California is culturally rich, vibrant, and the most populous state in the United States. It is home to a considerable number of disabled people. As per data from 2024, around 11.7% of Californians have disabilities, demonstrating the state’s diverse accessible population.
Because of the large number of disabled residents and visitors from across the country, the state’s overall infrastructure is accessible. From roads and hotels to public transportation and offices, a majority of places in the western state are built with accessibility in mind— and this also applies to many restaurants. Whether San Diego, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, you’ll find every major Californian city has top-rated dining spots, serving delectable dishes and offering necessary accommodations to customers with wheelchairs.
1) Brewsters Beer Garden (Petaluma, California)
Brewsters Beer Garden is a spacious open-air dining spot, boasting a seating capacity of 350 and spanning 2192 square feet. Located in Petaluma— a major city in Sonoma County, California— it’s one of the most highly-rated restaurants in the city. The large seating area gives a spacious layout for wheelchair users.
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You may think this place specializes in beer, and you are absolutely right. They serve 30 cold and refreshing local craft beers alongside Napa Valley wine. Additionally, their drinks collection includes a wide range of cocktails, making it an ideal place to grab post-work evening drinks or dive into the weekend vibes. Besides the bar section, they have tons of choices in the food menu—it’s a well-laid restaurant for a full-on breakfast to late dinner night. The eatery is not only disabled-friendly but also suitable for a large gathering with friends, family, or even your pets.
2) The Albright ( Santa Monica, California)
Santa Monica Pier is not only one of the popular tourist spots in Los Angeles County but also all of California. The Albright, a restaurant renowned for their seafood items, is situated at the heart of Santa Monica Pier. You can take a moment to enjoy the golden beach horizon and deep blue Pacific Ocean from this wheelchair-friendly popular dining spot. Apart from a wide and accessible entrance gate, it has spacious walking space (perfect for a wheelchair), a broad seating area, and accessible washrooms.
The Albright has both indoor and outdoor seating options. So, if you want to feel the warm sunlight in winter, relish a fine culinary experience with a beach view under the sky— or enjoy a fine dining experience in an air conditioner during the scorching summer heat— this is the go-to accessible place in Santa Monica Pier. Opened in 1977, the restaurant has been doing business for almost half a century, becoming a trusted seafood heaven for tourists and offering fresh seafood from oysters and shrimps to crabs and lobsters.
3) Anju House ( Los Angeles, California)
Looking for a wheelchair-accessible Korean restaurant in Los Angeles? Then Anju House is your reliable choice. Located in the heart of Koreatown, this dining spot offers Soju, beer, cocktails— and of course mouth-watering Korean dishes. It’s well laid out with ample space to give a comfortable dining experience to disabled customers, and it sits among the highest-rated dining spots in Koreatown.
It’s important to note that Anju House can be your go-to place to grab a drink after work or a flavorful Korean dinner because they don’t operate in the morning. If you are planning to grab a breakfast meal, you may skip this place. It’s open from evening hours to late at night on weekdays, while the operational hours are from 11 AM on weekends.
4) Bestia (Los Angeles, California)
Well decorated, elegant, and palatable— these words paint a vivid picture of a popular Los Angeles dining spot, Bestia, giving a taste of Italy through their wide array of food options. Above all, this modern Italian restaurant has a large table space, accessible bathrooms, and entrance gates to welcome specially abled food lovers.
Bestia has an impressive variety of Italian dishes along with a handful of unique non-Italian foods, tailored to local tastes. Their perfectly cooked bone marrow is a customer favorite. Some flavorful food options include—cavatelli, pizza, steak, salumi, dolci, cocktails, beer, and more. Situated in downtown LA, the restaurant has been operational since 2012. When visiting the city, Bestia is a highly recommended place for a satisfying lunch or hearty dinner.
5) Grossman’s Noshery & Bar ( Santa Rosa, California)
Santa Rosa is a major city in California. Centrally located in Santa Rosa’s downtown, Grossman’s Noshery & Bar is owned by Stark Reality restaurants. The menu offers a wide range of New York-inspired delis, specializing in traditional Jewish-American culinary dishes. From appetizing options like salads, sandwiches, and soups to dumplings and desserts— the restaurant brings the culinary essences of the East Coast to the heart of Santa Rosa.
The standout quality of the restaurant is disabled friendliness. If you are a tourist visiting Santa Rosa and planning to grab a delightful lunch or dinner, the Santa Rosa Downtown station of the SMART train is only a stone’s throw away. Conversely, there is a designated parking lot just across the street for personal vehicles. Situated on La Rose Hotel’s ground floor, the restaurant’s gate is big and automated, making it perfectly accessible. Moreover, Grossman’s has 149 seating capacity with low-top tables, making it ideal for accessible diners.
6) Gravity Heights ( San Diego, California)
If you visit Gravity Heights, San Diego in a wheelchair, you won’t feel cramped— there’s plenty of space, particularly in their Sorrento Valley outlet. The restaurant’s atmosphere is welcoming, meaning kids, pets, or adults can explore and engage in fun activities on the premises— apart from tasting their delicate items on the menu. The ample space makes it one of the wheelchair-accessible restaurants in the state for people with mobility issues.
We have talked about superior accessibility at Gravity Heights, but scrumptious food is the primary reason for visiting a restaurant— don’t worry, the San Diego eatery got you covered! They serve traditional wood-fired pizzas with diverse options. For a belly-filling dinner, the restaurant offers enchiladas pork bolognese, their signature WNL burger, and more. If you are a health-conscious eater, their salad options include Caesar salad, lemon chicken and kale salad, and strawberry salad. Looking for comforting and savoring snacks? Pick their mac and cheese, chicken wings, dirty fries, or tuna tostada.
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