There are so many wonderful ways to spend time in the yard. If you have a projector, a backyard movie night is a special treat your children can look forward to all week. Or maybe this is the summer you finally invest in a trampoline. Here are more ideas:
Grab some sidewalk chalk and try out some of these outdoor play activities to help develop gross motor skills.
Download PDFs from PE Central, which lists activities for kids that will engage both mind and body, arranged by age and ability. Examples include fitness hangman, fitness bingo, adapted ring toss, and activities to do in a limited space.
Plant seeds in the garden to help promote fine motor dexterity while offering stress relief.
Create sensory bins filled with seeds, soil, and other natural elements to incorporate sensory integration into a child’s day.
Use seeds to create a mosaic as a fun method of creating art and working on fine motor skills.
If you're looking for a playground near you that's adapted for kids of all abilities, two great resources to check are AccessiblePlayground.net and InclusionMatters.org, which both have statewide lists. Here are some specific locations and other resources we wanted to highlight, organized by region:
Bay Area
San Francisco Recreation & Parks has a detailed listing of their accessible playgrounds complete with information on accommodations at varying locations. Some parks of note:
Mountain Lake Park: This city park sits just south of the Presidio and in 2017 underwent a renovation to make the playground accessible to children with both mobility and cognitive challenges. There are nets, swings, jumping discs, ropes, seesaws and slides, all safely within a low wall bounding the playground. The cushy ground and ramps make it accessible for all. Location: 1000 Lake Street, San Francisco, CA.
Rotary PlayGarden: San Jose’s PlayGarden is perhaps the Bay Area’s most impressive accessible playground, boasting many features that entice all children to play. The play carousel has room for two wheelchairs and bench seats so that a child can sit with another rider. The double-seat seesaw allows a parent to sit behind to support a child. The park offers conventional swings along with accessible swings, including one with a harness and a large disc swing that a child in a wheelchair can easily transfer into. The slides, all reachable by ramp, are made of cement because the static electricity generated on a plastic slide can damage cochlear implants. BONUS: Nearby Mineta San Jose International Airport allows park visitors the chance to watch as large planes take off and land. Location: 490 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA
Heather Farm Park Playground: Walnut Creek’s All Abilities Playground is 30,000 square feet in size and was designed to address the physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory needs of all children. Features include shock-absorbent pathways and flooring, structures and equipment with wider ramps, ground-level play opportunities, a swing set zone with tot swings and high-back swings, sound and sensory equipment throughout, shaded play structures for more protection from heat and sun, and benches within the play zones, so parents can sit close to where children play. Location: 301 N San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek, CA
Magical Bridge Playgrounds: Socially inclusive and physically accessible, Magical Bridge Playgrounds have distinct play zones with equipment for all ages, sizes, and abilities. They include seamless pathways and soft-fall ground surfaces with no loose tanbark or sand that may obstruct those using breathing tubes. They have wide slides, adult-sized bucket swings, and a wheelchair-accommodating carousel. There are hideaway huts for quiet retreats, signage for sensory challenges, and a kindness corner for reflection. Keep an eye out for interactive musical features and local art installations. Since opening the first playground in 2015, there are now 7 playgrounds open to the public in the San Francisco Bay Area with many more in development around the world. See locations here.
Mateo’s Dream Playground: Concord’s All Abilities Playground was one of the first playgrounds built in the Bay Area for children of all abilities to come and enjoy a day of play. It's named after Matteo Henderson who was a boy who had several disabilities including blindness, cerebral palsy, and cognitive impairment; this space is a place kids can spend hours moving, climbing, swinging, and engaging in imaginative play. Location: Hillcrest Park, 2025 Olivera Road, Concord, CA 94520
Central California
Tatum’s Garden in Salinas has accessible playgrounds that allow for children of all abilities to play side-by-side. The 6,000-square-foot play space was inspired by a young resident with spina bifida. It’s lined with wheelchair-friendly ramps, dotted with adapted swings and covered with cushioning rubber. Location: 1 Maryal Drive, Salinas, CA 93906
El Estero Park Complex, Monterey is home of the famous Dennis the Menace playground. The park has a lot of slides, large play structures, mazes, rock climbing wall, and an old steam engine. In 2017, the park upgraded its ADA standards. There is a lake where you can ride a pedal boat and a beach right across the street.
