Recreation Resources in San Diego County

A Kid Again

Program that provides fun, free excursions to kids with life-threatening conditions. 

Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm

Visit over 200 animals from around the world, learn about sustainable farming and more. Reservations for groups with special needs.

Altitude Trampoline Park

Fun, inclusive bounce park with high-quality trampolines, foam pit, Tumble Track, rock climbing wall and more.

America the Beautiful Access Pass, National Parks Service

U.S. residents with documented disabilities are eligible for a free pass to all national parks, historic sites and recreation areas that charge entrance fees.

Arms Wide Open

Instructors guide students through dance, movement and percussion, enabling dancers with disabilities to learn and work at their own pace while enjoying dance and choreography.

Belmont Park

Let play be the only plan for the day in SoCal’s most legendary amusement park. Belmont Park is small enough to be relaxed, but big enough to fill your day with rides, games and food. Everything you want is all in one place, where everyone is included!

Binford I CAN, Too! Center at San Diego Central Library

Services for kids with accessibility needs, including two private study rooms and computers equipped with assistive software, digital talking books for individuals enrolled with the Braille Institute’s Library Services, a homebound services program, library-by-mail program, and drive-up book return. 
San Diego Central Library

Challenge Air

Offers motivational and inspirational experiences to physically challenged children and youth through aviation. Events held around the country.

Challenge Center

Physical therapy, fitness and wellness programs to rehabilitate, encourage independence and improve quality of life for people with physical disabilities, their families and caregivers.

Cheryl’s Place, Montevalle Park

Park with specially designed playground equipment accessible to children in wheelchairs.

Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays

Opens two hours early on the first Sunday of the month for kids with special needs. Offers reduced lighting and noise and trained staff.

Chula Vista Parks & Rec Therapeutic Recreation

Dance, fitness and exercise classes and special events for children 17 & under and for adults 18+ through Chula Vista Parks & Red. Heritage Community Center

Connections – National Comedy Theatre

Board-certified behavioral analyst helps students ages 15–24 with Autism and other social delays explore emotions, listening skills, social skills and pragmatic language through games and funny, improvised scenarios.

Creative Stages of Dance/New Dramatic Arts

San Diego Danceworks offers introductory and private dance lessons for children with special needs.

Danceology Performing Arts Campus

Adaptive dance class teaches various genres of dance to ages 6+ with special needs.

Dancing Around the Oak Tree Art Studio

Inclusive art classes for people of all abilities. Schedule a class for your event.

Dixon Lake–Accessible Cabin

Accessible camping for persons with physical disabilities.

Elev8 Arts at Expressions Dance & Movement Center­

Free dance classes for children with special needs covered by generous donations of the community through Elev8 Arts Foundation.

Eucalyptus Park

Playground built by American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons and KaBOOM! includes a spiral climber, angled cliff hanger, and V-bounce for children with special needs.

Friendship Circle of San Diego

Everyone deserves an inclusive place to go for love, respect and, most importantly, friendship. We foster friendships between people with special needs of all ages and stages, with their typically developing peers.

GB Productions’ STARS Theater Arts Program

For individuals with intellectual disabilities. Develops stage presence, comedy improvisation, reading and memorizing scripts, costuming, and teamwork.  North Park Vaudeville & Candy Shoppe

Get Air Trampoline Park

“A Special Time for You” is a twice monthly session for kids with special needs. Music is played at a lower volume and the atmosphere is calmer. One parent/guardian can support jumpers on the trampoline for free.

Gigi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

Provides free educational and therapeutic-based programming to individuals with Down Syndrome and support for their families.

Jas Arnold Trail for All People

Fully ADA-accessible loop in Black Mountain Regional Park offers amazing views and park space for people with mobility issues. Features interpretative signage and shade structures.

JCompany Youth Theatre

Award-winning, inclusive theater program guided and inspired by theater professionals for kids 4–18, regardless of gender, religion, ethnic background, sexual orientation or economic status. Offers a variety of classes, performance, scholarship and outreach opportunities.

