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A QUICK HEADS UP: This guide — like all our guides going forward — is a living document, and one we truly hope you’ll enjoy contributing to. It seems silly to limit tips, advice, and recommendations to a single perspective. After all, we’re nothing without community.
If you know of an accessible destination we should add, we’d love to hear from you. You can reach us by emailing hello@theworldisaccessible.com, or by leaving a comment at the bottom of this page. You can also share your accessible reviews of Los Angeles directly on Zamonos.com, from where we will periodically select the best submissions to feature in this guide.
And your suggestions don’t have to stop at tourist spots! We’re equally keen to hear about accessible accommodation, Airbnb rentals, hidden gem experiences, and destinations that travelers with hidden disabilities can enjoy too. The more voices, the better.
Los Angeles is one of those rare places — much like New York — where arriving for the first time feels strangely familiar. From video games and blockbuster films to decades of pop culture, LA has been not just idolized but woven into the collective imagination of the world. You’ve seen its skyline, cruised its boulevards, and walked its streets long before you ever set foot there.
And yet, experiencing it in person is something else entirely. This guide is here to help you do exactly that — cutting through the noise to bring you practical, accessible travel information covering a few of the city’s highlights, the best places to stay, and how to get around with ease.
So, without further ado, let’s explore Accessible Los Angeles.
Stretching along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, Palisades Park is one of the most welcoming and accessible outdoor spaces in the Los Angeles area. Situated atop the bluffs, overlooking the Pacific, the park offers incredible views of both the ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.
The main pathway of the park stretches across its 26-acre area and is fully paved, broad, and well-kept, ensuring easy access for wheelchair users, walkers, or anyone who prefers a smooth, level route. Benches are placed generously along the trail, allowing visitors to rest and enjoy the scenery at their leisure without worrying about finding a seat.
[Huge thanks to Lacey Stansell, whom we connected with on Instagram and who recommended Palisades Park.]
Good to know: Accessible parking is available along Ocean Avenue, with designated spots close to multiple park entrances. Nearby restroom facilities with accessible stalls are located at the southern end of the park.
Founded in 1935, Griffith Observatory has stood on the south-facing side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park for over 90 years. The views alone make the trip worthwhile; scan your eyes in a southeasterly direction, and the entire LA Basin unfolds before you, with Downtown’s skyline rising in the distance. Look south, and all of Hollywood stretches out below, while a glance to the southwest reveals a thin silver line of the Pacific Ocean on the horizon. And that’s all before you’ve even stepped inside, where the exhibits have a way of making the universe feel both vast and surprisingly personal.
Once you enter the Observatory, you’ll notice it’s easy to lose track of time. The Keck Central Rotunda sets the tone almost immediately; a massive mythological sky mural wraps the ceiling above a swinging Foucault pendulum that has been proving the Earth’s rotation ever since the Observatory’s opening day. From there, you’ll discover epic displays on the solar system, view the Sun three ways through the overhead solar telescope, or find yourself getting lost in the immersion that is the Gunther Depths of Space. Don’t be surprised to come for an hour and end up whiling away an entire afternoon.
Good to know: Admission is free at Griffith Observatory, though there is a fee for the amazing shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. For those looking to arrive by bus, take the DASH Observatory/Los Feliz service for an efficient and accessible option. View the bus route and schedule on the LADOT website (link takes you to the dedicated DASH Observatory page).
Accessibility accommodations at Griffith Observatory: All four levels of the Observatory are accessible to every visitor, with elevators and ramps featured throughout the building. The Observatory’s main entrance is the exterior elevator and the stairs leading down to the lower levels, and the iconic Historic level has two ramps and power-assisted doors on the left and right. Wheelchairs can also be borrowed, free of charge, from the desk at the Center of Gravity, though they are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. There are equivalent stations inside the building for the views from the historic optical and solar telescopes.
