Accessible Beaches in San Diego: ADA Ramps, Mats & Wheelchair Access (2025 Guide)

Whether you're visiting for a day of fun or just soaking in the ocean breeze, this guide highlights exact accessible features—including ADA ramps, beach mats, and wheelchair rentals—for beaches across San Diego County.

Summary: ADA Access Points & Equipment at San Diego Beaches

Beach	ADA Ramps / Access Points	Beach Mats (Seasonal)	Wheelchair Rentals (Manual/Powered)	Accessible Restrooms
La Jolla Shores	Paved promenade; ADA opening at lifeguard station #32	Yes — north of main tower	Yes — at lifeguard station (manual & powered)	Yes
Coronado Central Beach	Concrete ramp at Ocean Blvd & Isabella into sand area	Yes — long mats to water	Yes — available at main lifeguard tower	Yes
Moonlight State Beach	ADA ramp from parking lot to mat and sand	Yes — ~150 ft mat year‑round	Yes — manual & floating chairs at lifeguard tower	Yes
Pacific Beach	No formal ADA ramp onto sand; promenade exists	Yes — mat south of main tower	Yes — manual chairs at lifeguard station	Yes
Mission Beach	No dedicated ADA ramp to sand; boardwalk present	Yes — in front of main tower	Yes — manual & powered chairs at Belmont Park lifeguard station (call ahead)	Yes
Ocean Beach	No formal ADA ramp; access near lifeguard Station	Yes — mat in front of main tower	Yes — manual chairs at lifeguard station	Yes
Silver Strand State Beach	ADA flat paths from lot to sand	Seasonal mats available	Yes — manual chairs via park entry station	Yes
Del Mar City Beach	Ramp at Powerhouse Park to sand via lifeguard HQ	No	Yes — at lifeguard HQ, first‑come, first‑serve basis	Yes
Fletcher Cove (Solana Beach)	Ramp from lot to sand near playground area	No	Limited chairs—call ahead	Yes

Detailed Accessibility Guide

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La Jolla Shores

• ADA ramp at Lifeguard Tower 32 connects the promenade to the sand.

• Seasonal mats laid north of the main tower.

• Manual and powered wheelchairs available free from the lifeguard station on a first come first serve basis.

• ADA-compliant restrooms near the parking lot.

This is one of San Diego’s most accessible beaches due to its wide, flat layout.

Coronado Beaches (Central and North)

• Central Beach: Ramp at Ocean Blvd & Isabella leads to sand with seasonal mats extending toward the water. Manual wheelchairs available at the main lifeguard tower.

• North Beach: No ramp since ADA accessible, but mats are deployed seasonally. Accessible restrooms located near lifeguard headquarters.

Coronado is known for deploying some of the longest mats in San Diego.

South Mission Beach

• No direct ramp to sand, but entry is smooth and ADA accessible.

• Seasonal access mat extends from the South Mission parking lot (Jetty Road) onto the beach.

• Manual and powered wheelchairs available from lifeguard headquarters (powered chairs require reservations).

• ADA restrooms located near the parking lot.

This is the best entry point for accessible beach days in Mission Beach.

Mission Beach (North, Belmont Park area)

• No direct ramp to sand, but the boardwalk is smooth and ADA accessible.

• Seasonal mat in front of the main lifeguard tower.

• Manual and powered wheelchairs available (reserve powered chairs in advance).

• ADA-compliant restrooms near Belmont Park.

If mats are not in place, South Mission Beach offers better accessibility.

Pacific Beach

• No ramp.

• Seasonal mat south of the main lifeguard tower.

• Manual wheelchairs available at the main lifeguard station.

• ADA restrooms near the promenade.

The promenade itself is fully ADA accessible.

Ocean Beach

• No ramp, but the promenade extends near the pier.

• Seasonal mat in front of the main lifeguard tower.

• Manual wheelchairs available at the lifeguard station.

• ADA restrooms near the lifeguard station.

This beach offers moderate accessibility, especially when mats are deployed.

Moonlight State Beach (Encinitas)

• ADA ramp from the parking lot.

• Year-round access mat about 150 feet long.

• Manual and floating beach wheelchairs available daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

• ADA-compliant restrooms and changing facilities.

This is one of the most reliable ADA beaches in North County.

Silver Strand State Beach

• Flat paved access routes from the parking lot to the sand.

• Seasonal mats available.

• Manual wheelchairs provided at the park entry station.

• ADA-compliant restrooms and showers.

Ideal for accessible camping and extended stays.

Del Mar City Beach

• No ramp; the hill at Powerhouse Park is too steep for many wheelchairs.

• Seasonal mat at the main lifeguard tower provides direct sand access.

• Two manual wheelchairs available first-come, first-served.

• ADA-compliant restrooms.

Skip the Powerhouse Park hill and head straight to the lifeguard HQ mat.

Fletcher Cove (Solana Beach)

• Ramp from the small parking lot near the playground down to the sand.

• No mats currently documented.

• Limited wheelchairs available; call ahead to reserve.

• ADA restrooms near the parking lot.

A compact, quiet beach with a basic but functional ADA ramp.

Tips for Accessible Beach Days

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• Arrive early, as ADA parking fills quickly on weekends and holidays.

• Call lifeguards in advance to reserve powered wheelchairs (La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, Coronado).

• Most access mats are deployed spring through fall; Moonlight State Beach offers a year-round mat.

• Consider bringing a companion, especially if using manual beach wheelchairs.

For more information on San Diego beaches such as crowds, beach cleanliness, safety, and more be sure to check out our beach reviews.