Santa Monica School Field Trip Charter Bus Rentals
With Busrentalsantamonica.com, you'll stop juggling phone calls and start comparing buses in seconds! Whether your class is heading to the California Science Center in Exposition Park, exploring the tide pools at Heal the Bay's Aquarium right under the Santa Monica Pier, or making the short run up Sepulveda Boulevard to the Skirball Cultural Center, Busrentalsantamonica.com makes finding the right bus fast and easy. Fill out one quick form, compare vehicles and pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Santa Monica, and book the bus that fits your group — no account required.
Call 424-542-0590 or use the online quote tool right now!
Share Your Trip Details Once and Compare School Event Transportation Options Side by Side
Make your next Santa Monica field trip the one where transportation is the easy part! Busrentalsantamonica.com is not a bus company — it's a comparison and quote-request website that brings together a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area. That means you're never limited to one fleet or whatever a single operator happens to have available. Fill out one form, and you'll instantly see different bus types, amenities, and pricing side by side.
Whether you need a compact 15-passenger minibus for a small group heading to the Getty Center or a full 56-passenger charter bus for an entire grade level, the right bus is in this network. Compare, choose, and book — all in minutes!
Find the Bus That Works for Your School Event Transportation
No two field trips look the same, and the buses in this network reflect that! For smaller groups or shorter hops — like a class of 20 heading down the coast to the Annenberg Community Beach House on Pacific Coast Highway — a 15- to 35-passenger minibus keeps things nimble and easy to park. For larger groups making the run east on I-10 to Exposition Park's Natural History Museum or the California Science Center, a full-size 56-passenger charter bus gives everyone room to spread out, with overhead storage for backpacks and lunches, climate control, and reclining seats.
ADA-accessible buses are available through the network too — just mention it when you submit your quote. Whatever your headcount and destination, you'll find the right fit here!
56 Passenger Charter Bus
35 Passenger Minibus
30 Passenger Minibus
28 Passenger Minibus
25 Passenger Minibus
20 Passenger Minibus
18 Passenger Minibus
15 Passenger Minibus
15-50 Passenger Party Buses
Sprinter Van with Driver
Sprinter Limo
School Bus
Vehicles shown above are NOT the exact makes and models available for every trip. We are NOT a transportation company and do not own or operate vehicles. Photos are examples only and may show stock or typical vehicles, not the exact vehicle offered for your reservation. Fill out the online quote form or call 424-542-0590 to view current vehicle options, photos, availability, and pricing. Confirm the exact vehicle details and amenities before booking.
Charter Buses to Exposition Park's Science and History Museums
These two destinations alone account for a huge share of Santa Monica field trips every year, and for good reason. The California Science Center (700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037) offers hands-on STEM exhibits that bring classrooms to life. Right next door, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007) offers everything from dinosaur fossils to live butterfly pavilions.
Buses serving both venues use the designated bus loading zone on Exposition Boulevard, with bus parking available in Exposition Park's Lot B — confirm your parking assignment when you book your group visit. From Santa Monica, plan for 25 to 45 minutes east on I-10 depending on the time of day. A full-size charter bus keeps your whole grade together for one flat, predictable rate!
Groups of 15 or more need a field trip reservation before arriving at the California Science Center's field trip page, so your bus gets the class to a reserved visit instead of an uncertain walk-in. The Science Center's group parking information also directs individual vehicles to the structure at 39th Street and Figueroa, while group and bus parking is arranged through the reservation desk.
Getty Center Field Trips Without the Parking Headache
Your group will love the Getty — and you'll love that a charter bus handles the part that makes the Getty tricky for cars. The Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049) is only about four miles from Santa Monica via I-405 North, but the arrival experience is unlike any other museum in LA. Per the Getty's own visitor information, buses do not drive to the top of the hill — they drop off at the arrival plaza at the base, where the Getty's own tram carries visitors up to the museum.
Bus parking is in the designated bus lot at the base of the hill, separate from the general parking structure. Advance group reservations are required, and K–12 admission is free. A 15- to 35-passenger minibus is perfect for this trip — easy to park, easy to stage, and the right size for most class groups heading to the Westside's most iconic museum!
The correct GPS destination for a school bus is N Sepulveda Blvd & Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, where the Getty's North Entry Parking is accessed; Getty's school field-trip instructions direct Security to the school-bus spaces in that garage. Your bus enters from Sepulveda Boulevard at Getty Center Drive, receives a school-name placard from Getty staff, and is ready for departure at least 15 minutes before your scheduled leave time.
Museum of Tolerance School Group Transportation
Busrentalsantamonica.com is the easiest way to find a bus for one of the most important field trips a middle or high school student can take. The Museum of Tolerance (9786 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035) is about six miles from Santa Monica — a 15 to 25-minute run east through the Westside depending on the time of day. The museum's programs cover Holocaust history, civil rights, and social justice, and they're specifically designed for school groups.
Per the museum's group visit guidance, advance arrangements for bus parking should be made when booking the group visit. The museum has a designated bus loading zone on Pico Boulevard adjacent to the entrance. For most Santa Monica school groups, a 25- to 40-passenger minibus or charter bus is the right size — compare what's available for your date in seconds using the online quote tool or by calling 424-542-0590!
Need a Bus to Griffith Observatory or the Aquarium of the Pacific?
Need something a little further afield? Both the Griffith Observatory and the Aquarium of the Pacific are popular field trip destinations for Santa Monica schools, and both have bus access details worth knowing before you go. At Griffith Observatory (2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027), per the observatory's own site, buses must park in the designated bus parking area below the observatory — confirm drop-off arrangements with the observatory's group coordinator for weekday school visits.
