Got CalFresh? You can get FREE or discounted admission to 50+ destinations across California. You can also get discounted Internet service, cheap state parks passes and so much more! If you’ve got California EBT (also known as CalFresh or Golden State Advantage), you won’t want to miss these amazing benefits!
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Got CalFresh?! Get AWESOME Perks!
Your CalFresh card can qualify you for some amazing benefits. If you’ve got CalFresh benefits, you may also qualify for these incredible programs! You can also shop at Costco, Schwans, and other unusual retailers!
Amazon
offers discounted Amazon Prime memberships for customers who receive CalFresh or Medicaid benefits! You’ll need to verify that you receive food stamps or Medicaid to get this incredible price.
Down payment assistance grants may be available to help you buy a home. Low income California homeowners can receive $10,000 or more in down payment assistance, depending on where they purchase their home!
Summer food service provides free meals for all children ages 18 and under during the summer months. Find a location near you!
Veterinary care can be so expensive! Here are a list of agencies that can help you pay for veterinary care.
YMCA organizations typically offer discounts for low income individuals and families. Contact your local YMCA for details.
Save money on taxes, student loans and monthly bills!
Internet for just $5 per month?! It’s true! We’ve found a series of low income Internet discounts from providers like Comcast, CenturyLink, AT&T, Cox Communications and more! Click here to learn how to get discounted Internet services!
Property tax exemptions may be available for low income seniors and disabled veterans! Contact your county assessor’s office for more information and an application.
Power companies often offer low income discounts, payment assistance and free weatherization assistance for low income borrowers! Find out what’s available from your company here.
Student loans feature special repayment programs for low income borrowers. Find out if you qualify for ZERO dollar monthly payments here.
Did you know you can buy this with CalFresh?
Fast food purchases may be authorized if you are homeless, disabled or over the age of 60. If you live in certain California counties and cannot make your own meals at home, you may be able to use your food stamps money to buy food at Burger King, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, or even Denny’s!
Gardening supplies can be purchased with your food stamps funds! You can also buy certain gift baskets. Did you know you could buy this with food stamps?!
Wait — you can’t afford to miss this!!!
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You can even get cash back from your food stamps card! It’s true and it’s legal – no cash benefits required. One of our readers earned an additional $437.84 just by shopping with her food stamps card. She uses that extra money to buy diapers, wipes and other essentials. Here’s how.
Get museum discounts and more with your CalFresh card!
Over 50 destinations offer discounts to low income California residents. Many of them even invite you to visit for free! To ensure that you meet income guidelines, they simply ask that you show your CalFresh card and valid photo ID.
Please note that you cannot pay for admission with your CalFresh card. You will show the CalFresh card to receive the discount. The remaining admission price, if any, will have to be paid in cash or with a credit/debit card.
The museums with green titles are Museums for All participants. These venues accept CalFresh cards as well as EBT cards from all 50 states! You don’t have to be a California resident to get these great deals!
We have organized this list alphabetically by county and city for your convenience.
Alameda County
Berkeley
Habitot Children’s Museum – FREE
The interactive, multisensory exhibits at Habitot Children’s Museum encourage play for children of all ages. From a fully-stocked grocery store (plastic foods, of course) to a rocketship, a water table to pretend vehicles, the museum is a wonderland for children.
Habitot provides FREE admission to WIC families, too! The museum is located at 5065 Kittredge St in Berkeley. Parking is approximately $2.50 per hour, depending on the lot.
Lawrence Hall of Science – FREE
Each EBT card grants four people free access to the Lawrence Hall of Science. You’ll be able to experiment with turbines, launch rockets, play with stop-motion animation, touch real animals, build models and explore the universe in this in-depth science hall at University of California Berkeley.
Oakland
Chabot Space & Science Center – $1 per person
Don’t forget your CalFresh card when you go to Chabot! Significantly, this is one of Northern California’s leading science education centers and they invite CalFresh cardholders to visit for just $1 per person!
Fairyland – discounted memberships
If you receive CalFresh benefits, then you may qualify for one of Fairyland’s subsidized family memberships. The membership is good for one year and the benefits include park admission for each member (up to 2 adults and 3 children), a Magic Key for each child, and even more discounts on programs.
Museum of Children’s Arts – $3 or less per person
The Museum of Children’s Arts encourages youth to participate in art through hands-on art experiences. They have a special focus on helping children process violence and other hardships through artistic creation. According to their website, “When there are no words, art can articulate.”
Oakland Museum of California – $1 per person
This museum offers multidisciplinary exhibits combine art, history and natural science over more than 300,00 square feet.
Get free/cheap admission to more Oakland destinations with your library card!
Contra Costa County
Richmond
Richmond Museum of History – $3 per person
Although the museum operates out of the Carnegie Library basement, they also own the SS Red Oak Victory, a WWII era Victory Ship.
