BUTTE COUNTY
Bidwell Mansion; Chico. Learn about the area’s history with a guided tour of a 3-story, 26-room historic mansion, carriage house and grounds. The Bidwell Mansion was one of the first to utilize gas lighting. bidwellmansionassociation.com. 525 Esplanade. (530)895-6144.
Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum; Oroville. The largest known documented collection of hand tools in the United States, with more than 13,000 items on display. Tours available. Search Bolt’s Antique Tool Museum at cityoforoville.org. 1650 Broderick St. (530)538-2528 or (530)538-2497.
Chico Children’s Museum. Numerous interactive exhibits, including a sensory room. Visit the magical wonderland of play & exhibitions. chicochildrensmuseum.org. 325 Main St. (530)809-1492.
Chico Community Observatory. Telescopes, knowledgeable docents and outdoor planetarium. Open year-round on clear nights, Fri-Sun, sunset to park closing. Free. facebook.com/ChicoCommunityObservatory. Near Horseshoe Lake in Upper Bidwell Park, look for sign at intersection of Wildwood Ave. & Observatory Way. 1 Observatory Way. chicoobservatory@gmail.com. (530)487-4071.
Chico Creek Nature Center. Quality educational programs to elementary school students and the public. Uses the natural systems of Bidwell Park as a classroom. chicorec.com/chico-creek-nature-center. 1968 E 8th St. (530)891-4671.
Chico History Museum. Hosts prestigious traveling hands-on exhibits and exhibits that focus on local Chico & Butte County history. Housed in Chico’s 1905 historic Carnegie Library building. Classroom tours. chicohistorymuseum.org. 141 Salem St. (530)891-4336.
Chico Performances School Field Trip Series; Student groups see a variety of quality music & theater at reduced rates. Special shows geared toward children during school hours, with an educational and entertainment focus. Sept-May. chicoperformances.com. CSU, Chico Laxson Auditorium. (530)898-6333.
Chico State Ecological Reserves Outdoor Classroom; Forest Ranch. Free hands-on science field trips for K-12 classes addressing state standards and environmental stewardship in a fun and engaging way. Field trips at Big Chico Creek and Butte Creek. csuchico.edu/bccer/education/outdoor-ed.shtml. For reservations: Jon Aull: jaull@csuchico.edu. For public hikes visit facebook.com/bigchicocreekecologicalreserve. 3521 14 Mile House Rd. (530)898-5010.
Gateway Science Museum; CSU, Chico. Inspiring young people to become future scientists, engineers and technology professionals through NGSS based field trip activities for grades K-12. Hands-on and minds-on exhibits change seasonally. csuchico.edu/gateway. 625 Esplanade. (530)898-4121.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area; Gridley. Year-round wildlife viewing in a 9,100-acre wetland area. In fall & winter see vast numbers of migratory waterfowl. A museum, paved trail to a viewing platform & seasonal guided tours Oct-Feb. Annual events include a children’s fishing day. Open sunrise to sunset. wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Gray-Lodge-WA. 3207 Rutherford Rd. ,along the Pacific Flyway. (530)846-7500; Sat-Sun (530)846-7505.
Kinetics Academy of Dance & Gymnastic; Chico. Bring your group to us or we can come to you. Besides providing a basic dance or gymnastic lesson we talk about the benefits of these disciplines and provide students with take-home knowledge they can apply. We can tailor our expertise to fit your desired needs. 18 months & up. kineticsacademyofdance.com. 627 Broadway St., Ste. 100. (530)345-2505.
Lott Home; Oroville. The C.F. Lott Home in Sank Park was built in 1856 by Charles F. Lott, a gold-rush pioneer, California senator and judge. Book a guided school or group tour to learn captivating stories of the Lott family and their importance to early California history. See Museum Listings under Parks & Tree Department at cityoforoville.org. The house & garden encompass an entire city block at 1067 Montgomery St. (530)538-2401.
National Yo-Yo Museum; Chico. The world’s largest public display of yo-yos & yo-yo memorabilia. Free weekly yo-yo club practices & lessons. Check website for current hours. nationalyoyo.org. 320 Broadway. (530)893-0545.
Oregon City School; Table Mountain. The oldest standing one-room school in Butte County. Photos of past students. See the covered bridge and tour the nearby Cherokee Museum (by appt). During wildflower season stop and picnic under the trees. buttecountyhistoricalsociety.org for opening hours. 2100 Oregon Gulch Rd. (530)533-9418.