In the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater, both hearing assist devices and open captioning are available, making the theater inclusive for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing assists are also available in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and the Observatory’s Map & Wayfinder PDF states that sign language interpretation can be arranged with a minimum of five business days’ notice.
Griffith Observatory has several accommodations for visitors who are blind or have partial sight, including staff-led gallery talks, hourly Tesla Coil demonstrations, a daily Local Noon talk, and staff assistance with tactile objects, including meteorites. The building has interpretive Museum Guides on every level to answer questions and explain exhibits.
All exterior and lower-level restrooms accommodate visitors using mobility aids. Accessible parking is also available in the parking area closest to the building (beyond the main parking lot).
For a full overview of accessibility accommodations at Griffith Observatory—including provisions for visitors with sensory needs and those with service animals—visit the dedicated accessibility page on their website.
Fantastic art set amongst beautifully modern architecture. The Getty Center describes itself as being “a museum with something for everyone”, and it’s easy to understand why when you consider the vast array of art types, outdoor spaces, and views of the city skyline that will leave you dead in your tracks with the mesmerization that they have on offer.
Start your visit with the tram ride from the parking area up to the hilltop plaza, where sweeping views of Los Angeles open up before you. Wander through the Central Garden — featuring pristine snooze-inviting lawns, relaxing water features, and winding paths designed to aid reflection and serenity. Inside the pavilions, travel across centuries of creativity, from medieval masterpieces to modern works, all thoughtfully curated to showcase the vast intrigues of the Getty’s famous collection.
Good to know: Admission is free, but a reserved time slot is required. You can reserve your admission slot via the Getty Center Admission page on their website.
Accessibility at The Getty Center: The Getty Center and the Getty Villa pride themselves as being ADA accessible for all visitors, with some key highlights including the welcoming of service animals, seating and resting areas, accessible parking, visual descriptions, audio tours, ASL interpretation, free rental of wheelchairs, and a whole heap more. For more information on what to expect when visiting with a disability, you can check Getty’s accessibility page on their website.
To get first-hand informative reviews about the Getty Center, head to Zamonos and see what others are saying about the place!
On paper, it shouldn’t work. A functioning film studio — with real productions, real crews, real deadlines — has no business also being one of Southern California’s most visited destinations. And yet somehow, Universal Studios Hollywood has pulled off this unlikely double life for over a century, and the tension between those two identities is precisely what makes it unlike anywhere else. You’re not simply visiting a theme park built to look like Hollywood. You’re visiting Hollywood itself, which also happens to have a theme park in it.
The tram ride drives that point home within minutes. As you drop into the backlot and glide past the Bates Motel, a collapsing Courthouse Square, and streets that have quietly stood in for dozens of cities across film history, the scale of the deception becomes genuinely disorienting. These aren’t facades built for tourists — tourists just get to see them too. Back up on the Upper Lot, the spell holds. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is committed enough to its own reality that the butterbeer feels earned rather than gimmicky, and the transition from Hogsmeade to Springfield to the remnants of classic Hollywood happens so naturally you barely register the whiplash.
Good to know: Wheelchair ($25/day) and ECV ($75/day) rentals are available inside the park, across from the Universal Studios Store. ECVs require a signed contract, are first-come, first-served, and must be operated by a single person aged 18 or older.
Pro Tip (from daniellevates) : If you plan on using the shuttle buses between the hotels, CityWalk, and the Theme Park, factor in extra time. Visitors have reported wait times of 20–30 minutes for accessible shuttles, so it may not be as quick to “hop back and forth” as you might expect.
Accessibility accommodations at Universal Studios Hollywood: There’s a strong commitment to ensuring the park is enjoyed by every visitor. Guests can apply for an Attractions Assistance Pass by registering for an IBCCES Accessibility Card (IAC) at accessibilitycard.org, at least 48 hours before visiting. Once approved, a Universal team member will reach out to discuss your accommodation needs. Those who only require a mobility device need not apply.
