Field Trips
Our field trips provide attendees with an opportunity to visit nearby natural areas and to learn about ecosystems. The times given below are estimates, and we do not advise planning flights based on the return time (in case unforeseen situations cause a later than expected return).
You can transfer field trip registration to another person with no charge. You can cancel your field trip registration for a refund until November 6. After that time, refunds will not be issued.
Whale Watching with San Diego Whale Watch
- Dates: Monday, December 7 and Friday, December 11
- Times: 11:00 AM-3:00 PM on Monday or 8:00 AM-12:00 PM on Friday
- Cost: $65
Join this 2- to 2.5-hour tour for a chance to see gray whales, blue whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and more in their natural habitat. Expert marine naturalists provide live commentary, and indoor and outdoor seating is offered. San Diego Whale Watch was voted Best Whale Watching Tour in San Diego in 2026.
This field trip is being offered twice during the conference, so make sure you select the one associated with your preferred time and date when registering. The whale watching tour is 2 to 2.5 hours long, with a required arrival time 45 minutes before launch. We will meet at the hotel at the field trip start time (11:00 AM on Monday or 8:00 AM on Friday) and walk together to the neighboring marina (0.2 miles away). We’ve estimated 4 hours for this trip to account for the varying tour length and minor delays.
What to bring: motion sickness prevention if concerned, sunscreen, sunglasses, layers of clothing, and non-slip/secure footwear (strongly recommended).
Binoculars can be rented on-site.
Fire in the Mountains of San Diego County: A Story of Forests, Shrubs, and Grass
- Date: Friday, December 11
- Time: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Cost: $70
This field trip will take participants into the Laguna Mountains in Eastern San Diego County – a rare and largely unknown 8,000 acre Jeffrey Pine and Black Oak forest is surrounded by chapparal and perched above the western Colorado desert. The northernmost extent of the Sierra San Pedro Martier, the Laguna Mountains have a long history of wildfire as well as traditional ecological and modern prescribed fire. During the trip, we will visit the forest to discuss fire regimes and restoration work conducted by the Cleveland National Forest and its partners. The area is interspered with natural meadows, which we will also visit, with a short hike to Big Laguna Lake with discussions of meadow ecology and challenges with introducing fire to it. Finally, we will visit recently burned areas of chaparral where reforestation efforts are underway within a scientific research design.
Lunch and transportation are provided.
Photos 2-4 Credit: Stephen Fillmore
Strengthening Our Fire Network: Climate Adaptation Through Cultural Burning and Land Stewardship Practices
- Date: Friday, December 11
- Time: 8:15 AM – 2:30 PM
- Cost: $50
Join us for a field tour to learn about the importance of good fire in climate adaptation and resilience efforts led by the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians. During the site visit participants will see and hear about current and past fire resiliency projects led by La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians Natural Resources Department, including work on Goldspotted Oak Borer management, cultural burning, and other collaborative stewardship efforts. This field tour will be co-organized by Climate Science Alliance and La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians.
Lunch and transportation are provided.
*The $50 field trip fee is used for transportation to and from the field tour. If cost is a barrier, use discount code “SOFN_Waiver” to waive this fee. This discount code is only good for this trip.
Mission Bay Kayak Wildlife Tour
- Date: Friday, December 11
- Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Cost: $50
