My recent California road trip was packed with incredible destinations. After exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, I wasn’t quite ready to head north to the Redwoods just yet. Berkeley ended up being the perfect place to spend a couple of days in between, giving me time to slow down, enjoy a new city, and experience one of the most historically significant places in the disability rights movement.
Although this wasn’t actually my first visit to Berkeley, it was the first time I truly had the chance to explore it. Several years ago, I traveled to Berkeley to receive the Ed Roberts Award from the Center for Independent Living, an honor that meant so much to me. However, that trip revolved around the award ceremony, so I didn’t have much time to experience everything the city has to offer. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to return.
Berkeley has long held a special place in disability history as the birthplace of the independent living movement and home to so many pioneers who fought to make the world more accessible. As someone who has spent my career advocating for accessible travel, visiting Berkeley feels especially meaningful. While San Francisco often gets most of the attention from visitors, I quickly discovered that Berkeley deserves plenty of recognition as well.
Over the course of three days, I enjoyed incredible food, beautiful waterfront views, inspiring art, live theater, and a fantastic accessible hotel. Here’s how I spent my wheelchair accessible weekend in Berkeley.
Day One: Waterfront Dining and an Accessible Hotel
As soon as I arrived in Berkeley, I met a couple of friends for dinner at Skates on the Bay, and it couldn’t have been a better introduction to the city.
Located directly along the waterfront, the restaurant offers beautiful views across San Francisco Bay. From our table, we could see the San Francisco skyline stretching across the water and even catch a glimpse of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. The scenery alone made dinner memorable before the food even arrived.
To start, we shared two appetizers. The crab and artichoke dip was easily my favorite. It was creamy and absolutely delicious. We also ordered the tuna appetizer, which was equally fresh and flavorful.
For my entrée, I chose the fiery ahi tuna, and honestly, it may have been some of the best ahi tuna I’ve ever eaten. It was perfectly prepared with just the right amount of spice while still allowing the freshness of the fish to shine. If you’re a seafood lover, I highly recommend ordering it.
After dinner, I checked into the Residence Inn by Marriott Berkeley, which would be my home for the next two nights.
One of my favorite things about this hotel was its location. Situated in the heart of downtown Berkeley, it made exploring incredibly easy. Restaurants, attractions, shops, and even the University of California, Berkeley campus were all within walking and rolling distance. Throughout my stay, I rarely needed transportation because everything was so conveniently located.
My wheelchair accessible guest room was a full suite, making it feel much more spacious than a standard hotel room. It included a full kitchen, separate living area, and bedroom, which would be especially helpful for anyone planning an extended stay.
The king-sized bed measured approximately 24 inches high. There was also a small amount of clearance underneath the bed that could potentially accommodate some Hoyer lifts, although the clearance was only a couple of inches, so it would depend on the specific model you use.
The accessible bathroom was well designed with grab bars beside the toilet, a pull-under sink, and a roll-in shower featuring a fold-down shower seat. Everything I needed was there, allowing me to settle in comfortably before another full day of exploring.
Day Two: Brunch, Bay Views, Art, and Broadway-Caliber Theater
The next morning began with brunch at Cafe M, where I had the opportunity to meet Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii along with representatives from Visit Berkeley.
Mayor Ishii made history as Berkeley’s first Asian American mayor and the youngest woman ever elected mayor of the city. It was fascinating to hear about Berkeley’s continued commitment to accessibility and the ways city leaders are working to make Berkeley even more welcoming for residents and visitors with disabilities.
Those conversations were inspiring, but the food certainly didn’t disappoint either.
I ordered pancakes alongside chicken apple sausage and scrambled eggs, and everything was delicious. Cafe M offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great option whether you want to dine inside or enjoy Berkeley’s pleasant weather.
After brunch, I headed to one of Berkeley’s most beautiful outdoor spaces: the wheelchair accessible Berkeley Marina and Waterfront. The sunny California weather made it the perfect day to spend outside. The marina is home to part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, a paved and wheelchair accessible trail that stretches for miles around the bay. While I certainly wasn’t planning to roll the entire trail, it was wonderful to enjoy a portion of it while taking in the peaceful waterfront scenery.
As I rolled along the trail, I was treated to beautiful views of the bay, sailboats gently floating in the marina, and plenty of people enjoying the outdoors. It’s the type of place where you can simply slow down and appreciate the fresh air.
