Being disabled in San Diego means finding accessible places that are designed with us in mind. It also means practicing daily living skills in a community that meets our missteps with patience and respect.
After high school, I joined BEE (Builders of Eloquence and Engagement) Community, a day program that supports adults with disabilities. Once we’ve prepped medical devices, mobility equipment, communication tools, medication, extra clothes and special food, our days unfold across San Diego County—discovering places to learn, volunteer, grow and have fun together. Best of all, we choose our own adventures, and in America’s Finest City, belonging feels limitless. Here are a few favorite accessible day trip locations, plus bucket-list stops my friends and I can’t wait to explore.
At Play My Way in Mission Valley, universal design ensures fun for everyone. Thrills come from wheelchair swings, soft-matted floor areas, quiet reading nooks and specialized adaptive equipment for individuals with complex needs. An adult-changing table proves that everyone belongs here. www.playmywaysd.com
Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diegois a premier example of universal design. The playground features multiple swing and slide modalities and diverse climbing structures. An adjacent water fountainboasts an 830-foot-long, shallow interactive basin with 31 water jets. Visitors of all abilities can play safely in the water. www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/Waterfront.html
At Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, Mobi-mat sand mats ease the road to the sea, and beach wheelchairs help turn visitors into “mermaids.” Additional accommodations include accessible restrooms and showers, open space for movement and regulation, benches on the sand, and a recreational equipment rental store. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=659
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve in Cardiff offers hiking and nature trails for everyone. ADA paths make mudflats and fiddler crabs enjoyable to all, while gentle nature sounds support sensory differences. The visitor center has large bathrooms and an elevator. Nearby San Elijo State Beach has six ADA-accessible camping spots to complete the adventure. www.sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/park-pages/SanElijo.html
Balboa Park’s accessibility commitment expands to all its museums. Blind or low vision and deaf and hard of hearing individuals can inquire about special features and accommodations. For example:
– The San Diego Museum of Art surrounds visitors with visually rich masterpieces in a calm, mostly quiet space, with seating for breaks and free use of wheelchairs. Curator narration is available on their app, and gallery label text can be read online with screen readers. Ask about reservations for accessible tours. www.sdmart.org
– Fleet Science Center is San Diego’s ultimate hands-on wonder, perfect for first-time visitors and seasoned museum explorers. Tactile delight is a given—you are expected to touch everything! Accessibility mornings are held every third Saturday, an hour before public access. www.fleetscience.org
– The Old Globe Theatre supports auditory differences through headsets and induction neck loops. Sensory-friendly performances, visual supports and low-cost tickets ensure great theater is most powerful when everyone is invited in. www.theoldglobe.org
– At the San Diego Zoo, “You belong at the zoo” is a promise in motion. They offer disability access shuttles, an adult changing cot on site, a mostly rollable experience, and wheelchair and scooter rentals. ASL interpreters can be reserved in advance and even offer support aides for summer camps. https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Children’s Museum of Discovery in Escondido is a joyful haven for children with varied sensory needs, pairing thoughtful, trained staff with play-based experiences for all abilities and offering sensory-friendly mornings. www.visitcmod.org
Pizzabilities in Alpine and Santee delivers if you’re hungry for food that fills both stomach and soul. Disabled employees make amazing pizza, pastas and sandwiches and offer a calm, judgement-free environment to patrons. There are menu options for many diets. www.pizzabilities.com
Free open rehearsals at The Rady Shell downtown make the San Diego Symphony available to everyone, regardless of movement, ambulatory or sound differences, or financial ability. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and tents can be requested in advance. Individuals with oral tics may feel at ease here. www.theshell.org/rady-shell-community/open-rehearsals
Program details are subject to change. Please visit each organization’s website for the most current information.
The BEE gang has a blast every day—but it’s the sense of belonging that makes it magical. Our village is full of strangers who cheer us on and give us space to support others. During a recent visit to Balboa Park, a mother approached our group for advice—she didn’t know how to support her nonspeaking child, and in that moment, we were the answer. We were there because San Diego is designed for all abilities.
Alfonso Julián Camacho is an award-winning journalist and author of Autistic & Awesome: A Journal from the Inside. He writes for The Sun and El Sol, and advocates nationally for autism inclusion and alternative communication.
Looking for more accessible places to explore? Check out our Accessible San Diego article for additional inclusive destinations throughout the county.
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