Los Angeles Tourist Accessibility: Downtown Los Angeles

Downtown L.A. -- Union Station / Little Tokyo

Olvera Street - is largely accessible. The district was built in the early 1930's, decades before accessibility became a priority, but since then it has been renovated to include ramps to most stores, a wheelchair lift and the cobblestones have been replaced by smooth, flat tiles that can be easily traversed. The main issues here are some narrow pathways, and some stores that are too high for a ramp. Those stores provide access through their back entrances on Main Street, but it's a long way to go around. However this affects only a handful of stores, and there are many other shops, kiosks, stands and restaurants that are easy to visit. General information: 213-485-6855 (Olvera Street Home Page)

Japanese American National Museum - the museum is wheelchair accessible, and so is the Go For Broke monument. General information: (213) 625-0414 (Japanese American National Museum Home Page)

---

Downtown L.A. -- Disney Hall area

Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles Accessibility Information - Formerly known as The Music Center, the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County (PACLA) is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles Master Chorale as well as special events. The downtown Los Angeles complex includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. General information: 213-972-7211, (TTY 213) 972-7615). [PACLA Home Page]

Museum of Contemporary Art - MOCA is committed to providing full and equal enjoyment of its services to all visitors. Both buildings are fully accessible to wheelchairs, and the information centers provide wheelchairs at no charge. A sign-language interpreter is available for groups of five or more upon request; five days' advance notice is required. Additional specific needs or questions can be addressed through the Visitor Services Office at 213-621-1741. (Museum of Contemporary Art Home Page)

Angel's Flight Railway - has been out of service since November 2013. See the railway's website to find out if it's running again. (Angel's Flight Railway Home Page)

Grand Park - this is a series of three parks, separated by city streets, that are together referred to as Grand Park. This section of downtown Los Angeles joins the Music Center with City Hall in a continuous pedestrian path. The park itself is completely accessible, although the path zig-zags constantly, adding quite a bit of distance to the journey. (The path needs to zig-zag due to the incline). However, at one end the Music Center is blocked by stairs, with no ramp. To get up there you will need to go all the way around to the Hope Street entrance, and that's quite a long trek without a car. Similarly at the other end, to enter City hall you need to go all the way around to Main Street. (Grand Park Home Page)

---

Downtown L.A. -- Convention Center / Staples Center

Los Angeles Convention Center - All areas of the Convention Center and its parking lots are fully accessible, except for minor accessibility issues in West Hall restrooms, which would be too costly to repair. (General information: 213-741-1151)

Staples Center - Services for events include Assistive Listening Devices, Captioning Service, Wheelchair and Accessible Seating, Wheelchair Storage, Wheelchair Escorts and more. Phone: 213-742-7100 (TTY: 213-742-7889).

L.A. Live - L.A. Live is an open courtyard that links several entertainment venues. The courtyard is easy to access from the sidewalk, with no ramps, curbs or ridges to traverse. (L.A. Live Home Page)

The GRAMMY® Museum - Accessible services include assistive listening devices, wheelchair loan, accessible seating and more. Phone: 213-765-6800.

Microsoft Theater - Accessible seating is available in the Orchestra and Loge levels of the theatre. Be sure to indicate that you require accessible seating when you order tickets (there is a checkbox for accessible seating). Other services are available, such as wheelchair storage and wheelchair escorts. See the website for more information, or call 213-763-6030 (TTY 213-763-6031).