Get free/cheap admission to more Richmond destinations with your library card!
Humboldt County
Eureka
Clarke Historical Museum – $3 or less per person
The Clark Museum displays a rich history of Humboldt County, including artifacts from the local Native American cultures, Gold Rush settlements, lumber industry, ranches and more.
Morris Graves Museum of Art – FREE
The Morris Graves Museum celebrates the rich artistic heritage of Northern California. Exhibits from local and world-renowned artists include sculpture, paintings and more.
Sequoia Park Zoo – $3 or less per person
The Sequoia Park Zoo features many wonderful animals. Of course, my favorite are the red panda exhibit and the free-flight zone! Kids of all ages enjoy the close encounters in the barnyard, where they can climb on giant spiderwebs and meet farm animals like rabbits and donkeys.
Kern County
Bakersfield
Bakersfield Museum of Art -up to $3 per person
Over the last 60 years, the Bakersfield Museum of Art has encouraged art appreciation and educational opportunities throughout Bakersfield and Kern County. With a variety of visual arts and rotating exhibitions, there’s always something new to see here.
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History & Science – up to $3 per person
This museum focuses on displaying the rich history of Kern County. the museum hosts the largest collection of Shark Tooth Hill Miocene Fossils on the planet! Their exhibits explore the unique history, paleontology, anthropology, archaeology, and biology of this area.
Los Angeles County
Arcadia
Arboretum of Los Angeles County – FREE
Wander through 127 acres of beautiful landscaping throughout the arboretum, which includes a waterfall, tropical jungle, turtles and more. This venue offers free parking. Just show your CalFresh card and your photo ID for entry.
Beverly Hills
Virginia Robinson Gardens – FREE
This early 20th century estate showcases architecture and landscaping from a more gracious and hospitable era. Reservations are required. You’ll also need to show your California EBT card.
La Cañada Flintridge
Descanso Gardens – FREE
More than 100,000 plants, including the largest North American camellia display, are contained in these gardens. Tram tours and walking tours are available. For more information, please click here. Parking is also free!
Long Beach
Long Beach Museum of Art – FREE
Art workshops and programs are available at LBMA. On the second Sunday of each month, a free Creativity Lab is held. Parking is free in the lot located 1/2 block west of the museum.
Museum of Latin American Art – FREE
Modern and contemporary Latin American art is featured here. On the third Sunday of each month, there are galleries, docent tours and family workshops. Music and dance performances are sometimes included. For more information, please click here. Parking is free. Don’t forget your California EBT card!
Los Angeles
African American Firefighters Museum – FREE
Take a look at the vintage trucks and authentic firefighting equipment at this museum for free. Uniforms, photographs and more help illustrate how firefighting was different during segregation and desegregation. Learn more by clicking here. Free parking.
Autry National Center – FREE
Pan for gold, and learn about the American West at Autry National Center. With 12 galleries, including the hands-on Family Discovery Gallery, this museum has something for everyone. For more information, click here. Free parking.
California African American Museum – FREE
This museum showcases the history, culture and art of African Americans. On the first Sunday of each month, live entertainment and free art workshops are also provided. EBT cardholders can receive a free gift while supplies last. Parking is $6.
California Science Center at Exhibition Park – FREE
Over 100 hands-on science exhibits make science enjoyable and easy to understand for guests of all ages. Please know that special exhibits, films and events may not be included with free admission. Don’t forget your CalFresh card when you go! You can learn more about the CSC by clicking here.Parking is $12.
Craft and Folk Museum – FREE
Folk art and contemporary crafts improve cultural understanding. Twice a month, free family workshops are held. Please contact the center or visit this link for more information. Metered on-street parking is available.
Fowler Museum at UCLA – FREE
Arts and cultures from around the world are showcased in the Fowler Museum. For more information, click here. Parking is $11.
Hammer Museum – FREE
This cutting-edge arts institution connects classic and contemporary art through collections, exhibitions and programs. Parking is $3 for 3 hours with museum validation and $1.50 for each additional 20 minutes. For more information, click here.
Japanese American National Museum – FREE
Located in the Little Tokyo Historic District, this museum explores the Japanese American ethnic and cultural diversity through exhibitions and public programs. Free admission is limited to the third Thursday of each month and every Thursday between 5pm and 8pm. Click here for more information.
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum- FREE
Visit the only active, urban Ice Age excavation site in the world! At the La Brea Tar Pits, paleontologists excavate mammoths, wolves and saber-tooth cats every day of the week. Their findings are then displayed in the Page Museum.
The Page Museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. It is open daily between 9:30am and 5pm. Parking is available for $7 (with museum validation).
