Top 3 Wheelchair-Accessible Destinations in the Western U.S.

Last month, we talked about some of the best places for handicap able individuals to visit along the east coast of the United States, but what about the west coast?

If you’re one of the many handicap able people who live somewhere in the eastern United States and want to travel out west to experience something different, there are plenty of different places to choose from. Airports are almost entirely wheelchair-accessible nowadays, as are hotels and buses, so getting there won’t be a problem. Different cities have different levels of wheelchair-accessibility, but along the west coast of the United States, your options for exploration are plentiful.

Here are our three most recommended cities to visit along the Pacific coast.

Although the winter months can bring cold temperatures and some snow, the worst weather in Seattle is still nothing compared to what the American Midwest can face in the dead of winter- and nine or ten months out of the year, the weather is actually quite stable. The city’s bus system has been 100% wheelchair-accessible for about three decades now, which is great because there’s so much to do there! Between the city’s space needle, aquarium, views of the waterways of northwest Washington, and ferry system, it’s hard to not enjoy yourself in the biggest city in the Pacific Northwest. And if you’re really up for an adventure, take a day trip down to Fort Clatsop, where the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition ended- it’s just three hours away from downtown Seattle.

OK, so Las Vegas technically isn’t on the Pacific Coast, but it’s close enough- it’s just a four-hour drive away from the closest beach along the Pacific Coast- for us to label it as an extremely wheelchair-accessible city on America’s west coast. Most people know about the incredible world of excitement that lies in Vegas- its nickname, after all, is “Sin City”- but what you may not know is its penchant for wheelchair accessibility. The city of Las Vegas wanted to make sure that its endless entertainment options were open to all, including its shows and casinos, so everywhere you see stairs, you’ll also find ramps and elevators. That’s all on top of the fact that the city is located in the middle of a flat desert to begin with, which yields itself to wide sidewalks on top of naturally flat terrain.

The weather is beautiful throughout southern California, but Los Angeles takes the wheelchair-accessible cake. The city’s public transportation is noted for its wheelchair-accessibility, with chairlifts and elevators at every stop, and the city itself is as well. From the famous Dodger Stadium to Universal Studios and all the boardwalks to the area’s vast supply of beaches, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an attraction in the greater Los Angeles area that isn’t wheelchair-accessible- and that isn’t tremendously enjoyable!

Are you in need of wheelchair assistance this new year? Reach out to the Custom Care Carriage team, and we’ll get you situated!