Folsom Park is a wild west-themed park packed with endless pretend play opportunities. All children can board the covered wagon, check out the stagecoach, shop at the general store, check in at the hotel, or play with the interactive train panel. Location: 50 Natamo Street, Folsom, CA 95630
Maidu Regional Park, Roseville is a western-themed Shane’s Inspiration park that brings together kids of all abilities. It is situated in the 152-acre Regional Park and is home to a library, museum, rose garden, hiking trails, and large grass areas. Location: 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville, CA 95661
Inspiration Park, Fresno is for people of all ages and all abilities. The 8-acre park has rubber baseball, soccer, and track fields for those in wheelchairs to access. The playground equipment has wide, low-incline ramps. The park also includes picnic tables with open ends for wheelchairs. There are adjustable basketball hoops, so with a simple turn of a handle, you can raise or lower the hoop based on your skill level or ability. Location: 5770 Gettysburg Ave, Fresno, CA 93722
A list of accessible playgrounds in the Sacramento area can be found here.
Los Angeles area
The City of Los Angeles' Department of Recreation and Parks currently has several Universally Accessible Playgrounds where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. Find the list here! Some notable ones include:
Shane’s Inspiration in Griffith Park, Los Angeles is the first Universally Accessible Playground in the Western United States. A space ship and water-themed custom playground let's imaginations soar and accessible to all. Besides the main play structure, there are many inclusive freestanding play elements. Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Aidan’s Place at Westwood Recreation Center, Los Angeles is the second fully accessible playground in the United States, which offers adaptations including an elevated sand-castle-building station. Location: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Dearborn Pass Park in Northridge is a Shane Inspiration playground that focuses on inclusive play, including a wheelchair accessible bridge and sensory play with tactile and musical features. Location: 17141 Nordhoff, Northridge, CA 91325
Orange County
Orange County has several inclusive playgrounds listed here. Some notable ones include:
Huntington Beach All-Inclusive Playground: Access to the beach and a playground too? Sounds like kid heaven! The new All-Inclusive Playground at Huntington Beach was “designed with rubber surfacing and special play units to provide accessibility and to promote interactive play among children of all abilities.” Location: The playground can be accessed from the beach path on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier.
Heritage Park: This gem in Cerritos has it all: an accessible teeter-totter and ride on dolphin, opportunities for pretend play in an ocean theme with a bait & tackle shop and equipment that looks like ships and boats, and an accessible sway boat that allows for wheelchair access. Heritage Park also has a big lake with ducks and geese, a Fine Arts Center, the Irvine Heritage Library, and a Community Center. Location: 18600 Bloomfield Avenue, Cerritos, CA.
San Diego County
Mandell Weiss Eastgate Playground features wheelchair-accessible playground equipment, a sensory garden, and nature-themed equipment for all children to engage and improve their motor skills, memory function, and problem solving. Much of the play structure is accessible with a wheelchair and, because the ground covering is rubber, all the areas around the play structures are accessible too. There are two ADA swings, a wheelchair-accessible glider, a wheelchair-accessible spinner, and accessible panels. Location: 4202 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
San Dieguito's Inclusive Play Space in San Diego has a 5,600-square-foot, all-accessible playground that features six key play elements for balancing, spinning, brachiating, sliding, climbing, and spinning through a variety of attractions. It is in the northern part of the larger 124-acre park near Miracle Field. Location:1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar, CA 92014
Tecolote Shores South, Mission Bay Park offers a variety of swings and an ADA zipline! The play island has a series of play coves with accessible pathways, making even the tallest point of the play structure available to everyone. The playground also includes a merry-go-round, rockers, and swings. Location: 1740 E Mission Bay Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
There are many options for getting some fresh air. Here are some accessible choices that offer paved trails, open spaces, and a chance to explore as a family. You can explore accessible trails in California by visiting the Accessible Features in State Parks website. This hiking trail finder tool can also give you information about accessibility. Tip: If you can go early on weekdays, there should be fewer crowds.
For a general list of accessible hiking trails statewide, visit the Accessible Nature website and the All Trails website. We have highlighted some specific locations below:
Bay Area/Northern California
If you are in the Santa Cruz area, you can find ADA-compliant, paved and unpaved wheelchair-accessible trails here.
Deer Hollow Farm Loop Trail: 2.8-mile loop trail near Cupertino, which is known as an excellent spot for bird-watching. Visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers may need all-terrain tires or adaptive/motorized equipment for the surface type and grade. The trail surface includes gravel, natural surface (dirt, rocks, roots), or paved asphalt and is typically at least 4 feet wide.
Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail: 1.4-mile loop trail near Orick, which is open year-round and a great way to enjoy the Redwoods. The trail surface varies between a natural surface (dirt) or a wooden bridge with railings and is typically at least 6 feet wide. There is one portion of the trail (hikers bridge) that is not accessible to those in wheelchairs, but the remainder of the trail is. The trail has a lot of history to it, and you can walk from a second growth forest into an old growth red forest.
Old Cove Landing Trail: 2.4-mile loop trail. This is a leisurely stroll along the Pacific Ocean north of Santa Cruz. Hikers will see gulls, geese, pelicans, and other waterfowl and hear the bark of sea lions. Some of the trail is adjacent to the grounds of a farm replete with antique cars and farm machinery from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is recommended that visitors start from the parking lot at the Wilder Ranch State Park. The trail surface is a natural surface (dirt, sand, rocks) and is typically at least 8 feet wide.
Stanford Dish Loop Trail 3.7-mile loop trail is open year-round although hours vary throughout the year. Parts of the trail are steep, but the trail itself is paved. The trail surface is smooth asphalt, typically at least 8 feet wide.
Central California
Convict Lake East Shore Trail: 2.5-mile hike in Mammoth that loops around the shoreline of the lake. The terrain is relatively flat and paved, and there are benches along the trail to stop and enjoy the views.
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail: 1.2-mile loop trail near Yosemite Valley, open year-round. Visitors will see the tallest waterfall in Northern America (and fifth tallest in the world). The trail surface is paved asphalt or wooden boardwalk with edge barriers and is typically at least 4 feet wide. There are wheelchair-accessible bathrooms at the trailhead.
Sentinel Meadow’s Cook Meadows Loop Trail: 2-mile trail located in Yosemite Valley that allows visitors to see beautiful views of Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and Royal Arches from the center of Yosemite Valley. The trail surface is paved (with railings at bridges) or gravel and typically at least 5 feet wide. There is one small staircase at a bridge.
Morro Bay Harborwalk: This ADA-accessible half-mile paved trail in Morro Bay boasts beautiful views of the volcanic rocks in the town’s harbor, along with sea otters and other marine life. Park just off Coleman Drive at Morro Rock; the trail ends at Embarcadero. Be sure to check Morro Bay’s website to stay updated on openings.
Los Angeles area
Ojai Valley Trail: This 9-mile, wheelchair-accessible paved trail runs along the Ventura River in the heart of the beautiful Ojai Valley, with mountain and river views. The trail begins in Foster Park in downtown Ventura and ends in downtown Ojai at Fox Street.
Alpine Pedal Path — Big Bear Lake: The Alpine Pedal Path is an ADA-accessible paved trail that goes along the north shore of Big Bear Lake from the Stanfield Cutoff to slightly west of the Solar Observatory. This path connects with the Big Bear Discovery Center. To access this trail, park at Juniper Point or Meadow's Edge picnic areas or at Stanfield Cutoff.
LA River Glendale Narrows: This 1-mile riverwalk is on the north bank of the Los Angeles River between Riverside Drive and Zoo Drive and the Verdugo Wash. Its paved trail is lined with native California trees and shrubs, seating areas, and a public art installation inspired by stop-motion animation. As an Undivided parent pointed out, “The path is remarkably cool with the breeze off the water!” How to access the trail:
Mount Ruidioux Trail: This is a paved 3.2-mile loop with excellent views of Riverside County. Look for the American flag and cross designating the top of the trail. The trail surface is paved asphalt with some bumps or cracks and is typically at least 8 feet wide. This trail is moderately steep. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available in Ryan Bonaminio Park.
San Diego/Orange County
Seven Bridge Walk: 5.7-mile loop in San Diego, open year-round. The trail surface varies between paved asphalt and concrete (which can get bumpy with cracks) and is typically at least 6 feet wide. There are two known barriers on this trail to access the Spruce Street Bridge and Quince Street Bridge, which have been marked with waypoints. This trail is described as a fun way to explore several neighborhoods surrounding Balboa Park in San Diego, one bridge at a time.
Oak County Nature Center: 4 miles of hiking trails set on 58 acres in Anaheim Hills. The trail along the main road that is 0.9 miles in length is wheelchair accessible and bisects the center of the canyon to provide hikers with nice lookout points. The area also has a small museum that exhibits live animals and natural history exhibits.
Bay Area
The gardens listed below when grouped together are called the Gardens of Golden Gate Park.
San Francisco Botanical Garden is 55 acres of landscaped gardens and open spaces that showcase more than 8,000 different kinds of plants from around the world. This site has well-marked paved paths and is accessible to all. Enter at the Main Gate only.
Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco is the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. It houses a rare and exotic plant collection.
The Japanese Tea Garden is the oldest Japanese garden in North America and located in San Francisco. Guests using wheelchairs can access the Tea House, which has spectacular views of the Japanese Tea Garden.
Central California
Please see the California 101 Guide website for listings of gardens within Central California. We’ve highlighted a few below. If you are visiting the Sacramento area, please read over this list from the MKlibrary website that showcases botanical and rose gardens in the area.
Ventura Botanical Gardens houses over 120,000 plants that represent the five Mediterranean climate zones of the world: Chile, the Cape of South Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean Basin, and California. The pathways are paved or dirt and wide enough for wheelchair access. Leashed dogs are allowed on Wednesdays, Fridays, and monthly free days.
Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Garden is an accessible and interactive space that highlights plants native to Santa Ynez River and is enjoyed by over 100 bird species. Classes as well as nature walks are available at the center for visitors to participate in. The paths are wheelchair-accessible. The park itself is very family-friendly and allows pet dogs.
Clovis Botanical Garden broke ground in 1993 and has grown in size over the past few decades to include a sensory garden, a children’s garden, and areas showing off vegetation from specific parts of the world such as Mediterranean, South African, and Chilean native plants. The garden is accessible and enjoyable to all ages.
Los Angeles area
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Palm Desert: This attraction is a Certified Autism Center, which means they work to accommodate visitors as well as create sensory guides for each exhibit. Staff have been trained in methods to ensure visitors with autism or sensory needs have an engaging visit. These include sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones, and other resources available for checkout for those with sensory needs. The zoo also offers wide, paved pathways, making exploring accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Wheelchairs and electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs) are also offered for daily rental. The Living Desert offers monoculars and ASL devices.
Descanso Gardens: Descanso Gardens is a beautiful oasis in the heart of the La Canada/Flintridge hills. Filled with paved trails that take you through wild and manicured gardens, this is a wonderful escape from the city. Picnics can be eaten in the courtyard and outer picnic areas, and the cafe is open. Kids love the Enchanted Railroad, which takes them on a loop through the gardens ($5 ticket). There is also a small hedge maze for kids. A limited number of wheelchairs can be borrowed for free. Learn more about their accessibility here.
California Botanic Garden: Located in Claremont, the botanic garden is committed to making all its exhibits and programs accessible. All buildings and most garden areas are accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Directional signs are provided throughout to provide guidance for visitors. Read here to learn more about their accessibility.
Los Angeles Arboretum: The L.A. Arboretum contains sprawling gardens and a wildlife haven in Arcadia. Kids can enjoy watching peacocks, looking at waterfalls, and exploring an antique train depot. Trails are paved for most of the gardens. The cafe is open for grab-and-go food; no outside food is allowed. Wheelchairs are currently not available to rent. Read here to learn more about their accessibility.
San Diego area
There are many beautiful botanical garden options to see within the San Diego area. We have highlighted a couple below:
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch span 55 acres that are in full bloom each year at the beginning of March. Typically open for nine weeks, there are endless rows of Persian Buttercups in red, violet, yellow, pink, and other colors. Walking paths and tractor wagon rides are available for visitors. Food vendors are available on weekends, but families can also bring their own picnics while enjoying their surroundings. The dirt pathways are accessible by wheelchairs and strollers.
Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden at Balboa Park displays over 1,600 roses of 130 different varieties. The pathways are wide and accessible to all with wheelchairs and strollers. The garden is in bloom March to December with peak months in April and May. A bit of the history can be found here on the San Diego Rose Society website. This is one of many gardens that is available to visitors within Balboa Park.
Statewide
Los Angeles area
This user-updated Google map is a great reference for the most up-to-date information on beaches that provide wheelchair accessibility. The map shows which beaches are open and what kind of access they provide.
Currently, beach wheelchairs may only be reserved in advance at the Dockweiler Youth Center. Beach wheelchairs at all other locations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability varies by location, but you can find a list of other LA beaches offering wheelchairs in this information sheet.
The beautiful beachside Marvin Braude Bike Trail (also known as “The Strand”) is wheelchair accessible and starts to the north at Will Rogers State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway and State Route 1 (Los Angeles) and at Via Riviera and Paseo de la Playa (Torrance) to the south.
The CA map and database of beach wheelchairs in Los Angeles County can be found at the LA Department of Beaches and Harbors website.
Bay Area
Find detailed information on accessible beaches in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties here.
A list of wheelchair-accessible beaches in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area can be found here.
