Return to Education

A group of students at the museum, shot from behind.

The Museum offers group visits and field trips for school, youth, and adult groups from all types of organizations. We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum!

School & Group Visits Overview

School and Group Visits are self-guided, and each group is welcomed by a Museum Educator upon arrival.

What to expect:

  • Advance registration is required.
  • Reservation requests are made via Explorable Places.
  • Discounted rate: $10.95
  • Scholarship opportunities are available.
  • Specific chaperone/leader requirements apply to all registered groups.

Please schedule several weeks in advance. Availability is limited. Scheduling is based on the Museum’s needs and the availability of our Education Department.

Official confirmation for reservation requests will be sent via email. Organizers are responsible for ensuring that contact information is correct and email settings are adjusted appropriately to receive confirmation details.

  • Check junk mail and alternative inbox folders. 
  • Adjust inbox settings to receive emails from Explorable Places and the Museum of Us.
  • Reservation information can be accessed in your Explorable Places account.

Group Logistics

School and group visits have specific guidelines to promote a safe environment and enjoyable experience for all who enter the Museum, including your groups.

  • Applies to all group members regardless of age
  • Only available to registered groups
  • Scholarship opportunities available

Chaperone Requirements

For all groups with students 18 years and younger:

  • K-5th grade: 1 adult required per 4 students
  • 6th-12th grade: 1 adult required per 6-8 students

Chaperones and students must remain together at all times. Students are expected to be actively supervised. Groups without adequate supervision may be asked to leave and/or other appropriate action, with or without warning, at the discretion of the Museum of Us staff.

Group Size

School and group visits have a maximum capacity of 120 group members. 

Groups larger than 120 people will be required to schedule as two separate reservations. Each reservation will have a specific arrival time. Non-compliance may result in immediate adjustments to your reservation and/or cancellation at the discretion of the Museum of Us staff.

Pricing & Scholarships

The discounted group rate for school and group visits is $10.95 per person.

  • Applies to all group members regardless of age.
  • Only available to registered groups.
  • Only applies to the number of people approved on the reservation.
  • Additional group members will be required to purchase admission at the discounted rate.

Scholarship opportunities to visit the Museum of Us are available to all groups through the generous support of our community, partnerships, and philanthropic grants.

  • Admissions scholarships are available for all groups
  • Bus scholarships are available for all K-12 schools
  • Scholarship opportunities are subject to availability of funds.

Admissions Scholarships 

Admissions scholarships cover the full cost of admission for all group members approved in your reservation.

Request an admissions scholarship in your reservation request. No separate application required.

  1. Create a reservation request through Explorable Places.
  2. Choose the “Scholarship” pricing option to request an admissions scholarship.
  3. A specific confirmation email will be sent to the address on your reservation request.

All admissions scholarships require approval from the Education Department. Scholarships are not automatically applied.

Official confirmation for reservation requests will be sent via email. Organizers are responsible for ensuring that contact information is correct and email settings are adjusted appropriately to receive confirmation details.

Bus Scholarships

Bus scholarships are available for K-12 school groups only.

Bus scholarship funds are limited, and availability is subject to change. A group reservation request is required to process bus scholarships. All bus scholarships will be processed in the order that they are received.

About Bus Scholarships

  • Specific application process.
  • Scholarship is in the form of a reimbursement.
  • Maximum scholarship of $700.
  • Scholarship amount determined by application information. 
  • Specific documentation required. 
  • Scholarships are guaranteed for one month after the visit date.

Reservation Information

Advance registration through Explorable Places is required for all School Visits, Group Visits, Workshops, and Exhibit Tours.

  • All reservation requests are made through the Explorable Places website.
  • Requests are processed in the order that they are received.
  • Processing and approval time can take up to 1-2 weeks.
  • All approved reservation requests will receive official confirmation, calendar invitation, and specific information to plan your visit.

Please schedule several weeks in advance. Availability is limited. Scheduling is based on the Museum’s needs and the availability of our Education Department.

How to make a reservation request:

  1. Visit our Explorable Places page.
  2. Browse programs, review requirements, and view availability.
  3. Choose the program that best fits your needs.
  4. Book program of choice directly through Explorable Places website.
  5. Check your Explorable Places account or email for reservation updates. Adjust email settings as needed.

Confirmation and Communication

Official reservation confirmation and important information related to your visit will be sent via email from both the Museum of Us and Explorable Places.

Organizers are responsible for ensuring that contact information is correct and email settings are adjusted appropriately to receive confirmation details.

  • Check junk mail and alternative inbox folders.
  • Adjust inbox settings to receive emails from Explorable Places and the Museum of Us.
  • Reservation information can be accessed in your Explorable Places account.
make a reservation

Cancellations and No-Show's

All cancellations must be submitted by noon on the day before your reservation.

If your group needs to cancel or make changes to your reservation, email education@museumofus.org as soon as possible. Late cancellations and no-shows are required to pay 75% of their total group payment; groups who receive an admissions scholarship are responsible for 75% of the pre-scholarship group cost.

Groups more than 15 minutes late are subject to cancellation and/or adjusted itinerary.

Late Arrivals

Groups arriving more than 20 minutes late are subject to cancellation, adjusted entry time, and/or standard admission prices per the discretion of the Museum of Us staff.

The Museum of Us recognizes that it sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation. The Museum extends its respect and gratitude to the Kumeyaay peoples who have lived here for millennia.

The Museum is open daily, Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1350 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

Affiliations & Memberships:San Diego Museum Council logoCharity Navigator Four Star Charity logoBalboa Park Cultural Partnership Collaborative for Arts, Science and Culture logoAmerican Alliance of Museums logoSmithsonian Affiliate logoInternational Coalition of Sites of Conscience logo
Financial support provided by:San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture logo
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