At the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802), buses use the designated charter bus zone on Aquarium Way, with parking in nearby lots — contact the aquarium in advance to confirm bus parking for your group. Compare buses for both destinations right here in under 30 seconds!
Cross Town to LACMA, the Skirball, or Warner Bros. for Arts and Media Field Trips
Cross the Westside in style with a charter bus built for the trip! For arts programs, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036) offers free school group admission through its NexGen program, with buses using the Spaulding Avenue or Ogden Drive entrances — confirm bus parking with LACMA's group services team when you book. The Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049) is just 10 to 15 minutes from Santa Monica via I-405, with on-site bus parking and field trip packages built around its Noah's Ark exhibit.
For high school film and media classes, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood (3400 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505) requires advance arrangements and bus entry at Gate 6 on Hollywood Way. One form, one search — compare buses for any of these destinations right now!
Compare School Event Transportation Options in Santa Monica and Beyond
We help you find field trip buses in Santa Monica and every surrounding community in the Los Angeles area! Whether your school is in Malibu, Culver City, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Marina del Rey, or anywhere across the Westside, Busrentalsantamonica.com connects you to a large network of bus companies ready to serve your route. One quick form covers your whole search — enter your pickup address, your destination, your date, and your headcount, and you'll instantly see available vehicles and pricing from providers serving your area.
No calling around. No waiting on callbacks. Just fast, easy comparison so you can check transportation off your field trip planning list and get back to the rest of it.
Call 424-542-0590 any time for a free quote!
How Much Does School Event Transportation in Santa Monica Cost?
| Type of Vehicle | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $205 – $385+ | $225 – $410+ | $1,650 – $2,950+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 35 Passenger Minibus | $225 – $370+ | $255 – $385+ | $1,815 – $2,415+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 30 Passenger Minibus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.90 – $8.60+ |
| 28 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $355+ | $220 – $370+ | $1,540 – $2,255+ | $5.65 – $8.25+ |
| 25 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $350+ | $195 – $365+ | $1,420 – $2,180+ | $5.40 – $7.90+ |
| 20 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| 18 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $330+ | $190 – $350+ | $1,210 – $1,990+ | $5.00 – $7.25+ |
| 15 Passenger Minibus | $180 – $310+ | $180 – $330+ | $1,150 – $1,880+ | $4.75 – $6.95+ |
| 15-50 Passenger Party Bus | $248 – $426+ | $265 – $460+ | $1,827 – $2,954+ | $6.75 – $9.95+ |
| Sprinter Van with Driver | $190 – $373+ | $218 – $466+ | $1,395 – $2,848+ | $5.00 – $6.95+ |
| Sprinter Limo | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| School Bus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.00 – $7.60+ |
| ABOVE PRICES ARE JUST EXAMPLES. Your final price and vehicle options depend entirely on your specific trip details. To get an instant price quote for your trip, request an online quote or call 424-542-0590. | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Monica School Event Transportation Services
Busrentalsantamonica.com is a comparison and quote-request website. You fill out one quick form with your trip details — pickup address, destination, date, and headcount — and you'll instantly see vehicles, photos, and pricing from a large network of independently owned transportation companies serving Santa Monica and the greater LA area. No account needed, and a free quote is always available online or by phone at 424-542-0590.
Use the online quote tool to enter your trip details. It takes about 30 seconds to fill out. Once submitted, you'll be taken to a results page through a national booking platform showing available buses and pricing from transportation companies serving your route.
From there, you can compare options side by side and book the bus that fits your group — all online, in just minutes. Or call 424-542-0590 and a live agent will build a custom quote for you!
Buses serving the California Science Center use the designated bus loading zone on Figueroa Street or Exposition Boulevard near the main entrance, with bus parking available in Exposition Park's Lot B on Exposition Boulevard. Confirm your parking assignment directly with the California Science Center when you book your group visit, as lot availability can vary by date and event schedule at the park.
Yes — but it works differently than most venues. Per the Getty Center's own visitor information, buses park in a designated bus lot at the base of the hill at the arrival plaza. Buses do not drive to the top.
The Getty's own tram carries your group up to the museum from the arrival plaza. Advance group reservations are required for school visits. K–12 admission is free, making this one of the best-value field trips on the Westside!
Book at least four to six weeks out for most field trips. Spring — March through May — is peak field trip season across Southern California, and Thursday and Friday dates fill fastest. If your trip falls during a busy stretch, six to eight weeks of lead time gives you the most vehicle options and the best pricing.
Waiting until the last minute means fewer buses to choose from and higher rates. Call 424-542-0590 as soon as your date is confirmed!
Yes. ADA-accessible charter buses with wheelchair lifts are available through the network. California Education Code requires that field trip transportation be accessible, and the network includes vehicles equipped to meet those requirements.
Just mention your accessibility needs — including the number of wheelchair users and any other requirements — when you submit your quote request or call 424-542-0590, and your quote will reflect the available accessible vehicles for your date and route.
It depends on your headcount and destination. A 15- to 35-passenger minibus works well for smaller class groups and destinations with tighter bus parking, like the Getty Center or Heal the Bay's Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier. A 56-passenger charter bus is the right call when a full grade level is traveling together to Exposition Park or the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Compare both options side by side on Busrentalsantamonica.com — enter your headcount and see what's available for your date in under 30 seconds!