Field Trip FAQ

We ask that field trip groups plan to arrive by 9:30AM to allow time for check-in and avoid missing out on scheduled activities. If you are unable to arrive by 9:30 AM, please notify us on the request form. 

Yes, as long as you notify us when requesting a visit date. Our scheduled programming is based on arrival by 9:30AM and departure after 1:45PM. If you anticipate arriving late or need to leave early, please let us know on your reservation form so we can adjust your itinerary. We will let you know which parts of your reservation will be impacted.

Please be sure to build in enough of a time cushion to account for traffic, especially in the rain. However, if something unexpected happens and you anticipate arriving later than planned, please call 510-336-7352 and leave a message. They will let us know once they receive it. 

If you arrive by car, please park in the parking garage and assemble your group on the sidewalk within the colored columns at the front of the building. Please ask chaperones to help monitor their group outside while the lead teacher checks in at our front desk.  

If you arrive by bus, your group should stay seated while the lead teacher checks in.  

Parking in the parking structure is FREE!

Please park in the garage rather than unload in the circle out front so that we can keep it clear for buses.

Yes, in our back parking lot and along Skyline Boulevard or Joaquin Miller Road. Space is available on a first come, first served basis. Volunteers and staff will help direct buses to the correct area.

Bus drivers are allowed free entrance into the center.

We accept card, cash or check payment to be paid at least 2 weeks in advance. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express or checks made out to Chabot Space & Science Center. To pay with a credit card, fill out the Payment Authorization Form through DocuSign or call (510) 336-7352. We do accept Purchase Orders as promise of payment from schools as long as we receive the PO at least 2 weeks prior to the visit date.

Send checks to:

School Visits ℅ Chabot Space & Science Center 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland, CA 94619

Please remember that payments must be received by us at least two weeks in advance, so if you are mailing a check, please take that timing into account.

Extra tickets can be purchased separately at our front desk upon arrival, at a rate of $12 per student and $15 for adults. Any changes to your numbers must be authorized prior to arrival. Any additional visitors without prior authorization may not be able to participate in scheduled activities. 

Yes, as long as you don’t exceed the maximum of 32 students and 8 adults per group. If you combine classes, please designate one main teacher for that group on the reservation request. 

Each field trip package includes up to 8 chaperones (including the teacher) and we highly encourage all who want to help guide their students’ experience to come. In terms of meeting minimum chaperone requirements, please note our new chaperone policies:  

For elementary school groups we require a 1:5 chaperone to student ratio. For middle school groups we require a 1:8 chaperone to student ratio. For high school groups we require a 1:10 chaperone to student ratio. 

Groups without sufficient adult supervision may not be admitted to the Center.  

Please make sure all teachers and chaperones know to closely monitor and supervise your students throughout the entire visit to ensure a safe experience for all. 

If your group needs to cancel or reschedule their visit, please reach out to schoolvisits@chabotsapce.org.  

If a reservation is cancelled with more than 14 days' notice, a full refund will be returned. Reservations cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice do not qualify for a refund.  

We are unable to process refunds for individual tickets within a field trip. Final headcounts for students and chaperones are due at the time of payment. No refunds will be granted for unplanned absences. 

Reservations may be rescheduled once, with 14 days’ notice, to an available date within 90 days of the original reservation. If a reservation is rescheduled, and is subsequently cancelled, no refund will be given. Please check your school calendar for any potential conflicts and confirm transportation in order to reduce the need for changes. 

Your day will be self-guided and interactive, so you will explore the exhibits on your own. Chaperones are required to supervise groups at all times and in all spaces. 

Yes! After booking a reservation, lead teachers may preview the Center for free to plan your day. Schedule with our Education Team via schoolvisit@chabotspace.org which day you plan to come, and we will notify the front desk.

You will receive a copy of your final itinerary at check in. It is important for our scheduling that you follow the itinerary provided. 

Unfortunately, we no longer host the Challenger Program.

Chabot's three telescopes are run by teams of dedicated volunteers and are only open for viewing when these volunteers are present. Additionally, telescope viewing is contingent upon weather conditions, as humid or rainy weather will damage the telescopes. As such, there is no guaranteed schedule for our telescopes, and they may not be open at the time of your visit.

There is no late seating or re-entry (the doors automatically lock behind you). Please plan to arrive at the planetarium at least 10 minutes before your scheduled show time ready for your group to be seated.

If youth visitors want to leave the planetarium, they must take a chaperone with them.

Food and beverages are not allowed in the planetarium at any time.

Shows are selected based on the needs of the Center each day, taking all our visitors into account, so we are unable to accept requests for specific shows. However, we are able to take requests for Spanish shows. Please email requests to schoolvisit@chabotspace.org at least 2 weeks in advance of your visit, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. 

We highly recommend that groups pack their own lunches. We do have a café, however, it is small and has a limited selection. Students must be chaperoned at all times in the café.  

Lunch and snacks may be eaten in the Courtyard, Observation Deck, or Café on our site.  

We ask that all visitors clean up after themselves when they are finished with lunch to preserve the environment.  

If you wish, you may take your group to eat in Redwood Bowl (Roberts Park) as well. This area can accommodate larger groups.  

Bins are provided on a first come, first serve basis for groups to store their lunches. Groups are responsible for moving their bins to the lunch area, checking that all items have been removed, and returning their bin before leaving our site.

If it is raining outside, we will greet you inside for check in. An indoor lunch space will be provided.  

Yes! We have a gift shop near the main entrance. Youth visitors must be always chaperoned at a ratio of 1:5 in the gift shop. No more than 20 youths are permitted in the gift shop at one time.

Yes. Check with the front desk if you lose any items during your visit.