La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes – FREE
Located in downtown Los Angeles, this is the nation’s premier center of Mexican-American culture. With interactive exhibits and dynamic programs, visitors are introduced and invited to contribute to the ongoing story of Mexican-Americans in Southern California. Click here for more info.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art – FREE
Fine art from ancient times to present is on display at LACMA. Artist-led workshops are available on Sundays. Free parking is also available.
Museum of Contemporary Art – FREE
This art gallery also provides free family workshops on the first Sunday of each month. Parking in the Walt Disney Concert Hall Garage is $9 for 3 hours, with museum validation.
Museum of Tolerance – FREE
This museum promotes understanding and respect for everyone by examining prejudice, discrimination and human rights issues through significantly provocative exhibits. Some of the exhibits, such as the Holocaust exhibit, have a recommended minimum age due to their content. Parking is free under the museum.
National History Museum of Los Angeles County – FREE
Explore 4.5 billion years of history in the largest natural history museum in the Western US. Grand mammal dioramas, rare dinosaur fossils, a gem hall and so much more await visitors. Although the museum is free, parking ranges from $8-$12.
Skirball Cultural Center – FREE
Surprisingly, Skirball features a wide variety of events including exhibits, festivals, storytelling, live music, art projects and other fun family programs are available through the year.. Parking is also free!
Southwest Museum – FREE
Study the historical American Indians through “archaeology” digs, story times, gardens and special programming at Southwest Museum. Parking is also free!
USC Fisher Gallery – FREE
View 500 year old art in detail at the Fisher Gallery, located at the University of Southern California. Parking is $4.
Zimmer Children’s Museum – FREE
Explore 10,000 square feet of play space designed for children from birth til 8 years old. Parking is free!
Get more admission to more places in LA with your library card!
Palos Verdes Peninsula
South Coast Botanic Garden – FREE
While you stroll through the Garden’s 87 acres, you can admire 250,000 landscaped plants and trees. Walking and shuttle tours are available. Picnics are allowed on-site and parking is free!
Pasadena
Kidspace Children’s Museum – $3 per person
Children ages 0 til 11 can enjoy 40 hands-on, interactive exhibits across 3.5 acres of space at Kidspace Children’s Museum. Parking is free in Rose Bowl Lot 1. If you have an EBT card, then up to four people can get the discount!
Norton Simon Museum – FREE
The Norton Simon Museum features some of the unquestionably great painters of all time, including Degas, Picasso, Rembrandt and van Gogh. A sculpture garden and South/Southeast Asia exhibit are also included. In addition, free parking is available!
Pacific Asia Museum – FREE
A Chinese-style building, relaxing courtyard and art gallery invite visitors to explore the art and culture of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Limited parking is available for free in the lot next to the museum and metered parking is also available.
Pasadena Museum of California Art – FREE
In addition to exciting exhibits from the 1850s on, the Pasadena Museum of California Art also offers free parking on the first level of the museum!
Southern California Children’s Museum – $3 or less per person
Geared to children under the age of 8, SCCM either has or is planning to construct exhibits featuring a farmer’s market, music, water play, campgin, sensory light, construction zones and more.
Get free/cheap admission to more Pasadena destinations with your library card!
San Pedro
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium – FREE
Just steps away from the Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, this aquarium features Southern California marine life in close-up experiences. While the museum is free, parking is approximately $7 per car.
Santa Monica
California Heritage Museum – FREE
This historic landmark building offers exhibits of decorative and fine art.
Clayton Children’s Museum – FREE
If you have EBT or WIC, you can get FREE admission to the Clayton Children’s Museum! This discount is valid for up to six people and can only be used for walk-up tickets only. Many thanks to the Clayton’s corporate sponsor, Entertainment One!
Santa Monica Museum of Art – FREE
Interesting and entertaining arts programs are available for both adults and children.
Marin County
Sausalito
Bay Area Discovery Museum – $35 per YEAR
Reduced-cost memberships are also available from Bay Area Discovery Museum! To qualify, you must participate in CalFresh, WIC, TANF, CHIP, Medi-cal or another public assistance program. You may also qualify if you are either active military, a veteran or a licensed foster parent.
Marine Mammal Center – FREE
The Marine Mammal Center is open seven days per week. You can explore the center on your own or follow a guided (or audio) tour. Stop by in early Spring (February through May) to see pups!
Get free/cheap admission to more Sausalito destinations with your library card!
Monterey County
Monterey
Monterey County Youth Museum (MY Museum) – $2 per person
MY Museum is a great place for children to explore! At this time, MY Museum exhibits include a beach, imagitree, golf course, hospital, creation station, theater and more!
Orange County
Irvine
Pretend City Children’s Museum – $4.25 per person
Pretend City has been a long-time member of Museums for All. However, they recently raised their rates to $4.25 per person with an EBT card and photo ID.
