When looking at travel, California is a beautiful option. From some of the best national parks in the United States to iconic attractions, the Golden State may surprise travelers who use wheelchairs, as it has some of the most robust public transport and accessible attractions on the West Coast.

Whether this is your first significant trip or you’re just looking for something to do in sunny California for the weekend, read here to learn some tips for traveling with a wheelchair!

1.   Flights

With the vast distances planes can travel in such short amounts of time, it’s no wonder most travelers prefer to fly to their destinations. For those using wheelchairs, air travel can provide challenges in addition to the usual stress of airports.

TSA and Security

Regardless of destination or level of mobility, factor in extra time to get from TSA to your gate. Always give yourself more time than you need, especially if bringing a wheelchair, as airport security may take more time checking you in.

Enroll in TSA pre-check to minimize stress in this area if you can. Once past TSA, you can take a short break before tackling your next issue: where to store your chair on the flight.

ACAA and Stowing Your Chair

Any airline must follow the ACAA or Air Carrier Access Act, which states that airlines cannot discriminate against passengers because of disability. This act applies to all flights to, from, or within the United States.

If you use a manual wheelchair, every airline with seating for over 100 passengers must have a priority space for a manual, folding wheelchair. To use this benefit, you must request to pre-board and try to stow the chair in the cabin. If you use a more oversized manual chair, try to remove some attachments to ensure the chair will fit.

You may need to stow chairs too large to fit in the priority closet, such as chairs that can't fold or electric wheelchairs, in the plane's cargo. The chair won’t count as baggage and won’t contribute to the cost of your flight unless it contains personal items. When stowing your chair, remove any items or attachments that may be breakable or come off easily. Take a picture of your chair at the gate before it’s brought to be stowed, as the airline must return the chair in the same condition as when you boarded the flight.

Once the plane lands, you can de-plane if your chair is stowed in the passenger cabin. If your chair was stowed underneath, the crew must return it to you promptly and as close to the plane door as possible unless you specifically ask to pick it up in baggage claim.

2.   Getting Around

California is one of the largest states with plenty to do. The Golden State offers plenty of options for disabled travelers to get around and experience everything within its borders.

Rental Cars

Most commonly, travelers can opt for a rental car. This option is great for travelers who can drive and take their wheelchairs. It also allows for more freedom as you can take the vehicle wherever since you aren’t on a set schedule or route. You can go somewhere local or take a day trip to a different part of California. The downside is the cost, as some vehicles cost extra depending on features, seats, and inventory.

Buses

Another excellent option for longer treks across the state is buses, specifically Greyhound, as they are the nation’s most prevalent long-distance bus company. They can take you to most major California cities and other more rural stops. They have plenty of accessibility options, such as the ability to ride the bus in your chair (with the option of assistance boarding the bus), stowing the chair underneath, and riding in any of the seats available.

Trains

If buses aren’t your speed for extended trips, Amtrack may be a better option. Trains usually offer the same routes as buses and are quicker for longer distances. Amtrak provides a few options when accommodating wheelchair travelers, such as transfer seats if the user doesn’t want to sit in their wheelchair or a designated wheelchair space on the train. Travelers may sit in their chairs for the trip, although there is no wheelchair lockdown device to stop it from shifting entirely.

Local Transportation

While Greyhound and Amtrak offer long-distance options, California provides more local transportation between some of its more populated locales. San Francisco has the CalTrain, which travels North and South through the metropolitan area. CalTrain offers wheelchair-accessible seating and a lift to bring you to the train. Yosemite also has a public transportation line for travelers who want to see the sights that Yosemite has to offer.

California has so many options for local transportation that there are too many to list here. Do some research for the area you’ll be visiting. There’s a good chance that California has some accessible options to get you around the sights.

3.   Things to Do

Muir Woods

Muir Woods is a beautiful, wheelchair-accessible national park that showcases California Redwood trees and other native foliage. This park offers accessible parking close to the visitor center, park entrance, bathrooms, cafe, and gift shop. The most important aspect is the raised boardwalk leading from the entrance to the Founders Grove in the heart of the park. The trail continues past the boardwalk but becomes an asphalt trail. Proceed with more caution since the roots of the trees create potholes and cracks in the trail.

Amusement Parks

Some of the most accessible attractions are amusement parks. These parks are built to be accessible for wheelchairs, especially attractions like Disneyland and SeaWorld. Disneyland has many wheelchair-accessible rides if you’re looking for a thrill. SeaWorld uses a Ride Accessibility Program to state the forces attractions may exert on the riders and ensure that it suits people with disabilities. They also instituted a Special Access program, where guests who cannot wait in line due to disability can stay in a virtual cue to prolong their enjoyment.

Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Park is 1,017 acres in San Francisco and offers a little something for everybody. Whether reconnecting with nature, looking for a bite to eat, or finding a new activity, Golden Gate Park has it all. With multiple clubhouses and recreational centers that are easily wheelchair accessible (and the buildings that aren’t ADA compliant are closed until they’re updated) and multiple paved, car-free roads, there’s a lot of accessibility to appreciate. Read our complete guide to the Golden Gate Park here.

Wherever you plan to visit, do your research before you travel. Find out which areas are accessible and which to avoid. California is too large and has too many attractions to list out here.

Need More Wheelchair Help in California?

Freedom Mobility is the leading expert in wheelchairs and mobility devices in California. With our expertise in mobility issues and stellar patient care, we can find you the mobility device that you need to regain your independence.


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