ABOUT US
In 2017, Access Northern California (ANC) decided that in order to be sustainable and develop the premiere website for finding accessible outdoor adventures in Northern CA it needed to partner with a larger organization with a similar mission. Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP), with their long history of providing adapted sports and recreation programs to people of all ages seemed like a natural fit. After discussion with BORP’s board and staff, ANC dissolved as a nonprofit organization and is now a BORP program, complementing its robust menu of sports and recreation programming for individuals with physical disabilities and vision impairments.
We recognize that access means different things to different people therefore we do not offer ratings for accessibility. Rather, we provide accessibility details to help you make informed choices about places to visit, based on your particular access needs. We used the ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines) and California’s Title 24 as a basis for reviewing the accessibility of various features such as restrooms, parking, and picnic tables. However, we have also included trails and facilities that do not meet these guidelines if we found that they might be accessible to some people.
We have done our utmost to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, but some details may have changed since we last visited a site, and we can’t guarantee that we haven’t missed something. Bear in mind that weather, time, and frequency of maintenance can alter trail conditions. We strongly recommend that you phone ahead to verify key information and determine current trail conditions before visiting. For a range of experiences, we also suggest that you visit the same sites in different seasons.
![]() Fully Accessible |
![]() Partial Accessible |
Fully vs Partially AccessibleFeatures are designated accessible if they meet the criteria listed below. In cases where a feature meets most but not all of the criteria, it is designated as having partial accessibility, and we have noted which criteria it fails to meet. |
Restrooom
- Accessible path of travel
- Entry and stall doors have at least 32″ clearance
- Has 5′ x 5′ turnaround space
- Has grab bars on back wall and at least one side
- Has clear space for lateral transfer
- Toilet height is 17″-19″
- Roll-under sink has knee clearance at least 29″ high and 30″ wide
Trail Grade
- The grade of ramps and inclines is measured by a ratio. A typical ramp is 1:12, meaning that the slope rises 1″ for every 12″ of length. Gentle slopes are less than or equal to 1:12, while steep slopes, by varying degrees, are greater than 1:12.
- Trails are assigned one of the following classificationsLevel
Approximately zero degrees of inclinationGentle
Grade of 1:12 or less, manual chair can negotiateMostly Gentle
Mostly gentle slopes with some steep sectionsSteep
Grade is greater than 1:12, power chair and someone with good upper body strength can generally negotiateVery Steep
Dangerous without assistance
Visitor Center
- Is reached by an accessible path of travel
- Has level or ramped entry
- Entry door has at least 32″ clearance
Parking
- Identified by the international access symbol and has an adjoining access aisle
- Located on a firm and stable surface
- Is level or on a slope not greater than 2 percent
Fishing Pier
- Has level access onto the pier and at least a 32″ pathway
- Safety regulations require that railings be 42″, which may limit views and fishing access from a seated position.
Picnic Table
- Path of travel is firm and stable
- Located on a level, firm, and stable surface
- Has at least 27″ knee clearance
- Seating is either at end of table or on the sides
Terrain
- Hard
Paved, boardwalk, asphalt, brickFirm
Hardened soil, decomposed granite with stabilizerModerately Firm
Gravel or dirt mix with firm underlayment. May be problematic for manual wheelchairs but not motorized wheelchairs/scooters.Soft
Wood fiber, loose gravel, loose dirt. Problematic for manual wheelchairs and possibly for motorized wheelchairs/scooters.Very Soft
Wood fiber, loose gravel, loose dirt. Problematic for manual wheelchairs and possibly for motorized wheelchairs/scooters
THE ICONS
Hiking
Biking
Swimming
Boating
Camping
Fishing
Wildlife Viewing
Good for Families
Beach Wheelchair
Electricity
WiFi
Roll In Shower
Accessible Entry
Food
Barbecue
Firewood
Restroom
Parking
Picnic
Dogs
Visitor Center
Not Verified
Partially Accessible Restroom
Partially Accessible Parking
Partially Accessible Picnic
Partially Accessible Entry