Whenever anyone asks about vacation ideas for special needs families, the first city I think of is San Diego.  With its beautiful beaches, warm weather, friendly people and fun attractions, San Diego is a top vacation destination for families, but it’s also the most handicap accessible city that I’ve visited.  Much of this is due to the extraordinary efforts of Accessible Sand Diego.  They have lots of great information on their web site,but download their city guide – it’s definitely worth the $4! San Diego has beautiful weather pretty much year-round, if you can visit mid-September-October you’ll miss the crowds and still enjoy fantastic weather.  In general, the month of June tends to have more fog at the beaches, called “June Gloom.” I think that’s the only thing that could even possibly be considered gloomy about San Diego.

Our family’s favorite vacation ideas for special needs in San Diego:

The San Diego Zoo

When getting vacation ideas for our first family trip to San Diego I considered not going to the San Diego Zoo. Several moms with handicapped kids told me the San Diego Zoo is tough because there are so many hills. However, after talking to Accessible San Diego we decided to give it a try, and are so glad that we did. The San Diego Zoo turned out to be one of the highlights of our Southern California vacation. Double bonus – The San Diego Zoo offers a 2-for-1 pass that means you get in free as your disabled child’s helper/attendant.  You can thank Accessible San Diego and the San Diego Zoo for that!

Here are my tips for visiting the San Diego Zoo with a special needs child.

Coronado Island

Home to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, Coronado Island is a beautiful resort city located across the bay from downtown San Diego.  Coronado Island is very handicap accessible and even has free beach wheelchairs to use for beach access.  It’s flat and connected by sidewalks and beachfront boardwalks that allow you to walk everywhere, enjoying incredible restaurants, shops, activities and that beautiful beach. You don’t have to be a guest of the Hotel Del Coronado to enjoy it – here are some insider tips. Be sure to add Coronado to your list of San Diego vacation ideas.

Photo courtesy Surf Diva

Adaptive Surf Lessons

San Diego vacation ideas must include surfing lessons, they’re just so…California. Think that’s not possible for children with special needs? Surf Diva at La Jolla Shores is the perfect combination for adaptive surf lessons.  You don’t have to go out into deep water or crashing surf to get some nice waves to learn on.  Their instructors go through a yearly training, and have special boards for adaptive surfing and special wet suit options.  Also, La Jolla Shores has a nice paved boardwalk, picnic area, playground and free beach wheelchairs.  Walk a couple of blocks to the main street area for beach shops and restaurants.

Go here for more information about adaptive surf lessons at La Jolla Shores.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

We love the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, my oldest attended a week long summer camp there which deepend our appreciation of the park.  A San Diego must do, this incredible 1,800-acre wildlife where animals of the African and Asian continents roam huge open enclosures that make you feel as if you are actually on safari. The grounds are beautifully maintained and have wide paved trails with large elevators where needed to make it stroller and wheelchair accessible. The variety of attractions make it a great trip for your whole family, no matter what age or ability. Like the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers a 2-for-1 pass that means you get in free as your disabled child’s helper/attendant.  You can thank Accessible San Diego and the San Diego Zoo for that!

Here’s more about handicap and special needs accessibility at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Love that smile!

SeaWorld San Diego

From the variety of animal shows, to the exhibits, to the amusement park rides and carnival games, SeaWorld San Diego is always a fun place to visit with your family no matter the time of day.  From shows and rides to experiences like the Dolphin Interaction Program SeaWorld offers fun for the entire family. Find out why night time is the best time to visit SeaWorld San Diego.

San Diego Waterfront

The San Diego Waterfront has been undergoing a renovation and expansion in recent years.  From the addition of the new water park, to the handicap accessible USS Midway Museum, to Sea Port Village – the paved embarcadero connects them all.

Coronado Ferry

Speaking of the San Diego waterfront…when we stay on Coronado we enjoy taking the Coronado Ferry to spend the day on the San Diego waterfront.  It’s a fun 15 minute ride that’s handicap accessible on the lower level, and you don’t have to worry about driving or parking downtown, where parking can be pricey. The ferry runs every hour, on the hour from San Diego and on the half hour from Coronado.  In the morning  Monday thru Friday there is a free commuter ferry from 5:00 to 8:40. The return ticket can be used at any time during the day, and I recommend purchasing it right when you get off the boat in case you are running it close for the return – isn’t that they way it always goes?

Photo courtesy Accessible San Diego

Free Beach Wheelchairs

Did you know that many coastal communities have beach-accessible wheelchairs available to rent or borrow?  San Diego is one of those places. According to Accessible San Diego, there are seven San Diego beaches that have beach chair programs: Coronado, Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach and Silver Strands.  These beaches have manual and/or powered beach wheelchairs to use for an hour at a time at no charge.  Yes free, my favorite price.  When you visit one of these beaches simply go to the lifeguard station and ask to use a beach chair. They are fist-come first-serve, so the lifeguard will check one out to you or put you on the waiting list if none are available at that time.

Find out more about free beach wheelchairs in San Diego.

Walk the La Jolla Sea Wall

La Jolla is an upscale beach community with shops and restaurants ending at sea cliffs. The seawall that curves out from the cliffs was originally built to create a protected cove for a family beach, but has since been taken over by a harbor seal population. The seawall is handicap accessible and it’s fun to walk out and watch the waves on one side and the harbor seal families on the other. Watch out for seagulls, they’ll steal any food you might be holding.