Free Admission with California EBT (2023 Guide)

Last updated on 4/13/23

Here’s great news for California EBT Cardholders. Did you know you can get free admission with EBT Card to over 120 museums and other family-friendly places like Aquarium and Zoos? In this post, we will explain what the “free admission with California EBT” card is about and who is eligible.

Also, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about the program.

We have compiled the list below for your convenience.

"What Places offer Discounts or Free Admission with CA EBT"

This post about the “free admission with California EBT” program will cover:

    • What is Free Admission with EBT Program?
    • Free Admission with California EBT
    • FAQs about California EBT Discounts

What is Free Admission with EBT Program?

If you currently have a California Food Stamps EBT card (CalFresh EBT), you are eligible for free or discounted admission to over 600 museums nationwide.

This program is sponsored by Museums for All, and includes access to all types of museums — including art, history, natural history/anthropology, and general museums, children’s museums, science centers, planetariums, nature centers, historic houses/sites, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and arboretums.

Although the program is targeted at Food Stamps EBT Cardholders, many sites allow EBT cards from other programs, including:

  • WIC EBT Card
  • EBT Card from TANF
  • EBT Card from General Cash Assistance

Participating museums provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00, to visitors presenting their EBT card.

Free Admission with California EBT for 2023

Currently, you can use your Calfresh benefits and California EBT Card to gain access to over 121 museums in California for free or at a discounted rate.

The museums listed below all offer individual admission fees ranging from FREE to $3.00 to individuals and families who have a California EBT Card, and a valid form of photo ID.

This reduced rate is available during all normal operating hours to up to four individuals per EBT card.

Kids Discovery Station
350 W Yosemite Avenue
Merced, California 95348
Phone: (209) 580-4070
The Children’s Museum at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse
623 13th Street
Paso Robles, California 93446

805-238-7432
Monterey Museum of Art – La Mirada
720 Via Mirada
Monterey, California 93940

(831) 372-5477
Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum)
425 Washington Street
Monterey, California 93940

831-649-6444
Monterey Museum of Art – Pacific Street
559 Pacific Street
Monterey, California 93940

(831) 372-5477
Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery
1855 41st Ave.
Capitola, California 95010
(888) 424-8035
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
520 S. First Street
San Jose, California 95113

(408) 971-0323
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
180 Woz Way
San Jose, California 95110

408-298-5437
The Tech Interactive
201 S. Market St.
San Jose, California 95113

(408) 294-8324
San Jose Museum of Art
110 South Market St.
California 95113

408-271-6840
Cupertino Historical Society + Museum
10185 N. Stelling Road
Cupertino, California 95014

(408) 973-1495
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, California 94303

(650) 329-2366
San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum
1010 Nipomo St.
San Luis Obispo, California 93401

805-544-5437
Central Coast Aquarium
50 San Juan Street
Avila Beach, California 93424

(805) 595-7280
Filoli Historic House & Garden
86 Cañada Road
Woodside, California 94062

(650)364-8300
Ruth Bancroft Garden & Nursery
1552 Bancroft Road
Walnut Creek, California 94598

(925) 944-9352
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
1931 First Avenue
Walnut Creek, California 94597

(925) 935-1978
CuriOdyssey
1651 Coyote Point Drive
San Mateo, California 94401

(650) 342-7755
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland, California 94619

510-336-7300
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science
2018 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, California 93301

(661) 324-6350
Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 R Street
Bakersfield, California 93301

661-323-7219
Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak St.
Oakland, California 94607

510-318-8400
Camron-Stanford House
1418 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, California 94612

(510) 874-7802
Museum of Children’s Arts
1221 Broadway LL-49
Oakland, California 94612

(510) 465-8770
USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum
707 W Hornet Ave Pier 3
Alameda, California 94501

(510) 521-8448
University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley
200 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, California 94720

(510) 643-2755

Lawrence Hall of Science

1 Centennial Drive
Berkeley, California 94720

510-642-5132
Habitot Children’s Museum
2065 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, California 94704

510-647-1111
Sacramento Children’s Museum
2701 Prospect Park
Rancho Cordova, California 95670

(916) 730-5079
Museum of Craft and Design
2569 Third Street
San Francisco, California 94107

415-773-0303
The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center
1065 Guadalupe Street
Guadalupe, California 93434

(805) 343-2455
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum
705 S. McClelland Street
Santa Maria, California 93454 United States

(805) 928-8414
American Bookbinders Museum
355 Clementina Street
San Francisco, California 94103

(415) 824-9754
Children’s Creativity Museum
221 Fourth St.
San Francisco, California 94103

415-820-3320
Museum of the African Diaspora
685 Mission St (at 3rd)
San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 358-7200
Contemporary Jewish Museum
736 Mission Street
San Francisco, California 94103

