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Disability Accessible Travel in San Diego
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Resources for Visitors with Disabilities
With its mild climate, 70 miles of sun-kissed beaches, world-famous family attractions and popular year-round events and festivals, San Diego is an ideal vacation destination. To ensure that our visitors with disabilities can experience and enjoy San Diego to the fullest, this travel guide provides resources and information on accessible hotels, tours, lift transportation, attractions and more.
- No matter the time of year, a trip to San Diego isn't complete without time spent at the beach. To make sure that all San Diego visitors can enjoy the sand and water, free beach wheelchairs are available at seven San Diego beaches for children and adults with special needs or disabilities.
- Looking for a special night out? San Diego abounds with award-winning theatre and concert options that meet the needs of theatre visitors with disabilities.
- Enjoy seeing the San Diego sights as narrated by a local expert. Accessible San Diego sightseeing tours happen on land or water, via a bus, boat or old-fashioned trolley.
- Disabled shopping enthusiasts can spend hours exploring San Diego's unique retail districts, whether checking out the major outdoor malls or the unrivaled bargains at the region's popular outlet centers.
- Don't miss two of San Diego's most popular annual events, the Del Mar Racing Season from mid-July through early September or the Comic-con Convention in July. Both provide special services for disabled visitors.
- Through June 30, 2013, the Museum of Man is showcasing a special exhibit that teaches respect and understanding for the disabled, and educates visitors on the "ability" that exists in disability. Developed by the Boston Children's Museum, the access/ABILITY exhibit uses interactive activities to demonstrate that we are all participants in the world; we just accomplish things in different ways.
Additional Travel Tips
- Call ahead. Service providers are required to accommodate travelers with special needs, however, most need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Mention your needs at the time of reservation, and call the provider 24 to 48 hours before your arrival to confirm that proper accommodations have been made.
- Be specific and clear when describing a disability. Not all service providers know the "lingo" of accessible travel, or the medical terms for certain conditions. Give as many details as you can about what you can and can't do, and don't downplay the severity of the disability. The more information a service provider has, the better they will be able to accommodate you.
- Take a doctor's note and phone number. Travel with a statement from your doctor, preferably on letterhead, covering your condition, medications, potential complications, special needs and other pertinent information. Be sure you have a number where your doctor (or another medical professional) can be reached in an emergency situation at any hour of the day.
Browse the articles within this travel guide to get the most out of your San Diego vacation.
Disabled Visitor Resources for San Diego Attractions
No visit to San Diego is complete without a trip to our world-class attractions. From accessible parking spaces and restrooms to TDD telephones and wheelchair ramps, these locations are working to continually increase accessibility and enjoyment for everyone.
- Accessible parking spaces are not ADA Compliant
- Accessible interpretive center
- Vehicle admission fee is waived for US citizens with American Eagle cards or visible disabilities, disabled license plate or placard, or a note from a doctor
- Accessible restrooms, unisex restroom, text and public pay phones available
- NOTE: Accessible parking spaces are not on accessible routes; there is a steep grade to get to the lighthouse, which is not accessible.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center:
- Seniors Day first Monday of each month
- Accessible restrooms, listening devices, and wheelchair seating
- Subtitles for hearing impaired for some shows; daily captioned screening available
- Accessible Parking, Restrooms, and telephones (TDD)
- Wheelchair and scooter rentals located inside Zoo entrance
- ASL interpreters are available with one week notice (call ext. 4318)
- Service animals welcome
- Braille guides are available at Guest Services
- Caregivers admitted free
- Service animals welcome
- Accessibility guides and scripts available
- Wheelchair and scooter rentals
- ASL interpreters available with one week notice
- Lift shuttles around park available
- Excellent accessibility, including accessible rides
- Service animals welcome, and pet services available
- Wheelchair and scooter rentals
- Special accommodation or tours with 2 weeks notice
- ASL interpreters are provided the first Saturday of each month at designated shows and exhibits
- Written show descriptions and audio devices are available
- Audio tours available
- Tour scripts available
- Free loaner wheelchairs
- Accessible and van parking available
- Elevators to hangar bays and flight deck, as well as second deck
- Accessible restrooms
- ADA directional signage
- Virtual movie area provides insight to inaccessible areas of the ship
Hotel Resources for Visitors with Disabilities
Whether you have a luxury resort or limited service hotel in mind for your San Diego vacation, you're sure to find accessible rooms and facilities to provide an enjoyable and safe stay for everyone.
