Overview
Take science and technology out of the classroom and into the world on our innovative West Coast STEM adventure through California. Learn to identify the ages of giant trees in Redwood State Park. Discover more than 600 species of plants and animals at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Interact with hundreds of hands-on exhibits at San Francisco’s Exploratorium. And best of all, spend a full day hiking Yosemite’s picturesque trails.
Excursions & Highlights
Your program at a glance, including guided tours, independent visits, photo stops, and immersive activities.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Silicon Valley/Bay Area, CA
Lunch
Apple Park Visitor's Center visit
Step inside a striking glass-walled space for a rare glimpse of Apple’s futuristic headquarters. Explore a 3D campus model using AR, shop for exclusive merchandise, and take in views from the rooftop deck while learning about all things Apple.
Computer History Museum visit
Journey through 2,000 years of computing through immersive displays and a vast collection of rare artifacts. Discover interactive exhibits on how tech innovations have shaped the human experience, play classic vintage games, and explore a range of historic hardware.
Googleplex and The Orb photo stop
Visit Google's campus-like headquarters where design meets nature and innovation with landscaped trails, plazas, and art installations. Stop at The Orb, a 33-foot-tall aluminum pavilion and discover how it stands independently without internal framing, an engineering triumph.
Dinner
Hotel check-in
Day 2
Breakfast
Yosemite National Park visit
Experience the grandeur and immense beauty of this protected park known for its dramatic waterfalls, granite cliffs carved by glaciers, and giant sequoia groves, reaching up to 300 feet.
Yosemite tram tour
Learn about Yosemite and its rich history on this ranger-led, open-air tram and view landmarks like El Capitan and North America's tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls. Listen to the rich stories about the Ahwahneechee people, and learn about the wildlife, like bighorn sheep, and fire ecology.
Lunch
Engineering of Climbing tour
Learn about the tools and techniques used by skilled climbers to conquer rocky terrain and steep slopes. Test your skills on the rock wall alongside expert guides and see what it feels like to climb like a pro.
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast and depart for Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay Aquarium visit
Experience the aquatic wonders of California marine life at this by-the-sea aquarium where you'll meet rescued sea otters and view a massive 3-story living kelp forest. Learn about marine conservation, diverse ecosystems, and animal behavior like the intelligence of the giant Pacific octopus.
Lunch
Beach stop
Take in the salty air and coastal breeze while you enjoy some free time at the beach. Take a walk along the shoreline, hunt for unique shells, spot seabirds above, and admire scenic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park visit
Walk amongst the giants in this peaceful old-growth forest of towering coastal redwoods, the oldest of which is at least 1,200 years old. Learn about their resilience, how scientists calculate the trees' age, and the conservation efforts employed to protect this park.
Hotel check-in
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Alcatraz Island visit
Catch a ferry across the bay to visit this infamous former prison that once held some of America’s most notorious criminals. Explore preserved cell blocks and hear firsthand prisoner accounts of escape attempts, isolation, and daily life behind bars.
Lunch
Exploratorium visit
Step inside this renowned museum with more than 650 interactive exhibits that bring science, art, and perception to life. Learn about optical illusions, experiment with physics, and explore topics ranging from the human body to outer space.
Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf visit
Explore this historic waterfront on the San Francisco Bay bustling with quirky restaurants, performance artists, and colonies of sea lions lounging and barking in the sun. Take in views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline.
Dinner
San Francisco sightseeing tour
Visit San Francisco’s most renowned destinations, like Lombard Street, the "crookedest" street in the world, Haight-Ashbury, the birthplace of the hippie movement, and scenic Nob Hill.
Day 5
Breakfast
California Academy of Sciences visit
Visit this world-class natural history museum, planetarium, and aquarium with more than 50,000 animals. Discover a four-story rainforest with free-flying birds, get up-close views of marine life in diverse ecosystems, and explore a wide range of exhibits on biodiversity, evolution, and space.
Golden Gate Park visit
Explore the natural and man-made beauty that fills this park, from gardens, lakes, and trails to museums like the de Young Museum showcasing architectural innovations and the California Academy of Sciences with its 4-story tall rainforest.
Lunch
Golden Gate Bridge
Walk along this international symbol of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge—an engineering feat, designed to sway 22 feet side-to-side, withstanding high winds and earthquakes. Atop this iconic bridge, you'll have close-up views of the San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Pacific Ocean.
Oracle Park kayak tour
Paddle around this cove, exploring local habitats and glimpse sea lions, birds, and maybe even a San Francisco Giants baseball game from the water.
Chinatown visit
Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of North America’s oldest Chinatown, known for its Dragon Gate, authentic food, and unique shops. Discover landmarks, street art, hidden temples, and ornate architecture while learning about this famous neighborhood’s history and traditions.
Dinner
Cable car ride
Hop aboard a famous cable car for a journey through San Francisco’s vibrant neighborhoods and historic landmarks. Enjoy sweeping views of the city as you learn about the history behind the world’s last manually operated transportation system.
Day 6
Breakfast
Hotel check-out
Depart for home
Lunch
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldStrides Course Leader - a dynamic destination expert who brings learning to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Field Research Guide (Discovery Journal)
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.