Calfresh EBT Cardholders can embark on a wild adventure without breaking the bank with Free Zoo Admission with California EBT.
Experience all that California zoos have to offer – lush landscapes and exotic creatures at discounted rate exclusively for Calfresh EBT Cardholders.
The Museums for All Program offers reduced-price admission ranging from free to $3.00 at several California zoos with your SNAP EBT Card.
Discover the magic and opportunity to connect with nature and its inhabitants, courtesy of your Calfresh EBT card.
To get a complete list of all the locations offering discounted and free zoo admission with California EBT for 2024, continue reading below.
Table of Contents
- What is the Museums for All Program?
- Free Zoo Admission with California EBT (2024)
- Discounted Aquarium Admission with California EBT
- Free Admission with California EBT
- Free Zoo Admission with California EBT Summary
What is the Museums for All Program?
If you currently have a California Food Stamps EBT card (CalFresh EBT), you are eligible for free or discounted admission to over 1,200 museums nationwide through the Museums for All Program.
Museums for All removes the financial barrier for low-income families and encourages individuals of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.
The program includes a variety 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 and EBT Cardholders, many locations allow EBT cards from other programs, including:
- WIC EBT Card
- EBT Card from TANF
- EBT Card from Cash Assistance
- P-EBT Card
Participating locations provide reduced-price admission, ranging from free to $3.00, for visitors with an eligible SNAP EBT Card.
The discounted rate is available during all normal operating hours to up to four individuals per EBT card.
Free Zoo Admission with California EBT (2024)
In a groundbreaking initiative, California is opening the doors to the wonders of the animal kingdom for EBT cardholders in 2024.
Get ready to experience the thrill of the zoo like never before, as we unveil the exciting journey that awaits you with discounted and free zoo admission with California EBT.
Currently, there are 6 zoos that offer discounted of free admission with California EBT and Calfresh benefits.
Get a complete list of all the eligible zoo locations in California for 2024 below.
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California, awarded the Top 1% of all attractions in the United States by Trip Advisor, is offering discounted admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
California SNAP/EBT Cardholders can purchase reduced-price tickets to the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens for only $3.00 per person – a $37 savings per person.
This California EBT Discount is valid for up to 4 tickets per EBT Cardholder per day, per visit for daytime admission only.
Discounted Admission to the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
To qualify for the California EBT Discount at the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, the cardholder must be present with the valid SNAP EBT card and a current photo ID.
You must provide both of these items at the gate entrance to get discounted admission with California EBT.
Additionally, the SNAP EBT Cardholder must be one of the ticketed guests.
A California P-EBT Card is not accepted for the Museums for All Program.
Visit this page to purchase a discounted ticket to the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens for California EBT Cardholders.
EBT Education Program
Additionally, the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens offers an exclusive Education Program for SNAP EBT Cardholders. This allows you to register for any educational program during the 2024 season at 10% of the listed price.
The SNAP EBT Cardholder must be present on the first check-in day with their card and a valid form of photo ID to receive the discount.
Refunds for program fees will not be issued to participants who fail to present their SNAP or EBT card and valid photo ID on the first day of the program.
Failure to present the required documents on the first day of the program will result in the participant being required to pay the full program price or dismissal from the program without a refund.
Get a complete list of the current ZooCamp Educational Programs for the 2024 season here.
Zoo Families Package
Like the EBT Education Program, the Zoo Families Package is offered at a discounted rate to Calfresh SNAP EBT Cardholders.
The Zoo Families Program allows you and your child to learn about the animal families at The Living Desert.
The event includes an up-close animal experience, story time, a craft, tram tour, and admission to the Zoo afterwards.
The EBT Zoo Families Package allows you to purchase a discounted ticket to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens at only $5.00 per person – a $90 savings.
To purchase your Zoo Families package, visit their website here.
