California Middle School Trip Overview
This summer, hit up the West Coast of the USA on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip for middle school students exploring The Golden State!
We’ll start in sunny SoCal, seeing San Diego’s most iconic sights. Spend some time cleaning up the beaches of San Diego then hang ten as you learn to surf at one of the city’s most famous beaches. Immerse yourself in the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles as we take you to all the best spots of this bustling city. Witness incredible landscapes and vistas as you travel along Highway 1, taking in the beauty of the world renowned Big Sur. Once in NorCal, check out Morro Bay, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco. Embrace the city by the bay as you take in the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, Muir Woods, and much more.
Say Hello California when you adventure this summer on this magical teen tour.
During this program, you will…
- Learn to surf in San Diego
- Get up close with the animals of the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest and most famous zoos in the world
- See the seals and sea lions of beautiful La Jolla
- Explore Hollywood and the Walk of Fame
- Wander through Venice Beach and along the Santa Monica Pier
- See LA lit up at night from the Griffith Observatory
- Take a road trip along Highway 1, experiencing the unique Big Sur
- Sink your toes into purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach
- See an ancient volcanic plug formed by magma in stunning Morro Bay
- Cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge
- Enjoy a delicious chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli Square
- Ferry to the legendary island of Alcatraz prison
- Hike through giant redwood trees at Muir Woods
- Take an e-bike tour through the iconic sights of San Francisco
- Spend a magical day at Disneyland*
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN SAN DIEGO (SAN)
DAYS 2-4: SAN DIEGO
Our adventure begins in sunny San Diego. We’ll get our first taste of the laid back Southern California lifestyle as we explore the neighborhoods and coastline that make this city so well known! Wander through Balboa Park, watch the seals of La Jolla, hang ten as you learn to surf in the Pacific, and absorb the history of the charming gaslamp district. During your time here, you’ll contribute to the everlasting beauty of the area and help clean up the beaches for more visitors like yourself to enjoy.
DAYS 5-7: LOS ANGELES
Tackle the second largest city in the US without feeling overwhelmed! Wander through “Tinseltown” to spot your favorite celebrity along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and check out the Chinese Theatre, explore vibrant Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier, window shop along Rodeo Drive, and hike through Runyon Canyon for incredible views from the Griffith Observatory. You will even have the chance to go on an optional day trip to one of America’s favorite theme parks: Disneyland!*
DAY 8: HIGHWAY 1
Arguably the most beautiful coastal road in the world, we’ll spend a couple of days snaking our way up it, staying in Morro Bay and stopping at the postcard-perfect beaches of Santa Barbara, the stunning McWay Falls, funky Bixby Bridge, Santa Cruz, and the purple sand of Pfeiffer Beach.
DAYS 9-10: SAN FRANCISCO
Experience all the best of the City by the Bay in the cultural epicenter of NorCal.. Ride the historical cable car and enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the famous Pier 39. Sample incredible seafood while watching the lazy sea lions bask along the pier before enjoying a delicious sundae at Ghirardelli Square. Explore San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods, including Haight Ashbury, SoMa, Embarcadero, and Chinatown.
Head North to Marin County, where you’ll cross the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and stroll through the quaint seaside town of Sausalito before hiking through the impressive redwoods of Muir Woods. Hop on a boat across the bay to tour the infamous prison, Alcatraz, also known as The Rock.
DAY 11: DEPART FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SFO)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining the character of the places we are visiting.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
All accommodations on this trip have been selected to ensure quality while still maintaining the character of the places we are visiting.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is unique about the USA for Middle School: Hello California trip?
USA for Middle School: Hello California is designed for younger teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. You’ll see cities and spend time outdoors in some of the most stunning destinations in California that will create lifelong memories.
USA for Middle School: Hello California is designed for younger teens in mind. Intimate-sized groups make this an incredible experience for everyone on board. You’ll see cities and spend time outdoors in some of the most stunning destinations in California that will create lifelong memories.
What is included on the USA for Middle School: Hello California trip?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; lunches; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like on this program?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
While in California, we’ll have seafood and food influenced by the neighboring continent of Asia.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
While in California, we’ll have seafood and food influenced by the neighboring continent of Asia.