Archive for Access Northern California

SMART Train Day Trip

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on May 11, 2018 2 Comments

A womn in a power chair riding the SMART trainBoard the sleek new SMART train and discover Sonoma County without having to deal with traffic or parking. This new passenger service between San Rafael and Santa Rosa–eventually extending to Cloverdale, offers a smooth, quiet ride and some pastoral scenery. Passengers in wheelchairs can board any car via a sloped entry and there’s even an accessible bathroom on board. On the downside, the 2 wheelchair spaces in each car do not have windows, the small fold-down tables are pretty useless, and there is no companion seating.

For a nice day trip, board the train in downtown San Rafael and disembark in either Downtown Petaluma or Railroad Square in Santa Rosa. Within easy walking distance at both destinations you’ll find shopping in preserved old buildings that house a mix of boutiques, antique shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. From the East Bay, it’s possible to take public transit the entire way by taking BART to the Del Norte station, then board the 40 westbound bus to the San Rafael Transit Center where you catch the SMART train. Visit their website for schedules and fares.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings

How was your last trip to the California Coast?

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on April 30, 2018 No Comments

Coastal Conservancy Logo above a picture of a many walking and a man using a wheelchair on a boardwalk. Text reads: How was your last visit to the California CoastThe California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) wants to hear from you about any access barriers that prevent you from visiting and experiencing the California coast. Please take 10 minutes of your time to complete this online questionnaire focused on removing barriers to access for people with disabilities.

Feel free to share this questionnaire which will close on May 18. If you experience trouble filling out the survey contact Tim Gilbert or Laurel Kelly at 510-845-7459.

Click here to take the survey now

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest, Uncategorized

Wildflower Season

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on April 16, 2018 No Comments

Purple and yellow wildflowers blooming with the California coast visible behind themYou might be thinking enough already with the rain but the wildflowers are saying bring it on.  It’s that time of year when people flock outdoors in search of the best places to see wildflowers. With our late rains, this year could prove to be dazzling. While I have not yet been in search of them this year I have in past years found that both Sunol Regional Wilderness in Sunol and Mori Point in Pacifica have been good choices for wildflower viewing. The Camp Ohlone Road trail at Sunol is hilly and for a manual chair user would require good upper body strength. The surface is aggregate with firm underlayment. Mori Point is flat and easy. Both places have accessible restrooms and parking.

If you’d prefer seeing the wildflowers from a moving vehicle you might want to head over to Niles and board the Niles Canyon Railway Wildflower train. This diesel powered locomotive travels through Nile Canyon and leaves from either Sunol or Niles, every Sunday, several times a day. Fare is $14 for adults, $8 for youth ages 3-12. A wheelchair lift is available for boarding and accessible restrooms are at both boarding points.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest
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Don’t Wait to Renew Your CA State Parks Disabled Discount Pass

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on March 19, 2018 1 Comments

Image of Distinguished Veteran Passes and Disabled Discount PassesEffective March 1, 2018, old cardstock Distinguished Veteran Passes and Disabled Discount Passes are no longer valid and will not be accepted at any State Park for associated benefits. In order to receive the discounts associated with these passes, all individuals are required to reapply with a new application and proof of disability.

The new passes are available either by mail, with supporting documentation, or in person at one of State Parks district offices. The closest office to the San Francisco Bay Area is in Petaluma. Go here for a complete listing of offices. If mailed, park’s website says it may take up to 8 weeks. For questions or more information, please contact the Park Pass Sales Office at (800) 777-0369 ext. 2 or (916) 653-8280 or via email at passinfo@parks.ca.gov.  Download the application. Neither the park pass nor the application is available in large print or Braille.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest, Uncategorized

Accessible Rest Stops in California

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on January 19, 2018 2 Comments

Rest Area Road SignThere’s a good chance that if you’ve ever taken a road trip on a California Highway that you have been in need of a restroom, possibly even an accessible restroom. It’s doubtful that your GPS or Google will tell you which ones are accessible, but did you know that CalTrans will? The next time nature calls use this handy website to locate an accessible restroom. It will also let you know which stops are closed but at this time, unfortunately, it won’t tell you which ones are clean.

 

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings
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New Reservation Requirements at Muir Woods

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on December 8, 2017 No Comments
Picture of fence-lined trail through redwoods at Muir Woods

Picture of fence-lined trail through redwoods at Muir Woods

Beginning January 16, 2018, reservations will be required to visit Muir Woods for all vehicles, including those needing accessible parking, and shuttle riders. Visitors will have the option to reserve either a vehicle parking space for $8 per car or a seat on the shuttle for $3 per adult. A vehicle or shuttle reservation provides the visitor with a timed arrival with no restriction on the length of stay for the remainder of the day. Reservations can be made online or by phone beginning January 1.

The shuttle is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate 2 people in wheelchairs. Shuttle pick up locations are at the Pohono Street Park & Ride Lot in Sausalito and the Sausalito Ferry Terminal. It will run every weekend and holiday beginning January 20, 2018, and on weekdays during peak summer months.

