach for that perfect sunrise selfie before the crowds arrive, or stroll the deserted bluffs high above La Jolla Shores for sweeping views of the shimmering ocean below. Heck, you could even take your yoga mat along to achieve maximum morning serenity, soothed by the sound of waves breaking gently on the shore. Have Brunch in Ocean Beach Located just south of the river, Ocean Beach is San Diego’s most laidback boho enclave, chock-full of street art, surf boutiques, organic grocery stores, brewery taprooms and tattoo parlors. There are some excellent brunch spots here too, many with outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching as locals and vacationers go about their daily business along bustling Newport Avenue. Dishes at the popular Breakfast Republic are inspired by Southern and Tijuana cuisine and include such lip-smacking taste sensations as shrimp and grits with hot sauce and a belly-busting California breakfast burrito. Grab an outside table at The Old Townhouse Restaurant, where buttermilk pancakes and zingy grapefruit juice will start your day right. Visit a Garden Sprawling Balboa Park contains many of the best places to relax in San Diego, not least its formal gardens, of which the Alcazar is among the finest. Wander among ornate fountains, bright blooms and vibrant Moorish tiling, and enjoy the tranquil views from the garden’s shaded pergola, all within view of the striking California Tower. With nearly 200 varieties, the Rose Garden is a riot of scent and color at its peak in late spring, while the neighboring Japanese Friendship Garden’s tranquil koi ponds, tinkling water features, bonsai trees and beautiful spring cherry blossoms are all you need to achieve perfect zen. Spend the Day at Mission Bay With 27 miles of shoreline and 4,600 acres of waterways and beaches to explore, Mission Bay is the largest man-made saltwater bay in the world. Think of a water-based activity and you’re sure to find it here: there’s wakeboarding, paddleboarding, surfing, jet skiing and sailing to name just a few. The beaches here are also ideal for kids, with tranquil waters for little feet to paddle in and oodles of sand to make all their castle-building dreams come true. Pack a picnic and slap on the sunscreen for one of San Diego’s most chilled days out. Explore La Jolla Cove The huge kelp forests off San Diego’s coastline attract all manner of magical marine life. Rent a kayak and paddle gently out to the San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, just offshore. On a good day with clear waters, you might spot bright orange Garibaldi (the California State fish, no less) as well as friendly leopard sharks, stingrays and sea turtles swimming underneath your boat. Watch out for seals darting sleekly through the water as you make your way across the bay to the seven secret sea caves, said to have been used by smugglers of alcohol and opium back in the Prohibition era. Picnic in Balboa Park There are dozens of great spots to spread out your gingham blanket and unpack your wicker hamper within the 1,200 acres of Balboa Park. Find a wild spot for a quiet, romantic lunch along one of the marked walking trails around the park’s perimeter. Or – if people-watching is more your bag – tuck in to your lunchtime feast on the east or west lawn of the picture-perfect Botanical Building with its peaceful lily pond. Pro-tip: alcohol is allowed here (and in a few other designated areas around the park). But remember to bring your San Diego craft beer in a can and your Californian wine in a box, as glass receptacles are a big no-no. Take a Hike Hiking is a great way to get to know San Diego’s unique topography. The wild canyons and vast nature reserves here provide dozens of great walking opportunities, with many offering staggeringly good views in exchange for very little exertion. Head up to Torrey Pines on the cliffs over La Jolla, where monolithic rock formations, endangered pine trees and panoramic ocean views are the order of the day. If you prefer your hikes a little more challenging, the ruggedly handsome Mission Trails Regional Park offers over 60 miles of pathways across its 7,000 acres, and features Cowles Mountain – the highest point in San Diego – as its centerpiece. The hard-won reward for your epic climb? Dizzying 360-degree panoramas of the city and beyond. Sink a Couple of Beers In case you haven’t heard, San Diego lays reasonable claim to the title of America’s craft beer capital, with dozens of independent breweries to be found strewn throughout its hip neighborhoods, from Ocean Beach to North Park, and everywhere else in between. The high concentration of taprooms around North Park’s University Avenue and 30th Street make it ideal for a bar crawl, where you can sample the full gamut of imaginative local brews, from citrusy IPAs through flavored pale ales to skull-cracking sour beers and chocolatey stouts. Don’t forget the Alka Seltzer for that difficult morning after. Visit an Aquarium High on a La Jolla hilltop, around 12 miles north of Downtown, is where you’ll find the Birch Aquarium, a superb low-key alternative to SeaWorld that’s affiliated to San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Visit the Hall of Fishes, where 60 huge tanks teem with critters that include a rescued loggerhead turtle and an elusive giant Pacific octopus. Be mesmerized by sharks and rays cruising their 13,000-gallon habitat and – for the ultimate in unusual experiences – head to Tidepool Plaza. Here, there’s plenty hands-on fun to be had with lobsters, leopard sharks and more. So far, so normal. But we’ll let you decide whether the sensation of hundreds of tiny cleaner fish nibbling your fingers is really as relaxing as some people claim. Watch a Sunset Nothing says romance and relaxation like watching the California sky glow various shades of purple, orange, red and pink as the sun disappears over the horizon. Grab a chilled bottle of bubbly and head to any one of dozens of perfect vantage points along San Diego’s whopping 70 miles of coastline. Favorite spots include – deep breath – Torrey Pines, the harbor in San Diego Bay, any rooftop bar along the Mission Beach Boardwalk, Pacific Beach’s picture-perfect Crystal Pier and the aptly named Sunset Cliffs south of Ocean Beach. Perfection. Save on relaxing things to do in San Diego Save on admission to San Diego attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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