Location Information
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
47900 Portola Avenue
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Oakland Zoo
The Oakland Zoo in Oakland, California is offering free admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
Qualifying SNAP EBT Cardholders are eligible to purchase up to 2 adult, 2 senior, and 4 child daytime admission tickets for $0 per ticket – a $24 savings.
The Oakland Zoo only offers this discount to those individuals with Calfresh EBT benefits.
Free tickets are currently not available to those individuals receiving Medicaid or Medicare, WIC benefits, or children who received P-EBT cards.
Discounted Admission to the Oakland Zoo
To purchase your free Oakland Zoo tickets online, follow the instructions below:
- Visit the Oakland Zoo website at oaklandzoo.org.
- Go to the “Tickets” button by clicking the button located at the top-right of the screen.
- Click the “Reserve and Buy Tickets” button under General Admission for Non-Members.
- Once you enter the online ticket webstore, select the “Museums for All Tickets” button located on the left-side of the screen.
- Proceed by selecting the number of tickets you need for adults, children, and seniors.
- Next, click the button to select an available day and time.
- After that, click “Add to Cart” and proceed to checkout.
Please note, there is a $2.00 transaction fee for all online reservations.
To avoid the $2.00 transaction fee, tickets are available for purchase the day of your visit (if not sold out for the day) at the gate entrance.
Same day ticket availability varies by day of the week and time, so always call ahead to confirm if tickets will be available at entry.
To speak to someone at the Oakland Zoo regarding ticket availability, please call (510)-632-9525 extension 100.
At entry, you will be asked to present your SNAP EBT and matching Photo ID. This applies to both online and in-person reservations.
The Oakland Zoo offers free tickets to Calfresh EBT Cardholders during regular daytime operating hours only. This does not include special events, such as Glowfari.
Free parking is provided to all Museums for All ticket holders. It comes free with your ticket, so you will not need to purchase a parking pass.
Children under the age of 2 and seniors age 76 or older automatically qualify for free admission to the Oakland Zoo. These guest can have tickets reserved under General Admission.
Admission to the Oakland Zoo includes a FREE Gondula ride.
To purchase your free tickets to the Oakland Zoo for California EBT Cardholders, visit their website.
Location Information
Oakland Zoo
9777 Golf Links Rd
Oakland, CA 94605
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens in San Francisco, California is offering discounted admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
SNAP EBT and WIC Cardholders are eligible to receive the discount to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
California EBT Cardholders can purchase reduced-price tickets to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens for only $3.00 per person – a $26 savings.
This California EBT Discount is valid for up to 4 tickets per EBT Cardholder per visit and is not available during special events.
Discounted Admission to the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
The San Francisco Zoo EBT discounted tickets are available for purchase every day of the year at the at the entrance ticket window.
Currently, discounted San Francisco Zoo & Gardens tickets cannot be purchase online.
You must present the following items to qualify for the SNAP EBT Discount:
- Valid Driver’s License or Verification Card
- Current SNAP EBT Card or WIC Card
The cardholder must be present at the time of ticket purchase.
Currently, California P-EBT Cards and Medi-Cal participants do not qualify for the discounted admission.
To learn more, call the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Customer Service phone number at (415) 753-7080.
Location Information
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
Sloat Blvd & Upper Great Hwy
San Francisco, CA 94132
Santa Barbara Zoo
The Santa Barbara Zoo in Santa Barbara, California is offering discounted admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
California SNAP/EBT Cardholders can purchase reduced-price tickets to the Santa Barbara Zoo for only $3.00 per person – a $22 savings.
This California EBT Discount is valid for up to 4 tickets per EBT Cardholder per visit for daytime admission only.
Discounted Admission to the Santa Barbara Zoo
The California EBT Cardholder must be present with the valid SNAP EBT Card and a current photo ID. You must provide both of these items to qualify for the SNAP EBT Discount.
Discounted Santa Barbara Zoo tickets through the Museums for All Program can only be purchased at the Zoo’s admission window and are not available for purchase online.
Parking for the Santa Barbara Zoo is not included with the ticket – it is an extra charge of $11.00 per vehicle.