Riverside County
Jurupa Valley
Jurupa Mountains Discovery Center – FREE
The museum collection includes florescent minerals, Indian artifacts and one of the largest collections of Chinese Dinosaur Eggs in North America! You can explore the gardens, museum and gift shop for free with your EBT card.
Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens – up to $3 per person
Whenever you visit the Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, you’ll learn a little more about the plants and animals in the Colorado Desert! Camel rides and giraffe feedings are also offered for an additional cost.
Rancho Mirage
Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert – $2 per person
Since the museum is designed for children of all ages, the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert has over 80 hands-on exhibits to encourage learning and play.
Riverside
Kiddos 101 – $3 per child
Adults are free! You’ll pay just $3 per child. However, you will also need to buy socks at $2.50 each. The ideal age range for Kiddos 101 is 6 and under, although children up to age 12 can play.
Riverside Art Museum – $1 per person
In addition to renowned pieces from the best artists in the world, the Riverside Art Museum also features local artists and high school students.
San Bernadino County
Apple Valley
Victor Valley Museum – $1 per person
Up to nine family members can visit the Victor Valley Museum for just $1 per person! The Victor Valley Museum showcases the natural history and culture of the high desert. Exhibits include fossils, Native American artifacts and more.
Redlands
San Bernadino County Museum – $1 per person
Since this regional museum is dedicated to the natural and cultural history of San Bernadino County, they feature special exhibits, a live animal discovery center, research collections and more. Surprisingly, The $1 rate is available for up to 9 family members. In fact, the museum’s media specialist Jennifer Reynolds, “This $1 rate for EBT cardholders and their families applies to our historic sites and branches, as well, including the Rains House in Rancho Cucamonga, Agua Mansa Pioneer Cemetery in Colton, and the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley.”
San Diego County
Carlsbad
Museum of Making Music – $1 per person
The Museum of Making Music is housed in the first floor of the National Association of Music Merchants’ international headquarters. For just $1, your family of up to four people can explore the rich history of music-making, enjoy live music performances and more!
Escondido
California Center for the Arts Escondido Museum – FREE
This museum features rotating exhibitions, so you can always see something new here! Anyone with an EBT card can visit free. A total of four people will be admitted free per EBT card.
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum – $1 per person
This interactive museum caters to children ages 0-10. With diverse exhibits focused on STEM, cultures, the arts, and more, there is something for everyone to enjoy. With an EBT card, up to four people can receive the discounted admission rate.
La Jolla
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography – $3 per person
With over 60 environments for invertebrates and fish, this beautiful aquarium features habitats from the cold waters of the northern Pacific and even tropical Mexico!
Museum of Contemporary Art – FREE
The museum showcases various collections and exhibitions. Click here to see what is currently on display. Up to 4 family members can receive free admission with an EBT card. Anyone under 25 is always free.
Lakeside
Barona Cultural Center & Museum – FREE
The Barona Cultural Center and Museum offers 40-Minute tours describing how the Barona Indians live today, as well as how their ancestors lived in ancient times. You’ll discover their heritage, language and more through a series of hands-on interactive exhibits.
San Diego
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego – FREE
The Museum of Contemporary Art offers special exhibitions and collections.
New Children’s Museum – $1
The New Children’s Museum features immersive art studios, interactive art installations, workshops and more. Guest with CalFresh cards can visit for $1 per person up to 4 people.
San Diego Archaeological Center – FREE
During your visit to the San Diego Archaeological Center, you will discover 10,000 of history in San Diego County! If you have California EBT, you can bring four guests in free!
San Diego Art Institute – FREE
If you have a California EBT card, then you can visit the San Diego Art Institute for free!
San Diego County Fair – FREE
The San Diego County Fair offers Unemployed Days, which invite CalFresh cardholders to visit the fair for FREE! You’ll need to check with the fair for this year’s dates.
San Diego History Center – FREE
Since the San Diego History Center began in 1928, it’s one of the oldest and largest historical organizations on the West Coast. Accordingly, they feature collections and exhibitions that focus on the unique history and culture of the San Diego area.
San Diego Museum of Art – $3 per person
Want to save even more on your visit to SDMA? All San Diego County residents can visit for free on the third Tuesday of each month! You’ll need a valid ID with a San Diego County address in order to get free admission.
San Diego Natural History Museum – FREE
The NAT features exciting exhibitions, events and science programs. Learn more about botany, entomology, herpetology, mineralogy, paleontology and other natural sciences and so much more at this incredible resources right in San Diego! If you have a CalFresh card, up to four people can visit free!
Timkin Museum of Art – FREE
The Timkin Museum of Art has been named one of the finest small art museums in the world. It offers free admission.
San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences – $3 per person
The California Academy of Sciences features a world-class aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one roof! If you have a CalFresh card, you can bring up to four people for just $3 per person! Your local library may have free passes for larger families, too!
