Field Trips | SPNHC 2023 Events

Date and time: Sunday, 28 May 2023; 8:30am-5:30pm
Field Trip Lead: Dr. John Karachewski with Lindsay Palaima Hazen
Location: San Francisco Embarcadero, Presidio, Sutro Baths, Fort Funston/Daly City
Lunch provided?: Yes, boxed lunch included in registration fee
Maximum number of participants: 50
Cost: $90.00
Restroom on Bus: No

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the surface of a world-famous city? Come find out on this fun and informative exploration of the geology and natural history of San Francisco. Learn about diverse topics such as: plate tectonics, geologic terranes and rocks of the Franciscan Complex, the San Andreas Fault and 1906 earthquake, glacial cycles and sea-level changes, climate change, and habitat restoration at the Presidio. This scenic trip includes views ranging from San Francisco Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge and Ocean Beach as well as Golden Gate National Recreation Area – the largest urban national park in the country.

This field trip will be of interest to both geologists and colleagues from other disciplines.

This is an active, all-day trip with several walks for a total of 3 to 4 miles and up to 400 feet of elevation change. Fee includes transportation and lunch. Buses leave from and return to the Hilton Union Square.

Additional Resources
Geology of San Francisco (Association of Engineering Geologists)
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Presidio of San Francisco

Date and time: Sunday, 28 May 2023; 9:30am - 4:30pm
Field Trip Lead: Sophia Kaylani
Location: Petaluma Wildlife Museum, Indian Valley Brewing Co
Lunch provided?: No - food for purchase
Maximum number of participants: 50
Cost: $80.00
Restroom on Bus: No

Explore the Petaluma Wildlife Museum, which is the only high school run museum in the nation. For 30 years, this museum has fostered the growth and development of teenage docents interested in running a fully functional natural history museum. The tours will touch on the main goals for the museum, not only for its docents, but the Bay Area community as well. These tours can be offered in English and Spanish. Afterwards, we will take a scenic drive through Petaluma to Novato to hopefully catch some views of wildflower super blooms along the hillsides and pastures of Northern California’s famous sustainable ranching area, while we make our way to Indian Valley Brewing Co. Taproom. Here, enjoy a flight of their top beers, while hearing about their small business, and grab a tasty lunch at a local food truck that will drive out just to join our group. Alternative food options are an easy walk to Novato’s historic business district. This is an all day trip from 9:30 am - 4:30pm with frequent walking, most of which is on flat, paved surfaces. Fee includes transportation, museum entrance, and a tasting flight at the brewery. Buses leave from and return to the Hilton Union Square.

Additional Resources
Petaluma Wildlife Museum
Indian Valley Brewing

Date and time: Sunday, 28 May 2023; 10am - 3pm
Field Trip Lead: Jon Fong
Location: The Marine Mammal Center, Fort Cronkhite, Rodeo Beach
Lunch provided?: Yes, boxed lunch included in registration fee
Maximum number of participants: 40
Cost: $80.00
Restroom on Bus: No

Venture out to the Marin Headlands to take a tour of the Marine Mammal Center. Get an inside look at how their hospital functions, and hear some inspiring stories of marine mammal survival that motivate the staff. Once the tour is complete you can walk over to Fort Cronkhite, a former World War II military base, which has preserved barracks and artifacts. We can enjoy our provided lunches at Rodeo beach. There will be birds around the lagoon and in the surf, so bring any binoculars for the best views and be sure to bring an extra layer for the foggy coast.

This is a half day trip from 10am - 3pm with frequent walking, some of which is on unpaved surfaces. Fees include transportation, tour and lunch. Buses leave from and return to the Hilton Union Square.

Additional Resources
The Marine Mammal Center
Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Marin Headlands/Fort Cronkhite

Date and time: Sunday, 28 May 2023; 10am-12pm; 1-3pm
Field Trip Lead: SF City Guides
Location: Downtown San Francisco
Lunch provided?: No
Maximum number of participants: each tour can host 20 people (60 total)
Cost: $40.00

Enjoy a guided walking tour of eclectic San Francisco! Two options will be on offer: historic Chinatown district (am tour) or a 1906 Quake and Fire tour (both am and pm). Visit the historic streets and alleyways of the largest Chinatown in the United States and learn about its amazing history and sense of place or see where your host, the California Academy of Sciences, was on Market Street before it was destroyed in 1906 and learn how the city responded to the Great Quake. Both tours will depart from the Hilton where the tour guides will meet the group and head out on foot across downtown SF for 1.5 - 2 hours. Tours may or may not end back at the hotel (depending on the guide; please ask the guide before the tour starts if you need to be back at a certain time). Stops will be planned for breaks and refreshments for purchase.

This is an active tour with hills on paved surfaces. Fee includes professional tour guide.

Additional Resources

Historic photos of the California Academy of Sciences Natural History Museum on Market St

Date and time: Saturday, 3 June 2023; 8am-5pm
Field Trip Lead: Kate High
Location: Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row
Lunch provided?: No, lunch on your own at Cannery Row
Maximum number of participants: 50
Cost: Adult $125.00
Restroom on Bus: Yes

Embark on a trip down the California coast to Monterey Bay to see one of the world's leading nonprofit aquariums. From sea otters and incredible kelp forests, the outer ocean, diving to the depths of the deep sea and everything in between, take an afternoon to explore the biodiversity of the central California coastline. If you wrap up early at the aquarium, explore Cannery Row, made famous by Nobel Prize-winning author, John Steinbeck. Often referred to as the “Sardine Capital of the World” in the early 1900s, this fishery was active for nearly 70 years. Be sure to grab lunch at one of the great restaurants along the waterfront, while enjoying the view of the bay. Bring a light coat for the coastal fog!

This is an all day trip from 8am - 5pm with frequent walking, most of which is on flat, paved surfaces. Fees include transportation and admission to the aquarium. Buses leave from and return to the Hilton Union Square.

Additional Resources
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium Exhibits
Cannery Row Story
Cannery Row Maps
Cannery Row Restaurant

Cancellation Policy: Changes or cancellations to field trip registration must be received via email by April 30, 2023 in order to receive a full refund. Please send your request to SPNHC2023questions@calacademy.org. In the unlikely event that a field trip is canceled by the organizers, registered participants will be notified as soon as possible and will receive a full refund.

Waitlist: Is the field trip of your choice full? Add your name to the waitlist! Waitlisted participants will be notified of an opening and provided with instructions for registering.

Guests: Registered SPNHC conference attendees can purchase a ticket for a guest on field trips for the same price and terms.