Kids Included Together (KIT)

Provides learning opportunities that support recreation, child development and youth enrichment programs to include children with and without disabilities.

Limitless Adventures

Provides outdoor recreational experiences for people with disabilities in San Diego County, such as hiking, dance, exploring parks and more.

Mainly Mozart Youth Orchestra

Integrates students with cognitive and physical differences into core music ensembles.

Maraya Performing Arts

Offers classes in inclusive dance, music and theater for neurodiverse youth and adults. 

Miss Amazing

The AMPLIFY program teaches self-advocacy skills to girls (ages 5 & up) with disabilities; ADVOCATE is a leadership development program that empowers girls and women with disabilities to impact change locally and nationally.

Modern Sword Fighting of San Diego

Offers “Knight for A Day” birthday parties for kids of all abilities 6 and up; safe, foam-padded armor and foam sword and shield games.  

Night to Shine Celebration

In partnership with the Tim Tebow Foundation, a celebratory experience for ages 14 and up with special needs.  Poway: 858-748-1875; Vista: 760-724-6700

North County Gymnastics and the Gyminny Kids

Exploring Movement classes for children with special needs and their adult helper.

Outside the Lens – Media Makers

Provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency and community inclusion through training in mixed media, photography, animation, podcasting and more.

PACT (Positive Action Community Theatre)

Theater and dance programs designed to empower kids with special needs. Dance North County

Rise and Shine Christian Choral Program

The San Diego Choristers Guild’s free program for ages 8–18 with developmental or cognitive disabilities is open to children regardless of family church affiliation. Parents required to attend.

Sam’s Posse Round-Up Rodeo

Free adaptive rodeo for ages 5 & up with intellectual and physical disabilities takes place in a safe, fun, inclusive environment.

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet

Ballet for Me is a classical ballet program designed for children ages 7–18 with disabilities.

San Diego NeuroDance

Malashock Dance Studio offers symptoms-based and diagnosis-based dance classes as a collaboration between adults living with neurological diseases, their caregivers or loved ones, physical therapists and dancers. Teacher training available.

San Dieguito’s Inclusive Play Space

Diverse and inclusive playground at San Dieguito County Park. All abilities engage in sensory, nature and fitness-based play. Specialty equipment with standard features, ramps and easy pavement-to-playground transitions.

Sensory Friendly Mornings at the New Children’s Museum 

For families who benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and quieter setting. Offered quarterly on select Saturdays 9–11 am. Registration encouraged.

Sensory-Friendly Films AMC Mission Valley

AMC Theater bi-monthly films with lowered sound and more light for kids with sensory needs.

Sensory-Friendly Films AMC Palm Promenade

Bi-monthly films with lowered sound and more light for kids with sensory needs.

Sky Sailing at Warner Springs

Adaptive soaring equipment for young adults with physical disabilities.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

An inclusive place to soar in open jump arenas, play trampoline dodgeball, do flips and somersaults. Multiple SD locations

Tap Fever Studios

Dance for all abilities. Instructors have experience working with the disabled community and provide dance opportunities free of charge.

TERI Campus of Life Enrichment Programs

Agriculture, equestrian, culinary, fitness and music programs for students and adults with special needs including the Peas n’ Carrots 4-H club.

The Shine Project Foundation

Bridges the gap between families, individuals with special needs and local communities by partnering with businesses and organizations to provide special enrichment events, camps and inclusive opportunities.

Therapeutic Recreation Services

Provides recreation programs for children and adults with any type of disability. Certified Recreation Therapists work with participants on social and recreation skills, leisure education, appropriate behavior, and recreation participation in inclusive environments.

City Heights

Unified Esports League

Program for people of different abilities (ages 8+) with a passion for video games and technology. Participants improve social life, enhance technology skills and collaborate with peers.

Wheelchair Dancers Org.

Free classes for all ages and abilities interested in wheelchair dancing. Eight-week programs offered around San Diego in ballroom dance, Latin and other forms.

YMCA of San Diego County

Swim lessons, sports leagues, day camps and overnight camps for children preschool and up all summer long. Children with special needs are always welcome at the Y