20 of the Best Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in California

California’s coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world, from the rolling tides of Malibu to the serene stretches of Santa Cruz. Everyone should be free to savor the salty breeze and golden sunsets over the water, regardless of mobility. However, California’s beaches still vary quite a bit when it comes to accessibility. I’m here to share 20 of the best wheelchair accessible beaches in California, so that everyone can plan their next seaside trip with peace of mind.

Wheelchair Accessible Beaches in California

Santa Monica State Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Santa Monica is one of my favorite beaches worldwide, with its delicious hotdog stands, amazing street performers, fair rides and games, and a fun vibe. It’s no wonder why it’s one of the biggest tourist spots in Los Angeles County!

Another huge bonus is that the Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica Pier, and the beach itself, are all very easily accessible. Beach wheelchairs can be rented for free at 3 Perry’s Cafe locations on Ocean Front Walk, as well as at Heal the Bay Aquarium and Annenberg Community Beach House.

There are wooden access ramps leading close to the water, an accessible pier, and 2 accessible playgrounds: South Beach Park Playground and North Beach Playground.

I highly recommend checking out Ocean Front Walk: a paved walkway alongside the beach, lined with beautiful palm trees. Some of the best views of the ocean and city are found here. If you can, grab a copy of their free Accessible Santa Monica Beach map!

Venice Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Venice Beach is not only the most filmed beach in California – it’s also quite possibly the most accessible. From April to October, the beach lays out a big MobiMat so that wheelchair users can come right onto the shore.

However, there are also free beach wheelchair rentals available, so everyone can see the sand and sea at their leisure. They’re located right at the main lifeguard station close to the southwest corner of the parking lot on Ocean Front Walk.

Zuma Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

I’ve found that Malibu, in general, is quite accessible with some of the most gorgeous views in Southern California.

Zuma Beach is a 4-mile stretch of flat, pristine sand with plenty of convenient, well-kept parking lots. While it shares 2 beach wheelchairs with other Malibu beaches, it has plenty available, along with MobiMats and accessible restrooms.

Wheelchairs are housed right at the main lifeguard station a few minutes from the entrance. Accessible showers are located right on the outside rear wall of the bathrooms.

Manhattan Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Manhattan Beach is such a relaxing, beautiful place to spend time. It has a fantastic biking and walking path that’s wide enough for wheelchair users to enjoy without any obstructions. Plus, it offers some prime dog viewing.

The beach’s new extension to their concrete “Pathway to the Sea” walkway is a nylon mesh mat or “MobiMat” that lets every family member have access to the sand. The Pathway to the Sea is already super accessible, designed for seniors and those with disabilities.

Manhattan Beach also has an accessible Visitor Center, 2 beach wheelchairs available near the El Porto parking lot, accessible parking, and accessible restrooms.

Christmas Cove

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Christmas Cove Beach is actually in Laguna Beach, and it’s a longtime favorite for many as not many tourists know about it. Marine life is protected here, so all shells have to stay put, and no fishing is allowed.

It’s less crowded than other Laguna beaches, but it also has a long ramp at the end of the Montage Resort park area that makes it very accessible. There are beach wheelchairs available at the Main Beach, though it is first come, first serve.

Pismo Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Pismo Beach is one of the most popular beaches on California’s central coast, stretching a whopping 7 miles. The promenade is completely vehicle-free, offering unobstructed shoreline views.

While they currently don’t have MobiMat access, they do have beach wheelchairs available to rent for free at Wheel Fun Rentals. Parking and restrooms are accessible, as well.

However, what really sets Pismo apart is that it’s home to the Pismo Beach Nature Center packed full of different animals and Chumash history. There is a beautiful wheelchair accessible trail located nearby, which is fantastic for bird-watching or simply enjoying nature.

Huntington Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Ranked as one of the top 10 wheelchair accessible beaches in the US from Florida to Hawaii by Conde Nast, Huntington Beach has done a lot to ensure everyone gets to enjoy the ocean.

The Huntington Beach Bike Trail is flat, smooth, and paved for nearly 8.5 miles. It has 4 wide, paved paths in addition to that, offering access to the beach from the Bike Trail.

The shade structures all have accessible features, and the parking, playground, picnic tables, and restrooms are also accessible. Huntington also has not one, but two MobiMats that go all the way to the water’s edge at high tide.

Beach wheelchairs are available to rent at Zack’s Rentals/Pier Plaza.

Asilomar State Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Located in Pacific Grove, Asilomar State Beach is a one-mile stretch of white sand with gorgeous views of the blue water. The “Refuge by the Sea” is lined with charming cottages and offers some of the best seafood in the world.

They not only offer beach wheelchairs, but sand-friendly beach walkers for free rental, too! Public restrooms are accessible, though they do not currently have MobiMats.

Seal Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Seal Beach isn’t too far from Manhattan Beach, and it’s another very accessible destination. It’s a cute little beach with a paved path going from Seal Beach Pier south about half a mile to Electric Avenue.

At the Community Safety Building right on Main Street, they offer free child-sized and adult wheelchairs for rent, and the lifeguard headquarters west of the pier at beach level also offers a rental. The nearly 2,000-foot wooden pier isn’t as smooth as you may like, but the diner at the end has some of the best ocean views.