Children’s Creativity Museum – FREE
Creativity, innovation and critical thinking are all fostered at Children’s Creativity Museum, a hands-on museum that focuses on both art and technology. This museum includes a Music Studio, Animation Studio, Innovation Lab, Tech Lab, and Imagination Lab and even more awesome features!
If you have a CalFresh card, then you can bring up to four people for free! At this time, additional guests are just $6.
de Young Museum – FREE
Guests with CalFresh cards (or EBT cards from any state) can receive free admission to the permanent collection galleries. To see the special exhibitions, you will need to pay full-priced admission.
Exploratorium – FREE
Over 650 hands-on exhibits are divided among six main galleries that explore various topics. To illustrate, the galleries include Tinkering, Living Systems, Human Phenomena, Seeing and Listening, Observing Landscapes and Outdoors.
Museum of Craft and Design – FREE
At this time, the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) is the only museum in San Francisco that showcases only modern and contemporary craft and design. Since 2004, the Museum has showcased specific designers, makers and artists through a series of exhibitions.
Get free/cheap admission to more San Francisco destinations with your library card!
San Luis Obispo County
Avila Beach
Central Coast Aquarium – $3 per person
Visit the Central Coast Aquarium during scheduled feedings for an even greater experience! You can watch them feed the octopus, moon jellies, swell shark and more when you arrive during scheduled feedings.
Paso Robles
The Children’s Museum at the Paso Robles Volunteer Firehouse – up to $3 per person
The Paso Robles Children’s Museum has many interactive exhibits, including a fire station, physical science corner, grape stomp, pizza kitchen, market, creation station, theater, toddler farm, oak tree and Newton’s Playhouse. See more on their website!
San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum – $3 per person
In short, this 8,400 square foot facility is a children’s wonderland! Children will never run out of things to do in this incredible playground that also includes an an outdoor playscape, three floors of interactive exhibits and an art center.
San Mateo County
San Mateo
CuriOdyssey – FREE!
CuriOdyssey is a “serious science playground” that includes a science museum and zoo. With an EBT card, the primary account holder, their spouse and up to four children can visit completely FREE with their Golden State Advantage card!
Woodside
Filoli Historic House & Garden – FREE
When you arrive, just show your EBT card and you’ll get free admission for up to four people! Admission includes a walk around the house and gardens.
Santa Clara County
San Jose
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose – $2 per person
The Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose has a dozen fun and engaging exhibits for children. Some of my favorite exhibits, in particular, include an art loft, Mammoth Discovery zone, Rainbow Market, theatre, and waterway.
San Jose Museum of Art – FREE
So long as someone in the group has an EBT card, up to four people can explore the visiting exhibits and the extensive permanent collection of 2,500 pieces for free! What’s more, you can browse the collection on their website!
The Tech Interactive – $1 per person
Starting on July 1, 2019, The Tech Interactive will charge $1 admission for guests with an EBT card. In the meantime, they have an Open Access policy that allows low income guests to enter the museum for a donation only.
Get free/cheap admission to more San Jose destinations with your library card!
Santa Barbara County
Santa Maria
Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum – $3 per person
Explore over 13,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits and play spaces! With your EBT card, you can visit the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum for just $3 per person! Kids ages two and under are free. Admission is good for the whole day, so you can come and go as you please!
Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz
Village Santa Cruz
If you are a low income senior in Santa Cruz County, then you may be eligible for a subsidized membership to Village Santa Cruz! Since this is a neighborhood organization for seniors throughout Santa Cruz County, the program connects people and helps them develop relationships through social activities. Thus, a membership includes social activities, free or reduced access to presentations, an online bulletin board and more.
Shasta County
Redding
Turtle Bay Exploration Park – $3 per person
The Turtle Bay Exploration Park includes 300 acres of adventure! There is a Sundial Bridge, a museum, a forestry and wildlife center, arboretum, botanical gardens and more.
Solano County
Vacaville
Imagine That! – $3 per person
Imagine That museum encourages children of all ages to develop their creativity through both science and art programs.
Sonoma County
Santa Rosa
California Indian Museum & Cultural Center – FREE
The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center tells the story of the California Indians through exhibits, educational programming and cultural activities. At this time, one CalFresh card can provide a discount for up to four people.
Children’s Museum of Sonoma County – $2 per person
Without a doubt, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County‘s Science & Imagination Gallery, TOTopia, art studio and garden are a wonderland for kids. If you have a CalFresh card, up to six people can receive this discounted rate!
Get free/cheap admission to more Santa Rosa destinations with your library card!
Tulare County
Visalia
ImagineU Museum – $3 per person
From the musical outdoor Harmony Park to the glass wall canvases of the Imagination Station, there is undoubtedly a lot to do at ImagineU! Presently, up to four people can visit for just $3 per person!
