Landmarks are where “iconic” and “accessible” often pull in opposite directions — the most famous view in the city might be at the top of a steep, unpaved trail, and a beloved historic ship might keep its best decks behind a flight of stairs. The good news for LA: most of its signature sights are public, free, outdoor, and flat — the Walk of Fame, the piers, the boardwalk, Angels Flight, Union Station. This guide runs through the city’s landmarks by area, with the straight story on each: where the step-free route is, where the crowds and bumpy decking are, and — for the few that don’t work from a wheelchair — the accessible way to see them anyway.
In this Guide:
- Hollywood & Griffith Park — Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Downtown Los Angeles — Union Station, Bradbury Building, Angels Flight Railway
- The Coast — Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Malibu Pier
- Palos Verdes & San Pedro — Point Vicente Lighthouse, Korean Friendship Bell
- Long Beach — The Queen Mary
What to Expect — By Access Need
Most LA landmarks are free, public, and largely step-free along the main route: the Walk of Fame’s stars sit flush with a level sidewalk, Venice’s boardwalk and the piers are paved and flat, Angels Flight offers accessible boarding, and Union Station is fully step-free with elevators to every platform. Plan around a few specific catches: the Hollywood Sign itself isn’t accessible — it’s a steep hike, so view it from Griffith Observatory or Mulholland instead; the Queen Mary’s ship tour is largely not wheelchair accessible (small historic elevators, stairs throughout); the Bradbury Building opens only its ground-floor lobby; and the piers and boardwalk have bumpy wooden decking (the Santa Monica Pier is reached down a steep ramp). Free loaner wheelchairs are available at the Santa Monica Pier and Griffith Observatory.
Thinner here, since most of these are open-air landmarks where it matters less — but the indoor and theater sites deliver. Assistive listening devices are free at the TCL Chinese Theatre box office, available at Griffith Observatory’s two theaters, and offered at Union Station’s ticket counters on request.
Griffith Observatory is the standout — Braille signage and tactile exhibits throughout, with staff trained in disability etiquette. Union Station has tactile ground markers and high-contrast wayfinding signage. The rest are open-air landmarks with natural wayfinding (ocean views, major sightlines) rather than formal visual supports.
The open-air landmarks are generally easy, low-pressure visits — and several build in calm: Venice Beach, Malibu Pier, Point Vicente, and the Korean Friendship Bell all have designated low-crowd times. The thing to manage is the opposite extreme: Hollywood Boulevard, the Venice boardwalk, and the piers get genuinely loud and chaotic on weekends and during events, and the piers’ older wooden decking adds vibration and noise. Weekday mornings everywhere are dramatically calmer.
Landmarks in LA
Hollywood & Griffith Park
Hollywood’s icons line up along Hollywood Boulevard, while the most famous sight of all — the Sign — is best seen not up close, but from the accessible terrace at Griffith Observatory up the hill.
LA’s most recognizable landmark — and the one with the biggest accessibility asterisk.
Good to know:
- The sign itself isn’t accessible: it sits on a Griffith Park hillside reachable only by steep, uneven hiking trails with significant elevation, no paved route, and no restrooms or facilities at the trailheads
- The accessible way to see it: the observation terrace at Griffith Observatory (below) and the pullouts along Mulholland Drive, both of which give you the classic view without the climb
- Skip the hike unless you’re equipped for rugged terrain — reviewers call the trail payoff “anticlimactic” (you peer at the back of the sign through a fence)
Griffith Observatory listing →
Free planetarium shows, telescopes, sweeping city views — and the best accessible spot to photograph the Hollywood Sign.
Auditory: Assistive listening devices in both theaters.
Visual: Braille signage and tactile exhibits throughout; staff trained in disability etiquette.
Good to know:
- The building and grounds are accessible, with an elevator to each level; free loaner wheelchairs at the Center of Gravity desk; free admission
- ADA parking on the hill is limited and first-come — the car-free route is the Metro B Line to Vermont/Sunset plus the DASH Observatory shuttle (confirm it’s running and accessible)
- The surrounding Griffith Park terrain is hilly; the approach from some lots involves slopes, but the paved paths nearest the building are manageable
- Service animals welcome
The historic Hollywood movie palace with the famous forecourt of celebrity handprints and footprints.
Auditory: Free assistive listening devices from the box office.
Good to know:
- Wheelchair-accessible entrances and seating, accessible restrooms (which may be on different levels depending on the theater), and complimentary loaner wheelchairs on a first-come basis; designated accessible parking nearby
- The handprint forecourt is accessible, though some sections have uneven pavement that may need assistance; the main entrance is level
- Large-print signage for wayfinding; service animals welcome; call ahead to confirm accommodations
Hollywood Walk of Fame listing →
More than 2,700 brass stars along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street — free, open 24/7.
