How do I make a reservation for a field trip?
You must register for a tour at least two weeks in advance. After consulting our School Groups Calendar, please fill out the Group Reservation Form to reserve a Group Visit. You can also make a reservation by calling (415) 391-1188 x101 or emailing groups@chsa.org. We will respond to your inquiry within 3 business days.
I would like to visit the museum but I am not reserving a school program, do I still need to make reservations?
Yes. Group visits may come as early as 9:30am for exclusive access to the museum. Make reservations for a self-guided visit at least one week in advance so we may prepare for your group.
After I register, will I get verification that our field trip is booked?
Yes, after registration, we will follow-up to confirm details. Your field trip is finalized once we have sent an confirmation email and invoice. If you do not receive an invoice within 3 business days of consultation, please call (415) 391-1188 x101 or email groups@chsa.org.
Do we need to bring chaperones?
Yes, we have a 7:1 student to adult ratio for school groups. Please note the prices for students and chaperones below.
Do we have to pay?
Yes, group pricing is based on the type of group, group size, and program desired.
Self-Guided & Docent Tours
$100 for group with less than 20 students (K-12)
$5 per student for groups with 20 students or more (K-12)
$10 per college students/adults/chaperones regardless of group size
Walking Tours (includes museum entry with advance notice)
$150 for group with less than 20 students (K-12)
$10 per student for groups with 20 students or more (K-12)
$10 per college students/chaperones regardless of group size
$25 per adult regardless of group size
Workshop in the Museum
$200 for groups with less than 20 students (K-12)
$10 per student for group with over 20 students (K-12)
$10 per college students/adults/chaperones regardless of group size
Once a reservation is confirmed, a group will have to place a non-refundable deposit of 15% within 48 hours to ensure the reservation is held. We ask that you pay for the tour in full before arrival. We accept credit card and check payments. We can also make arrangements for you to pay upon arrival but it will be processed as one payment so you will need to collect the money from your group members before arriving to the museum.
What if we are a Title I school?
For the 2018-2019 school year, we can offer a free docent tour and activity booklet to Title I schools. Please fill out the Group Reservation Form to reserve a Group Visit. The form requires you to indicate your status and we will confirm your reservation.
Where do we park?
There is limited metered street parking along Clay Street of the museum. Portsmouth Square Plaza Garage on Kearny between Clay and Washington Streets or St. Mary’s Square Garage at Grant and California Streets are nearby parking garages. All parking requires fees.
How do we get to CHSA by public transportation?
By Bus: Eastbound 1 California buses stop at Clay and Powell Streets. Westbound 1 California buses stop at Sacramento and Powell Streets. Both Northbound and Southbound 30 Stockton buses stop on Stockton between Sacramento and Clay Streets.
By Cable Car : Stop at the intersection of Clay and Powell Streets.
What time should we arrive?
Arrive ten minutes before your reservations. Please wait outside the Learning Center located at the corner of Joice and Clay Streets and not at the main entrance. Please ring the doorbell on the wall to notify staff of your arrival.
What should the teacher do when we arrive?
Check in with Museum staff. You can also take care of payment at this time.
Where can we put our stuff?
If at all possible, please leave backpacks on the school bus. There’s limited storage space at CHSA. Please let us know if you will be needing to store materials during the tour.
Can we take pictures?
Taking photos without flash is permissible. You may take pictures of objects that belong to the museum. You may not take pictures of objects in special exhibitions or on loan to the museum. Ask the museum guide or the officer giving the security talk for more information on photography.
Where can we eat lunch?
Groups may use the Learning Center. The museum has a “pack-in & pack-out policy,” which requires groups to take all trash when they leave. We can also offer the use of our trash bins for a $50 flat fee. Parks around the museum are also great places for a picnic.
What kind of accessibility do you have for kids with special needs?
All of our programs are available for all students. Please inform the CHSA staff of any special needs your students, chaperones or teachers have.
What do we do if we need to cancel?
If you need to cancel your trip, call 415-391-1188×101 or email groups@chsa.org at least 48 hours before the scheduled trip.
The museum incurs significant staffing costs for cancellations or no shows. If your group does not notify us ahead of time, you are responsible for the full amount of the reservation.
Cancellations can be sent via email to groups@chsa.org. Your cancellation will be considered final once you will receive an email response. You will be refunded your payment based on when you cancelled. All refunds incur a processing fee.
Rescheduling requests can also be done over the phone or sent by email to groups@chsa.org. We will make every effort to accommodate your new proposed date, but cannot guarantee a spot. Please send at least two new dates as part of your request so that we can make the best effort to meet your needs.