There is a wide range of accessibility information on the Universal Studios Hollywood website. For guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, there’s assistive listening, ASL interpreting, and captioning. For those who are blind or partially sighted, there’s information about which attractions allow you to ride with a white cane, and there are large print and braille versions of various live show scripts.
You’ll also find information for guests with wheeled mobility devices, prostheses, service animals, oxygen tanks, and for those with cognitive disabilities.
Accessible routes and access for guests with wheeled mobility devices are provided throughout Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests can take the shuttle bus, equipped with a wheelchair lift, from the bottom of Universal Hollywood Drive to the hotels, CityWalk, and Theme Park. Get the full and extensive rundown of all Universal Studios Hollywood accessibility accommodations in their Guide for Safety and Accessibility PDF.
The Walk of Fame is an iconic area of the Hollywood District. You’ve all seen the images: celebrities on their haunches, placing their hands on a freshly laid star, immortalizing their name into the history books, and having their ‘forever piece’ of tinseltown.
Over 2,700 stars, honoring acclaimed members of the entertainment industry, span 15 blocks on Hollywood Boulevard (roughly 1.3 miles) and three blocks on Vine Street (approximately 0.4 miles). It’s free to the public and is definitely considered one of the highlights of any visit to Los Angeles.
Good to know: The Hollywood Walk of Fame receives over 10 million visitors per year, so it’s important to bear in mind that both Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street can get extremely busy. Not only is this something that wheelchair users and those using other types of mobility devices may want to consider, but it’s also equally important for those visiting with sensory disabilities, or those who are either blind or visually impaired.
Accessibility at the Hollywood Walk of Fame: Despite the difficulties associated with overcrowding, the walkway itself (on both streets) is fairly flat. Word to the wise, though, thanks to the incessant footfall, the stars and the sidewalk are both a little worn and, in places, uneven. Surfaces are also quite dirty, which could, in some cases, make them slippier than usual.
For an accessible restroom that meets the ADA standards, head to either the Ovation Hollywood complex or the TCL Chinese Theatre, both of which are situated in the center of the Hollywood Blvd visitor area.
Dining out in Los Angeles is an experience in itself — and a growing number of the city’s restaurants are taking accessibility seriously. Here are a few worth knowing about.
📍1800 Argyle Ave, Hollywood, Los Angeles
📞(213) 279-3534
📧info@writtenhandla.com
Tucked inside The Kimpton Everly Hotel in the heart of Hollywood, Written Hand is a Mediterranean restaurant that takes inclusive hospitality seriously. The entrance is step-free, with ramps, wide doorways, and accessible parking on-site. Inside, wheelchair-accessible seating is distributed throughout — not relegated to one corner — with table tops and ordering counters at accessible heights. The restrooms are equally well considered, with grab bars, accessible stalls, and adequate clearance throughout. Service animals are welcome, and staff are regularly trained to ensure every guest feels genuinely welcome.
Website: www.writtenhandla.com
Good to know: If you have specific requirements ahead of your visit, Written Hand encourages you to reach out in advance. Price-wise, expect a mid-range dining experience in a refined setting.
📍21100 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, California
📞+1 714-845-8000
📧hubwh_gm@hilton.com
Price bracket: Luxury; $300-$900 per night before tax.
Note: The Waterfront Beach Resort is approximately 35-40 miles south of downtown LA, and so would be ideal for guests looking to stay outside of the city.
Looking for a spot that offers beachside relaxation and doesn’t skimp on the access? You’ll be well-suited at The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel. Not only is this hotel in a prime coastal location, but it also delivers on accessibility.
A bit about the hotel’s recreational options: there are 2 outdoor pools to choose from, 3 spa tubs, a waterslide, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants, including the lively Cabo Wabo Beach Club. There are 437 guestrooms, a concierge service, a 24-hour business center, and babysitting services available. In other words, you could say there’s something for everyone!
