This guide is for blind and low vision visitors to Los Angeles — where audio description, a touch tour, a Braille map, or a descriptive app can open up a museum, a show, or a garden you’d otherwise only get part of. LA’s strengths here are specific and worth seeking out: descriptive audio tours, tactile exhibits and touch tours, Braille and large-print materials, and a nature trail built from the ground up for blind and low-vision visitors.
It’s built in two halves. First, the city-level playbook — audio description, tactile and Braille access, and how to get oriented and guided. Then the standout venues for vision access in each category, with a link to browse the rest.
In this Guide:
- Audio Description & Descriptive Tours — described performances, audio guides
- Braille, Tactile & Large Print — touch tours, Braille, large-print materials
- Getting Oriented & Guided — sighted guides, service animals, booking ahead
- Museums
- Beaches, Parks & Gardens
- Performing Arts
- Kids & Family
- Landmarks & Sights
- Sports & Event Venues
Audio Description & Descriptive Tours
Audio description — narration of the visual action or artwork — turns up across LA when you arrange it. Theaters offer audio-described performances on select dates (the Dolby with about two weeks’ notice). Museums lean on descriptive audio guides and tours: the Getty’s free app includes a Visual Descriptions Audio Tour with text transcriptions, and several museums offer audio guides for their collections. Book audio description ahead — like ASL interpreting, these are scheduled, not on-demand.
Braille, Tactile & Large Print
Tactile and Braille access is real here. Braille signage appears at the Japanese American National Museum, Griffith Observatory, and the Aquarium of the Pacific; tactile exhibits and touch tours let you explore by hand at Griffith Observatory, the California Science Center, and the Petersen (touch tours by request). Large-print programs are standard at the Music Center theaters and the Wallis. And the Braille Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains is in a class of its own — a nature loop built for blind and low-vision visitors.
Getting Oriented & Guided
Many venues will provide a staff sighted-guide or escort — from the entrance to your seat, or through the galleries — if you ask ahead; the big stadiums do this from the accessible entry. Service animals are welcome everywhere, with a water bowl available on request at most large venues. For a specific touch tour, audio-described date, or guided visit, contact the venue’s accessibility or education team when you book.
Museums
LA museums offer the city’s deepest vision access — descriptive audio tours, touch tours, Braille, and tactile exhibits. The standouts:
Getty Center — full accessibility details →
The free GettyGuide app includes a Visual Descriptions Audio Tour with text transcriptions.
- Visual Descriptions Audio Tour in the free app, with text transcriptions
- Audio guides for the collection; free admission (parking paid)
Petersen Automotive Museum — full accessibility details →
Arranges touch tours for blind and low-vision visitors — a rare, hands-on way into a car collection.
- Touch tours with about two weeks’ notice — contact the museum ahead
Griffith Observatory — full accessibility details →
Braille signage and tactile exhibits throughout, with staff trained in disability etiquette.
- Braille signage and tactile exhibits across the building
- Staff trained in disability etiquette; free admission
California Science Center — full accessibility details →
Tactile and auditory aids throughout its famously hands-on exhibits.
- Tactile and auditory aids across the hands-on galleries
- Free general admission
Japanese American National Museum — full accessibility details →
Braille and large, high-contrast signage throughout.
- Braille signage and large, high-contrast wayfinding signage
All Accessible Museums
Filter by the vision features you need
Beaches, Parks & Gardens
Some of LA’s most distinctive vision access is outdoors — including a trail designed to be explored by touch:
Braille Trail — full accessibility details →
A nature loop in the Santa Monica Mountains built specifically for blind and low-vision visitors.
- A continuous guide rope runs the full loop for tactile wayfinding
- Interpretive signs in both Braille and standard print
- Tactile, scented plants built into the route to touch and smell
Descanso Gardens — full accessibility details →
Audio tours and garden maps to navigate the grounds.
- Audio tours and garden maps to help you find your way
- Free admission for visitors with disabilities and their companion
All Accessible Outdoor Venues
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Performing Arts
LA’s theaters bring audio description, audio guides, and large-print materials to the stage:
Dolby Theatre — full accessibility details →
Audio-described performances and audio guides at the home of the Academy Awards.
- Audio-described performances with about two weeks’ notice via the box office
- Audio guides available
Ahmanson Theatre — full accessibility details →
Large-print programs, audio guides, and high-contrast signage at the Music Center’s Broadway house.
- Large-print programs on request and audio guides
- High-contrast signage throughout
The Wallis — full accessibility details →
Large-print programs on request at this polished Beverly Hills venue.
- Large-print programs at the box office — request when you book
All Accessible Performing Arts Venues
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Kids & Family
LA’s aquariums stand out for hands-on, vision-friendly family visits:
Aquarium of the Pacific — full accessibility details →
Braille signage, audio guides, and tactile maps throughout — one of the most vision-prepared attractions in the region.
- Braille signage, audio guides, and tactile maps throughout
- Heads-up: some galleries are dimly lit with glowing tanks, which can make signage harder to read
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium — full accessibility details →
Audio guides at this free San Pedro aquarium.
- Audio guides available; free admission
All Accessible Family-Friendly Spots
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Landmarks & Sights
Tactile and high-contrast wayfinding bring vision access to LA’s landmarks:
Union Station — full accessibility details →
Tactile ground markers and high-contrast wayfinding signage in this grand Art Deco transit hall.
- Tactile ground markers to aid wayfinding
- High-contrast wayfinding signage throughout
All Accessible Landmarks
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Sports & Event Venues
At LA’s big venues, audio description and a staff guide to your seat are the keys:
SoFi Stadium — full accessibility details →
The LA stadium most likely to offer audio description for high-profile events (as is its neighbor, Intuit Dome).
- Audio description for high-profile events — confirm with the venue before your date
- Staff escort from the accessible entry to your seat on request; service animals welcome, water bowl available
All Accessible Sports Venues
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