For more information, please call the Santa Barbara Zoo customer service phone number at (805) 962-5339.
Location Information
Santa Barbara Zoo
500 Ninos Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Sequoia Park Zoo
The Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, California is offering discounted admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
California SNAP/EBT Cardholders can purchase reduced-price tickets to the Santa Barbara Zoo for only $4.00 per person – a $21 savings.
This discount admission is valid for up to 5 tickets per cardholder per visit for daytime admission only.
The discount is available to SNAP EBT (food stamps & Calfresh), P-EBT Card, BIC Card (MediCal or Partnership), and WIC Cardholders.
Discounted Admission to the Sequoia Park Zoo
You must present your eligible card (listed above) and a current Photo ID to qualify for discounted admission to the Sequoia Park Zoo.
You must provide both of these items at the time of ticket purchase to qualify for the discounted zoo admission.
For P-EBT Cards issued to minors, at least one adult must provide an ID with a matching last name for the discount to be applied.
EBT Cards from any state can qualify for the discounted admission.
To learn more, contact the Sequoia Park Zoo customer service phone number at (707) 441-4263.
The Sequoia Park Zoo is committed to ensuring equitable access for all, and we participate in multiple programs to ensure ticket costs remain affordable. You can learn more about the Everyone’s Zoo Equitable Access program below.
Location Information
Sequoia Park Zoo
3414 W Street
Eureka, CA 95503
Los Angeles County Zoo
The Los Angeles County Zoo in Los Angeles, California is offering free admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Discover & Go Program.
Discover & Gois a program provided by your library that offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other cultural destinations.
You must meet your library’s minimum age requirement and live within your library’s service area to use the Discover & Go Service.
L.A. Public Library Cardholders can go to the Discover & Go website to reserve a pass that is good for free L.A. Zoo admission for up to 4 people.
Cardholders need to enter their library card number and a PIN in order to log in and reserve the pass.
To receive your free Los Angeles County Zoo tickets, bring your pass to the Zoo’s admissions window.
Passes are available on a first come, first served basis and are non-transferrable.
For more information, please call the LA Zoo Customer Service phone number at (323) 644-4200.
Location Information
Los Angeles County Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Discounted Aquarium Admission with California EBT
Currently, there is one aquarium in California that offers discounted admission to SNAP EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
To get more information on aquarium that offers discounted admission with California EBT below.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California is offers discounted admission to California EBT Cardholders through the Museums for All Program.
California SNAP EBT and WIC Cardholders can purchase reduced-price tickets to the Birch Aquarium for only $3.00 per person – a $22 savings.
This California EBT Discount is valid for up to 4 tickets per EBT Cardholder per visit for daytime admission only.
The California EBT Cardholder must be present with the valid WIC or SNAP EBT Card and a current photo ID. You must provide both at entry to qualify for the discount.
To purchase your discounted admission to the Birch Aquarium through the Museums for all Program, visit their website here.
For more information, contact the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography phone number at (858) 534-3474.
Location Information
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way
La Jolla, CA 92037
Free Admission with California EBT
Currently, there are over 140 locations that participate in the Museums for All Program in California.
The program provides free and discounted admission ranging from free to $3.00 to a variety of museums including children museums, art museums, history museums, botanical gardens and much more.
Get our complete list of the 140+ locations that offer free and reduced-price admission in California with SNAP EBT.
Free Zoo 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 16 zoos nationwide and 5 zoos locally in California.
Participating zoos provide reduced admission, ranging from free to $3.00.
One EBT card can be used to gain entry into any of eligible for up to 4 individuals to take advantage of the free or reduced fee.
Questions?
We hope this post on Free Zoo 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:
- Restaurants that Take CalFresh in California
- Free Cell Phone with CalFresh
- 40+ ATMs with Free EBT Transactions in California
- California P-EBT Extension
- CalFresh Account Login Help
- How much will I get in CalFresh in 2024?
- California stores that accept EBT on Instacart