Traveling by RV can give your family the freedom of the open road while staying safe and enjoying the comforts of what feels like home. Things to take into consideration when selecting an RV are how many people you are traveling with, whether you’ll need wheelchair access or car seat accessibility, and the size of vehicle you feel comfortable driving. Be sure to ask about any accessibility features and whether service animals are permitted. Some popular RV rental sites include RV Share, Outdoorsy, Cruise America, and El Monte RV (Los Angeles).
You’ve got your motorhome, you’ve got your gear...now, where are you headed?
Use Reserve California and Recreation.gov to reserve camping spots. TIP: Check the Reserve California site at 8:00 a.m. every day for your desired campsite, as that’s when they release new and canceled reservations.
KOA: KOA is the trusted host of many ]privately owned campground sites in California. Whether you want to pitch a tent, park the RV, or rent a cabin, KOA has many options. At Ventura Ranch KOA, take an ocean stroll on the ADA-accessible San Buenaventura State Beach.
Hipcamp: Hipcamp is a user-sourced rental site for campgrounds on private land. Search within California to find secluded tent camping, RV sites, and even glamping opportunities. You can also filter your search for ADA-accessible campsites.
For popular Southern California sites, check Malibu Creek State Park, Silverwood Lake SRA, and San Onofre State Beach for wheelchair-accessible campgrounds. Jalama Beach Camping is a beautiful and secluded beach campsite north of Santa Barbara with more than a hundred campsites that overlook the ocean. At Avila/Pismo Beach, there’s a petting zoo and a farm that offers hayrides across the street from the campground, which is close to beaches and ADA-compliant trails.
For the Sierra Nevada Forest, check the US Forest Service website that highlights a list of accessible camping sites in this area.
Three campgrounds within Lassen Volcanic National Park are accessible campsites suitable for wheelchairs. They are Manzanita Lake Campground sites A32 and B9, Summit Lake North Campground site A1, and Butte Lake Campground site A6. These sites are also located near accessible restrooms. All campsites must be reserved online at recreation.gov. Visitors with access passes receive a 50% discount on camping in the park. Manzanita Camping Cabins are adjacent to Manzanita Lake Campground and Manzanita Lake. Cabins 1, 8, 14, and 18 are wheelchair-accessible. Each cabin includes a bed, propane heater, lantern, bear box, fire ring, access ramp, stairs with handrails, and an extended picnic table.
If you're just wanting a nice picnic day, find accessible picnic areas in California State Parks here.
California has many museums and science centers that offer interactive exhibits and programs suitable for our kiddos, especially kids with sensory issues. Here are a few:
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose: This children's museum in Silicon Valley has many programs and resources designed to provide access and inclusion for families of children with mobility challenges, difficulty communicating, or who become easily stimulated. Check the calendar for autism-friendly Saturday sessions called Play Your Way for ages 2–15. The museum offers Social Stories, Quiet Rooms, Headsets, and more.
Exploratorium, San Francisco: This museum offers a ton of accessible features, including ASL interpreters, wheelchair-accessible spaces (you can rent one at the museum), tactile maps, and free and reduced rate of entry for aides of guests with disabilities.
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach: The Aquarium of the Pacific not only hosts a massive array of incredible exhibits on sea life but also works hard to provide accessibility to its visitors. For those with sensory challenges, they’ve teamed up with KultureCity to provide sensory bags, stories about the aquarium, and quiet zones for overwhelm. The venue is wheelchair-accessible, and they have programs for Deaf and blind patrons.
The Fleet Science Center, San Diego: This science center offers Accessibility Mornings on the third Saturday of every month. Doors are open one hour before the museum opens to the public, and they screen a documentary with house lights on and the soundtrack volume low. Early access to galleries opens at 9 a.m. with film screening at 10 a.m. For more on this awesome hands-on museum’s accessibility programs, read here.
MOXI Wolf Museum of Exploration & Innovation, Santa Barbara: This museum in Santa Barbara offers a free, sensory-friendly app called Access MOXI so that visitors with autism and sensory processing disorders can preview the museum. Visitors can also grab sensory backpack kits available to check out at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about their accessibility here.
California Science Center, Los Angeles: This science center is one of the largest of its kind in the nation with a large amount of hands-on exhibits, IMAX movies, and special exhibitions that are all accessible with elevators on all levels. It also has a kids area with magnetic sliders and rollers for sensory input.
San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, San Diego: Hands-on early STEM education for children under 10 years old. Sensory-friendly mornings are held every Sunday, 9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
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