One of my favorite surprises was discovering The Roaming Bean, a small coffee stand located near the waterfront. I ordered a matcha that was absolutely delicious and enjoyed sipping it while listening to live music nearby.
Families were also enjoying the waterfront, thanks to a nearby playground. Although the playground itself wasn’t wheelchair accessible, the overall marina area was easy to navigate.
If you’re looking for even more adventure, Berkeley is also home to Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP), an organization that offers adaptive recreation opportunities, including kayaking and other outdoor adventures. It’s a fantastic resource for travelers wanting to experience the bay in an even more adventurous way.
My next stop was the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA). I’d recommend setting aside at least one to two hours for a visit. The museum features an impressive collection of contemporary and modern artwork along with rotating exhibitions that make each visit unique.
Accessibility is clearly a priority here as well. The museum offers loaner wheelchairs for visitors who need one, and there is also a companion care restroom available, making the experience much more comfortable for visitors with disabilities.
I enjoyed wandering through the galleries and taking in the exhibits at my own pace, but one of my favorite parts of the museum was actually the gift shop.
Rather than offering only the typical souvenirs, the shop featured a wonderfully curated collection of books, artwork, and unique gifts. I especially appreciated seeing an entire section dedicated to disability-related books and products. It’s not something you often find in museum gift shops, and it felt especially fitting given Berkeley’s important role in disability history.
After the museum, I headed for dinner at Study Hall, the rooftop restaurant located atop the Residence Inn. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and from the rooftop you can enjoy wonderful views overlooking downtown Berkeley.
We started by sharing the mac and cheese bites and Brussels sprouts. The mac and cheese bites were so good that I honestly ate way more than I probably should have. Thankfully, there was still room left for my entrée.
For dinner, I ordered the fish and chips, which were crispy, flavorful, and the perfect comfort food after a full day of sightseeing.
To end the evening, I made my way to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre to see the new musical The Lunchbox. I absolutely loved this show.
The music was captivating, the story was engaging, and by the time the curtain came down, I found myself thinking that this production has all the ingredients to eventually make its way to Broadway. It really was that good.
From an accessibility standpoint, Berkeley Rep offers designated wheelchair seating. My seat was located toward the side of the orchestra section rather than directly in the center, but I still had an excellent view of the stage and never felt like I missed any part of the performance.
Live theater is one of my favorite experiences whenever I travel, and Berkeley Rep certainly did not disappoint.
Day Three: One Last Incredible Meal
Before leaving Berkeley, I made one final stop for breakfast at ZINO Mediterranean Cuisines, located inside the historic Hotel Shattuck Plaza. The restaurant was only a short roll from my hotel, once again reminding me why staying downtown was such a great decision.
Inside, the restaurant has a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes it easy to relax before beginning a day of travel.
I ordered the avocado toast topped with smoked salmon. I’ve eaten avocado toast in destinations all over the world, and I can honestly say this was one of the very best I’ve ever had. Every bite was packed with flavor, and the smoked salmon paired perfectly with the creamy avocado. It was fresh and incredibly satisfying.
It turned out to be the perfect meal to end my Berkeley adventure.
Final Thoughts
Although I only spent less than three days in wheelchair accessible Berkeley, I left wishing I had even more time to explore.
Between the accessible waterfront, outstanding restaurants, fascinating museums, and incredible performing arts scene, Berkeley offers far more than many travelers probably realize. Add in its deep connection to disability history, and it becomes an especially meaningful destination for wheelchair users.
After leaving Berkeley, I made my way to Redwood National and State Parks, where I spent several unforgettable days exploring some of the tallest trees on Earth. If you’re planning a similar California road trip, be sure to check out my guide to visiting the Redwoods as a wheelchair user as well.
If you’ve been thinking about visiting Berkeley, I highly recommend adding it to your travel list. Whether you’re interested in disability history, waterfront scenery, fantastic food, or simply discovering a vibrant city, wheelchair accessible Berkeley is well worth a visit. I have no doubt that I’ll be back again someday.
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*Thank you to Visit California for working with me on this trip and showing me the best of wheelchair accessible Berkeley! While my experiences were complimentary, all opinions expressed are authentic and my own.
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