Charter bus near the Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, CA
San Rafael, CA · School Pupil Activity Bus

San Rafael SPAB bus rental

Road limits come first when a San Rafael teacher plans a Marin outing, so pick the place before you pick the bus. Some West Marin roads simply will not suit a large coach, and Muir Woods calls for a minibus. Book a SPAB bus with those limits in mind and split bigger groups early. Parents appreciate hearing about two buses well before permission slips go home.

Get a school trip quote What to ask a carrier

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

Quote in about 2 minutesMention SPAB in your request
Planning from San Rafael

Booking a school trip from San Rafael

Downtown San Rafael is where US-101 meets I-580, and the backup on Second, Third and Fourth Streets can be serious in the afternoon. Our buses come from South San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, around 40 minutes, and a trip with students over that bridge may show a toll on the quote. East Bay outings can use the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. Sir Francis Drake and other western roads get a route and bus size check first.

Where groups go

School trips from San Rafael

DestinationPlan for
Muir WoodsMinibus only; check park entry rules and tell us your group size.
Bay Area Discovery MuseumSits at Fort Baker near the bridge; confirm where buses should unload.
Point Reyes National SeashoreWe look at those winding western roads, then size the bus to suit.
California Academy of SciencesAllow for bridge traffic both ways, and choose your Golden Gate Park drop point.
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.
San Rafael SPAB FAQ

Questions from San Rafael schools

Why can't a San Rafael class take a motorcoach to Muir Woods?

The road limits vehicle length, so that trip runs by minibus. A big group may need more than one, which is worth knowing while you build your permission slip list.

How will a San Rafael trip show the bridge toll?

When students cross a toll bridge on the trip, the charge is listed on your quote. Your office can review it and approve the total before anything is scheduled.

Does Fourth Street traffic affect a downtown San Rafael pickup?

It often does in the afternoon. Tell us which side of the freeway your campus is on, and we will suggest a route and pickup time that avoids the worst stretch.

This site

More for San Rafael groups

The main site

More SPAB detail at umbrellabus.com