Let’s be honest — going to museums can be expensive.
A weekend adult ticket to the Academy of Sciences can run you about $40. And if you’re planning on taking your whole family, you could easily spend over $100 just to get in the door.
If you’re looking for things to do with kids, here’s a tip that might make your next trip a little more budget-friendly. If you receive food assistance — also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits or food stamps, called CalFresh in California — you can access free or reduced admission to more than 850 museums for you and your family throughout the United States as part of the Museums for All program.
The list of participating museums includes a bunch of places in the Bay Area. Generally, all you have to do is show your EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card — the card you receive your benefits funds on — and a valid ID.
See a full list of all the Bay Area museums participating in the Museums for All program, or keep reading for a list of local museums that we’ve directly verified will offer free or discounted entry with your EBT card as part of the Museums for All program
A note: We’ve reproduced the advice from these museums below. That said, remember that sometimes a staff member might be newer, or hasn’t received their training on the Museums for All program yet and could be less familiar with the discount. If this happens when you arrive, we recommend staying patient and bringing up this article on your phone, or showing the museum’s listing on the Museums for All site.
(Don’t receive SNAP benefits, but think you could be eligible? Find out how to apply for CalFresh.)
Jump straight to:
San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
Regular price: Daytime admission varies and can cost anything from $36 to $40 per adult. Admission to NightLife (Thursday-night events for adults over 21) can cost $17 to $25, depending on the date.
Museums for All price: Discounted tickets are $3 for daytime admission or NightLife. You can receive up to four tickets per qualifying adult during daytime hours, and up to two tickets for NightLife.
How to redeem: Guests can show an EBT, WIC, Lifeline Pass or Medi-Cal card and ID at the ticket window. For a more discreet option, CalAcademy staff advise that you could ask for “Museums for All” tickets, or present your proof of qualification to the staff at the window without mentioning the program by name — their staff are all trained and informed about it. More information about California Academy of Sciences.
Conservatory of Flowers
Regular price: Adult tickets are $10. Youth tickets (age 12-17) are $7. Senior tickets (age 65 and over) are $7. Children’s tickets (age 5-11) are $3. Children 4 and under are free.
Museums for All price: The Conservatory of Flowers provides free admission for guests with SNAP benefits.
How to redeem: Present your EBT card and ID at the front desk, and staff will check you in. More information about the Conservatory of Flowers.
GLBT Historical Society Museum
Regular price: General admission tickets are $10. Discounted tickets ($6) are available to youth (age 13-17), seniors (age 65 and over), students and teachers (with ID), active-duty military service members (with ID) and people with disabilities. Admission for children (age 12 and under) is free.
Museums for All price: The GLBT Historical Society Museum offers four free tickets per EBT cardholder with a valid ID. It’s possible to buy tickets in person with a valid card and ID, but the tickets are likely to sell out in advance so it’s safer to make a reservation ahead of time.
How to redeem: Email leigh@glbthistory.org to purchase the tickets. More information about the GLBT Historical Society Museum.
Exploratorium
Regular price: Daytime tickets at the Exploratorium can cost anything between $19.95 and $29.95. After Dark (which is every Thursday) tickets are priced at $19.95 each.
Museums for All price: Entry is free with a valid EBT card.
How to redeem: Present your EBT card and ID at the ticket counter. More information about the Exploratorium.
de Young Museum or Legion of Honor
Regular price: Adult tickets are $15. Senior tickets (age 65 and over) are $12. Tickets for students (with a valid ID) are $6. Youth tickets (17 and under) are free.
Museums for All price: Tickets with an EBT card and a photo ID are free, but the discount doesn’t apply to special exhibitions.
How to redeem: Present your EBT card and ID at the kiosk; discounted tickets aren’t available to purchase online. More information about the de Young Museum. More information about the Legion of Honor.
Museum of Craft and Design
Regular price: General admission is $10. Student tickets (with an ID) are $8. Senior tickets (age 65 and over) are $8. Children’s tickets (through age 12) are free.
Museums for All price: Entry to the museum is free for a valid EBT/Medi-Cal cardholder and three extra guests.
How to redeem: To redeem your ticket, show your EBT/Medi-Cal card and ID at the front desk. More information about the Museum of Craft and Design.
San Francisco Zoo & Gardens
Regular price: Adult tickets (age 12 to 64) are $25. Senior tickets (age 65 and over) are $20. Children’s tickets (age 2 to 11) are $18. Children under 2 enter for free.
Museums for All price: Discounted tickets are $3 per person with a limit of four tickets per card.
How to redeem: Present your EBT/WIC card and ID at the ticket counter. More information about the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