This plan is being implemented to address the significant increase in visitation to the park that has caused major traffic congestion and overcrowding. Click here for more information.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest

Serene Lodging Atop Mt. Tamalpais

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on October 18, 2017 2 Comments
West Point Inn's Accessible Emig Cabin

West Point Inn’s Accessible Emig Cabin

Perched on the upper south slope of Mt. Tamalpais is the historic West Point Inn; a magical getaway close to the San Francisco/Bay Area. Built in 1904 as a stopover and restaurant on the Mill Valley/Mt. Tamalpais Railway line, this rustic inn sits above the fog belt offering stunning panoramic views of the East Bay, San Francisco, the Marin Headlands and one tower of the Golden Gate Bridge. At night stars fill the skies.

Rustic and accessible don’t often go hand in hand but this gem of an Inn is one exception with the caveat that the one-mile dirt road to reach the cabin may be problematic for some lowered floor vans due to road erosion; driving slowly helps. The Emig Cabin, a purposefully built accessible cabin (the other cabin and Inn rooms are not accessible) was built summer 2017 and features a private bathroom with a roll-in shower, a double and twin bed, and a small porch. Reclaimed wood paneled walls from Marin Municipal Water District’s water towers enhance the rooms rustic charm. Unlike the other cabins or guest rooms at the Inn, the Emig cabin has electricity, heat, and hot water.  There is an accessible path of travel connecting the Emig cabin to the Inn and van accessible parking—the Inn is hike-in only unless you have a disabled parking placard. Other features of the Inn, all of them accessible, include a community kitchen, dining area, large living room and a spacious deck with expansive views. Guests will need to bring their own bedding and food; there is none on-site or nearby. Escape to this special place and you will likely not want to leave but to continue the magic, from the inn you can drive a short distance to the top of Mt. Tam and hike the wheelchair accessible Verna Dunshee loop trail.

It’s best to make reservations by calling the innkeeper, 415-388-9955. Rates for non-members are $50 per person and require a two-person minimum per-cabin / per-night.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest
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Family Friendly Central Park (Lake Elizabeth) in Fremont

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on August 10, 2017 No Comments
Pelicans on Lake Elizabeth with Freemont's golden hills in the distance

Pelicans on Lake Elizabeth with Freemont’s golden hills in the distance

Central Park encompasses 450 acres in the heart of Fremont with activities for the whole family including reserved and drop-in picnic sites, children’s play areas, basketball, tennis, fishing, skate park, boat rentals, and launches. A 2-mile paved, level trail circles 80-acre Lake Elizabeth with Mission Peak providing a backdrop. There’s plenty of parking and it’s an easy half-mile stroll from the Fremont BART station along city sidewalks with curb ramps. Weekends can be quite crowded and summer temps can be high so plan accordingly.

Located at Paseo Padre Parkway at Stevenson Boulevard. For more information, click here to visit the park’s website.

 

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP Transportation

Camping Options Increasing

By Bonnie Lewkowicz on July 26, 2017 No Comments
Cabin at Clear Lake State Park

Cabin at Clear Lake State Park

For those that enjoy camping in Northern California but no longer want to or can’t sleep on the ground, there’s good news. Rustic cabins are popping up at State and local parks. The newer cabins being installed are fairly similar in design and amenities so you mostly know what to expect from site to site. The unfurnished cabins typically sleep 4-6 in platform beds (some bunk beds), and you must bring your own bedding and in some instances mattress pads. There’s no kitchen or cooking inside the cabin, but outside you’ll find a barbecue, fire pit, and picnic table. Many are equipped with electricity, heaters, and lights, and some even have cooling fans. Rates range from $60-$100. Disabled discount passes generally don’t apply.

Here is just a sampling

North Coast: Patrick’s Point State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Clear Lake: Clear Lake State Park

Shasta: MacArthur Burney Falls State Park

Bay Area: Samual P. Taylor State Park and Spring Lake Regional Park in Santa Rosa. One is  coming this fall at Del Valle Regional Park in Livermore.

 

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest, Uncategorized
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Exciting news from BORP and Access Northern California

By Betsy Dorsett on February 21, 2017 No Comments
BORP and ANC

BORP and ANC logos

BORP has recently joined forces with Access Northern California (ANC), bringing their wealth of information and resources about accessible travel and outdoor adventures in Northern California under the BORP organizational umbrella. ANC was founded by former BORP staff person and ongoing supporter, collaborator and participant, Bonnie Lewkowicz in 1997. ANC’s vision is for all people with disabilities to have the freedom to participate in universally accessible travel and recreation, and this is a vision that naturally aligns with BORP’s mission and dovetails with our Adventures and Outings program. While we have been working closely with Bonnie for years, we couldn’t be more excited to formalize the relationship and welcome her (back) aboard the BORP staff. We look forward to the many ways that her work and the information available through ANC will enrich the lives of BORP participants and make it easier for people with disabilities to explore outdoor destinations and take advantage of Northern California’s rich array of natural resources.

Categories : Access Northern California, adventures-and-outings, BORP General Interest

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