Gold Nugget/ Depot Museum; Paradise. The museum currently features rotating mini-exhibits in the lobby while they work towards opening their exhibition hall. Admission is free, though donations are graciously accepted. The Depot Museum is currently closed for repairs, but you can walk the grounds. Please call for updated information. gnmuseum.art. 475 Pearson Rd. (530)762-2613.
Northern Buttes District of California State Parks; Oroville. Whether virtual or in-person, there are several free educational opportunities for classrooms to enjoy here in our Learn about the smallest superheroes and their contributions to our environment or discover how pollinators, plants and people are interconnected. NBDK12Program@ parks.ca.gov for more information and to begin scheduling your parks experience.
Paradise Gem & Mineral Club. Adventures that inspire appreciation for rocks & minerals, earth sciences, lapidary techniques & general rockhounding. Monthly activity nights and field trips that include rock hunting and trips to gem & rock shows. facebook.com/paradisegemandmineralclub. (530)343-0894.
Patrick Ranch Museum; Durham. Dedicated to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the area’s rich agricultural heritage. Tour the beautiful 1877 Glenwood Farmhouse museum and visit our gift shop and visitor center exhibits. Annual events include the California Nut Festival in May, Country Fair and Tractor Show in June and Autumnfest in October. School and group tours available. patrickranchmuseum.org 10381 Midway, halfway between Chico and Durham. (530)342-4359.
Square Deal Mattress Factory; Chico. Facility tours for individuals, families, youth groups & school classes. Tours include a mix of manufacturing knowledge along with the rich history of California’s beautiful North State. Call for hours. squaredealmattress.com. 1354 Humboldt Ave. (530)342-2510.
The Worm Farm; Durham. Family farm with 5,000 linear feet of windrows of redworms. Hands-on group tours year-round by appt. Wear gardening clothes when visiting. Provides gardeners with a means of producing healthy plants while positively affecting the environment. Call for appointment. thewormfarm.net. 9033 Esquon Rd., 7 miles south of Chico. (530)894-1276.
Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology; CSU, Chico. Committed to the collection, protection and interpretation of ethnographic material and to inspiring and encouraging self-reflection and dialogue in broadening the understanding of the human experience on the Chico campus & beyond. Museum admission free; call to arrange a tour or classroom field trip. csuchico.edu/anthmuseum/. Meriam Library complex, Room 180, 400 W. 1st St. (530)898-5397.
Wild Things; Weimar. Let Wild Things share a fun-filled and energetic experience with your school, library, or private event. Wild Things brings rescued exotic and native wildlife to you and utilizes the animals’ personal stories to teach natural history, unique adaptations and a conservation message. Wild Things has something for everyone with topics such as: the Amazing Amazon, North American Wildlife, Beasts of the Backyard, Animals of the World, and Scaly Wonders, among others. In-person & live or recorded virtual programs. Wildthingsoutreach.org. programs@wildthingsoutreach.org. (530)878-2618
MARIN COUNTY
Guide Dogs for The Blind; San Rafael, CA. & Boris, OR. School groups grades 2 & up can tour the facilities to learn how guide dogs assist blind people. All tours are at 10am and require advance reservation. Tours can also attend canine graduations. guidedogs.com. (800)295-4050 or (415)499-4000.
Marine Mammal Center; Sausalito. With tours for every age, the Marine Mammal Center exposes kids to the importance of healthy oceans for humans and marine mammals. The center rescues and rehabilitates sea mammals. Open Fri-Mon. marinemammalcenter.org. 2000 Bunker Rd. (415)289-7330.
NEVADA COUNTY
Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park; Nevada City. Hydraulic mining washed away mountains in pursuit of gold. Visit California’s largest hydraulic mine & learn about the gold mining era through the Environmental Living Program. Day and overnight programs. Visitors center offers exhibits and info. sierragoldparksfoundation.org/page/malakoff-diggins-state-historic-park. 23579 N Bloomfield Rd. (530)265-2740.
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum; Nevada City. Dedicated to the preservation of local transportation history and artifacts from the narrow gauge railroad era. Docent-led historical tours of the museum, rail yard and restoration shop. See wooden rail cars and more, including an 1875 Baldwin locomotive that hauled lumber, passengers and freight, then was a movie engine at Universal Studios in Hollywood. School & group tours available. Free. Check website or call for change of hours. Open Sat & Sun 10am-4pm. ncngrrmuseum.org. 5 Kidder Ct. (530)470-0902.
