Thinking about a student trip to The Golden State? Your options are—quite literally—all over the map. From the state capitol, Sacramento, to San Diego, plus hot spots in between, like Hollywood and Los Angeles, there is history to be learned, sights to be seen, and fun to be had. To help you build your itinerary, we’ve narrowed down a few of our favorites.
Get a behind-the-scenes peek into film and television production with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. Tours run roughly three hours, and are a mix of guided and self guided. Starting with the Storytelling Showcase at the welcome center and continuing by tram to back-lot sets, soundstages, and production areas, guests get an inside look at big- and small-screen filmmaking from its inception to today. On your own, you can see famous sets, costumes, and props and explore sound and special effects, plus have a red-carpet moment and shop merch at the studio store.
The Exploratorium, located in San Francisco, is a STEAM-packed museum with more than 650 exhibits that invite interaction, play, experimentation, and discovery. Visits are self directed, though there will be an Exploratorium facilitator to provide a brief orientation before your group is let loose. Get hands on with displays that cover topics ranging from physics, engineering, and biology to art, the environment, and human perception. The museum’s philosophy encourages students to manipulate objects, witness cause and effect, test ideas, and collaborate with classmates.
Situated within the multi-use Hollywood Park district, Cosm Los Angeles is all about shared reality. The team at Cosm notes that while today’s youth are arguably the most connected generation in history, they rarely get the opportunity to be all in one place, fully present, to enjoy and react together to wondrous experiences. At Cosm, your group could be surrounded by the wizardly world of Harry Potter, in the middle of the action for a professional sports event, or amid the enchantment of a classic movie. Whatever the interest, whatever the age group, Cosm will spark mutual amazement.
Catalina Tours, which typically departs from Long Beach, takes groups on both surf and turf with a Pacific Ocean boat ride that arrives at Catalina Island. Start with a nearly one-hour city excursion of the resort town of Avalon, blending scenic views with tales of the island’s past. Then, grab lunch and continue on to delve into the undersea gardens of Lovers Cove inside a semi-submersible watercraft. Along the way, you’ll see a variety of marine plant and animal life, such as giant kelp, sea lions, calico bass, orange Garibaldi (the state fish), octopus, and more.
Photo courtesy of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Next, enjoy a cultural extravaganza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. They’re Orange County’s leading host of theater, dance, and music performances held throughout the year, across multiple indoor and outdoor stages. Whether you’re interested in a jazz concert, a ballet or symphony production, or a Broadway show or musical, Segerstrom is a performing arts hub. Student group perks include discounted tickets, advance access/priority seating, easy payment plans, and personalized service.
Disney Imagination Campus at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim offers a host of youth programs catering to a range of interests. Marching bands, choirs, and dance teams that qualify can engage in festival competitions, participate in parades, or showcase their talents on iconic Disney stages. For the educational and entertainment aspects, they offer workshops and classes covering Arts & Humanities, Science & Technology, and Leadership & Innovation that are tiered to different grade levels. The campus is committed to encouraging curiosity and creativity in the current generation and beyond.
Photo courtesy of Visit California.
Still looking for more ideas? Visit California has a wealth of ideas to fill out your trip. For starters, there’s Monterey Bay Aquarium, set on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Housing 35,000-plus creatures representing more than 550 marine species, it’s one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth. Marvel at a towering kelp forest, watch rescued sea otters play, or gaze into the blue waters of the million-gallon Open Sea tank. Age-appropriate educational programs and hands-on labs blend conservation, science, and up-close encounters.
Further to consider is Chumash Museum and Cultural Center, a 3.5-acre park on tribal land in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley. Get engrossed in thousands of years of indigenous history through ancient objects, ceremonial regalia, paintings and art, exhibit spaces, and native plants. Of special interest is the Welcome Center and the Maria Solares Discovery Center, both fashioned after a traditional ‘ap—a dome-shaped Chumash dwelling.
For more on California’s past, take your group to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. It’s considered one of the best railroad museums in the country, with 21 locomotives and railroad cars restored down to the smallest detail, with authentic design, décor, and period pieces. In addition to rail car walkthroughs, exhibits, and workshops, there’s the option of taking a six-mile, roundtrip train excursion along the Sacramento River to experience bygone train travel and learn about railroad history and the American West.
Also not to be missed is LEGOLAND® in Carlsbad near San Diego, which combines the excitement of a theme park with the learning of a classroom. There are coasters, immersive rides, an aquarium, and a waterpark, plus Miniland USA, with famous U.S. cities and landmarks built entirely out of LEGOs. Of interest in the educational sphere is the LEGO® Galaxy Robotic Lab, suitable for grades 5-8.
On a final note, additional points of interest include The Getty Center art and design museum in LA, the USS Midway Maritime Museum in San Diego, and MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara—a STEAM-focused imagination destination for all ages.
This article originally appeared in the November ’26 edition of Teach & Travel.
Written by Allison Kay Bannister.
Main photo courtesy of Catalina Tours.