Guest Room Accessibility Features at The Waterfront Beach Resort
Bathroom Accessibility Features at The Waterfront Beach Resort
Visit The Waterfront Beach Resort’s website for more information.
Bear in mind: The hotel’s location makes getting to LA tricky. Driving or taking a taxi is recommended, though traffic can push the trip to 90+ minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi to Santa Ana’s Amtrak station (approx. 15 miles away) and a train directly to LA Union Station.
📍8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, California
📞+1 310-645-0400
📧info@thehoteljune.com
Price bracket: Mid-range; $200-$400 per night before tax.
If you like your hotel boutique, you’ll love Hotel June. What’s more, the access features throughout the hotel’s main areas, guest rooms, and bathrooms are next-level amazing.
Hotel June has accessible rooms across several categories, including the Spacious King, Spacious Double Queen, Spacious Double Queen City View, and Two Bedroom Studio. The hotel also has a heated outdoor pool, two separate restaurant and bar options, a 24-hour fitness center, and is pet friendly, just to name a few amenities.
Guest Room Accessibility Features at Hotel June
Good to know: Hotel June has an ‘Accessibility’ page on their website that outlines a lot of information regarding what guests with access needs can expect at the premises.
📍1260 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, California
📞+1 213-385-2225
📧Marriott ‘Contact Us’ Form.
Price bracket: Mid-to-High-End; $250-$600 per night before tax.
If you like sleek, modern, and stylish design, all while being in the heart of the city you’re visiting, then we recommend checking out AC Hotel Downtown LA. This Marriott property not only looks great, but it’s accessible too!
You’ll find an outdoor pool up on the 8th floor, but a word to the wise, it’s not owned by the hotel, but guests have the right to use it from Monday-Friday. Also, note that there does not appear to be a pool lift.
Elsewhere on the property, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, 2 bars and lounges, and a coffee shop/cafe. With nearly 10,000 square feet of event and meeting space across 6 rooms, it’s a great base for those in town for business. Buffet breakfasts are served daily, and all 347 air-conditioned rooms come with complimentary WiFi.
Bathroom Accessibility Features at AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles
Good to know: The AC Hotel Downtown Los Angeles advertises as having guestrooms that are accessible to those who are either deaf or hearing impaired.
Note: Additional accessibility details for the guest rooms at this property were not available at the time of writing. We recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific features such as door widths, turning space, and bed height before booking.
A huge thank you to TWIA newsletter subscriber Rebecca Rainsdon, who got in touch to share her local knowledge of LA’s accessible beaches. We’ve used her recommendations as the starting point for this section.
Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most accessible stretches of coastline in the entire country, and it earns that reputation through genuine, practical effort rather than marketing speak. The city has installed wooden access ramps at several points along the beach — at Arizona Avenue, Bay Street, Ocean Park Boulevard, and Ashland Avenue — bringing wheelchair users close to the water’s edge. The broader beachfront is served by the Ocean Front Walk, a paved, multi-use path that runs the full length of the beach and connects seamlessly to Venice Beach further south.
Free beach wheelchairs, including electric models, are available on a first-come, first-served basis from three Perry’s Cafe locations along Ocean Front Walk and from the Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 Pacific Coast Highway. The Heal the Bay Aquarium, located beneath the pier, also offers complimentary beach wheelchair loans, though these are available on weekends only (Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am to 2:30pm, first-come first-served). It’s worth calling ahead to confirm availability at any location before you make the trip.
Good to know: Accessible parking is available at multiple lots along the beachfront. Accessible restrooms can be found at all three locations on the Santa Monica Pier, as well as at various points along the beach. For a full overview of access points, the City of Santa Monica publishes an Accessible Santa Monica Beach map on their website.