PLACER COUNTY
Maidu Museum & Historic Site; Roseville. Field trips for schools, youth groups and homeschool groups. Includes a guided tour of the museum’s Native American cultural exhibits, activities and a trail tour of the historic site. Programs meet California history and social science content standards for grades pre-K-6. A shorter program is offered for grades pre-K-2 and special needs groups. roseville.ca.us/indianmuseum. 1970 Johnson Ranch Dr. (916)774-5934.
SACRAMENTO COUNTY
California State Capitol Museum & Building Tour; Sacramento. Expose kids to where laws are born, and history is made. Free guided school tours by reservation. Virtual tours also available. capitolmuseum.ca.gov. 1315 10th St. (916)324-0333.
California State Railroad Museum; Sacramento. Drill a hole in granite, drive a railroad spike, discover the gold rush through interactive melodrama, or ride in a vintage railway car with your classmates. Homeschool programs too. californiarailroad.museum. 111 I St. (916) 323-9280.
Esquire IMAX Educational Films; Sacramento. Large format films accompanied by activity guides that support national education standards for science, geography, math and English. Films let groups encounter wild animals, swim to the bottom of the sea and more. Adventures in Wild California is especially appropriate for grades 4-8. imax.com. (916)443-4629.
Sacramento History Museum; Old Sacramento. Educational programs for field trips, all adhering to California Curriculum Standards. Programs include living history, Victorian-era mysteries, California Native American exhibits, Gold Rush experiences, underground tours and more. sachistorymuseum.org. 101 I St. (916)808-7059.
SHASTA COUNTY
Judge Richard Behrens Eaton House; Redding. The museum brings history to life with exhibitions about the region’s colorful past from the 1800s to the present. Discover life as It was in the Victorian and Gold Rush Era. eatonhousemuseum.org. 1520 West Street. (530)241-3454.
City of Anderson Water Pollution Control Plant. Students of all ages can learn what happens to our sewage water in a field trip that takes them through the steps of sewage wastewater treatment before it is released into the Sacramento River. Students will view the microorganisms used in a natural biological process that treats the water. cityofanderson.com/238/Water-Pollution-Control. 3701 Rupert Rd. (530)378-6664.
Coleman National Fish Hatchery; Anderson. One of the largest Chinook salmon and steelhead hatcheries in the lower 48 states. See the hatchery building, rearing raceways, fish ladder, Battle Creek Trail, spawning operations (Oct-Feb) and more. Open daily for informative self-guided tours. fws.gov/fish-hatchery/coleman. 24411 Coleman Fish Hatchery Rd. (530)365-8622.
Court House Museum; Old Shasta. Part of Shasta State Historic Park. Bring your group to tour a former county courthouse restored to its 1861 appearance. Exhibits include 100 years of California artwork. See remains of brick buildings that were once the center of Gold Rush era activity. See historic roadways, cottages and cemeteries. Field trip guides for teachers online. Search Courthouse Museum on parks.ca.gov. 15312 Highway 299 W. (6 miles west of Redding). (530)243-8194.
Lake Shasta Caverns; Lakehead. Take a boat ride across Shasta Lake, then a scenic bus ride to the cavern entrance. Enjoy a one-hour guided tour through the caverns. Other tour options. School groups can experience the Underground Classroom. lakeshastacaverns.com. 20359 Shasta Caverns Rd. (530)238-2341 or (800)795-2283.
Redding Reptiles; Redding. Check out reptiles from around the world on display in the Reptile Exhibit Room, a sanctuary/home to 50+ reptiles that have been surrendered. Pets, supplies and feeders available. Store: Tu-Sat 11am-6pm. Exhibit Room: Wed-Sat 12-5:30pm. reddingreptiles.com. 74 Lake Blvd. (530)338-2446.
Schreder Planetarium; Redding. Educational programs for school and youth groups in a 1,700-square-foot planetarium with 10-meter projection dome. See the night sky projected in the dome and experience other engaging programming that supports elementary & middle school field trips to align with newly developed curricula and Next Generation Science Standards. See Programs at shastacoe.org. Book field trips through the website. 1644 Magnolia Ave. (530)225-0243.
Shasta Dam; Shasta Lake. Shasta Dam is a curved gravity dam across the Sacramento River at Lake Shasta just north of Redding. It provides beautiful views of the lake and Mt. Shasta. At 602-ft. high, it is the eighth tallest dam in the United States. Free, guided tours year-round, each taking 2-3 hrs. shastalake.com/shastadam/. 16349 Shasta Dam Blvd. (530)247-8555.
