Los Angeles, California, USA

LOS ANGELES : Overview

OVERVIEW

Los Angeles, home of the stars, is a vacation destination worth experiencing. The city offers so much to do, from celebrity spotting, to visits to fantastic museums, theme parks, and hip and trendy shops and restaurants.

LANGUAGE

The national language of the United States is English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of the United States is the US dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

LOS ANGELES : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

The Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Like many airports, there is assistance for the physically challenged traveler. The airport has staff that can assist with transfers and transport to and from the airplane. For travelers unable to walk on the plane, “aisle chairs” are also available. These chairs are small enough to fit down the aisle of a plane, with the assistance of airport personnel.

The Los Angeles International Airport can be quite busy, especially during the peak holiday season, so it is best to notify the gate personnel upon arrival if assistance is needed to board the plane. It takes the ground crew extra time to transport an electric wheelchair or scooter to the tarmac and load onto the flight, which can cause delays if put off. Plus, by notifying the gate personnel early, the traveler has a better chance of being able to board first, which offers the benefits of privacy and availability of overhead bins near their seat.

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GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

United Independent Taxi service offers wheelchair accessible cabs for the physically challenged traveler.

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SHUTTLE

SuperShuttle: This company offers wheelchair accessible transportation to Los Angeles International Airport, and services can be booked either by phone or through the internet. We have used SuperShuttle in Los Angeles. The van was more than capable of accommodating me and my electric wheelchair, but also had plenty of room for two passengers and our luggage.

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RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

Wheelchair Getaways: Wheelchair Getaways rents wheelchair accessible vans to the Los Angeles area. According to the website, the company also provides 24 hour emergency vehicle service.

Wheelers: Wheelers rents wheelchair accessible vans to the Los Angeles area, and has locations throughout the United States. The company offers delivery and pick-up (for a fee), and 24 hour emergency vehicle service. We have used Wheelers on several occasions in California and have been very pleased with the service. The vans have always been in nice condition, and located where they were supposed to be dropped off.

MobilityWorks: MobilityWorks has wheelchair accessible rental vans available, which can be rented for just a few hours or weeks at a time. To rent a van, the website provides a number to call.

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BUS

MTA: The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority operates buses that are equipped with wheelchair lifts. All types of wheelchairs can be accommodated, as long as they fit on the lift of the bus. Additionally, devices are available to secure a wheelchair in place in the bus.

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TRAIN (Light Rail)

Metro Rail: All Metro Rail lines and stops are wheelchair accessible. Each rail car can accommodate up to four passengers in wheelchairs. There are no devices on the rail cars to secure wheelchairs. Elevators at each stop provide access (in the event an elevator is out of service, the Los Angeles MTA recommends taking a bus to the next stop).

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LOS ANGELES : Accommodations

HOTELS

Los Angeles has numerous hotel options for the physically challenged traveler. Most buildings are newer, so accessibility usually is not an issue. However, if an accessible room is needed, it must be requested when the reservation is made.

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LUXURY RESORTS

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LOS ANGELES : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

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ACTIVITIES

Dodger Stadium Tour: The Championship Tour will allow you to access Dodger Stadium, including the field, dugout, press box, and more. The tour is wheelchair accessible.

The Getty: The Getty Trust owns and manages two fabulous museums in Los Angeles.

The Getty Villa is located in Malibu, and focuses on the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. The Getty Villa is ADA accessible, and admission is free (tickets must be secured in advance).

The Getty Center is located in Los Angeles, and is situated on a hill overlooking the valley. The Getty Center is really a large campus of museums, and features the Getty’s collection of Western art. The Getty center is ADA accessible, and admission is free (tickets must be secured in advance).

Both locations provide standard wheelchairs and strollers, if necessary.

LACMA: The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has an extensive collection of works dating from ancient times to modern era, and hosts traveling exhibits. The LACMA is accessible, and loaner wheelchairs and assistive listening devices are available free of charge, if necessary. The LACMA is located adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits, making the pair a nice two-for-one visit.

Los Angeles Zoo: The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden is nestled in the foothills of Griffith Park on 113 acres, and features a wide variety of plants and animals. Strollers and wheelchairs (both manual and electric) are available for a rental fee. The zoo is accessible, and compliant with ADA standards.

Rodeo Drive: Rodeo Drive is a famous street for high end shopping in Beverly Hills. Most if not all of the shops are wheelchair accessible.

Santa Monica Pier: The Santa Monica Pier is an icon of Los Angeles, and features a variety of entertainment, shopping, music, and dining. The Pier is free of charge to visit and is open year round.

Santa Monica Beach: “Santa Monica beach is extremely accessible with a wooden walkway that allows one to walk the length of the beach. The beach equipment rental shop has two beach wheelchairs, available free of charge, first come first serve though you do have to leave an ID as collateral.” Anna, 1/4/09

Sunset Strip: The Sunset Strip is another famous street in LA, located in West Hollywood. The Strip has a wide variety of attractions, from famous music clubs like The Roxy to the home of celebrity hand and foot prints Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Most if not all of the attractions on Sunset Strip are accessible.

Universal Studios: Universal Studios Hollywood is very accessible, especially compared to other theme parks. The very nature of many of the attractions lend to accessibility. For example, many of the shows and attractions are seated, so individuals in wheelchairs can remain in their seat. Also, the Studio Tour tram cars are adapted to accommodate individuals in wheelchairs, so again, they can remain in their chair for the ride. When we visited, I was able to use my large electric chair for all of the above. In the case of the Studio Tour, the seat folds out of the way and once the wheelchair is positioned, attendants from the park secure the wheelchair.

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RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Los Angeles has no shortage of accessible restaurants and nightclubs to choose from.

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LOS ANGELES : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITALS

Los Angeles has many hospitals to choose from, including: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Good Samaritan Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Shriners Hospital for Children, USC University Hospital.

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MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Marc Medical Pharmacy: Marc Medical Pharmacy is located in Los Angeles, and rents wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. They also carry a wide variety of medical supplies.

Pico Medical: Pico Medical is located in Los Angeles, and serves the LA county area. Rentals include wheelchairs, hospital beds, lifts, and scooters.

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LOS ANGELES : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Los Angeles has a lot of sprawl, and we have found the best way to get around the city is to rent a car (or wheelchair accessible van).

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