Our Tours
We look forward to welcoming you to a wonderful outdoor classroom experience. Please schedule a tour using our online forms (either school or adult tours). Before submitting a tour request form, please read the information below which pertains to your specific tour type.
Docent Guided School Tours
About School Tours
The UCR Botanic Gardens is a living museum, a classroom or laboratory without walls. School groups can learn much from organized tours of the Gardens. Here is the "who, what and where" of guided school tours.
-
Who
Subject to availability, any group from 4 to 60 persons, 3rd grade to adult, may schedule a tour. We suggest that groups of more than 60 persons schedule two different tours either on the same day or on different days. Include one adult for every 10 students under 18 years of age. For groups of 2nd grade and below and groups fewer than 10 people, see our self-guided tour publications found below. All groups of more than ten people must schedule their visit in advance.
-
What
Docent guided school tours center around the California State Teaching Curriculum-based UCRBG "Discovery Stop Summary" booklet with adjustments for age of the group and interest. Included is general information about the Gardens, desert adaptations of plants, uses of local plants by Native Americans, the state tree and flower, herbs, and more.
-
When
Guided tours must be scheduled at least one month in advance. Tours last about an hour, depending on interest and questions. There is a 15 minute leeway for arrival -- if your group is 15 minutes late, the guided tour may be canceled -- so allow plenty of time for loading and traffic. Some classes like to bring a sack lunch to eat on the lawn area after the tour (please place trash in the dumpster outside the front gates). Tours are scheduled on a first come/first served basis.
-
Where
Tour groups are met at the Gardens entrance at the scheduled time. If you arrive early, use the opportunity to peruse information pamphlets, get a drink of water and use the restrooms (the next restrooms are 20 to 30 minutes along the tour!). Buses can drop off the students at the entrance but will need to park off campus.
-
How
All school groups requesting a UCR or Botanic Gardens tour must submit the required certificate of insurance and an indemnification form prior to their tour. Tour groups must confirm in advance that their insurance forms are submitted and meet the insurance requirements for the University of California. Tour requests will be denied if these criteria are not met.
Please submit these forms by email to uc@instracking.com and copy risk@ucr.edu.
You will receive an email confirming that your school's insurance is compliant with the UC requirements.
-
Cost
Tours are free for all school groups, including college. However, donations are always welcome and are essential to keeping the Gardens beautiful and open. A donation box is located on the entrance Gatehouse.
Donations may also be made at gardens.ucr.edu/donate or using the QR code below.
For Teachers
3rd - 6th Grade
Our guided tours at UCR Botanic Gardens fit into the California State teaching curriculum. We have revised our docent-led tours to integrate more closely with the state science and social studies curriculum. Our unique setting and well-known collection of plants offer many first-hand experiences to enhance student learning. Here are some examples for grades three through six:
Grade Three through Six Applicable Curriculum
7th Grade through College
Tours can be adapted to fit the preferred curriculum of the teacher.
Please specify on the request form.
Non-School Related Tours
Subject to availability, any group of adults from 4 to 60 persons may schedule a tour of the Gardens. Included is general information about the Gardens, desert adaptations of plants, uses of local plants by Native Americans, herbs, and more. Coverage can be tailored to the group's interests and needs. For groups fewer than 4 people, see the self-guided tour publications. Note that all groups of more than 10 people must schedule their visit to the Gardens in advance.
Tour groups are met at the Gardens entrance at the scheduled time. If you arrive early, use the opportunity to peruse information pamphlets, get a drink of water and use the restrooms (the next restrooms are 20 to 30 minutes along the tour!). There is a 15 minute leeway for arrival -- if your group is 15 minutes late, the guided tour may be canceled -- so allow plenty of travel time.
Guided tours are best scheduled one month in advance. Tours are available 6 days a week from 8 am to 3 pm (please check the home page for closure dates). Tours last about an hour, depending on interest and questions. Tours are scheduled on a first come/first served basis.
The cost for adult tours is $7.50 per person for non-UCR groups, $5.00 per person for UCR groups, paid in advance of the tour, and subject to availability. To schedule an adult tour, submit the form for Adult Tours. You will pay for the tour after the date and docent availability are confirmed. For additional information call 951-827-7093.
For groups of 10 to 30 persons, you must schedule a tour by submitting the form for School Tours or Adult Tours. We will provide a docent to meet your group to provide garden information before your self-guided tour if you desire.
These self-guided publications are available at the kiosk at the entrance:
- Map of UCR Botanic Gardens - trail map with general information and main Gardens features noted (no charge)
- Botanic Gardens Bingo - for pre-school to second grade (no charge)
Schedule your Tour
To schedule a tour, please click on Request School Tour below and submit the form after entering your information. You will then be notified by email if your school insurance forms are not compliant and need to be submitted. For more information call 951-827-7093.
School tour groups are required to have a current Certificate of Insurance and Indemnification Form on file with UCR Risk Management.
Please submit these forms by email to uc@instracking.com and copy risk@ucr.edu and janine.almanzor@ucr.edu.
Please visit UCR Risk Management at https://risk.ucr.edu/ to learn about Certificates of Insurance (https://risk.ucr.edu/insurance/certificates) or email Risk Management at risk@ucr.edu.
Donations are encouraged to help support the UCR Botanic Gardens and may be deposited in the red donation box on the entrance gatehouse when the bus arrives.
Donations may also be made at gardens.ucr.edu/donate or using the QR code below.
Once you have received confirmation of your tour, use the link below to pay. The cost for adult, docent-led tours is $7.50 per person, paid in advance of the tour. Fees may be paid with checks (made payable to UC Regents) or you may pay online.
Mailing address:
University of California, Botanic Gardens
C/O University of California Riverside, Attn: Main Cashiers Office
Student Services Bldg, Room 1111
900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521