Shasta Land Trust. Learn about our local ecosystems, wildlife, and the natural wonders of our biodiverse region. Events include family-friendly hikes, bike rides, movie screenings & more! All events support local land conservation efforts in protecting wildlife habitat, recreational lands, and working agricultural farms and ranches. Visit Shastalandtrust.org to sign-up. (530)241-7886.
Star Parties; Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County. Join members of the Shasta Astronomy Club seasonally to view the amazing sights in the sky. Telescopes provided. Free event. Viewings held at Oak Bottom marina parking lot, weather permitting. facebook.com/ShastaAstronomyClub. (530)242-3450.
Turtle Bay Exploration Park; Redding. Schedule a group adventure to learn about a variety of topics including science, art, history, forestry, native animal species, horticulture and more. turtlebay.org/education. 844 Sundial Bridge Dr. (530)242-3108.
Wintu Museum & Cultural Resource Center; Shasta Lake City. The Wintu Museum & Cultural Resource Center is a one-of-a-kind community project designed to provide a comprehensive immersion into the Wintu history and culture. Features include historical timeline, artwork from Native Americans, traditional dug-out canoe, honor wall for Native American veterans and unique activities for children. wintutribe.com. 4755 Shasta Dam Blvd. (530)605-1726.
Whiskeytown Environmental School Clear Creek Field Labs; Field trip series for grades K–8, with mini units based on California State Science Standards. Includes three pre-classroom lessons, a 2-3 hour field lab led by a naturalist and a post classroom lesson. Spring 2024 labs run March 25 – May 31. Fall 2024 Field labs start Sept. and run through Oct. Program provided by the Shasta County Office of Education. Search WES K-8th Field Labs on shastacoe.org. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. (530)225-0200.
SISKIYOU COUNTY
Alpaca on the Rocks; Weed. Kids will fall in love with the friendly alpacas, mini horses and more on this five-acre ranch. Guests can visit the animals and help with their care as well as run around the ranch and just be kids. Tables are available. Call Nancy for availability and pricing. The ranch store offers beautiful and unique jewelry, along with alpaca socks, handmade creatures and yarn. By appointment only. 5004 Solus Dr. allthethingsalpaca.com (530)859-1994
Lava Beds National Monument; Tulelake. Site of the largest concentration of lava tube caves in North America. Open year-round for self-guided exploration. Ranger-led explorations and evening campfire programs that explore the monument’s Native American history available Memorial Day-Labor Day. Rangers help match children’s interests and capabilities to the numerous developed caves. nps.gov/labe/index.htm. 1 Indian Well HQ. (530)667-8113.
Liberty Arts Explorations Program; Yreka. 90-min educational arts program for grades K-12 Mon-Tu. Includes gallery tour, discussion and hands-on art project related to the current exhibition theme. libertyartsyreka.org. 108 W. Miner St. (530)842-0222.
Maagic Mountain Farm; Mt. Shasta. Come experience how some grandparents lived on a working homestead with milk goats, ducks, chickens, honey bees, a garden & more. Year-round, hands-on, interactive animal field trips, homestead classes, group or individual tours & guest farm stays. In connection with the land, all the creatures work together to provide for everyone’s needs through sustainable interdependent living. maagicmtnfarm.com. maagicmtnherd@gmail.com. (530)925-6752.
Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery. The West’s oldest operating hatchery raises trout to stock mountain streams, rivers and lakes. Feed the fish and learn how they are raised. At this time only self guided tours outside the building are available. Please call for updated information. Open daily. wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/Mount-Shasta. 3 N. Old Stage Rd. (530)926-2215.
Mt. Shasta Stargazers Club; Promotes interest in astronomy and its related sciences. Free public star parties and other events. Meetings first Tuesday of each month. Mtshastastargazers.com. jfh@languagerequest.com.
River Dancers River & Kayak Adventures; Mt. Shasta. Family and school rafting trips, day outings & overnight multi-day camps. Trained guides help guests discover new ways to enjoy the environment while learning skills on the river. Includes swimming, water play, learning about wildlife and good food. riverdancers.com. 308 S. Mount Shasta Blvd. (530)227-5202.
Shasta Gravity Youth Mountain Bike Adventure; Mt. Shasta. Fun physical education field trip. Students will get a brief bike check and then take a group moun¬tain bike lesson based on their abilities. They will be shuttled as a group up to the trails and have a fun downhill ride back to the park. Experienced professional guides will lead the ride on our kid-focused trails and will end with some fun bike games. Shasta Gravity has kids’ bikes available for rent if needed. Shastagravityadventures. com. Shastice Park, 800 Rockfellow Dr. (530)340-2908.
