3-Night Trip to San Francisco & Sacramento by Bus
A dynamic, multi-day educational journey through Sacramento and San Francisco that immerses students in California’s history, government, science, and culture.
Program Summary
Tour Number: 0425-195576
This educational program offers students an engaging exploration of California’s rich history, government, and cultural landmarks through visits to Sacramento and San Francisco. Highlights include tours of the State Capitol, Alcatraz Island, and premier museums like the California Museum and California Academy of Sciences. With a blend of historical insights, civic education, and hands-on learning, students will gain a deeper understanding of California’s past, present, and future.
Program Highlights & Inclusions
- Private Bus transportation throughout your tour
- Professional tour manager with your group throughout the tour
- One night Hotel accommodations in Sacramento
- Two nights Hotel accommodations in the San Francisco area
- Ticket for a ride on the cable car
- Admission to the California Museum
- Admission to California State Railroad Museum
- Admission to Sutter’s Fort
- Visit to Old Sacramento
- Visit to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Visit to the Presidio and the Yoda Fountain
- Visit to Pier 39 for free time to shop
- Ferry ticket and self guided audio tour on Alcatraz Island
- Admission to the California Academy of Sciences
- Visit to Golden Gate Park with admission to the Japanese Tea Garden
- Visit to Fisherman’s Wharf
- Visit to the Ferry Building & Farmers Market
- Visit to Ghirardelli Square
- Visit to the State Capitol / State Capitol Museum
Daily Itinerary
You’ll depart on the bus for your trip. When you arrive in Sacramento, you will meet your tour manager.
You’ll visit the State Capitol Museum and have a chance to tour this museum that also functions as the state’s working seat of government. If it’s in session, you may be able to sit in the gallery of the Upper and Lower Assemblies and see them at work.
After a break for lunch, you’ll visit the California Museum, home of the California Hall of Fame which will engage, educate and enlighten you about California’s rich history and unique contributions to the world through ideas, innovation, the arts and culture.
You’ll visit the California State Railroad Museum. Located in Old Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is a complex of historic facilities and unique attractions. Widely regarded as North America’s most popular railroad museum, there is something here for everyone!
After dinner, you’ll arrive at your hotel and check in.
After breakfast, you’ll check out of your hotel and board your bus for the day.
You’ll visit Sutter’s Fort. Located in the heart of Midtown Sacramento, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park captures the pioneer spirit of families arriving in wagon trains at the dawn of the California Gold Rush
You’ll have some free time in Old Sacramento. This national historic landmark overflows with things to see and do. From river boats to railroads excursions to horse drawn carriages and riverside bike treks, Old Sacramento is History on the Move. It’s also a great place to shop for souvenirs or grab a bite to eat.
After lunch, you’ll begin your drive to San Francisco.
You’ll see the Golden Gate Bridge – a 4,200 foot long suspension bridge that was the world’s longest from 1937 until 1964. You’ll head to the viewing area on the San Francisco side of the water where you will have fantastic views of the bridge and the bay. Bring your cameras – there are lots of photo opportunities here!
You’ll head to the Presidio, a former military base and now a park. From here you will have fantastic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. The Star Wars fans will also enjoy a visit to the Yoda Fountain. Here you’ll see a full-size replica of Yoda, George Lucas’ master of the Force. Bring your cameras – there are lots of photo opportunities here!
After dinner, you’ll visit Pier 39 and have free time to shop and explore. PIER 39 is a 45-acre waterfront complex that is a gathering place for millions of San Francisco locals and visitors. In addition to its 14 full-service restaurants, 90+ shops and popular attractions, PIER 39 is home to a 5-acre waterfront park and a 300-berth marina. PIER 39 is known for its spectacular views of San Francisco Bay including the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge and Alcatraz, as well as the world famous California sea lions hauled out on K-Dock.
You’ll arrive at your hotel and check in.
After breakfast, you’ll board your bus and depart the hotel for the day.
You’ll take the ferry to Alcatraz where you’ll receive a headset for an audio guided tour of the island. One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing notorious criminals, Alcatraz holds much history that will interest buffs and novices alike. No longer housing prisoners and managed by the National Park Service, Alcatraz allows tourists to visit by the boatload. Alcatraz was used as a federal maximum security prison from 1934 until 1963, when it was closed due to high costs and security issues.
After a break for lunch, you will visit the California Academy of Sciences, a world-class scientific and cultural institution based in San Francisco. The Academy recently opened a new facility in Golden Gate Park, a 400,000 square foot structure that houses an aquarium, a planetarium a natural history museum and a 4-story rainforest all under one roof.
You’ll visit Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden inside the park. The Tea Garden provides visitors from around the world an opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility and harmony of a Japanese-style garden in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The garden features classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden.
After dinner, you’ll head to Fisherman’s Wharf where you’ll have free time to walk around and visit some of the numerous souvenir shops or fresh seafood stands. You’ll see great views of the harbor as you explore.
You will return to your hotel on the bus.
After breakfast, you’ll check out of your rooms and board your bus for the day.
You’ll take a ride on one of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars. Since 1873, cable cars have run up and down the hilly city, though after the 1950s, these cars have been kept in operation more out of historic nostalgia. Seventeen miles of track remain and have been deemed a historical landmark
You’ll have free time for lunch at the Ferry Building. Today it’s a wonderful food market and also the home of San Francisco’s largest farmers market. The farmers market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. The building was first opened in 1898. Until the completion of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge in the 1930s it was the second busiest transit terminal in the world, second only to London’s Charing Cross Station. It served as the embarkation point for commuters to San Francisco from the East Bay.
After lunch, you’ll have free time in Ghirardelli Square, a landmark with shops and restaurants in the Fisherman’s Wharf area of the city. Here you can visit the chocolate shop and ice cream parlor for sweet treat!
You’ll board your bus and begin the return trip home.
