San Francisco is one of the hilliest cities in the USA, and it’s still accessible for wheelchair travel! Of course, power wheelchairs and scooters will have more freedom to explore the inner neighborhoods of San Francisco, but those using manual chairs may need to be pushed occasionally. However, a few areas in San Francisco are flat or relatively flat, making it easier for some to explore San Francisco. Otherwise, visitors can rely on multiple accessible public transportation options, like buses, taxis, and the light rail. Below you will find an overview with many links on ways to access San Francisco with a wheelchair.
San Francisco boasts a diverse array of museums, many of which are accessible. In Golden Gate Park, visitors can explore the de Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences, both offering accessible facilities and exhibits. The de Young Museum features a variety of art collections and offers accessible paths throughout the building. The California Academy of Sciences includes a planetarium, aquarium, and natural history museum, all accessible with ramps and elevators.
Nearby, the San Francisco Zoo provides a fun day out for families, with accessible paths and facilities. It’s located along the Pacific Ocean, offering scenic views and educational exhibits.
In downtown San Francisco, explore the Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and nearby Yerba Buena Gardens. SFMOMA features modern and contemporary art with accessible galleries and facilities. Yerba Buena Gardens offers serene outdoor spaces and a tea house, accessible for wheelchair users.
San Francisco’s outdoor spaces are also accessible-friendly. The Embarcadero, a nearly level waterfront promenade, stretches from Pier 39 to Fort Point, passing through attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf and Crissy Field. Visitors can enjoy accessible dining, shopping, and attractions along this scenic route. Crissy Field and Fort Point offer panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and accessible paths.
Other accessible outdoor destinations include:
San Francisco’s dining scene includes a wide range of accessible options:
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Tour operators and travel writers always forget the Victorians, but they are one of the most famous sights of San Francisco that are a favorite for locals. They deserve to get World Heritage listing.
I wrote a book about the coded Victorians of Haight Ashbury with a real Holy Grail in America twist.
http://www.codedhaightashbury.com
Blog http://decodedhistory.blogspot.com
Deborah Hodgson
Investigative Writer and Art Historian
Doing some searching for a bus tour in San Francisco to see the sights and be able to hop off, hop on a tour. Here are some responses I received from 3 bus tour lines (Keep in mind I have indicated I use a manual wheelchair for travelling but I cannot stand nor take steps).
Gray Line of San Francisco:
Their coaches do not have wheelchair ramps, they have four to five steps to walk up onto the coach with hand railings. 'The Big Bus Tour' have a few wheelchair ramps buses for their city tour only.
Tower Tours:
We apologize we not have lifts on any of our buses. 'Big Bus Tours' provides city tours and provides ramps to allow you to stay in the wheelchair.
Passengers who take our tours must collapse the wheelchair and put it underneath the bus and make their way onto the bus on their own or with the assistance with someone from your own party. If you are interested in that we can hold the front seats for you to make it easier.
Big Bus Tours:
Our day tour has a fleet of about 10 to 15 buses that have a frequency of about every 30 minutes(depending on the traffic).About half of this fleet have a wheelchair ramp. All others (without a ramp) do have storage for a foldable wheelchair. Our Operation Team, does the best to have every other bus have a ramp. Which means there can be the possibility of waiting for up to an hour for the next wheelchair accessible bus.
I highly recommend you come to our first stop(99 Jefferson St, Fisherman's Wharf) to catch the next wheelchair accessible bus going out.We have a dispatcher here that will be able to tell you when the next one will be going out.
For the Night Tours, there are times where all will have the accessibility or 1 out of the 3 buses.Our Night Tour depart from our 1st stop.Here you can do the same and ask the dispatcher if a night tour bus will have the ramp. IF in the case it does not, they will do their best to organize one.The recommendation is inquiring about this when you get here for the morning tour.That way it will give time for our dispatchers to organize an accessible bus.
Our Sausalito buses operate on the double decker buses and run less frequently. You will need to check the day of to see the availability of these buses.
I'm surprised that there are no private tours with an accessible van or vehicle that accommodates a wheelchair tourist in San Francisco. For a first world city this is disappointing.
Glor,
Sydney Australia.
Good Afternoon, What hotel is your favorite in San Francisco and why for accessible travel?
Hi Sandi! I would really say it depends on your plans. Are you visiting someone or are just looking for a central area? Happy to help.
We are considering the easiest accessible area in San Francisco then do a trip to Napa Valley. The hotels at Fisherman’s Wharf are extremely expensive. Our dates are July 26, 2021 to July 30, 2021. There are 5 adults.
One gentleman in a wheelchair who will share a accessible room with his wife and son and my husband and me who will have a second room. We are trying to plan based on what’s easier for our friends from England.
Sandi: That's a popular time to visit, so of course hotels will be more expensive then. Have you looked at the budget hotel chains Travelodge or Motel 6? There is also a nice hostel at Fort Mason that has wheelchair access. Even though you share some spaces with others it's a killer location and very affordable. What do you think?