The Accessible Guide for the CA Academy of Sciences has now been published.
Look for it under the San Francisco Golden Gate Park Guide.

Livermore, CA –

In California’s Livermore Wine Country there are a number of wineries popping up. The most recent count is 42 wineries… and growing. Amongst one of the newest additions is the Ruby Hill Winery, located at the intersection of Highway 84 and Vineyard Avenue. This winery has wine from their vineyards on site as well as the Monterey Bay.  They have different wines to taste from classics like, a Petite Sirah and Reserve Merlot as well as their own unique blends.

The winery had a very large tasting bar that wrapped around as well as a quaint sitting area with leather chairs by a fireplace. I was happy to see that there was also a cheese deli and coffee cafe in case you wanted something to nibble on or a caffeinated pick-me-up. Scattered throughout the tasting room were various items for sale from olive oil to t-shirts to necklaces.

Being the new winery on the block means that everything is up to ADA code, including parking and restrooms. The door into the tasting room, however, was a large wooden door that was a little hard to open. I looked around  and did not see a handicapped button that opens the door automatically.The walkway to the tasting room was laid in “flat” cobble stone, so if you have those tiny, roller-blade like wheels be careful not to get one of them wedged between a crack. Finally, there was not a section of the bar that was lowered enough for a wheelchair user, but the bar was not too terribly high.

All and all, this tasting room was easy for a para to get around but it goes to show you that even with brand new public buildings, some times wheelchair accessible guidelines are ignored.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Livermore Valley Wine Country

San Fancisco, CA –

Right in the Heart of Union Square in San Francisco is the historic Westin St. Francis Hotel. It opened in 1904 and included a cigar room, the only place where women were not allowed. With everything being made out of a beautiful dark oak, including the hand-carved high ceilings, this room was rightfully named the Oak Room. Today, it is one of many dining rooms at the hotel and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as High Tea.

There is little information posted on the website for the Westin St. Francis about High Tea, which is served at 1 and 3pm. You can make a reservation or get more information by calling the Oak Room at 415.774.0264. Tables do fill up, so reservations are basically required. There are three different kinds of High Tea; they are all pretty much the same but one includes a glass of champagne and the other a rare hand-created red tea from Asia.  Everyone gets a delectable assortments of filling goodies, shown in the below photos. The specific menu changes a little bit with the season, but I’ve always enjoyed everything I was given. You get to choose one tea from the menu but I’ve always asked to “sample” two and the waiter will comply. The cost is around $42 a person, so save the experience for a special occasion.

For someone using a wheelchair, there is a side entrance into the Westin St. Francis Hotel with a ramp and automatic button to open the doors. Wheelchair accessible restroom are located just past the lobby under the stairs.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Union Square

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: San Francisco

San Fancisco, CA –

San Francisco has a lot of wonderful unique tea houses, all with different blends, decor, and service. One of my favorite places is the Samovar Tea Lounge in the Yerba Buena Gardens. I was taken there one night by a friend. I had never seen this area of San Francisco before; walked passed it millions of times. Inside Yerba Buena Gardens is beautiful in itself, filled with plant life, a memorial waterfall to MLK, and spectacular cityscape views. This Samovar Tea Lounge, with its high glass windows walls, overlooks this area.

But it’s not just about the views. The tea house accents its high ceiling with simple, Asian inspired design. If you want to enjoy the fresh air then you can enjoy outdoor seating on the patio. The tea menu is so extensive that it has its own menu, and there is a separate food menu as well in case you’re hungry.

There is a wide ramp at the base of the waterfall that will take you right up to the tea lounge. An there is a spacious wheelchair accessible restroom available.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: San Francisco

Samovar Tea Lounge:

View of Yerba Buena Gardens:

If you take the 10 freeway and exit take the Fairfax exit and follow it along for a couple of miles. On your right hand side there will be a Whole Foods then the Farmer’s Market and Grove. The Grove has great shopping but the Farmer’s Market is a true treasure and has been around since Los Angeles was settled. What makes the Farmer’s

Market so special is the food. Fresh produce, herbs, meat, cheese, bread… you name it can be found at various stands. There is also hand-made candies, ice cream, doughnuts, and other sweet treats.  All different kinds of international cuisine, cooked to its roots. There is so much to choose from that I have not tasted all there is to offer, but don’t worry, you can’t go wrong.

I love French onion soup and whenever I visit L.A. I must go to the French restaurant Mr. Marcel Pain Vin Et Fromage. The French invented the soup, did they not? This little bistro puts a little more effort into its ambiance compared to the rest of restaurants. You can sit at the counter or there are little tables.

The walkways through the Farmer’s Market are really wide but there are always people hurrying so be on the look out for those not paying attention. General open seating areas are provided for all the restaurants, the place I mention above is unique. The handicapped restroom in the Farmer’s Market is on the narrow side, but much wider and cleaner restrooms can be found within the Grove near the parking garage or at the movie theater.The Grove being literally right next to the Farmer’s Market.

If dining anywhere in the Farmer’s Market, get your parking ticket validated and you don’t have to pay a thing. However, there is a time limit. Lots of handicapped parking too is available but be prepared to search for an open spot.

Whether you are in the mood for something warm and bubbly like French onion soup or a chocolate and banana crepe, the Farmer’s Market is a lively mixture of delicious flavors and people, a social experience that’s been a part of every culture since the beginning of time.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide: The Los Angeles Miricle Mile

Los Angles, CA –

The Getty Museum is a MUST see when in Los Angeles.

Parking costs only $10 and entrance into the museum is free. Guided tours and ear phones are available but costs extra.

The Getty has an impressive collection of fine art of various mediums and has a couple of wings that featured artists which changes every couple of months or so.

The architecture in itself is worth the visit. Beautiful white buildings with bold angles and clean lines are enticing to any photographer.

Once parked in one of the many handicapped spots, you walk out to the tram area where a wheelchair accessible, modern people mover glides up a hill where the Getty Museum rests.

There are also the Getty Gardens. There’s a long, wheelchair accessible pathway that takes you from the top, meanders over a. stream with flowers and plants bordering it, to the bottom where a giant water fountain and more plant-life awaits. The trip will be an incline but there are plenty of places to rest along the way if needed.

Wheelchair Traveling Guide:  The Getty, Los Angeles