Sensory: Hollywood Boulevard gets crowded and loud on weekends and during events — go on a weekday morning for a calmer visit.
Good to know:
- A free public sidewalk, primarily level, with the stars set flush with the pavement and curb cuts at intersections
- Accessible public restrooms nearby (including the Hollywood & Highland complex); several accessible parking structures within a few blocks
- The Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland station has elevator access to street level; many shops and theaters along the route have accessible entrances
Getting to Hollywood & Griffith Park:
Hollywood Boulevard’s landmarks (the Walk of Fame, the Chinese Theatre) cluster around the Metro B Line Hollywood/Highland station, which has elevator access — the easiest car-free option, with accessible parking structures nearby if you drive. Griffith Observatory is a separate trip up the hill: drive (limited, first-come ADA parking) or take the Metro B Line to Vermont/Sunset plus the DASH Observatory shuttle. The two are a real distance apart, so plan them as separate stops on a Hollywood day.
Downtown Los Angeles
Three historic landmarks within a few blocks of each other downtown, all on or near Metro — and all free to walk into.
LA’s grand 1939 rail terminal and architectural landmark — an Art Deco icon and a working transit hub.
Auditory: Assistive listening devices at the ticket counters on request.
Visual: Tactile ground markers and high-contrast wayfinding signage throughout.
Good to know:
- Accessible parking in the East Portal structure with reserved spaces near elevators, plus accessible drop-off along Alameda Street
- Step-free throughout — the historic ticketing hall, waiting areas, platforms, and restrooms are all wheelchair accessible, with elevators connecting platform levels to the main concourse; benches throughout
- It’s a live, busy station — crowding near ticketing and platforms at peak commute times can be tight for wheelchair users; service animals welcome
A National Historic Landmark famous for its sunlit 1893 atrium of ornate ironwork and open-cage elevators (you’ve seen it in Blade Runner).
Good to know:
- It’s a working office building — only the ground-floor lobby is open to the public, during business hours (typically weekdays), and that’s where the iconic architecture is
- Step-free entry from Broadway into the lobby; accessible restrooms inside; free admission
- The historic upper floors and open-cage elevators are not open to the public; entry doors aren’t automated, lobby seating is limited, and it’s street parking only
Angels Flight Railway listing →
The beloved 1901 funicular — two vintage railcars climbing the short, steep block between Hill Street and Grand Central Market.
Mobility: Accessible boarding at both the lower (Hill Street) and upper (Olive Street) stations, with step-free access for wheelchairs and staff on hand to assist — a rare thing on a 120-year-old funicular.
Good to know:
- A $1 ride (reduced rates available); accessible restrooms at the lower station; service animals welcome aboard
- The cars are compact and the ride is a brief 90 seconds, so seating space is limited during busy times
- The surrounding downtown sidewalks near the stations are steep and uneven in spots — the accessible boarding works smoothly when staff are present
Getting to Downtown Los Angeles:
All three sit in the downtown core and connect by Metro. Union Station is itself a major hub (Metro B/D subway lines, plus regional rail) with full step-free access and accessible parking. From there, the Bradbury Building and Angels Flight are a short distance toward the Historic Core and Bunker Hill — reachable by the B/D line to Pershing Square. Driving downtown means paid structures (street parking is scarce and the sidewalks are hilly), so transit is often the easier call.
The Coast
Three oceanfront landmarks stretching from Santa Monica up to Malibu — two piers and a boardwalk, all free and largely flat.
The historic oceanfront pier with an amusement park, an aquarium, rides, and dining — a quintessential LA landmark.
Sensory: The older wooden decking creates vibration and noise that can be overwhelming, and the pier gets crowded at peak times — weekday mornings are calmer.
Good to know:
- Wheelchair accessible throughout with paved pathways, but the pier is reached down a steep ramp and the wooden deck is bumpy; free loaner wheelchairs at the Pier Office
- Accessible parking in Beach Lot 1 North and nearby city lots, with an accessible drop-off near the entrance; accessible restrooms at several points; benches throughout
- Pacific Park offers accessible boarding for most rides (accessibility varies by ride — check with operators), and the aquarium below the carousel has wheelchair-accessible exhibits and touch tanks at accessible heights; service animals welcome
Venice Beach Boardwalk listing →
The vibrant 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade — street performers, vendors, murals, and beach culture.
Mobility: Beach wheelchairs are available through the LA County lifeguard stations, so you can actually get out onto the sand, not just along the path.