Perry’s Cafe Ocean Front Walk: (310) 864-3717 Annenberg Community Beach House: (310) 458-4904
Arguably the most filmed beach in California, Venice Beach is also one of its most accessible. A 350-foot MobiMat connects to the bike trail at 2100 Ocean Front Walk, near the Venice Boulevard beach parking lot, which has a generous number of ADA parking spaces. The mat is installed annually from spring through fall, bringing wheelchair users closer to the ocean than previous access points allowed.
Free beach wheelchairs with large rubber wheels are available at the Venice Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, located near the southwest corner of the parking lot on Ocean Front Walk. From there, the Ocean Front Walk path continues north toward Santa Monica, making it straightforward to combine both beaches in a single visit.
Good to know: Venice Beach has accessible picnic tables a short distance from the Rose Avenue parking lot, and accessible restrooms at multiple points along the beachfront. An interactive map showing all access mat and beach wheelchair locations across LA County beaches can be found at beaches.lacounty.gov/access.
Despite its car-heavy reputation, fueled by images of multi-mile-long traffic jams, LA packs a punch when it comes to accessible transit options. Here’s what’s available across the city’s main networks.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation DASH and Commuter Express buses are all wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts, and with every bus having wheelchair tie-down positions. Buses also have low-floor kneeling capability, plus audio and visual announcements for stops and safety messages. Walkers, crutches, and other mobility devices are all permitted and welcome, and riders who present a government-issued proof of disability card and their photo ID can travel at half the regular fare.
If fixed-route buses don’t suit your needs, the CITYRIDE program is worth looking into. It offers reduced-cost, on-demand taxi service around the clock, seven days a week, with a fleet of ADA ramp- and lift-equipped vans available on request. Eligibility is open to those aged 65 or over and qualified people with disabilities in the City of LA and select nearby parts of LA County. You can register and manage trips through the CITYRIDE app. For help or to arrange special services, call +1 (818) 808-2273.
All Metro Rail lines are wheelchair accessible, with every station offering either a ramp or elevator from street to platform. If an elevator is out of service, you can ride a bus to the next station free of charge. Braille and tactile signs are posted at station entrances for vision-impaired riders. On buses, operators will assist with boarding, reaching the securement area, and securing mobility devices, and all buses have automated stop announcements audible inside and outside the vehicle.
For riders unable to use fixed-route services, Metro’s Access paratransit is a solid option. It’s a curb-to-curb shared-ride service for ADA-eligible individuals, covering any destination within three-quarters of a mile of a fixed bus route or Metro Rail station, running 4 am to midnight daily. Fares are distance-based, capped at $3.50 each way.
Visitor Note: If you are visiting from out of state and already use a paratransit service, you can often get a “Visitor Pass” for Access Paratransit by having your home agency send over your eligibility paperwork. Keep in mind that like many paratransit systems, it can be unpredictable—allow for significant buffer time in case of delays or missed pickups. (Thanks to Danielle Vates for this extra bit of info).
Amtrak serves LA through Union Station, and the experience is generally smooth for travelers with accessibility concerns. Accessible seating is available on all trains, and where needed, ramps or station-based mobile lifts provide access to train levels, Furthermore passengers requiring wheelchair assistance are pre-boarded. Disabled passengers and wheelchair users are eligible for a 15% fare discount. Wheelchair spaces, boarding assistance, and Red Cap porter service are all provided free of charge.
You can request assistance when booking, and you should aim to arrive at least an hour before departure. Call 1-800-872-7245 or dial 711 (local) for TTY.
Service dogs are welcome across all LADOT services with proper documentation, and the same applies on Metro and Amtrak.
📍5125 York Blvd., Highland Park 📞323-739-6459
Relaxed and refreshingly unpretentious, The Hermosillo was clearly designed with all kinds of bodies in mind. Wide, unobstructed layouts mean no narrow squeezes to the bar or bathrooms, no stairs to contend with, and plenty of room to navigate a wheelchair or other mobility device. Craft beers from the neighboring Highland Park Brewery and a rotating natural wine list keep things interesting. Street and lot parking are both available, though a little luck helps.
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