Guided School Program
Educators, we look forward to providing your students an engaging outdoor educational experience this year!
The Guided School Program (previously Children’s Program, Youth program) is facilitated by the Torrey Pines Docent Society, who will greet the students, provide a 20–30-minute talk on one of five available topics, and split the class into groups of 8 or fewer to hike the trails. This program is about 2 hours long and is only available on Tuesdays – Thursdays and first three Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Group size is limited to 70 students.
NOTE: Our Docent-led Youth Program is reserved for in-person school classrooms. Homeschool groups are warmly invited to enjoy our Self-Guided Program.
In-person School Field Trips for the 2026-2027 school year are expected to begin in March 2027. Please explore our virtual field trip options for Torrey Pines SNR and Parks around the state through Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS). We look forward to your visit.
We are also happy to offer a maximum $250 bus cost reimbursement grant (per visit) to Title I schools!
Topics available include:
- Kumeyaay
- Geology
- Plants & Habitats
- Ecosystems & Food Chains
- Ocean, Whales and Dolphins
Reservations open now!
Please read the tips and reminders below. This ensures an enjoyable and educational visit for all!
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
TITLE 1 SCHOOLS
- Need a bus grant? If your school is a Title I School in need of a bus grant please send an email request to the program coordinator at torrey.pines@parks.ca.gov
- The maximum reimbursement available is $250.00.
- Bus grants for San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) schools will be coordinated between this school program and the SDUSD transportation department. However, SDUSD teachers are still responsible for scheduling transportation
- Click here for the Bus Grant Access Form
RULES OF THE RESERVE – A REVIEW
- Please review TPSNR’s special rules with students and chaperones.
RESTROOMS
- Have students use restrooms at your school or those located in the lower (beach-level) parking lot of TPSNR; snacks may also be eaten at this time!
- Please allot enough time for this step so that your school group still arrives on time.
LUNCH
- Food is NOT allowed at the top of the Reserve, please plan accordingly:
- Arrange for the bus to pick up your group at the beach-level parking lot if your plans include having lunch at the beach. *Also arrange for bus and/or parent/chaperone transport of lunches to the beach level.
- The restrooms near the visitor center are under repair; only port-o-potties (6) are available.
| *SDUSD SCHOOLS: When you order buses, be certain to select “Torrey Pines Visitor Center” for the outgoing trip and “Torrey Pines State Beach” for the return trip. By choosing these options, you alert the transportation department to assign the appropriately-sized buses for each direction of your field trip. |
NAME TAGS
Please be sure to bring nametags for your school group. A good name tag is preferably one that can be fastened to the student’s shirt, and the name is in large print for everyone to read clearly and from afar.
Here is a good example:
We have provided you with a file here you can use to make your own! Just simply print, cut out and write the names.
Note: When cut out, these will fit into the standard 3.5″ x 2.25″ inch ID/Badge holders.
DAY OF YOUR ARRIVAL
FRONT ENTRANCE / KIOSK
- Inform the kiosk attendant that you are a TPSNR Docent-led School Program participant and make sure to show your email confirmation page. Parking fees are waived.
- If your group needs a restroom or snack break at this time, direct the bus/cars to pull into the lower, beach-level parking lot before proceeding to the visitor center.
VISITOR CENTER
- Proceed to the visitor center (or use the beach-level rest rooms) if the entrance kiosk is unattended when you arrive.
- Alert the program coordinator and/or docent (volunteer naturalist) leader to any significant student special needs or any required accommodations.
CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
CHANGES & CANCELLATIONS
Teachers are responsible for using the same Acuity Scheduling app to cancel or reschedule a field trip. If a change is is needed within one week of the originally-scheduled field trip, then please contact the program coordinator.