Sensory: It can be noisy, chaotic, and overwhelming at its busiest; the boardwalk has designated low-crowd times, and early mornings or weekdays are far calmer.
Good to know:
- The main boardwalk is a paved, level, step-free pathway; accessible parking at nearby public lots; accessible restrooms at several beach locations; free
- Heavy weekend and summer-afternoon crowds make maneuvering harder; some vendor areas and side paths have uneven pavement to navigate around
- Service animals welcome throughout
A historic 1905 pier run by California State Parks, with farm-to-table dining, shops, and pier fishing over the Pacific.
Sensory: Less crowded on weekday mornings — a more comfortable visit for anyone sensitive to crowds and noise.
Good to know:
- ADA compliant throughout; on-site Pier Guardians (staff ambassadors) are available to help visitors who need accessibility assistance; free admission
- Accessible parking in the adjacent lot plus drop-off zones; accessible restrooms on site; the flat, wide wooden boardwalk is generally manageable, though the planks can be uneven in places
- Note: the end of the pier is currently closed for a safety assessment; parking fills on weekends, so arrive early; service animals welcome
Getting to the Coast:
The Metro E Line reaches downtown Santa Monica (accessible throughout), a manageable distance from the Santa Monica Pier, with accessible city parking lots at the beach. Venice is just south — car-oriented but close, with accessible public lots. Malibu is a drive up Pacific Coast Highway with no real transit option, so plan to drive, using the pier’s accessible lot. All three are free to visit.
Palos Verdes & San Pedro
Two free coastal landmarks on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and in San Pedro, both perched on ocean bluffs with sweeping views.
Point Vicente Lighthouse listing →
A historic 1926 lighthouse on a 130-foot Palos Verdes cliff, with an adjacent interpretive center and gray-whale-migration views.
Sensory: Weekdays are noted as less crowded for a more relaxed visit.
Good to know:
- Three van-accessible parking spaces; a mix of paved pathways and sidewalks on the grounds; the Point Vicente Interpretive Center is wheelchair-accessible (open daily 10–5) with exhibits on local marine and cultural history; accessible restrooms; benches and picnic tables along the route; free admission
- The lighthouse tower itself is not accessible (spiral staircase) and is currently closed for restoration; the monthly open house is the second Saturday, 10–3
- The coastal trail is paved and mostly easy, but a moderately steep section around 0.7 miles in may need assistance or avoidance; trails can close after rain; service animals welcome
Korean Friendship Bell listing →
A massive bronze bell — a 1976 gift from South Korea — in an ornate open-air pavilion on a San Pedro bluff over the Pacific, in Angels Gate Park.
Sensory: An open-air site with designated low-crowd times and no enclosed spaces — a straightforward, low-pressure visit for most needs.
Good to know:
- Paved pathways to the bell area and accessible parking in the park lot; accessible restrooms within Angels Gate Park; free admission, open daylight hours
- The open pavilion lets you approach the bell closely from multiple angles, with panoramic ocean views from the bluff
- Some sections of the hillside park are sloped or steep on the way to the viewpoint — manageable for many wheelchair users, but worth scouting the route
Getting to Palos Verdes & San Pedro:
Both are car-oriented — the Palos Verdes Peninsula has very limited transit, so plan to drive, with accessible on-site parking at each (three van-accessible spaces at Point Vicente, a park lot at the Friendship Bell). They’re a reasonable distance apart along the coast and pair well as a single bluff-top afternoon. Both are free.
Long Beach
Long Beach’s signature landmark is a retired ocean liner — magnificent to see, but with real accessibility limits to plan around.
The grand retired British ocean liner, permanently docked in Long Beach and now a hotel, event venue, and historic attraction with deck and engine-room tours.
Good to know:
- Be realistic: the ship tour is not fully wheelchair accessible. The historic elevators are very small and may not fit all mobility devices, and the engine room, boiler room, and many interior areas are reachable only by stairs
- The Promenade Deck and main public areas are the most accessible parts of the ship; accessible restroom stalls have adequate room, though the surrounding bathroom areas are tight; the VIP tour is explicitly not ADA accessible
- Call ahead (562-435-3511) to plan a visit around the accessible areas — strongly recommended before you go
Getting to Long Beach:
The Metro A Line connects downtown LA directly to downtown Long Beach (accessible throughout), from which the Queen Mary is a short distance across the harbor. Driving is straightforward with on-site parking. Given the ship’s access limits, the call-ahead step matters more than the getting-there step here — confirm which decks and tours will work for you before committing to the trip.
