Charter bus near Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Berkeley, CA · School Pupil Activity Bus

Berkeley SPAB bus rental

Berkeley teachers have science, nature and college visits all within a few miles, so a SPAB bus trip here is usually more about access than distance. Start with the venue's rules on where a bus may stop. Then work backward to your campus and pick a pickup time. A short route up into the hills can take longer than you would expect, particularly on a Cal event day.

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CPUC TCP 0037963 · USDOT 3126263 · certificates of insurance on request.

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Planning from Berkeley

Booking a school trip from Berkeley

The hills begin abruptly east of campus, and streets narrow fast above Piedmont Avenue. Lawrence Hall sits up Centennial Drive and Tilden is reached by winding roads along the ridge, so we check those routes and bus size first. UC Berkeley's own bus gates and Greek Theatre shows can change where you unload. Flatland schools near San Pablo Avenue have easier curbs. Buses arrive from Hayward by I-880 and I-80, around 32 minutes on a good day.

Where groups go

School trips from Berkeley

DestinationPlan for
Lawrence Hall of ScienceUp Centennial Drive; we check the climb and your bus size first.
UC Berkeley campus visitsGet the tour office's drop point, and look for game-day closures.
Tilden Regional ParkRidge roads twist and parking varies, so we size the bus by route.
Berkeley MarinaFlat and windy at the end of University Avenue; bring warm layers.
Before you sign

What to get from a SPAB carrier

Under California Vehicle Code 546, a school pupil activity bus is a vehicle other than a schoolbus that a carrier runs under contract with a school, taking pupils in 12th grade or below to or from a public or private school activity.

Vehicle Code 12517 calls for a license endorsed for passenger transportation, and the driver's certificate comes from the DMV.

Ask us for any of these when you book. Our drivers are our own employees, and every bus has lap-and-shoulder belts.

Front of a black Van Hool CX45 56-passenger motorcoach at the Umbrella Global Bus yard in South San Francisco
Our 56-passenger motorcoach, at our South San Francisco yard.
Motorcoach cabin with rows of black leather reclining seats trimmed in blue, looking down the centre aisle
Inside one of our motorcoaches: reclining seats and three-point belts.
Berkeley SPAB FAQ

Questions from Berkeley schools

How does a Berkeley school plan a trip up to Lawrence Hall?

Book your program slot, then tell us the group size. We look over the climb and the parking for that vehicle, and let you know the plan before your date.

Where does a bus stop for a UC Berkeley tour from a Berkeley school?

Ask the visitor center which drop point applies to your date. Campus gates and event closures shift, so send us its answer along with your tour start time.

Do Cal game days affect Berkeley school trips?

They do, mostly near the stadium and along Gayley Road. Compare the campus calendar with your date, and pick another day or a different stop if your route passes close by.

This site

More for Berkeley groups

The main site

More SPAB detail at umbrellabus.com