San Diego is one of the best cities in America for accessible beaches. Each of it's many beaches provides different accessibility technologies. You can find both manual and power wheelchairs throughout San Diego County, including popular Mission Beach, Coronado Beach and Ocean Beach. And the best part? Chairs are free. “You go to the lifeguard station and present your Driver’s License or ID,” said Allen. “And the life guard helps you get into the chair.” Reservations are on a first come, first serve basis so call ahead.
They do not yet, however, provide accessible docks or "swimming rigs" which allow disability visitors to swim freely and safely in the water.
Providing Sand and Water Access for All
The beach is a way of life for many Southern Californians and those who visit it, offering endless views, ocean breezes and the chance to take in all that Southern California offers. And now the beach is even more accessible for travelers with disabilities and others with limited mobility due to the availability of special equipment. Through the efforts of the City of San Diego, Port of San Diego, local residents and council members, there are now a variety of manual, powered and floating beach chairs plus sand access mats available at various beaches throughout San Diego County.
SAND ACCESS MATS
Select beaches offer sand access mats to provide an easier pathway to access the beach. Large spikes hold the mats in place and sand is swept off the mats daily.
- Imperial Beach
The mats are installed at Pier Plaza and Dunes Park, which both have handicapped parking nearby. The mat size can be manipulated to accommodate events in other areas. - Cardiff State Beach
During the summer season, a mat is placed at Lifeguard Tower 15 to provide a firm access surface to the mean high tide line. - Moonlight Beach
A 150 ft. mat is in place year-round near the lifeguard tower.
MANUAL, POWERED AND FLOATING BEACH CHAIRS
To ensure that all visitors can enjoy the sun, surf and sand, San Diego offers free manual or power beach wheelchairs at nine popular beaches for travelers with disabilities or limited mobility. A hybrid of the common power wheelchair and dune buggies, the power beach wheelchairs are comfortable, sturdy, self-propelled and designed to navigate the soft sands. Most wheelchairs are offered on a first come, first served basis. The manual chairs do require you bring a friend to help you navigate through the soft sand.
You can find the manual and powered chairs at Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Coronado Beach, Silver Strand State Beach, Imperial Beach, La Jolla Shores and Oceanside Harbor Beach.
For more information, visitors can call the following telephone numbers:
City of San Diego Beach Wheelchair Line (Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla Shores) (619) 525-8247
Coronado Beach (619) 522-7346, ext. 3
Silver Strand State Beach (619)-435-0126 (manual beach wheelchairs only)
Imperial Beach reservation line (619) 685-7972
Oceanside Harbor Beach and Pier Beach (760) 435-4018 (manual beach wheelchairs only)
Two floating beach chairs are available at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. The chairs are available at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the lifeguard tower, 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For questions, call 760.633.2740.