Siskiyou Arts Museum; Dunsmuir. A nonprofit, volunteer run gift shop and gallery featuring artwork from local and regional artists and providing space for classes, workshops and events. Docent tours to schools and groups by appt. siskiyouartsmuseum.org. 5824 Dunsmuir Ave. (530)235-4711.
Sisson Museum; Mt. Shasta. School and private groups can tour the museum to view exhibits and enjoy hands-on displays. See a vintage fire truck, model railroad and locomotive engine control panel and play with old-fashioned toys. Learn about water in our area – read stories from community members and do the water activities. mtshastamuseum.com. Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery, 1 N. Old Stage Rd. (530)926-5508.
Weed Historic Lumber Town Museum. Logging and town memorabilia, including the town’s original jail cell. Off-season tours available by appt. Open every day except Tuesday, Memorial Day-Sept.,10am-5pm. weedlumbertownmuseum.org. 303 Gilman Ave. (530)938-0550.
SONOMA COUNTY
Fort Ross Conservancy; Jenner. The Environmental Living Program (ELP) at Fort Ross Conservancy provides hands-on learning so students can experience the joys of history as active participants. Students learn about the many cultures and lifestyles by performing some of the tasks that were a part of daily life at Fort Ross. Please visit the website for more information on the Marine Ecology program and other day & overnight programs available. fortross.org. 19005 Coast Hwy 1. Call or email info@fortross.org. (707)847-3437.
The National Heirloom Exposition Field Trip; Ventura. During the Expo, the fairgrounds’ streets and pavilions are filled with pure foods enthusiasts, talented home gardeners, farmers, garden artists, school groups, and leading thinkers and doers in the pure food movement. This year’s event will be held September 10, 11 and 12, 2024. Ages 17 & under free. theheirloomexpo.com.
SOUTHERN OREGON
Great Cats World Park; Cave Junction. Interactive and educational 10-acre park home to lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, ocelots, lynx, a fishing cat and more. Meet feline ambassadors, learn about the plight of rare and endangered cats and watch trainers interact with the animals. Guided school and private group tours. greatcatsworldpark.com. 27919 Redwood Hwy. (541)592-2957.
Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve; Cave Junction. Ranger-led cave tours late Mar-Nov. Tour reservations recommended. nps.gov/orca/index.htm. 19000 Caves Hwy. (541)592-2100.
ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum; Ashland. Hands-on experiences promoting the exploration of science and the arts in a multi-sensory environment. School field trips and educator resources support instruction of content and process standards. Field trip options include demonstrations and hands-on activities related to chemistry, physics and natural history/biology in line with state educational standards. scienceworksmuseum.org. 1500 E. Main St. (541)482-6767.
SUTTER COUNTY
Sutter Buttes Education Program; Yuba City. School hikes create access to this unique, privately owned mini mountain range from Oct-May. Tailored to grades 3-5. Submit online form to inquire about scheduling a hike. middlemountainhikes.org. (530)370-4777.
TEHAMA COUNTY
Gail’s Mini-Donkey Ranch; Los Molinos. Call ahead for a free visit to Gail’s Mini-Donkey Ranch. Gail is ready to share her friendly, registered miniature Mediterranean donkeys with visitors and to teach them about their unique traits. minidonkeys.com. minidonkeys@live.com. (530)384-1318.
Gaumer’s Mineral & Mining Museum; Red Bluff. Gold mining, fossils, Native American artifacts, rocks, crystals & fluorescent minerals. Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. School tours available. gaumers.com. 78 Belle Mill Rd. (530)527-6166.
Kelly Griggs Museum; Red Bluff. The classical 2-story Victorian home was built in the 1880s. Victorian garbed mannequins, authentic antique furnishings of the period, Native American artifacts and photographs of Tehama County’s past. 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month, 1-4pm. kellygriggsmuseum.com. 311 Washington St. (530)527-1129.
TRINITY COUNTY
Joss House Chinese Temple & Museum; Weaverville. The oldest continuously used Chinese temple in California. On display are art objects, pictures, mining tools and weapons used in the 1854 Tong War. This Taoist temple is still a place of worship and a fascinating look into the role played by Chinese immigrants in early California history. Thursday – Sunday. parks.ca.gov. Highway 299 & Oregon St. (530)623-5284 or (530)225-2065.