(415) 655-7800
Exploratorium
Pier 15
San Francisco, California 94111

415-528-4444
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St.
San Francisco, California 94102

(415) 581-3500
GLBT Historical Society Museum
4127 18th Street
San Francisco, California 94114

(415) 621-1107
Conservatory of Flowers
100 John F. Kennedy Drive
San Francisco, California 94118

(415) 831-2090
California Museum
1020 O St.
Sacramento, California 95814

(916) 653-7524
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, California 94118

415-379-8000
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum
1199 9th Ave.
San Francisco, California 94122

(415) 661-1316
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, California 94118

(415) 750-3600
Japanese Tea Garden
75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, California 94118

(415) 752-1171
Crocker Art Museum
216 O Street
Sacramento, California 95814

(916) 808-7000
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
Sloat Blvd. @ The Great Highway
San Francisco, California 94132

(415) 753-7080
Sacramento History Museum
101 I Street
Old Sacramento, California 95814

(916) 808-7059
Richmond Museum of History
400 Nevin Avenue
Richmond, California 94802

510-235-7387
Bay Area Discovery Museum
557 McReynolds Rd, Fort Baker
Sausalito, California 94965

415-339-3900
The Marine Mammal Center
2000 Bunker Road
Sausalito, California 94965

(415) 289-7325
Lompoc Museum
200 S H St.
Lompoc, California 93436

(805) 736-3888
Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House
3596 Sagunto Street
Santa Ynez, California 93460

(805) 688-7889
Wildling Museum of Art and Nature
1511-B Mission Dr.
Solvang, California 93463

(805) 688-1082
Elverhøj Museum of History & Art
1624 Elverhoy Way
Solvang, California 93463

(805) 686-1211
Robert Ferguson Observatory
2605 Adobe Canyon Rd.
Kenwood, California 95452

(707) 833-6979
Goleta Valley Historical Society, Stewards of Rancho La Patera & Stow House
304 N. Los Carneros Road
Goleta, California 93117

(805) 681-7216
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
1212 Mission Canyon Road
Santa Barbara, California 93105

(805) 682-4726
Museum of Sensory & Movement Experiences
120 S. Hope Avenue Suite F119
Santa Barbara, California 93105

(805) 233-3395
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol
Santa Barbara, California 93105

(805) 682-4711
Old Mission Santa Barbara
2201 Laguna Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105

(805) 682-4149
Ganna Walska Lotusland
695 Ashley Rd.
Santa Barbara, California 93108

(805) 969-9990
Art, Design & Architecture Museum
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California 93106

(805) 893-2951
Casa del Herrero
1387 E Valley Rd.
Montecito, California 93108

(805) 565-5653
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 963-4364
El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park
123 East Canon Perdido Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 965-0093
Santa Barbara Historical Museum
136 East De La Guerra
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 966-1601
Casa de la Guerra
15 East De la Guerra Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 965-0093
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara
653 Paseo Nuevo
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 966-5373
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, California 93103

(805) 962-5339
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation
125 State Street
Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 770-5000
Museum of Sonoma County
475 Seventh Street
Santa Rosa, California 95401

(707) 579-1500
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
113 Harbor Way Ste 190
Santa Barbara, California 93109

(805) 962-8404
Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, California 95403

(707) 579-4452
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County
1835 West Steele Lane
Santa Rosa, California 95403

707-546-4069
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center
5250 Aero Dr.
Santa Rosa, California 95403

707-579-3004
Channel Islands Maritime Museum
3900 Bluefin Circle
Oxnard, California 93035

(805) 984-6260
Cayton Children’s Museum
395 Santa Monica Pl.
Santa Monica, California 90401

(424) 416-8320
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036

213-763-3499
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd.
Pasadena, California 91103

626-449-9144
Southern California Children’s Museum
459 East Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, California 91101

626-657-0357
Japanese American National Museum
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90012

(213) 625-0414
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007

213-763-3466
The African American Firefighter Museum
1401 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, California 90021

(213) 744-1730
Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology
1175 West Baseline Road
Claremont, California 91711

(909) 624-2798
Victor Valley Museum
11873 Apple Valley Road
Apple Valley, California 92308

760-240-2111
American Museum of Ceramic Art
399 N. Garey Ave.
Pomona, California 91767

(909) 865-3146
Agape Children’s Museum
613 W. 37th St.
Long Beach, California 90806

(562) 400-7174
The Children’s Museum at La Habra
301 S. Euclid Street
La Habra, California 90631

(562) 383-4236
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center
7621 Granite Hill Drive
Jurupa Valley, California 92509

951-685-5818
Riverside Art Museum
3425 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, California 92501

951-684-7111
San Bernardino County Museum
2024 Orange Tree Lane
Redlands, California 92374

909-798-8608
Sherman Library & Gardens
2647 East Coast Hwy
Corona Del Mar, California 92625

(949) 673-2261
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, California 92618

