Yosemite National Park, CA -

Whether it is a day trip or overnight vacation to Yosemite, the only place to go to for Sunday brunch is the historic Awhahnee Hotel. From 7am to 3pm each table in the grand dining room is beautifully set along the large windows and 34ft hand-crafted beams. The gentle sound of a live piano player adds to the ambiance. The best view in the room is located in the alcove, so request this to the host. There is a changing menu if you know what you want; however, the most popular choice is the buffet. The Awhahnee is an elegant dining experience and the prices reflect that. For obvious reasons the buffet is more expensive than ordering off the menu.

It was easy to see why the buffet was more expensive based on the delicious selections. There were all kinds of salads, oysters, salmon, a carving, omelet and sushi station where cooks were hard at work.  American classics like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes was also available. House-made scones and jam found it’s way to my plate. Overall it was difficult to choose what to eat because everything looked and smelled amazing and this was even before I thought about dessert.

A wheelchair accessible uni-sex bathroom is located on the 2nd floor via elevator. A number of handicapped parking spots are located directly outside the hotel but fill up quickly; therefore, there is a drop off space in front of the entrance. Reservations for dinner are strongly recommended and the hotel says that having one for breakfast, lunch, or bunch only gets you that much faster. Plus, you can request to sit in the alcove where the best view is.

Awhahnee Hotel
(209) 372-1489
Make Reservations Online

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San Diego, CA –

La Jolla is a more upscale part of San Diego with multi-million ocean front homes and businesses. It is a beautiful area for a wheelchair traveler to visit at least an hour or two, even if it’s just walking around to enjoy the sights. There are a couple of cafes, restaurants, and bars on Prospect Street mixed in with galleries and shops. If looking for a fine dining experience, then head to the Valencia Hotel.

The Valencia Hotel is world-class luxury resort built in 1926. The beautiful design mixed with the breathtaking ocean views made it a favorite spot to use for many Hollywood films and the acting stars were frequent guests of the hotel. The various dining spaces are setup a to create different ambiances to fulfill whatever kind of mood you are in. No matter what the time of day, if the weather is pleasant as it usually is, the Terrace Patio is a popular choice. With clear views of the Pacific Ocean and gardens, why wouldn’t it be? More on dining at the Valencia Hotel.

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San Diego, CA -

Like most major cities in the United States, San Diego is split up into a number of smaller areas. Not too far from the Gaslamp Quarter and Balboa Park is the neighborhood called Hillcrest. The residences of Hillcrest think of this area as an urban village with a small town feel. It’s known for its wide array of award-winning restaurants, trendy stores, fabulous salons and spas, medical offices, two major hospitals and the largest concentration of gay and lesbian-owned businesses in the city.

If looking for a unique and tasty twist on Mexican food, then one must try Ortega’s Bistro.  The authentic Puerto Nuevo inspired menu includes baja-style lobster, fresh guacamole prepared at your tableside, and other regional specialties while sipping decadent pomegranate margaritas. The restaurant’s spacious atmosphere and design capture the festive Mexican traditions and tasteful flavors of Puerto Nuevo. Though there is lots of space inside to sit comfortably at a table or the bar, outside sitting is also available. There is one handicapped spot located right outside the door and accessible restrooms inside as well.

If you are in the mood for something sweet then you have to check out is Extraordinary Desserts, which totally lives up to its name. Be prepared to wait in line for a bit but it is worth the wait. The philosophy of the head chef is that dessert should taste as good as they look, so an experience at Extraordinary Desserts is a treat for the senses. The menus change daily to keep with fresh seasonal ingredients. Freshly brewed Lion Kona Coffees and Mariage Frères teas are available to accompany these delicacies.

It is not just desserts that draw crowds to Extraordinary Desserts, one can indulged in variety of menus including one for  a European Breakfast, Paninis and cheeses, and bar foods. So yes, there is also a bar serving beer and wine too.There is indoor and outdoor seating availalbe, which sometimes is hard to get since this place is so popular. Near the seating area indoors in a small display of unique gifts.

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San Diego, CA –

Balboa Park is not a place you visit for the restaurant selections. In fact, there are very choices in general to get anything to eat. Most places are setup as small cafes, serving soups , salads, and sandwiches. There are also a few charts and other quick bits serving items like hot-dogs. However, at the San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum there is a full-service grill and at the Japanese Friendship Garden there is the Tea Pavilion that serves a small menu of Japanese inspired foods.

Out of all the places to eat, the best one is The Prado at Balboa Park. This award-winning, full-service restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor patio under the umbrellas is the most requested area since it looks out onto a beautiful garden. There is a lift for wheelchair users to access the patio area.

The diverse cuisine includes an array of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and imaginative entrées. The lounge combines a lighter menu with a wide variety of margaritas, sangria, beer, wine and other beverages. See The Prado website for the menu. Since it is the nicest restaurant in the Park, it is a busy destination, so it’s recommend that you make reservation even if that means stopping there when first arriving to setup a time for later that day.

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Boston, MA —

Located in the Theater District of Boston, the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is an affordable place to dine with great beer and American food. Every Monday a beer is featured for $3.25. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 2:30-5:30pm. They even have handcrafted beer to-go! There is a very large patio area, perfect for people watching but there is also inside dining too, which is very spacious; wheelchair accessible restrooms are also available.
Visit their website: http://www.rockbottom.com

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Boston, MA