RESERVATION INFORMATION
What information do we need for our Teachers and Chaperones?
Once your visit has been confirmed, your Primary Contact will receive an email with info about your visit date. This will include your Itinerary and a PDF file of our Chaperone Survival Guide. We recommend all chaperones receive a copy of our survival guide before your visit date to answer any questions about the visit.
Can I combine two or more of my classes into one group?
Yes, as long as you don’t exceed the maximum of 40 total visitors per group. If you combine classes, please designate one main teacher for that group on the reservation request.
Can I see my itinerary for the day?
You can go to the Choose Your Day section of the Day Time Field Trip page and download the specific itinerary that corresponds with your confirmation e-mail.
You will also receive copies of your final itinerary at check-in for you and your chaperones. It is important that you follow the itinerary provided to ensure participation in each part of the program.
How many chaperones should I bring?
- 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.
PAYMENT INFORMATION
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept card, ACH, Purchase Orders, or check payment to be fully paid at least 2 weeks in advance. We also require an initial booking deposit of $25.
To pay by credit card: we accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express. Fill out the Payment Authorization Form sent at the time you make your reservation through DocuSign or call (510) 336-7352.
To pay by check: checks should be made out to Chabot Space & Science Center, attn: School Visits. They may be dropped off with our Visitor Services desk Fridays – Sundays 10AM-5PM or mailed to: School Visits Chabot Space & Science Center 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland, CA 94619. Please ensure to send via mail in enough time so that it is received prior to the two-week deadline prior to the visit date.
To pay by Purchase Order: the PO must be received as promise of payment at least two weeks prior to the visit date.
To pay by ACH: If your organization prefers to pay by ACH, please respond to your reservation request and we will provide the necessary banking and remittance information. Once payment is submitted, please email a copy of your remittance advice so we can accurately apply the payment to your reservation.
Can I pay for extra visitors upon arrival?
Extra tickets may be purchased at the front desk upon arrival at a rate of $14 per person. For the best possible experience, reach out to us in advance regarding changes in your group size so that we may adjust your itinerary. Please note that unplanned additional visitors may only be able to join workshops, Planetarium, or Live Science Shows if space allows, and they may not be able to participate in scheduled activities if those sessions are already at capacity.
What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?
If you cancel your reservation more than 14 days before your visit, you will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable $25 booking deposit. Reservations canceled with less than 14 days’ notice are not eligible for a refund. There are no refunds for unplanned absences of students or chaperones.
You may reschedule or adjust your reservation once at no charge if you provide at least 14 days’ notice and move to an available date. Any additional changes or rescheduling requests will incur an additional non-refundable $25 booking deposit. We strongly encourage confirming your school calendar and transportation plans before booking to avoid extra fees.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
What time should we arrive?
Your specific arrival time will be dependent on the itinerary you selected. Check-in opens at 9:15 AM and concludes at 10:30AM. Itinerary activities begin between 9:45 AM and 10:30AM. Please note that late arrivals will miss portions of their scheduled itinerary, including activities, workshops, or shows. We are unable to offer same-day adjustments or reschedule missed workshops. We encourage all groups to allow ample time to account for traffic, especially in adverse weather conditions.
What if we have a day-of issue and need to get in touch?
Please be sure to plan for plenty of travel time, including traffic and weather scenarios. For general questions or information, please call Visitor Services at 510-336-7300. You are able to leave a message prior to Center public opening at 10AM. If you are suddenly unable to attend your scheduled field trip and would like to rebook a new date, contact our reservations team directly at schoolvisit@chabotspace.org.
Where should we gather upon arrival?
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. Ensure all students and chaperones are staying on the sidewalk. Please ask chaperones to help monitor their group outside while the lead teacher checks in at the podium.
If you arrive by bus, the group should stay seated while the lead teacher checks in.
Where can I park?
The front parking structure is free. Do not unload from personal vehicles in the front circle so that it remains clear for buses.
Can I schedule a late arrival or early departure?
For the best experience, please let our team know ahead of your visit if your group needs to arrive late or depart early so we can make appropriate itinerary recommendations. Please note that itineraries cannot be adjusted on the day of the visit.
On Fridays, you can extend your visit as the Center is open until 5PM. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Center is open exclusively for Field Trips and will close at 2PM.
BUS INFORMATION
What size buses can safely access Chabot Space & Science Center?
Chabot is located in the Oakland Hills, where the roads are narrow and winding. For safety, only standard school bus–sized vehicles or smaller should plan to arrive on site.
- Maximum bus size: Standard yellow school bus (approximately 40–48 seats).
- Charter buses, coach buses, or oversized motor coaches cannot easily navigate the hill roads leading to the Center and must arrange for off-site parking or return only at the scheduled pickup time at the front of the Center.
