Fresno, California Wheelchair Travel Guide

Fresno, located in California’s Central Valley, is a city full of surprises. While it may not be as famous as California’s coastal cities, it offers a unique blend of cultural landmarks, outdoor recreation, and quirky attractions. For wheelchair travelers, Fresno provides an increasing number of accessible experiences, although some historic sites may present challenges. This guide covers the city’s most accessible attractions, museums, outdoor recreation spots, transportation, and accommodations, with detailed information on pathway surfaces, accessible restrooms, and hotel amenities.

Outdoor Attractions & Recreation

• Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a fantastic attraction for visitors of all ages. Covering 39 acres, the zoo features fully paved pathways that are 6 to 12 feet wide, making it an easy place for wheelchair users to explore. Popular exhibits include African Adventure, which replicates an open savanna with giraffes, elephants, and lions, and Sea Lion Cove, an immersive exhibit with underwater viewing areas. While some sections have gentle inclines, all areas remain accessible. Manual wheelchairs and electric scooters are available to rent. Accessible restrooms are located at the main entrance, African Adventure, and Sea Lion Cove.
• Woodward Park & Shinzen Friendship Garden is Fresno’s largest urban park, spans 300 acres and features accessible trails, gardens, and picnic areas. The Lewis S. Eaton Trail, a fully paved 4-mile-long trail, is ideal for wheelchair users, with an 8-foot-wide asphalt surface and minimal elevation changes. Inside the park, the Shinzen Friendship Garden offers a peaceful, Japanese-inspired landscape with koi ponds and bonsai displays. While most of the garden is accessible, some gravel paths and wooden bridges may be challenging for manual wheelchair users. Accessible restrooms are available at the park’s main entrance and near the amphitheater.
• San Joaquin River Parkway and Eaton Trail provides a scenic natural setting for visitors who enjoy wildlife and outdoor exploration. The Lewis S. Eaton Trail, which connects to Woodward Park, is the most accessible path, offering 4 miles of smooth, paved asphalt. Some side trails contain dirt or gravel, which may be more challenging for wheelchairs, but the main pathway remains easy to navigate. Accessible restrooms are available at the Woodward Park trailhead and at the River Center.
• Roeding Park is another excellent outdoor space, featuring paved walkways, shaded picnic areas, and access to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The park is relatively flat, making it an easy area for wheelchair users to explore. Accessible restrooms are located near the zoo entrance and throughout the park.
• Forestiere Underground Gardens is one of Fresno’s most fascinating historical attractions. The Forestiere Underground Gardens is a series of hand-dug tunnels and courtyards built by a Sicilian immigrant over 40 years. Unfortunately, accessibility is extremely limited. While the entrance area is partially accessible, the majority of the underground space is only accessible via stairs and uneven stone pathways. Visitors with mobility impairments may enjoy some of the upper gardens, but guided tours remain largely inaccessible. There are no accessible restrooms on-site.

Recreation Organizations

• Central California Adaptive Sports Center (CCASC): CCASC is a non-profit organization dedicated to making outdoor adventures accessible to persons with disabilities. They offer a variety of adaptive sports programs, including mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, and more. Their programs are designed to empower participants, enhancing their confidence, health, and independence.
• Valley Center for the Blind (VCB): VCB offers an Adaptive Recreation Program in partnership with CCASC, providing inclusive opportunities for adventure and team-building. Activities vary by season and include mountain biking, beach yoga, rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. These programs incorporate the latest equipment and therapeutic recreation practices to ensure a lasting positive impact on participants’ lives.
• City of Fresno Parks, Afterschool, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS): The PARCS department is committed to providing inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals of all abilities and ages. Their Adaptive Recreation Program includes social dances, adaptive sports, culturally inclusive activities, and special events. Programs operate at various community centers, such as the Mary Ella Brown Community Center.
• Valley Children’s Healthcare Adaptive Sports Program: This program offers free recreational and athletic experiences for children with physical disabilities or mobility impairments up to age 21. Activities include water skiing, rock climbing, and other outdoor adventures, aiming to boost health, confidence, and independence among participants.