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Ana
This is gold! Thank you for sharing. We clearly don’t have a lot of money for taking the kids out for special trips right now. I stumbled across one “Free with EBT” museum in LA, (which is what made me search for more) and this list has me so excited. Now…just gotta make sure we budget for the extra gas to drive around a bit more 🙂
Nicole
Awesome! That’s how I found out about the program, too! I found one museum that did it… researched it… and found them all over the country! I’m glad our article was able to help you out, Ana! Have fun! 🙂
Laniece
I need help f or Christmas can u please help me
Riley Thomson
Laniece,
You can check here for Christmas resources in your area. I hope this helps.
-Riley
k bouras
what about internet in Del Rey for low income SNAP recipients?
Nicole
We’ve found several ways to get free or very cheap Internet. You can check out our list of free Internet resources here.
MARK NEWBAUER
do you know if we can get discounts to the San Diego Zoo with the EBT card?
Nicole
I’m sorry, Mark! I reached out to them a little while ago and they were not offering EBT discounts. Hopefully they will change that soon!
Annette
What about Los Angeles Zoo?
Nicole
Sorry, Annette! I am not aware of any low income discounts for the LA Zoo. 🙁
MONET RODRIGUEZ
Its 5 bucks to get in with EBT card now thru March 30 2019
Riley Thomson
Monet,
Awesome! Thanks for the tip!
-Riley
Ariel Kham
LA Zoo is discounted for EBT users and is charged at $5.00
Riley Thomson
Ariel,
Thanks for the tip!
-Riley
Joneise Thomas Ouattara
Hi Nicole
I have a friend in Oregon they get,$5 live theater tickets
I’m trying but have no clue how in San Francisco.
Any leads??
Nicole
Hey, Joneise! Thanks for asking. Portland has an awesome Arts for All program that allows EBT cardholders to get those $5 tickets. I wish every city offered something like that!
San Francisco doesn’t offer a program like that for EBT cardholders but they do offer a Discover & Go pass through the local library that may be able to hook you up with free or cheap tickets to theater events at certain venues like the Castra Valley Arts Foundation and California Shakespeare Theater.
I update these EBT lists during the first week of every month. If I ever discover a program like this in San Francisco, I’ll reply to this comment again and let you know! 🙂
Christina
This is an awesome list, I wish there was something like this for people who have SSI cards.
Nicole
Thanks, Christina! I haven’t seen any programs for SSI recipients specifically, but I’ll keep looking. If I find something, I’ll write it up and let you know! 🙂
Sue
Do you know that Oakland zoo or SF zoo accept EBT discount?
Thank you
Nicole
Hey, Sue! Neither zoo offers an EBT discount, but both of them participate in this library pass program! I hope that helps! 🙂
Jessica Lopez
Hi I dont know the reply time on this. I just found this list today, January 5,2018, do you know if its still mostly accurate?
Nicole
Hi, Jessica! I update this article during the first week of the month to ensure that it is always as accurate as possible. I sometimes update the article more than once per month if I receive a message that changes have been made to any of these programs. I just updated the article this week, so everything should be accurate. 🙂
Gabby
I am trying to get tickets for the exhibiton in La Brea Tar Pits, Titan Of The Age 3D with, but want to save on the admission price with my ebt card, but dont know if i can get tickets when we get there. Since i read i need to get them in advance with admission tickets. I dont want to get there and not have enough money if i need to pay for admission to get exhibit tickets. Tar Pits museum does not have a phone number to call and find out how i can reserve tickets without having to buy admission..Any insight??? Thanks
Nicole
Hey, Gabby! I usually contact the museums on Twitter or Facebook. However, I was able to find a phone number for the La Brea Tar Pits & Museum. It appears to be (213) 763-3499, although their Facebook autoresponder listed it as (213) 763-3466. I’m currently on hold and I’ll update this comment as soon as I have a better answer for you. 🙂
Hillary
We are hoping to go to the Tar Pits next week. Were you able to find anything out on this? Thanks
Nicole
Hi, Hillary! I was able to contact the museum on Facebook Messenger. The rep said, “You can either purchase a package that includes the movie online, and have your ticket cost refunded onsite, or you can just purchase the movie tickets when you arrive.” 🙂
Brianna
Parking is $12 at Expo Park NOT $6
Nicole
Thanks, Brianna! I’ve updated the article accordingly. 🙂
Shelley Rubinger
I’m just curious why these are not mentioned in pamphlets or at time of getting EBT established with worker…would have been nice to know this when trying to plan educational trip for my kids.
Nicole
Hey, Shelley! I really wish they would mention these programs but I honestly don’t think the people in the issuing offices know about them. I stumbled upon the information purely by accident and it took well over 100 hours to gather all this information in one place (and that’s just for California – I spent MONTHS researching all 50 states)! The programs change frequently, so I make sure to double-check everything monthly. I update these articles during the first week of each month so be sure to check back and see if there’s anything new! =D
Fatima
Hi Nicole,
Do you just bring your card to the ticket booth and scan your card?
