Museums for All at the Aquarium
We participate in the Museums for All national program as part of our commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to the joy and wonders of the ocean.
If you receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—known as CalFresh in California—you are eligible to visit the Aquarium for free through the Museums for All program. Simply present your valid SNAP EBT card at the Main Entrance, along with a matching photo ID. Admission is free for the cardholder and up to three of their guests. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) and P-EBT aren't eligible for this program.
What to know before your visit
Tickets are available only in person at the Main Entrance, not online. Upon your arrival, we'll request your ZIP code; providing it is optional and helps us improve our services. Please have your whole party together upon arrival. There is a limit of up to four people: the SNAP EBT cardholder and three other people. Guests visiting through Museums for All are welcome during all regular Aquarium operating hours and days. There is no end date for Museums for All. We are pleased to participate in this program for the foreseeable future.
Museums for All FAQs
What is Museums for All?
Museums for All is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums, to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.
Who is eligible?
Anyone enrolled in federal food assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is eligible for the Museums for All program. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) and P-EBT aren't eligible for this program.
How can people visit the Aquarium through Museums for All?
People receiving federal food assistance benefits can visit the Aquarium at no cost. By presenting a valid SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and a matching photo identification at the Aquarium’s Main Entrance, visitors gain admission for the SNAP EBT cardholder, plus up to three additional people.
What are the differences between SNAP, CalFresh, and EBT?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the name of the federal food assistance program. CalFresh is the name of the SNAP program in California. Other U.S. states may run SNAP under different names. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows SNAP participants to pay for food using SNAP benefits.
Can people reserve Museums for All tickets online?
No. Museums for All admission is only available at the Aquarium’s Main Entrance for visitors who present a valid SNAP EBT (or CalFresh EBT in California) card along with a matching photo ID.
Are there restrictions on when people can visit through Museums for All?
Guests visiting through Museums for All are welcome during all regular Aquarium operating hours and days.
Do visitors pay with their SNAP EBT card?
No, the SNAP EBT card is only for identification purposes. If a visitor meets the criteria, admission is free for the cardholder and up to three additional people.
Does the Aquarium offer Museums for All guests discounts on other products, such as food and beverage, or retail?
Yes! We offer Museums for All guests a 10 percent discount at the Aquarium Cafe. If you’re planning to enjoy food or drinks at the Cafe, just let the cashier know you’re visiting through Museums for All to receive a 10 percent discount.
Are P-EBT, SUN Bucks / Summer EBT, or WIC cardholders eligible for Museums for All?
No. Only recipients of SNAP EBT benefits are eligible for free Aquarium admission through Museums for All. Other programs that use EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) as an operational system, including WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), P-EBT (pandemic EBT), and SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) are ineligible for Museums for All.
How many people can accompany someone who is eligible for the Museums for All program?
Each valid SNAP EBT card along with a corresponding photo ID allows free admission to the Aquarium for up to four people: the SNAP EBT cardholder and three other people.
Do children ages 4 and under count against the four people who can enter with a valid EBT card?
Children ages 4 and under receive complimentary Aquarium admission and do not count against the four visitors.
Is there a limit to how many times people can visit through Museums for All?
No, there is no limit to the number of times people can visit through Museums for All.
Video
More about Museums fo All
