Partly, and best at La Jolla Shores. From May through September the City of San Diego lays an accessible beach mat on the sand north of the main lifeguard tower there, and lifeguards lend manual beach wheelchairs whenever they are on duty; a companion has to push. Above the Cove, a concrete path circles the lawn of Ellen Browning Scripps Park to a string of ocean overlooks, though the Cove beach itself is reached by stairs, not a ramp. Every MTS bus and trolley has a ramp or lift, and visitors with disabilities can use MTS Access paratransit for up to 21 days a year.
Where to start
La Jolla Shores Beach: beach mat from May through September, manual beach wheelchairs from the lifeguard station, a public parking lot, restrooms and showers.
La Jolla Cove: watch the water from the overlooks along the park path above; the sand below is reached by stairs, so it isn’t wheelchair accessible.
Beach wheelchairs and the beach mat
The city’s mats come out from May through September and are pulled the rest of the year because of tides, high surf and blowing sand. The manual beach wheelchairs at the La Jolla Shores lifeguard station can go down to the water, but someone has to push.
For more equipment, the city keeps Freedom Trax, Access Trax mats and rollators at 3071 Ocean Front Walk in Mission Beach. Reserve at (619) 980-1876 during program hours.
Parking with a disabled person placard
With a California disabled person placard or plates, the DMV says you can park in spaces marked with the wheelchair symbol, at blue curbs, at green time-limited curbs for as long as you like, and at on-street meters at no charge. You can’t park in the crosshatched spaces beside accessible stalls or at red, yellow or white curbs.
Buses, trolleys and MTS Access
All MTS buses and trolleys have ramps or lifts, and bus operators help riders using wheelchairs and scooters board. Route 30 stops in the Village and near La Jolla Shores.
MTS Access is the ADA paratransit service. Visitors with disabilities can request visitor eligibility at 844-299-6326 or access@sdmts.com, sending proof of ADA paratransit eligibility from home if they have it; without it, MTS Access may ask for proof of residence and disability, and needs no disability documentation when the disability is apparent. MTS processes requests within one business day, and visitor eligibility covers 21 days in any 365-day period. A scheduled one-way trip has cost $6 since October 1, 2026.
Related La Jolla guides
FAQ
Does La Jolla have beach wheelchairs?
Yes. Lifeguards at La Jolla Shores lend manual beach wheelchairs whenever they are on duty. Someone needs to push.
Is there a beach access mat at La Jolla Shores?
From May through September, north of the main lifeguard tower. It is removed the rest of the year.
Is La Jolla Cove wheelchair accessible?
The overlooks above the Cove are reached by a concrete path around Ellen Browning Scripps Park. The beach below is reached by stairs, so the overlooks are the accessible way to see the Cove.
Can visitors use MTS Access paratransit in San Diego?
Yes. Request visitor eligibility at 844-299-6326 with proof of ADA paratransit eligibility from home, or, without it, proof of where you live and of your disability. It covers 21 days a year.