It can be hard to find suitable places to visit in California for individuals with intellectual disabilities but there are many autism-friendly places that pride themselves on providing a safe, sensory-friendly and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Whether you are looking for something educational, fun or engaging, you can discover numerous attractions that are credited as Certified Autism Centers (CAC) in which staff are provided with specialized training and offer certain accommodations such as sensory guides and quiet hours and rooms to make these places more accessible for all.
Here are the top 5 autism friendly places in California:
01. Sesame Place San Diego
This theme park is a CAC and is perfect for fans of the classic hit TV show and offers children of all ages live entertainment, rides, a water park and access to favourite characters. For children with sensory needs, all of the staff must complete autism sensitivity and awareness training and there are various facilities in place including quiet rooms, access to noise-cancelling headphones and a sensory guide for the park. You can also upgrade your tickets with the Magic Queue pass to skip the long lines.
02. Santa Barbara Zoo
An exciting place to visit for people of all ages, the Santa Barbara Zoo covers over 30 acres of land and is home to over 500 animals offering a fantastic day out. The zoo hosts Autism Safari Nights for families with autistic children to enjoy a movie, bounce house, reading corner and sensory activities with food and drink provided. The zoo also provides guests with sensory backpacks and there are dedicated quiet spaces throughout the grounds.
03. LEGOLAND California
LEGOLAND is an amazing attractions for families with an incredible world made out of 60 million Lego bricks! Featuring rides, a water park and an aquarium, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. A sensory guide is provided for autistic people which rates each ride according to how it may affect each of the five senses and earplugs are also available along with a Sensory Room where families can have some quiet time.
04. Balboa Park
Balboa Park covers a huge 1200 acres with 18 museums, trails offering up to 65 miles of exploring and San Diego Zoo. There are plenty of places to visit with impressive gardens and museums and the Fleet Science Center opens its doors early for guests with disabilities every third Saturday of the month to explore the quieter, sensory friendly environment. Other museums have also created ‘social stories’ which allows visitors a preview of the experience.
05. Aquarium of the Pacific
Southern California’s largest aquarium, this attraction is home to over 11,000 animal exhibits covering three distinct waters of the Pacific Ocean and offers educational, behind the scenes experiences for all the family. There are Autism Family Nights which provide a quiet environment for people with sensory needs.
There are many amazing places to visit in California which are autism friendly and cater to various sensory needs. Here at Path-Now, you can discover a range of resources and support from matched providers tailored to your individual needs.
