Film & media school trips to California

Give your students a true taste of Tinseltown with this excursion, where they’ll get to walk in the footsteps of their favourite on-screen icons. Inspired by the elegance of a European opera house and boasting state-of-the-art technical capabilities, the Dolby Theatre has been host to many of the world's top performers and high-profile events, most notably The Oscars.

One of the most iconic sights in Los Angeles, The Griffith Observatory is located on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood overlooking the bright lights of downtown LA. A stunning example of Art Deco architecture, the Griffith Observatory has not only featured in many blockbuster movies including La La Land and Rebel Without a Cause, but the building also boasts a mind-blowing planetarium to gaze at the stars.

Walk in the footsteps of cinema greats on Hollywood Boulevard, which features the world-famous Dolby Theatre, Chinese Theatre and Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here, school groups can seek out the stars of their favourite musicians, cinematographers and more, as well as the hand and footprints of actors from the Golden Age of cinema. A particularly great excursion for film and drama students.

School groups can enjoy a full day of action-packed entertainment at Universal Studios Hollywood, which includes thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and some of Los Angeles’ most recognisable shops and restaurants. With all the entertainment they’ll need in one place, we know your students will love the experience here.

Get a behind the scenes look at one of the largest working TV and film studios in Los Angeles with this excursion. An experienced Warner Bros tour guide will show you some of the most iconic sets in the world, where students can see where the likes of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Harry Potter, Batman and the DC Universe played out. Students will also be able to see famous props, costumes and vehicles up close in the studio’s museums.

Experience the incredible exhibits of San Francisco’s Exploratorium, which are designed to amaze and astound individuals of all ages. A museum of science, art and human perception, the Exploratorium will inspire your students and open up a whole new world of experimentation to them through hours of interactive fun.

Step into the silver screen with a visit to the Hollywood Museum, which houses a vast collection of memorabilia from the history of American motion pictures and television. During your visit, students can explore more than 11,000 items, including costumes, props, stop motion figures, photographs, scripts, and four make-up rooms, originally used by pioneering Hollywood makeup artist Max Factor.

The birthplace of the physical fitness boom in California, Muscle Beach is a hub for gymnastics, weightlifting and more – all set against a stunning seaside backdrop. Students can watch gymnasts, acrobats and bodybuilders here, and gaze in wonder at the athletic performances as they learn about the history of the site.

Located mere footsteps from Muscle Beach, the Santa Monica pier is a famous, large double-jointed pier featuring a small amusement park, concession stands and plenty of areas for taking in views of the surrounding beaches. With the pier featured in several films, TV shows and music videos, students will love the opportunity to stand on this real-life film set.

For a day of magical fun and escapism, take your group to California’s Disneyland Resort. Consisting of the original Disneyland Park and the Disney California Adventure Park, this sprawling amusement park features everybody’s favourite Disney characters and a vast collection of Disney themed rollercoaster rides, live shows and attractions.

Featuring 40,000 square feet of interactive galleries and world-class exhibits, this incredible museum offers your group the opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Walt Disney. Follow Disney’s journey to world-class entertainer through early drawings, cartoons, movies, music and more, each narrated with Disney’s own voice.

An exceptional excursion for any student, a day trip to the Grand Canyon is a great way to round up your trip to the United States’ West Coast. School groups can experience breathtaking aerial views of the world’s most well-known canyon on the Grand Canyon Skywalk, and experience the magnificence of this marvel – considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Explore the lowest, driest and hottest part of North American in Death Valley – a marvellous geographical site three hours outside of Los Angeles. We’ve seen school groups struck by the valley’s incredible contrast of landscapes, with lush wildflower meadows and small oases found unexpectedly amid the vast desert plains.

Once one of the world’s most famous prisons, Alcatraz housed some of America’s most difficult and dangerous felons during its operation from 1934 until 1963. Now a National Historic Landmark, Alcatraz Island hosts groups to explore the former cell blocks, accompanied by an award-winning audio tour we know will captivate your students.

One of the most iconic sites representing America’s majestic natural beauty, Yosemite National Park is famous for both its giant, ancient sequoia trees and for Tunnel View – the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. Students will be amazed by the wildlife and sights on offer here, making it more than worth the journey.

The international icon of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World, its beautiful red hues in perfect contrast with the azure San Francisco Bay below. Here, students can learn about this excellent example of engineering, as well as the view back across the city and to neighbouring Marin County.

Pay a visit to the glitziest city of the world with a trip to Las Vegas, where we’re confident your students will be dazzled by its lights and vibrant life. Outside the wonders of the Strip, you’ll also find a superlative desert of streaming sand dunes, snow-capped mountains, multicoloured rock layers, water-fluted canyons and three million acres of wilderness.

A hub of entertainment in downtown Las Vegas, the Fremont Street Experience (FSE) is home to a large pedestrian mall and attractions which span five blocks of the historic Fremont Street. Home to several of Las Vegas’ ‘firsts’ (such as its first hotel and paved street), the FSE also hosts free concerts, a light and sound show and a zipline which we know your students will love.