Monterey, CA –

Each year the  Monterey Bay Aquarium draws millions each year from all over the world, and sitting right on the edge of the bay and featuring some of the largest under water exhibits ever constructed it’s no wonder. For a wheelchair traveler the aquarium has all the modern ADA upgrades to make your visit comfortable.

In general no matter what day you visit, after 12pm be prepared for lots of kid activity. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is an extremely popular destination for school field trips and because of the many kid play/learn “zones,” it is a well traveled to day trip spot for young families.  So, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll end up sharing elevators and accessible restrooms with parents pushing strollers. If you want to have the whole aquarium basically to yourself then plan for a morning visit.

Wheelchair accessible parking is a little tricky too. There Monterey Bay Aquarium does have handicapped parking for those with a disabled placard or license plate but very limited (around 6 spots). The hidden parking lot is located off Cannery Row at the stop sign right before reaching the aquarium. It does not look as if you can turn right but you can and you then simply let the staff know you’re looking for handicapped parking. If coming on the weekend, you can bet these spots will be taken so look for a meter spot along Cannery Row, which I recommend doing regardless of when you come. Cannery Row is extremely flat and a very short distance to the entrance of the aquarium.

There is a lot more information for the Wheelchair Traveler on the
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, and more available here:
Wheelchair Traveling Guide: Monterey Bay, CA