Here are the best accessible areas and attractions in Los Angeles, excluding nearby cities like Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, and Pasadena. Greater Los Angeles incorporates these cities along with many others like Culver City, Westwood, Bellaire, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, and Hollywood.
Downtown Los Angeles
- Walt Disney Concert Hall: Home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, this architectural marvel on Bunker Hill is fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible seating.
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA): Located near the Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA offers accessible features including wide entrances, elevators, accessible restrooms, and a lift for access to different floors.
- Angels Flight Railway: A historic funicular that reopened in 2010, Angels Flight offers a short ride up Bunker Hill with accommodations for one wheelchair user per train.
- Staples Center: Home to the LA Lakers and host to major concerts, the Staples Center provides accessible seating, ramps, and elevators.
- Exposition Park: Near USC, Exposition Park houses several museums including the California Science Center with IMAX, the African American Museum, and the Natural History Museum. All museums are wheelchair accessible with flat entrances, elevators, and accessible restrooms. During football season, the LA Memorial Coliseum hosts USC Trojans’ home games.
Dinning: Downtown LA offers a variety of accessible dining options, including high-end restaurants and casual eateries. Some notable mentions are:
- Bestia: An Italian restaurant with ramps, wide entrances, and accessible restrooms.
- Bottega Louie: Known for its pastries and meals, this restaurant features ramps and accessible seating.
- Guisados: Famous for tacos, this eatery provides flat entrances and accessible seating.
Nightlife: The downtown area is vibrant with accessible bars and clubs. Notable spots include the Golden Gopher, Broadway Bar, and The Standard for a rooftop bar experience.
Shopping: The FIGat7th shopping center offers a variety of shops and is fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
Scenic Walkways: The LA Plaza Park and Grand Park are excellent for leisurely strolls with smooth, wide pathways and beautiful landscapes.
West LA
1. Los Angeles Farmer’s Market and The Grove
The Farmer’s Market and The Grove near Fairfax offer accessible shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Farmer’s Market features wide walkways, diverse food options, and accessible restrooms. The Grove has accessible seating areas, restaurants with indoor and outdoor dining, and a trolley running through the center. The Farmer’s Market has a wide array of food stands with international cuisine, while The Grove offers dining at places like:
- Maggiano’s Little Italy: Italian cuisine with ramps and accessible seating.
- Cheesecake Factory: Features ramps, wide entrances, and accessible restrooms.
- Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill: Offers Japanese cuisine with accessible seating and restrooms.
Nightlife: West LA’s nightlife includes accessible venues like The Roger Room and The Largo for live performances and drinks.
2. La Brea and La Cienega: These streets near the Miracle Mile offer a mix of fine dining at Restaurant Row, accessible shopping at the Beverly Center, and cultural attractions like the Saban Theatre and LACMA. La Brea has a variety of shops and eateries with accessible options, while La Cienega boasts numerous fine dining establishments with modern accessibility features.
Dining: La Cienega’s Restaurant Row features high-end dining options such as:
- Lawry’s The Prime Rib: Offers accessible entrances, ramps, and restrooms.
- Matsuhisa: Known for its Japanese cuisine, this restaurant has accessible seating and restrooms.
- La Brea offers more casual options like La Brea Bakery and Sycamore Kitchen.
Nightlife: The area has various accessible bars and lounges, including The Mint for live music and Skybar for a rooftop experience.
Shopping: The Beverly Center is a major shopping mall with accessible facilities, housing stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and a variety of boutiques.
3. Miracle Mile
Home to the La Brea Tar Pits and LACMA, Miracle Mile offers accessible pathways, museums, and dining options. The La Brea Tar Pits’ park features smooth, accessible walkways ideal for wheelchair users.
Dining: Along Miracle Mile, accessible dining options include:
- Ray’s and Stark Bar: Located at LACMA, offering accessible seating and restrooms.
- Republique: A French-inspired restaurant with accessible entrances and seating.
Nightlife: The El Rey Theatre offers accessible live music performances, and the area has several bars and lounges for a night out.
Shopping: The area features various boutique shops and galleries, particularly along Wilshire Boulevard.
Scenic Walkways: The La Brea Tar Pits and surrounding park provide smooth paths perfect for a relaxing stroll.
Westwood
Getty Museum: Located atop the hills near UCLA, the Getty Center is accessible via a tram that takes visitors up to the museum. The Getty offers accessible pathways, gardens, elevators, and restrooms, making it a scenic and accessible destination.
Dining: Westwood Village offers a range of accessible dining options such as:
- Napa Valley Grille: American cuisine with ramps, wide entrances, and accessible restrooms.
- Diddy Riese: Known for ice cream sandwiches, this shop has flat entrances and accessible seating.
- Barney’s Beanery: A casual dining experience with ramps and accessible seating.
Nightlife: Westwood has a mix of accessible bars and entertainment venues like the Hammer Museum for cultural events and The Glendon Bar & Kitchen for drinks.
Shopping: Westwood Village is home to accessible shops like Target, Trader Joe’s, and various boutique stores
Beverly Hills
Annenberg Space for Photography: Designed in the shape of a camera, this museum offers accessible features and rotating exhibits. Parking validation is available, reducing parking costs for visitors.
