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This guide is an invitation for locals and visitors with special needs to
explore the sights, sounds and flavors that Santa Cruz County has to offer. It
has been written primarily to meet the needs of wheelchair users, people with
developmental challenges, and their caregivers. We’ve included some resources
for people with visual and auditory impairments, but our focus for this guide
came from the community that Shared Adventures works with most closely. This emphasis
in no way reflects an issue of value or judgement — our goal is to be sure
that everyone is accommodated.
If you are living with an auditory or visual
impairment and would like further information and helpful resources, please contact
the Vista Center for the Blind (458-9766) or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service
Center (753-6540 or 753-6541 TTY) (see listings in Social
Services). 
We at Shared Adventures are excited to offer this guide to accessibility resources
for both locals and visitors to Santa Cruz County. Part of our mission at Shared
Adventures is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities, and
we see this guide as the perfect complement to our recreational and educational
programs. The guide will help bring together people of all abilities in our community.
I started Shared Adventures in 1991 with the first “Day
on the Beach” event, where individuals with disabilities could challenge
themselves in their environment through water sports. Since that first successful
event we have provided hundreds of life-enriching recreational and social opportunities
such as kayaking, surfing, outrigger canoeing, sailing, scuba diving, whale watching,
yoga, rock climbing and much more.
I came up with the idea for the guide
after visiting San Diego and seeing their accessibility guide. I felt it was helpful
for both locals and travelers alike and knew that Santa Cruz would benefit from
having its own version. Some of the great things you’ll find inside are
accessible restaurants, hotels, parks, health agencies and other service providers
which cater to those with special needs. We are proud to offer this guide to our
community and visitors.
Please also check out: www.sharedadventures.org
There are all kinds of great links from there. Happy adventuring! 
Founder
and President,
Shared Adventures
Shared
Adventures is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing recreational
activities to people with special needs and physical challenges. Letter
from Emily Reilly
Mayor, Santa Cruz, CA
Let us know
about your favorite accessible resource, order a print version of the guide, or
just tell us what you think! We welcome your thoughts, tips, suggestions and contributions.We
can be reached at:
Shared Adventures
PO BOX 396
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
info@sharedadventures.org
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BASIC TRAVELER’S INFORMATION
>> Click
HERE for MAP of Santa Cruz & Directions NOTE: Most links
will open a new browser window and take you off of this website. This website
will remain open behind the new window.
| Aptos Chamber/Visitor Center |
(831) 688-1467 | | Santa Cruz
County Conference & Visitor’s Center | (831)
425-1234 | | Monterey Visitor’s
Bureau | (831) 649-1770 |
| San Francisco Visitor’s Bureau |
(888) 782-9673 | | CA Office
of Tourism | (800) 862-2543 |
| SC County Weather | (831) 475-3033 |
| SC County Sheriff |
(831) 454-2414 | Disaster Preparedness for People
with Disabilities website:
www.fema.gov
TRAVEL
TIPS
If you’re in a wheelchair and flying in to visit Santa Cruz
(or anywhere else), try these helpful tips: - If you are flying with
a motorized wheelchair, bring documentation about the type of battery your wheelchair
uses.
- Tape easy-to-read instructions about how to handle your wheelchair
in a very visible place on your wheelchair.
- Pack a wheelchair repair
kit. For security reasons, it’s best to stow this kit in your checked luggage.
- Carry medicine, medical equipment and personal care items with you in
your carry-on luggage.
- Know Your Rights—The Air Carrier Access
Act (ACAA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel.
This law requires US air carriers to accommodate the needs of passengers with
disabilities. The Department of Transportation publishes “New Horizons,
Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability.” This booklet is available on-line at: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/horizons.htm.
- Gather information and make needed reservations
with medical supply companies, wheelchair repair and transportation at your destination
well in advance.
ON THE GROUND
Avis and Hertz
both have hand control cars available for rent. Reserve well in advance and verify
reservations the day of the trip. Horsnyder’s Pharmacy rents wheelchairs
and The Bicycle Trip repairs them, as does Rehabilitation Specialists. See medical
supply section in this guide for these listings. Although every effort has
been made to provide reliable, accurate information, Shared Adventures and the
Santa Cruz Access Guide staff do not assume any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, products,
or persons disclosed. Although the guide covers mainly Santa Cruz County, out
of county listings are included when no local equivalent is available. Please
send any updates or corrections to:
Shared Adventures
PO BOX 396
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
info@sharedadventures.org
UPDATES
Please note:
The area code for this guide is 831 unless otherwise
shown. Any and all monetary mentions are based on the information available
at the date of publication and may change at any time. 
All facilities
listed in this guide meet the following specifications unless otherwise noted
PARKING
At least one designated accessible parking space
in private lot. If no private lot at least one public accessible parking space
within one block. ENTRY
Accessible entrance is
accessed by a lift, level ground, or a ramp entrance with slope 1:12 or less
Door clearance is at least 32" wide
Entrance threshold less than 1/2"
tall AISLES
Pathway at least 36" wide TABLES
Knee clearance of at least 27" provided RESTROOMS
Entry door at least 32" wide
Stall door at least 32", or 36"
if side opening and
swings in
Grab bars on back wall and at least one
side wall
Clear space for lateral transfer
Faucet controls operable with
closed fist SEATING
Space for a wheelchair with
adequate viewing capabilities | 
©
Shared Adventures, published June, 2003
Written by Crystal Birns
Edited by Crystal Birns, Daniel Birns, Steve Miller and Debra Wirkman
Compiled by Crystal Birns, Daryl Wise, Foster Andersen and Gena Bergstrom
Facilities assessed by Sarah Felumb, Gena Bergstrom, Foster Andersen, Michael
Bush and Reverend Eileen Attanasio
Design by Mike Miller, Prism Photographics,
Inc.
Production by Mark Woodhead
Website by Randie Paige
Lewis, Luckydogarts and Design
Translation by Verónica Peña
Núñez
Cover photo by Wheeler Stone Special
thanks to The Access Guide Advisory Board: Ranee Ruble and the Santa Cruz County
Tourist and Convention Center, Mike Bradshaw and the Central Coast Center for
Independent Living, Michael Bush, Caroline Murphy, Foster Andersen, Steve Miller
and Jonathen Adler. Thanks to New Leaf Markets for feeding our
advisory board delicious organic food, Caroline Murphy at Dollars and Sense
for helping make the project happen, to Bonnie Lewkowicz of Access Northern
California for her generous offering of advice and support, to Foster and
Steve for tirelessly volunteering more hours than could be counted. And to
everyone else who contributed thoughts, photos, information, and advice —
this guide could not have been made without you.
If your organization
provides resources that might belong in this Access Guide, please
email us at info@sharedadventures.org.
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