Overview
The term "accessibility" as used on
this website means "usability." The use of the
symbol does not indicate full compliance with all accessibility
standards.
However, all walks are level –
meaning no steps or grades of 8% or higher. All intersections have curb
cuts unless noted. All walks have been done with a person in a
wheelchair and some have been done with a person using an electric
scooter.
Transit
Buses
| Muni Light Rail | Bay Area Rapid
Transit (BART) | Taxis | Other
Agencies | Dogs
If you don't have a car, or just prefer
not to drive, you can get to many of these excursions using public
transit. The maps included with the self-guided excursions indicate bus
stops and Muni route numbers. Black and white bus icons indicate
wheelchair-accessible lines; gray and white icons indicate
non-accessible lines. The Excursions page
has a listing of Muni and BART routes for both self-guided and guided walks.
For best riding conditions, avoid the
morning and evening rush hours. Ride with a friend if you think you'll
need assistance. On all transit vehicles, non-disabled passengers must
yield the seats nearest the doors and driver to seniors and disabled
people.
Within San Francisco, the primary
transit agency is the San
Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni). Muni provides frequent bus and
light rail service throughout the City. Muni maps are sold throughout
San Francisco, and are posted at bus shelters. Notice the frequency
chart on the back shows wheelchair-accessible routes marked
"X"; trolley coach lines marked "TC."
The Muni website has
comprehensive Accessibility
Information.
Buses
Nearly all of Muni's diesel buses are
equipped with wheelchair lifts and can "kneel" (lower the
front of the bus) if you have trouble negotiating stairs. The driver
makes space for wheelchairs by folding up several seats near the front
of the bus, and can assist the passenger in the wheelchair to fasten the
required safety straps or wheel lock. Wheelchair users may also transfer
to a fixed seat and keep their wheelchair folded in the adjacent aisle.
The big trolley buses on the 14
Mission, 31 Balboa, and weekend 30 Stockton lines accommodate
wheelchairs similar to the diesel buses. The smaller trolley buses that
serve the rest of the city are not currently accessible - seek out
adjacent diesel bus lines if necessary. Muni plans to purchase modern
trolley coaches with wheelchair lifts.
Muni
Light Rail
Muni's Metro light rail lines are
accessible at eight subway stops between Embarcadero and West Portal
stations. In outlying neighborhoods, some two dozen "key
stops" have wheelchair-accessible boarding ramps (intermediate
stops are not accessible). When boarding, watch the gap between the
platform and the door! Wheelchair users may prefer to back on to the
train and/or at a slight angle. Park in one of the opposite doorways,
crosswise to the direction of travel. Muni's historic F line streetcars
on Market Street are also accessible - the driver lays a bridge between
the train and the wheelchair ramp to provide access to the train. Watch
for the collapsing stairs. Call MUNI at (415) 923-6142 for accessible
services or see the Accessibility
Information on their website.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
BART provides fast, frequent rail
service between San Francisco, Oakland, and outlying East Bay cities and
suburbs. Opened in 1971, the trains and stations were designed to be
accessible. Recent renovations have improved accessibility. Typically,
elevators and escalators descend from the street level to the concourse
level, and from there to the train platform. Elevators downtown are at
either end of the station. As on Muni Metro, be careful crossing the gap
between the platform and the train doors. Discount tickets are available
for seniors and people with disabilities. Call (888) 235-3828 for
accessibility updates or see the Accessibility
Information on their website.
Taxis

Photo by Charles Pannell, EmergingHorizons.com
Accessible taxis are available in San
Francisco. Call Yellow
Cab at 626-2345.
Other
Agencies
Golden Gate Transit, AC Transit,
SamTrans, and CalTrain connect San Francisco with nearby cities and
suburbs. All of these agencies accommodate people with disabilities.
Brochures describe services in detail and offer tips for riding.
Accessibility
information
Accessibility
information
Accessibility
information
Accessibility
information
Dogs
All service animals must be on a leash.
They may ride free, and any number of these dogs may ride at the same
time. Signal dogs and service dogs must appear with their owner in the
photo on the Regional Transit Discount ID card.
Books
and Pamphlets
The
Access San
Francisco Visitor Information Kit (available free through the San
Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau) offers a guide with a comprehensive
listing of "things to know" and "getting around" for
visitors with disabilities. It is the first guide of its kind and will
be a model for other cities as they address information on
accessibility. Look here for details about museums, performing arts,
attractions, sports and recreation, shopping, tours, lodging and
restaurants. The kit also includes maps, special offers, and
additional information.

Access
Northern California has access information for all of Northern
California.
San Francisco Bay Area, A Guide
for the Cultural Tourist denotes accessible museums. Published
jointly by BART and the San
Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.
MUNI Access Guide
describes all of Muni's disabled accessible services including
wheelchair access and kneelers (lowering of steps to enter bus). The
guide is available from Muni Accessible Services Programs, 949
Presidio Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115. Call MUNI 415-923-6142
weekdays or 673-MUNI anytime for the most up-to-date information on
accessibility or see the Accessibility
Information on their website.
BART's
All About Access brochure describes facilities, boarding,
discount fare requirements, staff training, alternative paratransit, and
general tips.
Welcome Aboard - Your Accessible
Transit Services Handbook is published by the Golden Gate Bridge
District and describes the bridge, bus and ferry services available to
those with special needs. For a copy, telephone 415-923-2000, TDD
415-257-4554 or visit the Golden
Gate Bridge District website.
A Wheelchair Rider’s Guide to
San Francisco Bay and Nearby Shorelines is published by the
State Coastal
Conservancy and features coastline accessible parks and trails.
Copies are available by writing to:
State Coastal Conservancy, Publications
1330 Broadway, Suite 1100
Oakland, CA 94612
For information call: (510)286-1015.
For access information about State and
National Parks, there are two excellent books available:
California Parks Access: A
Complete Guide to the State and National Parks for Visitors with Limited
Mobility by Linda and Allen Mitchell, Cougar Pass Publishing
Co., Escondido, CA, 1992
Easy Access to National Parks, The Sierra Club Guide for People with
Disabilities; Also Useful for Seniors and Families with Young Children,
Wendy Roth and Michael Tompane, Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, CA,
1992