- 4 Roll-In Showers
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Cloud 9 Shuttle
- Partial Braille Signage
- 3 Roll-In Showers
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Cloud 9 Shuttle
- Partial Braille Signage
Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Central:
- 5 Roll-In Showers
- 6 Accessible Tubs
- Text Phones
- Transportation Accessibility
- Braille Signage
Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel:
- 20 Roll-In Showers
- 13 Accessible Tubs
- Text Phones
- Partial Braille Signage
- 3 Roll-In Showers
- 5 Accessible Tubs
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Cloud 9 Shuttle
- Partial Braille Signage
- 13 Roll-In Showers
- 42 Accessible Tubs
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Cloud 9 Shuttle
- Braille Signage
- 7 Roll-In Showers
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Partial Braille Signage
- 10 Roll-In Showers
- 10 Accessible Tubs
- Hydraulic Pool, Lift Upon Request
- Text Phones
- Contracted Express Shuttle
- Braille Signage
Featured Restaurants for Visitors with Disabilities
Over the years, dining in San Diego has evolved due to an influx of world-class culinary talent using produce grown on local farms and seafood harvested from the neighboring Pacific Ocean. The following is a sampling of some of the accessible features that can be found in restaurants throughout the county.
- Accessible Street Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- 2 Accessible Parking Spaces
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
Nine-Ten – Grande Colonial Hotel:
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall at Lower Level
Peohe’s – Coronado Waterfront Restaurant:
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
The Cheese Shop – Horton Grand:
- Accessible Street Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
Other Restaurants
Busalacchi’s Restaurant:- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
Cheesecake Factory (Fashion Valley):
- Accessible Parking in Lot
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Braille Signage
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
- 4 Accessible Parking Spaces
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
Poseidon Restaurant:
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
- Hearing Friendly
Sansai:
- Accessible Parking
- 34" Height x 19" Depth Table Knee Clearance
- Accessible Restroom Stall
Transportation Resources for Visitors with Disabilities
The following information is provided to you by Accessible Tourism and Transportation Information Network (ATTIN) funded by the New Freedom Grant.
Public Transportation & ADA Paratransit
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
Phone: 619-233-3004 or 5-1-1
TTY: 888-722-4889
Service Area: San Diego, East County, South Bay
North County Transit District
Accessibility Line: 760-726-1111
Travel Training: 760-966-6561
Service Area: San Diego North County, Coaster
MTS Access (Paratransit)
Certification: 877-232-7433, TTY: 310-410-0985
Reservation: 888-517-9627, TTY: 800-568-7097
Service Area: San Diego County
Make reservation 48-24 hours in advance; must be certified before using the service.
Private Transportation and Tour Companies
Cloud 9 Super Shuttle
Phone: 800-974-8885
Service Area: Airport, Amtrak, Cruiseship Terminal, etc.
SOL Transportation
Phone: 866-765-3177
Service Area: Primarily in North San Diego
Five Star Tours
Phone: 619-232-5040
Service Area: San Diego and Southern CA
Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego
Phone: 619-298-8687
Hornblower Cruises & Events
Phone: 619-686-8700
Accessible harbor cruise
Long Distance Transportation
Amtrak
Phone: 800-USA-RAIL (800-872-7245)
Accessible spaces can be reserved by phone or in person only. Discount may be available. Make your reservation early to assure accessible accommodation.
Greyhound
Disabilities Travel Assistance Line: 800-752-4841
TTY/TDD: 800-345-3109
Call Disability Travel Line 48 hours in advance of reservation to assure accessible accommodation.
Sharp Hospital Transportation for Patients
Sharp Chula Vista
Patient Relations: 619-482-5800
Sharp Memorial
Patient Relations: 858-541-3400
Sharp Grossmont
Patient Relations: 619-740-6000
Sharp Reese Steely
Patient Liaison: 619-446-1550
DISCLAIMER: Although ATTIN has made the best efforts, this list may not include all transportation services available for people with disabilities and seniors.