Nicole
Hi, Fatima! They don’t even scan your card. All they need to do is look at it. They just use EBT cards to verify that you meet the income guidelines for this program, basically. 🙂
Lucretia Smith
So to get the discount/free admission, I just have to show my EBT and i.d. cards at the entrance gate of the places I choose to visit with the g/kids? How about using the library card?
Nicole
Hey, Lucretia! For the free admission, just show your EBT card at the admission desk or entrance gate. For discounts, you’ll show the EBT card and pay the reduced rate. Most library discounts require you to check out a discounted pass from the library and take it with you to receive the discount.
Susan De Treville
Thank you for your efforts on this. I see it making a difference for some of us!
Nicole
I’m so glad it’s helping! Thank you, Susan! 🙂
felicia
Thank you so much for this information!!
Nicole
You’re so welcome, Felicia! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Misheba Jackson
How does the student loan relief work? Thanks for this link I’ve used the services once already.
Nicole
Hi, Misheba! I’m so glad our information has been helpful to you. You can click here for more information about the student loan relief programs we’ve found. Hope that helps!
Melanie Lucero
I am a program director for a nonprofit, Wesley House Student Residence, here in San Diego where we offer low-income college housing. Your website might just be the thing that helps me sign up my student residents for CalFresh! These perks and CalFresh can help them lighten the load and hopefully keep them mentally and physically healthy so they can graduate in the least amount of time, thusly with the least amount of debt.
Nicole
Awesome! I’m so glad I could help! Thank you so much for sharing this information with your student residents – and thank you for everything else you do at Wesley House, too! 🙂
Jennifer
Thank you so much for everything you do on this site. Because of you I am able to take my kids to some fun places for free that I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. I also didn’t know about the plants, trees, and seeds. Again a big thank you.
Nicole
Awesome!!! Thanks, Jennifer! That’s exactly why we do what we do – and comments like this are exactly what keep us going. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this comment! You made my day. 🙂
Ashley
Do you know if the Fresno Chaffee Zoo has a discounted membership for EBT Card Holders?
Nicole Thelin
Hey, Ashley! I reached out to the zoo on Facebook and I received this message as a response:
“Sorry, we do not (offer an EBT discount). However, the first Wednesday of each month is a “Wells Fargo Wednesday” where children ages 2-11 years old receive free admission when attending with their families. You can also find BOGO coupons on our promotional rack cards which can be found and the Fresno/Clovis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fresno City Hall and the Fresno Yosemite Airport. We hope that helps.”
Sorry! Hopefully they will start offering a discount like that soon.
Jay
I tried to go to the LA county arboretum a year and half ago and they said they don’t take my EBT card anymore
Nicole Thelin
Hi, Jay! I’m sorry that you had that experience. I just called the Arboretum and they confirmed that this EBT discount is still valid.
Jay
Thank you Nicole, tried it again and this time they let me in!
Chloe Skupnick
We’re happy to help, Jay! 🙂
-Chloe
Yvonne G Balch
Does ventura county have any things that are free with ebt? like what about zoos or anything?
Chloe Skupnick
Yvonne,
We haven’t researched that yet, but I just added it to our list!
-Chloe
Ashley Dessalines
Thank you so much for compiling this information! Me and my little ones will be using this gratefully!
Chloe Skupnick
Hi Ashley!
You’re so welcome. We’re always happy to help 🙂
-Chloe
Emma
Hi Nicole,
I heard that due to Hurricane Michael places are accepting hot food purchases until 10/31/2018 nationwide. Can you confirm if this is true, especially in CA? Thanks!
Nicole Thelin
Hi, Emma! It is true that some states are allowing EBT to purchase hot foods in the aftermath of the hurricane. However, since food stamps is operated at a state level, it appears limited to specific states and counties. I was able to confirm that this is in effect for certain areas of Florida and the Carolinas, but it does not appear to impact CA at all. :\ Sorry!
Emma
Hi Nicole-
Fixed the last post because of the typos/confusion.
Edited post:
Thanks! Appreciate the research. Hopefully this will help other affected in the hurricane. I have family who would like to travel over here (to my city) since their home was destroyed, but my accommodations are so tight as is, as CA is very expensive.
They’re going to be staying over at my grandma’s so I was hoping I could help purchase some hot food for them, but looks like cold food will work fine, I’m not much a cook….but grandma is hehe.
BTW, I used Schwan for the first time, for a ready n bake Thanksgiving dinner to be delivered. Thanks for telling me about that!