Museums & Cultural Attractions

• The Fresno Art Museum is one of the city’s top cultural institutions, showcasing contemporary art, Latin American works, and Native American exhibits. The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible, with ramps, wide galleries, and accessible restrooms. The open layout and smooth flooring make it easy to navigate. Accessible restrooms are available in the main lobby.
• The Discovery Center is a great destination for science and nature lovers, featuring interactive exhibits on natural history, astronomy, and physics. The museum is designed for accessibility, with ramps and wide hallways. Some hands-on displays may require assistance, but most exhibits are wheelchair-friendly. Accessible restrooms are located throughout the facility.
• The African American Museum of Fresno is dedicated to celebrating the history and culture of African Americans in the Central Valley, the African American Museum of Fresno offers a variety of exhibits, historical artifacts, and community events. The museum is fully wheelchair-accessible, with spacious galleries, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
• The Meux Home Museum, a well-preserved Victorian-era mansion, offers a glimpse into 19th-century Fresno. While the gardens and exterior are accessible, the mansion itself is not, as it has narrow doorways and no elevator. There are no accessible restrooms on-site.
• Kearney Mansion and Park offers a look into the life of early Fresno pioneers. While the second floor of the mansion is inaccessible due to its historic structure, the main floor and surrounding Kearney Park are wheelchair-friendly. The park features over 230 acres of paved pathways and shaded picnic areas. Accessible restrooms are available near the park entrance.

Quirky, Weird, & Unusual Attractions

Fresno also has a quirky side, with unique and unexpected attractions for those who enjoy offbeat experiences.

• The Mural District is a must-see for street art lovers. Spanning multiple city blocks, this outdoor art gallery features massive murals, including the “Greetings from Fresno” postcard mural and the Maya Angelou tribute. The sidewalks in the district are mostly paved and accessible, but some murals are located in alleys or parking lots with uneven pavement.
• For visitors in October, The Big Fresno Fair’s Museum of Oddities is a fun, seasonal attraction showcasing vintage carnival memorabilia, unusual artifacts, and Fresno’s stranger history. The fairgrounds are mostly accessible, with paved pathways and wheelchair rentals available.
• The Old Fresno Water Tower, one of the city’s most iconic structures, is now a visitor center and small museum. While the entrance and main floor are accessible, the upper levels require stairs.
• For an unusual nightlife experience, Gazebo Gardens Beer Garden combines live music, food trucks, craft beer, and a nursery full of plants. The main walkways are paved, but some outdoor seating areas have gravel surfaces.
• Paranormal enthusiasts may want to visit Kearney Mansion, rumored to be haunted. While the mansion itself has limited wheelchair access, the surrounding park and trails are fully accessible.

Transportation

• Fresno’s Fresno Area Express (FAX) bus system is fully wheelchair-accessible, with buses equipped with ramps and priority seating. Each bus can accommodate up to two wheelchairs at a time. For those requiring additional assistance, FAX Handy Ride provides a paratransit service by reservation.
• Amtrak’s Fresno Station offers accessible seating, restrooms, and elevators. Each Amtrak car can accommodate up to four wheelchairs in designated spaces.
• Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft operate in Fresno, but wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) may be limited. Some local taxi companies provide accessible vans, but it is best to call ahead.

Hotels

Several hotels in Fresno offer ADA-compliant rooms with accessible bathrooms:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Fresno Convention Center – ADA rooms with roll-in showers and transfer showers. Fully accessible common areas.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Fresno-Northwest – Roll-in showers and accessible tubs available.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Fresno Riverpark – Budget-friendly with roll-in showers and accessible tubs.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Fresno – Spacious accessible suites with kitchens and roll-in showers.