Where do buses drop off students?
Upon arrival, Chabot staff will direct drivers to the designated drop-off zone near the main entrance. Students will unload here before the bus proceeds to parking. Bus drivers are allowed free entrance into the Center.
Where do buses park?
After drop-off, all school buses will be directed to park in the Annex Parking Lot, located behind the buildings.
What happens on very busy days?
Chabot has limited on-site bus parking.
On days when more than nine buses arrive:
- The first nine buses will park in the Annex lot.
- Later-arriving buses may be directed to park off-site along Joaquin Miller Road. This is a public area and parking is not guaranteed.
- Off-site buses will return to Chabot at the scheduled pickup time provided by the school or group leader.
Will maps or guidance be provided?
Yes. After booking, group leaders will receive parking and routing maps that show the drop-off area, Annex bus parking location, and the recommended off-site overflow parking zone on Joaquin Miller Road.
Is there a public bus?
Yes! You can take Line 31 to Chabot! It operates every 30 minutes between Bay Farm Island, Eastern Alameda (Park St), Fruitvale Ave, Fruitvale BART, and the Dimond District. Between roughly 5:30AM and 7PM it will start and end at Chabot Space and Science Center.
Who can I contact with bussing questions?
For field trips or group logistics, email schoolvisit@chabotspace.org or reply to your confirmation materials.
EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Will staff guide us through the exhibits?
Your visit will be self-guided and interactive, allowing you to explore the exhibits at your own pace. Field Trip visitors receive a Space Adventure Mission Log to help them facilitate their visit. Our educators and volunteers are stationed throughout the Center and are always happy to engage with your group. Please note that chaperones must supervise their participants at all times and in all areas of the Center.
Can I preview the exhibits to plan my day?
Yes! After booking a reservation, lead teachers may preview the Center for free to plan your day. Feel free to stop by the Center any day that we are open (Winter Hours: Friday-Sunday 10AM-5PM Summer Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10AM-5PM) and let the front desk know that you are here for a “Field Trip Preview Visit.” Please be prepared to provide your contact information and organization name.
Or you can schedule a preview visit via our Reservation Team by contacting us at least one week prior to when you’d like to preview at schoolvisit@chabotspace.org.
Will our group be able to look through the telescopes?
Chabot’s three historic telescopes are operated by our incredible volunteer team and are only available when volunteers are on-site. Telescope viewing also depends on weather conditions: humid or rainy weather can damage the instruments and clear skies are necessary to see celestial objects, so telescope hours can’t be guaranteed in advance. For these reasons, it is possible the telescopes may not be open during your visit. However, Chabot’s Observatory is open for free public telescope viewing every Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting, and we encourage visitors to return on their own to enjoy this experience if conditions precluded observing during your field trip.
What do I need to know about the Planetarium and Theater?
There is no late seating or re-entry. Please plan to arrive at the Planetarium or Theater 10 minutes before your scheduled show time ready for your group to be seated.
If student visitors want to leave the Planetarium or Theater, they must take a chaperone with them.
Food and beverages, aside from water bottles with lids, are not allowed in the Planetarium or Theater at any time.
Can I request a specific Planetarium or Live Science show?
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. The Planetarium show schedule is posted to our website.
LUNCH INFORMATION
Can we purchase lunches from the Cafe?
While we highly recommend that groups pack their own lunches, we do offer a small Café onsite. Please note that the Café has limited hours and may not be open on the date of your visit. The Café has a limited selection of food options, and students must be chaperoned at all times while making purchases from the Café. We recommend checking our website for Café hours prior to your visit. The Café is open during public admission hours on Fridays and is available for field trip attendees to make purchases.
Where can we eat lunch?
Lunch and snacks may be enjoyed in the Courtyard, Observation Deck, or Café. We kindly ask all visitors to clean up after themselves to help maintain our shared spaces. If you wish, you may take your group to eat in the nearby Redwood Bowl (Roberts Park). 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. Bins may not leave the Center. Heating and refrigeration are not available.
What if it rains?
If it is raining outside, we will station our check-in booth under a tent in the roundabout located in front of the Center. We will have additional tents set up for groups to meet under. An indoor lunch space will be provided.
GIFT SHOP INFORMATION
Is there an opportunity for students to buy souvenirs?
Yes! We have a gift shop near the main entrance. Student visitors must be always chaperoned in the gift shop. No more than 15 students are permitted in the gift shop at one time.
LOST & FOUND INFORMATION
Do you have a lost & found?
Yes. Check with the front desk if you lose any items during your visit or call Visitor Services at 510-336-7300, Fridays – Sundays between 10AM-5PM.
Questions?
Schedule a time to speak to our reservations team or contact us at schoolvisit@chabotspace.org for more info.
