Sedona, AZ –

The Crescent Moon Ranch at Red Rock Crossing is a wheelchair friendly park a part of the Coconino National Forest in Sedona, Arizona. It is here that one can visit a Vortex (1 of 4 main ones). Travel toward the back corner of the park towards Cathedral Rock. The path is accessible as far as I’m concerned expect for 3 crucial areas that mos will need assistance.

The first area of caution is the initial slope off the cemented path to the one that leads to the Vortex because there are a number of small rocks.

The Red Rock sediment was very easy to roll over. A little further down the path there was another set of small rocks, which was difficult to get over. Near the Vortex the last obstacle consists of a set of roots sticking out of the ground.

However,  it was certainly worth despite the 3 obstacles to be in the presence of the enormous piece of flat Red Rock in perfect view of Cathedral Rock and in view of the Vortex.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Sedona, Arizona

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Pleasanton, CA —
For those living in the Tri Valley of the East Bay Area, it’s likely you’ve driven on Foothill Road. This road has a lot of history for the town of Pleasanton, especially Old Foothill Road where the Alviso Adobe Community Park opened in 2008. Starting with the handicapped parking down to restrooms, this park is a great wheelchair friendly destination

Along the path that meanders up to the top of the park where the museum is located are historical facts about the very land you are standing on, including information on the Ohlone Native Americans. Furthermore, all the plantlife in the park was carefully selected to be native to this California area and there are signs that name and explain them.

There are two ways to make it up to the museum, but the one to the left is at a reasonable incline and width for a wheelchair traveler. Once at the top, you’ll have full access to the Meadow Lark Dairy Museum on your right as well as the replicated home of the early settlers of Pleasanton.

The museum is easily accessed and also has a restroom right before the entrance. The part of the museum that is a replica of a frontiersman’s home is also wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp to get up to the bedroom and living room and simply go back down the ramp and around the right corner of the house to see the kitchen and dining room. The barn adjacent to the home is also wheelchair accessible; you can roll right up to it.

Thank you Peg for suggesting this small serene historic park in Pleasanton on our  Travel Stories page.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: California Parks
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East Bay, CA –

You can’t miss Mt. Diablo when traveling on the East Side of the Bay Area, the largest geographic landmark in the region. Before I became paralyzed I was a frequent hiker at Mt. Diablo and know there are endless trails to explore on every side of the mountain. Now, I am on a quest to find at least one trail that is suitable for a wheelchair traveler.

At the top of Mt. Diablo when entering through the South Gate is the Summit Museum, which opened in the 1930s and chronically explores the history and geological forces of this mountain. It is open daily from 10am-4pm. The drive to the top alone is incredible; most of the time the road hugs the very edge of the ever growing cliff of the mountain (see photos below). Once at the top, you’ll fine a paved parking lot, handicapped parking, ramps into the museum, and accessible restrooms.

Government websites for such regional parks are pretty far from helpful. After searching for a while, navigating through page after page, I finally found the link for more information on wheelchair access. And so I click on the link only to find that the parking lot is wheelchair accessible, duh! Well, what about the trail? Unfortunately, because such parks (and websites) are ran by the government, a park can only be deemed “wheelchair accessible” if the trail is paved. However, for those of us adventurous wheelchair users who are not afraid for a challenge and to get a little dirty (why else would you go for a hike?), we know that there are some “natural” paths that are suitable to roll over as long as they are hard enough not to sink your wheels.

So on the behalf of wheelchairtraveling.com, we are reaching out to the wheelchair community, asking where have you been that is somewhat accessible for at least some part of the trail? Where can we send one of our wheelchair travelers to? Please send us an email, respond directly to this post in the comment box below, or write us your Travel Stories on Mt. Diablo.

I hope there is an accessible trail at Mt. Diablo… the search continues!

Wheelchair Traveling Guides: CA Parks
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Half Moon Bay, CA –

Half Moon Bay has many beaches along its pristine shoreline but Venice Beach is one of the more wheelchair friendly spots to park and  explore the Coastside Trail. There are multiple parking lots at Venice Beach, which means more handicapped spots. Its always frustrating when there are only one of two spots. Near these parking lots are also wheelchair accessible restrooms for men and women. Even along the Coastline Trail near Venice Beach there are handicapped restrooms.

The trail itself is really flat, which is a ideal for most wheelchair travelers. However, there are occasional dips or slight inclines that will involve some muscle or a push from a friend. Making your way to the coastline from the parking lot at Venice Beach  requires going over a wooden bridge. Many of the planks don’t line up and are uneven making it easy for a wheelchair user to get their front wheelchair wheels caught, so cross this bridge carefully.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Coastline Trail

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Half Moon Bay

Pleasanton, CA –

In Pleasanton, CA on the east side of the San Francisco Bay is a new park called the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail and it has a great trail for a manual wheelchair user to get a good workout or a beautiful stroll for any power wheelchair user.

The trail runs about 2.5miles and is totally flat except for two large dips, which really are not that bad if one approaches them with speed (see below photos). Along the quiet trail are all sorts of wildlife and plants native to the area.There is no restroom or drinking fountain along the way, so use the accessible facilities at the beginning at the trail if needed and bring a water bottle.

So, if you are a nature lover and planning to be in the area then spend some time in the fresh air on the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: California Parks