Oh, and they even have a MobiMat, making this one of the best wheelchair accessible beaches in California!

Moonstone Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Moonstone Beach is a nice little hidden gem located off Highway 1 in Cambria. The stunning brown sand beach features interesting rocky bluffs that look like moon rocks, and you’ll find plenty of gemstones mixed into the beach’s sand.

The boardwalk is a mile long and smooth enough to allow wheelchair users to have an easy ride. It’s almost entirely flat and ADA-compliant. While they don’t have a MobiMat, they do have accessible restrooms and beach wheelchairs available for rent.

Granada Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Located in Long Beach, Granada Beach has everything a wheelchair user needs for a great day on the sand. The beach access mat is smooth and goes very close to the water, but they also offer beach wheelchair rentals just in case.

Restrooms are accessible, and a 5.5-mile paved path runs along the beaches. Not to mention, their dog park goes right by the MobiMat, so you can enjoy watching the pups play.

Alamitos Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Alamitos is right next to Granada Beach, but it’s worth mentioning them separately as they’re two separate beaches within the city of Long Beach. While Alamitos’ MobiMat doesn’t go quite as close to the water as Granada’s does, it’s still very accessible.

The paved path goes right past Alamitos, so you can realistically travel between the two with ease. If you have the chance, the Aquarium of the Pacific is right next door and also accessible!

Crescent Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Crescent Beach is a fantastic option if traveling with the entire family. The views are stunning and moody, with plenty of beach wheelchair rentals available. Not to mention, the beautiful Crescent Beach Overlook can be accessed by wheelchair users.

Crescent Beach’s Beachfront Park is part of a big, accessible family-friendly park right on the water. Oh, and they have a marine rescue center and the impressive Crescent LIghthouse right there!

Half Moon Bay State Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Half Moon Bay is so easy to get around! Access to the beach is a gentle-sloped ramp, complete with wheelchair-accessible campsites, restrooms, trails, showers, and even an accessible Visitor Center.

While Half Moon Bay doesn’t have MobiMats like other wheelchair accessible beaches in California, it does have flat trails and accessible parking. It’s a great option for those who want to see plenty of different birds and plants.

Crystal Cove

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Crystal Cove State Beach is one of the largest and most wheelchair accessible beaches in California. The 3.2 miles of coastline is filled with vintage cottages and offers beach wheelchair rentals at the entrance kiosk of the Moro Beach and Beachcomber Restaurant in the historic district.

They don’t have MobiMats, but they do have regulation ramps to accessible restrooms, and the Beachcomber Cafe even has a shuttle that can transport wheelchairs across the Pacific Coast Highway.

Moonlight Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Moonlight Beach is located between San Diego and Los Angeles, and is perfect for accommodating wheelchairs and scooters on the sand. They have a big MobiMat, free-floating beach wheelchairs for rent, with both manual and powered chairs available.

Chairs are available at the lifeguard tower 7 days a week. Restrooms are accessible, as well.

Silver Strand

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: No
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Silver Strand is northwest of LA and was actually one of the first accessible beaches in the country when WWII veteran, Ed Hunt, helped create its features in 1992. The 900-foot-long pathway winds around the impressive sand dunes and is one of the most relaxing beaches in the area.

At the northern end of Silver Strand, there’s a wheelchair accessible ramp and a stunning terrace overlooking the harbor.

Clam Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Clam Beach recently became the state’s northernmost accessible beach! Located in Humboldt County, they’ve just recently added a MobiMat at the northern parking lot. It allows wheelchair access all the way up to the high tide line of the beach!

They also just added free beach wheelchair rentals available a couple of years ago. Access from the parking lot is very simple, and Clam Beach is adding more accessible features all the time.

Imperial Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Imperial Beach is located down south in San Diego, and provides easy pathways to access the beach. It features various MobiMats located at Pier Plaza and Dunes Park, which both also have handicapped parking nearby.

The Imperial Beach Power Beach Chair Program offers 2 chairs for use at the Dempsey Holder Safety Center – one left-hand and one right-hand chair. This is actually the only beach that has a mat, power beach wheelchairs, and manual beach wheelchairs available.

Cardiff State Beach

Beach Wheelchairs Available: Yes
Access Mat/MobiMat: Yes
Accessible Restrooms: Yes

Cardiff State Beach unfortunately doesn’t offer the MobiMat year-round, but it is available during the summer when there are bigger crowds. It’s located by lifeguard stand number 15.

Recently, they also started offering beach wheelchairs for free rent at the San Elijo State Beach Campground Entrance. They’re also available at a self-service check-out storage cabinet.

In the world of California’s sandy allure, many beaches have ensured that every adventurer – regardless of their mobility – can revel in the intoxicating beauty of the coastline. From accessible pathways to thoughtful amenities, I invite you to explore any and all of these varied wheelchair accessible beaches in California. Each one has something special to offer, from white sand beaches and moonlike rocks to lighthouses and charming cottages. So, cheers to the boundless shores and boundless spirit that make California’s beaches a stage for all to enjoy!

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