Dining: Beverly Hills is known for its high-end dining options, including accessible restaurants like:
- Spago by Wolfgang Puck: Features ramps, wide entrances, and accessible restrooms.
- The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel: Offers accessible seating and restrooms.
- Il Pastaio: Known for Italian cuisine with accessible entrances and seating.
Nightlife: The area offers luxurious and accessible nightlife options such as The Beverly Hills Hotel Bar and Nic’s Beverly Hills for a martini lounge experience.
Shopping: Rodeo Drive is famous for its luxury shopping with stores like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, all featuring accessible entrances and facilities.
Scenic Walkways: Beverly Gardens Park features paved paths that are wheelchair accessible, with beautiful gardens, fountains, and benches for a pleasant stroll.
Hollywood
Hollywood is famous for its theaters and entertainment venues:
- Pantages Theater: Known for Broadway performances, the Pantages Theater offers accessible seating, ramps, and elevators.
- Chinese Theater: A historic venue for movie premieres, the Chinese Theater features accessible facilities including seating and restrooms.
- Dolby Theatre: Home of the Oscars, the Dolby Theatre provides accessible seating and facilities for visitors.
- Hollywood & Highland Center: A popular shopping destination with accessible pathways, elevators, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Dining: Hollywood offers a range of accessible dining options such as:
- Musso & Frank Grill: Offers American cuisine with ramps and accessible seating.
- Yamashiro: Known for Japanese cuisine with scenic views, this restaurant features accessible seating and restrooms.
- The Hungry Cat: Famous for seafood, this eatery provides flat entrances and accessible seating.
Nightlife: The area boasts accessible nightlife options like The Roosevelt Hotel’s bars, The Highlight Room rooftop, and The Study Hollywood.
Shopping: Hollywood & Highland Center features accessible stores like Sephora, Zara, and Hot Topic.
Scenic Walkways: The Hollywood Walk of Fame has smooth sidewalks and curb cuts, making it accessible for wheelchair users to enjoy the star-studded pathway.
Additional Accessible Areas
Culver City
Culver City Park: Known for its scenic views and recreational activities, Culver City Park offers accessible trails, sports fields, and picnic areas, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Dining: Downtown Culver City offers accessible dining options such as:
- Akasha: Organic cuisine with ramps, wide entrances, and accessible restrooms.
- Public School 310: American fare with accessible seating and restrooms.
- Culver Hotel’s restaurant and bar: Features ramps and accessible facilities.
Nightlife: The area has accessible nightlife venues like Backstage Bar & Grill and Rush Street for a rooftop experience.
Shopping: Downtown Culver City has accessible shops and boutiques, including The Platform for a variety of stores and dining.
Playa del Rey
Dockweiler State Beach: Provides accessible beach experiences with beach wheelchairs available for rental, allowing wheelchair users to enjoy the sand and surf.
Dining: Playa del Rey offers accessible dining options like:
- The Shack: Burgers with ramps and accessible seating.
- Caffe Pinguini: Italian cuisine with flat entrances and accessible seating.
- Playa Provisions: Seafood with ramps and accessible rest
Marina del Rey
Marina del Rey is a picturesque coastal community known for its stunning marina, water activities, and waterfront dining. It offers various accessible amenities for a comfortable visit.
Waterfront Walks and Activities
- Burton Chace Park: This park features wide, paved pathways, making it easy for wheelchair users to navigate and enjoy the marina views. The park also offers accessible picnic areas and restrooms.
- Marina Beach (“Mother’s Beach”): A calm, family-friendly beach with accessible pathways, picnic areas, and restrooms. Beach wheelchairs are available for rental.
- Hornblower Cruises: Offers accessible boat tours with ramps and designated spaces for wheelchairs, allowing you to explore the marina and enjoy the coastal scenery.
Dining:
- The Cheesecake Factory: Located right on the waterfront, this popular restaurant offers ramps, accessible seating, and restrooms.
- Tony P’s Dockside Grill: Featuring a beautiful view of the marina, Tony P’s provides ramps, accessible entrances, and seating.
- Cafe del Rey: This upscale dining option offers ramps and accessible seating, perfect for a fine dining experience with a view of the marina.
Shopping: Waterside at Marina del Rey is a shopping center with accessible stores, wide walkways, and accessible restrooms.
Scenic Walkways: Marvin Braude Bike Trail is paved trail that runs along the beach and marina, providing smooth access for wheelchair users to enjoy a scenic stroll.
Playa Vista
Playa Vista is a modern, vibrant community known for its parks, shopping, and dining options, all designed with accessibility in mind.
Parks and Recreation:
- Playa Vista Central Park: This park features wide, paved pathways, accessible picnic areas, and restrooms. It’s a great spot for outdoor relaxation and activities.
- Ballona Discovery Park: Offers accessible trails and educational displays about the local ecosystem, making it an enjoyable and informative experience.
Dining:
- Sol Mexican Cocina: Offers ramps and accessible seating, serving delicious Mexican cuisine.
- Urban Plates: This casual dining spot provides flat entrances and accessible seating, with a variety of healthy food options.
- Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Features ramps and accessible seating, known for its gourmet burgers and relaxed atmosphere.
Shopping: Runway Playa Vista is shopping center with accessible stores, wide pathways, and accessible restrooms. It includes popular retailers and a variety of dining options.