Nicole Thelin
Hi, Emma! That makes a lot of sense. I’m not exactly sure how that all works out, unfortunately… but I’m glad our information has been helpful to you in other ways! 🙂
Jim W
Hi Nicole do you know if any RV parks or state parks in California give any kind of discount for RV camping. I lost my house and I am now living in my 28ft travel trailer along with my 3 dogs. I’m on GR and have an EBT card. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and have a great day. Jim W.
Riley Thomson
Jim,
I couldn’t find any typical RV parks. Here’s everything I know about CA state parks savings. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Gary
My unemployment ran out in July, 2018 and we started MediCAL and EBT 8/1/18.
We applied for SCEdisons “CARE” program, were initially approved because we were on MediCAL, but because there was 1 month when we went over our allotment (high usage) we needed to submit additional information.
SCE has determined we’re not eligible because our income was too high in 2017 and it doesn’t matter that it’s currently less than $2,000 a month for a family of 5. Our income doesn’t even cover out mortgage payment.
Any suggestions?
Riley Thomson
Gary,
I would encourage you to reach out to your local MediCAL caseworker, community action council, legal aid program and maybe even the California Public Utilities Commission. That doesn’t seem right or fair; a lot of people experience sudden and drastic income changes due to disability or unemployment. There’s got to be someone, somewhere, who can help.
-Riley
Monique
I recently moved from LA to Bakersfield…is there any free or discounts in Bakersfield for ebt.
Riley Thomson
Monique,
Here is everything we have for low income relief in California. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Alexis
Hi!
I just checked out the Childrens Museum in San Diego and they now have it posted on their website that admission is $1 each for up to 4 people!
Riley Thomson
Alexis,
Thanks for the tip. We will verify it and update the article accordingly.
-Riley
Maria
Is it possible for you to add a PDF version of your article with no ads???
Or possibly send me a PDF directly?
If it helps, I only need San Diego’s bit of this wonderful article.
I am putting together a family resource binder for my class and would like to include your article without all the ads.
Riley Thomson
Maria,
There are two reasons why we cannot provide that information. First, this information is constantly changing and a printed list would quickly become outdated. Second, our business is entirely ad-supported and we rely on that revenue to pay our research team. I am happy to provide a link to our information, but I can not copy or print our copyrighted intellectual property. Thank you!
-Riley
Sergio Alvarez
Do i need to buy a fishing licences if I have an EBT card
Riley Thomson
Sergio,
Depending on where you live, some states offer a discount on fishing licenses for those with EBT cards, but you still have to have a license. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Alyssa
Can you get into the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific?
Riley Thomson
Alyssa,
So far we have not found an EBT discount to Long Beach Aquarium. But here is a list of other museums you can get into with your CalFresh card. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Angie Thompson
I love this! I’ve been an EBT card holder for quite some time and had no Idea until I went to the Arboretum and dropped my wallet while trying to pay, the woman who was working,saw my EBT card and told me all about it. Then explained all the other places we could go. This is such an amazing perk that so many people dont realize the have
Thanks for this article, I learned there are far more perks than just admission to a few museums!!
Riley Thomson
Angie,
That’s so amazing! I’m so glad you found some helpful resources!
-Riley
Bella
I just found out that you can get a discount at the City & County of SF Impound on towing & impound fees. With having the EBT card, the cost to get my car out of the impound was reduced by $400. The low-income discount was quite a savings! They just needed me to provide my ID and EBT (for proof of low-income). You can also get a discount on the removal fee if you get a boot on your car.
Riley Thomson
Bella,
Thanks for the tip!
-Riley
Jazmin
Hello!
Anybody know if, LA Zoo have a discount for EBT card holders? I remember seeing some information about $5 per guest with the EBT card, but I lost the link of that info 🙁
Riley Thomson
Jazmin,
Another reader had commented that they had the $5 admission but it only went through March 30, 2019. I have not been able to confirm if they have an ongoing discount. I’m sorry!
-Riley
Bella
You can get a free pass to LA Zoo with your library card. They also offer other things.
Explore L.A. museums and attractions through this exciting partnership between the Los Angeles Public Library and local cultural institutions. Log in to Discover & Go with your Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) card and reserve free or low-cost passes to participating organizations.
Riley Thomson
Bella,
Thanks for the tip! We have more details about freebies with your LAPL card here. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Sandy Galdamez
The zoo is included?
Riley Thomson
Sandy,
There are some zoos included. Please check here for admission discounts with your CalFresh card. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Justine
Nicole I want to thank you so much for all your hard work on this page. It really makes a difference for our family
Riley Thomson
Justine,
I will pass that on to Nicole. Thank you so much for your kind words! People like you make it all worth it!
-Riley
Jean
What is the text number to chk balances on EBT card from cellphone? Jn
Riley Thomson
Jean,
I couldn’t find a number to text for balance information, but the Fresh EBT website suggests downloading the Fresh EBT app to check your balance instantly. I hope this helps.
-Riley