So you’ve finally had enough of being a shut-in and reclaimed your freedom, your mobility, and your life by coming to see us at Pacific Mobility Center and getting yourself a new powerchair or scooter. Freedom and mobility mean nothing, however, if you don’t go anywhere, so now it’s time to decide what to do! Grab your spouse, the kids or grandkids, or a friend and be sure to check out these six must-see places in and around San Diego. All of these great attractions are accessible and are wonderful ways to spend a day exploring in your new scooter or powerchair!
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Just 35 minutes north of downtown San Diego you’ll find the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a massive 1800 park. This non-profit attraction features 900 acres of habitat preserve, and includes large field exhibits where the animals roam free. The are several ways to enjoy the park, but the best experience is to take the Caravan Safari, which includes the opportunity to hand feed a giraffe. Caregivers are admitted free, accessibility guides are available, and there are shuttles to help you get around the park.
www.sdzsafaripark.org
Hornblower Cruises
The heart of San Diego is the waterfront, and the best way to experience the waterfront is to take a sightseeing cruise around the bay. Hornblower Events and Cruises has three ships to convey you in style around the bay. All three ships have accessible ramps and restrooms; the Inspiration Hornblower has an elevator to the lower deck, and while on the Lord Hornblower and Adventure Hornblower’s upper and lower decks can only be accessed by stairs, the main decks on both ships have large viewing windows. Inform the reservations staff that you need accessible ramps.
www.hornblower.com
Birch Aquarium
The non-profit Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography offers a number of fascinating and educational exhibits to visitors. The aquarium, located in La Jolla, offers more than 3,000 specimens representing more than 380 species of fishes and invertebrates and live daily feedings. All exhibits and facilities are accessible.
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
SeaWorld Adventure Park
Looking for a little more excitement in your aquatic adventures? Then head to Sea World San Diego, the original Sea World park. There are numerous rides and shows, many of which are accessible, and the park overall has excellent accessibility. Special tours and accommodations are available with two weeks advance notice.
www.seaworld.com
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is home to 15 major attractions, including museums, The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, performing arts venues, and the San Diego Zoo, as well as beautiful botanical gardens. Many of the museums offer free admission to San Diego city or county residents and active military personnel and their families on Tuesdays with valid ID. While not all of the park and the attractions are accessible, most are, and the park is serviced by the Old Town Trolley Service as well as the Balboa Park Tram.
www.balboapark.org
USS Midway Museum
The first carrier to be commissioned after World War II, the USS Midway was also the lead ship in her class. She has been preserved and is now open to the public as a museum for tours. The museum features ADA-compliant directional signage, and most areas are fully accessible, with elevators providing access to the 2nd deck, hangar bays, and flight deck. A virtual movie areas shows footage of the inaccessible areas, so that visitors with mobility issues can still see all of this majestic and powerful symbol of American military might and exceptionalism.
www.midway.org
Want more ideas or information? Visit www.access-sandiego.org/
President, Husband, Father, Grandfather Graduate of UC Davis- Bio Sci Major- Go Aggies! Jeff has extensive experience in all of Pacific Mobility’s products and services, and specializes in accessibility products as well as stairlifts, ceiling lifts and custom wheel chairs. His hobbies include spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking, exercising and off road motorcycle riding.
24 years as Owner/President of Pacific Mobility Center – selling, installing, and servicing stairlifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, pool lifts, handicap ramping, specialty wheelchairs, scooters, power wheel chairs, and other power mobility devices
Certified Environmental Access Consultant since 2008
Licensed General Contractor since 1998
Certified Aging in Place Specialist since 2016
Board Member for Home Access Professionals
Member of Association of Members of the Accessibility Equipment Industry (AEMA)
