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School & Youth Programs

Field Trip Reservation Form

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All schools in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Imperial, and Riverside counties only should fill out the form below to request their field trip dates to the San Diego Zoo.

If you are trying to book a field trip to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, CA please click here. 

Student groups visiting for non-educational purposes, US National (outside Southern California) and international schools, and all youth groups should email youthgroups@sdzwa.org for more information on requesting a field trip.

We are not accepting new homeschool reservations for the remainder of the 2023/2024 school year at this time.  Please check back for 2024/2025 availability soon.

I have a valid homeschool affidavit (California Education Code Section 33190) and may be requested to present this affidavit and/or other forms of verication prior to recieving Education/School Group rates.
Grade Level(s)
School Phone
School Address
Contact
This is the information we will use to contact your group in case of emergency on the day of your field trip. Please list contact information for an adult who will be at the Zoo with your group.
Title
Visit Date and Admission Policies

During October Kids Free month, in-county and out-of-county school groups, grades pre-K–college, are admitted free on traditional school days, but must make a reservation at least 2 weeks prior to the group's visit.

Quantities & Ratios   

  • The minimum size of a school/youth group is 15 people. Each school/group can bring a maximum of 200 people per day. Each individual over the 200-person limit is charged full price.   
  • For safety reasons your group must have a minimum of 1 adult for every 10 students.
  • College groups must have a minimum of 1 Professor/Instructor for every 40 students.
  • Adult chaperones are required to stay with their students at all times.   
  • San Diego County School Groups:  
    • The maximum ratio of free adults is 1 per 4 students. If you have any special needs students, we allow one adult for every one special-needs student in the group.
    • Adults above the maximum ratio of free adults, up to and not exceeding the total number of students, are $20 each. If the number of adults exceeds the number of students, each adult exceeding the number of students will be charged full admission price (or need to present a valid membership). 
    • ​​​​Teachers are counted in the total number of adults.  
This date is subject to availibility, and will be reviewed by our team before being confirmed.

You will be notified via email if we are unable to accommodate your desired date. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are our busiest days (If you would like to provide an alternitive date(s) please do so in the additional notes section below).
Please review the fee/rate calendar for your group type (above) and confirm the pricing for the date you have selected. 

Your admission is only valid for the date you are requesting. If you need to change your field trip date after you submit this request, please email educationzoo@sdzwa.org.
  • Minimum group size of 15 required to qualify for special rates
  • Maximum group size is 200 people per school, per day (students + adults)
    • Your group must enter the Zoo together
    • If your group is larger than 200 people, additional guests will pay full price admission.
  • Limit one visit per teacher per year
Please include your aides in your estimated number of adults.
Add-ons

The Skyfari Aerial Tram is included with Education Admission Tickets. For all other add-on items, please review your options below
Please check this box if you would like to learn more about including a Zoo Education Experience Package with your self-guided field trip. A Zoo Education representative will contact you. 
If you would like to pre-purchase meal vouchers, please list the number you would like to purchase here.
Each voucher is $17.00 and is redeemable at select food stands throughout the Zoo for the same value (usually the equivalent of an average adult meal with soft drink).  Prices subject to change.

*Lunch storage is now available at the Zoo, located in the Wildlife Explorer Basecamp. Directions and passcodes will be located in the confirmation email you will receive no later than 2-weeks before your visit. If you choose to not utilize lunch storage, your students will need to carry their own lunches.

Private Guided Bus Tour 

For ONLY $350.00 (over $1000 value)! Tours available Monday-Friday. Each tour accommodates up to 94 people. Join us for a narrated, round-trip 35-minute adventure through Zoo grounds on a double-decker bus—and find out more about how we're saving species worldwide, and what you can do as an ally for wildlife. Limited departures available at this special rate reserved for school-affiliated groups. Must reserved 21 days in advance. Cancellation fee applies.

 

Individual Guided Bus Tour tickets are available for purchase upon arrival for $12 per person, subject to availability. Be advised you will be mixed with the general public.

Required Ratio = 1 chaperone: 10 students

4-D Theater tickets are $4 per person when purchased in advance, same-day tickets are $8 per person.
Education Reservation Requirements
  • Reservation required minimum of 14 days in advance.
  • $75 late fee for reservations made within 14 days.
  • Group must arrive and enter Zoo together.
  • Student defined as individual grades K-College visiting with an accredited teacher for educational purposes.
  • Youth defined as individual visiting with accredited teacher for non-educational purposes OR individual under the age of 18 visiting with a youth group/parent participation group such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, extra-curricular programs, etc.
  • Chaperone defined as adult age 21 and older, may be a parent/guardian, school support staff, or other adult affiliated with the group of students/youth in a supervisory capacity.
  • Tickets not for sale to any person other than students and chaperones accompanying accredited teacher or on-staff youth group leader such as a YMCA Program Leader, Scout Troop Leader, etc. in an education group.
Please read and check to show understanding and acceptance of terms and conditions:
I understand that lunch storage is provided at the San Diego Zoo for education groups only. Passcodes should not be shared with anyone outside of your group, and no coolers/food storage containers larger than a 6-pack size are permitted on Zoo grounds.
I have read and agree to abide by the Zoo Rules and will share this information with my students and chaperones. 
I have looked at the fee/rate calendar for my group type and am aware of the admission fees for my selected date. 
I agree to provide payment for any outstanding balance before my group enters the Zoo.
I understand that my entire group must enter the Zoo together to received the discounted/free admission rate.
I understand that if my group is larger than 11 people we may need to split into smaller groups to participate in the guided bus tour, and that we may need to ride on separate buses. 

Required Chaperone Ratio for Bus Tour: 1 adult for every 10 children
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