(949) 428-3900
Turtle Bay Exploration Park
844 Sundial Bridge Drive
Redding, California 96001

(530) 243-8850
Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada Dr.
Carlsbad, California 92008

760-438-5996
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola Ave.
Palm Desert, California 92260

760-346-5694
San Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas, California 92024

(760) 436-3036
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido, California 92025

760-839-4138
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
320 North Broadway
Escondido, California 92025

760-233-7755
San Diego Archaeological Center
16666 San Pasqual Valley Rd
Escondido, California 92027

760-291-0370
The Warner-Carrillo Ranch House
29181 San Felipe Road
Warner Springs, California 92086

(619) 297-7511
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, California 92037

(858) 534 3474
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego La Jolla
700 Prospect St.
San Diego, California 92037

858-454-3541
Barona Cultural Center & Museum
1095 Barona Road
Lakeside, California 92040

(619) 443-7003
Legacy Center
875 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, California 92108

(619) 782-9183
Marston House Museum & Gardens
3525 Seventh Ave.
San Diego, California 92103

(619) 297-9327
San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101

619-232-7931
San Diego Art Institute
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101

619-236-0011
Mingei International Museum
Balboa Park 1439 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 239-0003
Timken Museum of Art
1500 El Prado Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 239-5548
San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat)
1788 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, California 92101

619-232-3821
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
1649 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 696-0199
Museum of Photographic Arts
1649 El Prado
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 238-7559
San Diego Automotive Museum
2080 Pan American Plaza
San Diego, California 92101

(619) 231-2886
San Diego History Center
1649 El Prado Suite #3
San Diego, California 92101

619-232-6203
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Downtown
1100 Kettner Blvd
San Diego, California 92101

858-454-3541
The New Children’s Museum
200 West Island Ave
San Diego, California 92101

619-233-8792
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street
Eureka, California 95503

707-441-4263
Morris Graves Museum of Art
636 F St.
Eureka, California 95501

707-442-0278
Clarke Historical Museum
240 E Street
Eureka, California 95501

707-443-1947

FAQs about California EBT Discounts

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Free admission with CalFresh program and California EBT Discounts.

Is the LA Zoo free with an EBT card?

Currently, the Los Angeles Zoo does not offer a discounted admission to CalWORKs or CalFresh EBT Cardholders. You will have to pay full admission prices to visit the LA Zoo.

However, there are several other places in LA County that offer free admission to Golden State Advantage Cardholders with your photo ID.

However, only general admission is provided free of charge. Special exhibits or attractions are not included in this program.

What fast food places accept EBT in California?

There are restaurants that take EBT in California.

Your CalFresh EBT Card or Golden State Advantage card can be used at select restaurants and fast food places if you meet the eligibility criteria.

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) allows CalFresh recipients who are 60 years of age or older, disabled, or homeless to use their CalFresh benefits to purchase lower-cost prepared meals at approved participating restaurants in certain counties.

If you fit one of the groups described above, you can use your CalFresh California EBT card at select restaurants and fast-food chains throughout the state.

Currently, the restaurant meals program is active in the following counties:

See our post on California Restaurant Meals Program for details.

What Grocery Stores Accept California EBT for Delivery?

As of April 28, 2020, you can use your CalFresh EBT card to make purchases online.

You can purchase groceries online for home delivery using your CalFresh EBT card at Amazon and Walmart.

Furthermore, groceries can also be purchased online for pick up at participating Albertsons, Safeway, and Vons locations.

Also, if you receive CalWORKs, you may also be able to use your cash benefits to make purchases online at Wal-Mart.

For more details on this, see our post on Buying Groceries Online with California EBT.

What is the number to call for California EBT?

Here’s the number to call if you are trying to reach California Food Stamps EBT Customer Service:

1-877-328-9677
TTY: 1-800-735-2929
You can call 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week

You can call the CalFresh EBT Phone Number if:

  • Your card is lost or stolen.
  • Your card does not work.
  • You want to change your PIN because you forgot it or if
    someone else knows your PIN. Your public assistance office
    may also be able to help you change your PIN.
  • You want to find out how much you have left in your account.
  • You have been charged for a purchase but you didn’t get the food or
    if you were charged too much for what you bought.
  • You have other questions or problems.

Free Admission with California EBT Summary

Here’s the bottom line:

If you have a California SNAP EBT card (CalFresh EBT), you are eligible for free or discounted admission to over 600 museums nationwide.

Participating museums provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00.

One EBT card can be used to gain entry into any of these destinations for up to 4 individuals to take advantage of the free or reduced fee.

Questions?

We hope this post on Free Admission with California EBT was helpful.

If you have further questions about the CalFresh, or California EBT Card, or EBT discounts in general, please let us know in the comments section below.

Be sure to check out our other articles about CalFresh and CalFresh EBT, including: