Accessibility at Pride

• Light Up the Cathedral starts inside St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, where guests sit down while listening to an interfaith, non-denominational service with music from the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus and the San Diego Women’s Chorus, prayer and call and response, speeches from LGBTQ+ Faith leaders, and a presentation of the Light of Pride Award. The service lasts for about one hour. After the service, guests proceed out of the Cathedral to watch as the Cathedral is lit up in rainbow colors. Guests then proceed to Fellowship Hall where a dessert will be served and guests can mingle.
• The event is on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.
• The event starts at 7 PM and usually lasts around 1.5 hours.
• The event is at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (2728 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103)
  • The entrance is through the arches on the 5th Ave. side.
• This event is free and open to the public.

• Service animals are permitted at this event.
• Non-service animal pets and emotional support animals will not be permitted at this event.
• Service animal relief areas will be outside of the Cathedral on the pedestrian sidewalk. Waste can be discarded in outdoor trash cans.

• Light Up the Cathedral is accessible to all mobility devices.
• An accessible entrance can be found through the arches on 5th Ave.
• Accessible seating will be provided. If you arrive after seating fills up, overflow seating will be provided in Fellowship Hall and is accessible by elevator.
• Accessible, gender-inclusive restrooms are available at this event.

• Here are some examples of sensory stimulation that you may encounter at Light Up the Cathedral:
  • • Music and speeches, microphone noises
    • Cheering and clapping from the audience
    • 500+ people who may be talking before and after the event
    • Bright colors and lights
    • Tasting dessert after the event
• Volunteers and event coordinators are encouraged to refrain from wearing scented products at this event.
• Headphones and fidget toys can be made available for use at this event. Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 to request this so we can plan to bring these for you.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided for this event.
• This event will be live-streamed with captioning through St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. More information about accessing the live stream will be made available closer to the event date.
• Large-print, braille, or other print and communication methods for our program information are available with advance request. Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 by June 11th to enhance our ability to fulfill your request.
• If you are in need of anything else to support your communication at the event, please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

• Limited street parking is available surrounding St.Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
  • • An ADA parking space is located on 5th Ave. near the cathedral.
    • Additional ADA parking and other parking is available along Balboa Dr., in Balboa Park across from the Cathedral.
    • This parking is about 800 ft. away from the Cathedral entrance. You can cross through the sidewalk from the parking lot across the park to cross the street at Sixth Ave. & Nutmeg St., then make your way to St.Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral.
• Public transportation options:
  • • Bus 3 – Get off at 5th Ave. & Nutmeg St. (less than 100 ft. from entrance) or 4th Ave. & Nutmeg St. (0.1 miles from entrance)
    • Bus 11 – Get off at 1st Ave. & Nutmeg St. (0.3 miles from entrance)
    • If you use MTS Access, you can set your drop-off location to 5th Ave. & Nutmeg St. (Please note this service may be limited or unavailable at this time.)
    • Click here to find the best transportation option for you. 

• Face coverings, vaccinations, and obtaining a negative COVID-19 test, if accessible to you, are strongly recommended for attending this event.
• This event will be inside for the most part, except for the lighting of the Cathedral. Guests may be in close vicinity with one another.
• Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at this event.
• Click here for more information about COVID-19 in relation to San Diego Pride events.

• Cupcakes will be provided at the conclusion of this event.

• If you have any questions regarding accessibility at Light Up the Cathedral before the event, please feel free to contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.
• If you have any questions regarding accessibility when you are at Light Up the Cathedral, please find an event organizer.

Click here to learn more about Light Up the Cathedral.

2023 Festival Accessibility Map

• The Pride Festival is a large festival with music and entertainment at five stages and additional areas, workshops, community resources, vendors, food, and more.
• The Pride Festival is located at Marston Point., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St. and around the Balboa Dr. loop
  • • An Accessible Entrance to the Festival is located at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd.
• The Festival is two days:
  • • Saturday, July 15, 2023, 11 AM – 10 PM
    • Sunday, July 16, 2023, 11 AM – 9 PM
• The Festival is a ticketed event. Click here to buy tickets.
  • • Single-day tickets are available online until July 14th.
    • Weekend and VIP Tickets are available online until July 16th and in person at the event.
    • Ticket prices vary depending on when you buy them. Click here for more information on Festival tickets.
    • Guests requiring an attendant can bring in their attendant at no additional cost, but the guest must have a ticket.
    • Free or discounted tickets are available for volunteers, youth, seniors, and through other special offers. Click here to visit our Festival Information page for more details.
    • If you need to buy a pass on the day of the Festival, Weekend Passes are available for purchase in-person at the Accessible Entrance, located at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd, or at the Box Office.
• Click here for our 2023 San Diego Pride Festival LineUp and Schedule. You can follow Pride’s social media pages or check our website to stay updated with information.
  • • Facebook (@SanDiegoPride)
    • Instagram (@SanDiegoPride)
    • Twitter (@SanDiegoPride)
    • Pride Website Festival Page
• An Accessibility Map is available here and highlights key accessibility-related areas, including:
  • • An Accessibility Booth and Area, located inside the festival near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr., about 300 ft. straight in from the Accessible Entrance on Juniper Rd. & 6th Ave.
    • An accessible seating area for the Stonewall Stage
    • Cool Zones and Rest Areas 
    • Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms and hand-wash stations
    • Sensory Break Area
    • ADA Ramps

• Security will be conducting bag searches and will have metal detectors to enter through at the entrance.
• If you have a disability that requires you to bring a prohibited item, such as medication, food, beverages, or certain mobility devices, please let the Security team know when you arrive. Click here for a list of prohibited items at the Pride Festival.
• If you are not able to pass through a metal detector, please let Security know, and they will provide an alternative for you.
• Groups of friends may enter through the Accessible Entrance with anyone requiring the Accessible Entrance. All guests must have a ticket or purchase a ticket at the Accessible Entrance, unless they are an attendant of a guest with a disability (see below).
• Guests requiring an attendant can bring in their attendant at no additional cost, but the guest must have a ticket.

• The usual Festival exit is at El Prado & Balboa Dr. If you are unable to make it to this exit, or would like to exit somewhere with easier access to the ADA shuttle and street, please check in at the Accessibility Booth, and say you would like to use the Accessible Exit. We will then coordinate with the Entry/Exit team to ensure you are able to exit safely.

• You can exit and re-enter as long as you have a valid ticket for the day you are wanting to re-enter. To validate your ticket for re-entry, make sure to have a volunteer scan your ticket at the exit.

• Service animals are permitted at this event.
• Non-service animal pets and emotional support animals will not be permitted at this event.
• Service animal relief areas are any grassy or dirt areas throughout the festival that are out of the way of congested guest traffic. Waste can be discarded at any trash can throughout the festival. Doggy bags are available at the Accessibility Booth.
• Water can be provided for service animals at the Accessibility Booth. Please provide your own water bowl for your service animal.

• An Accessible Entrance to the festival is located at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd.
• The Festival is located at a park that has asphalt road, cement sidewalk, grassy areas, and dirt areas. 
• The park is on a hill with a loop. A map will be posted closer to the festival date.
  • • The Prism resource area near the entrance of the festival is located on a flat grassy section of the park and is about 0.1 miles long and 0.1 miles wide.
    • The loop leading through the vendor areas, resource areas, and to the different stages along Balboa Dr. is about 0.6 miles long and has a change in elevation of about 60 ft. (about a 3% grade), going downhill from the entrance to the bottom of the loop.
• ADA ramps will be installed throughout the festival to support in navigating the various areas. Each ramp has a 15’ tall flag to help identify the location of an ADA ramp. In addition, the Accessibility Booth will have Accessibility Maps with the location of all ramps marked.
• A limited number of mobility devices will be available for use at the Festival. We encourage guests to bring their own mobility devices, if available. If you do not have your own device or find yourself needing one on the day of, we can provide one for you on a first come, first served basis. You can pick up a mobility device at the Accessibility Booth.
• Mobility Device charging stations are available at the Accessibility Area, near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
• An accessible seating area for the Stonewall Stage will be available. Capacity is limited to guests who require the accessible seating area and one companion.
• Cool Zones and Rest Areas will be available throughout the event. Areas with limited capacity will be limited to guests who require the accessible area and one companion.
• Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms will be available throughout the event.
• ADA shuttles are available. 
  • • Shuttle stops include:
      • • Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way).
        • The corner of Essex St. and Richmond Ave, near the Richmond St. and University Ave. accessible seating area along the parade route.
        • Near the Festival Accessibility Entrance (near 6th Ave. & Juniper St.).
    • To get to the festival using the ADA shuttle, park in an ADA spot at the Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way), then proceed to our ADA shuttle waiting area near these spots, near the entrance to the parking lot on Presidents Way. Click here for the approximate location of the ADA Shuttle waiting area.
    • The ADA shuttle will drop off near the Accessible Entrance at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd. The stop will be less than 500 ft. from the entrance, and there will be signs and volunteers guiding you to the Accessible Entrance. 
    • Festival shuttles will run from 8 AM- Midnight on Saturday, July 15th and 8 AM-11 PM on Sunday, July 16th.
    • Click here for more information about parking and shuttles or read the Transportation and Parking section below.

• A Sensory Break Area will be available at the Festival, in the Accessibility Area near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
• Sensory support items, including noise-reduction headphones and fidget tools will be available for use at the Festival and can be picked up at the Accessibility Booth near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.
• The best times to come to the festival for minimal sensory input and crowds will be from 11 AM-1 PM on Saturday and 11 AM-2 PM on Sunday. 
• Here are some examples of sensory stimulation that you may encounter at the Pride Festival:
  • • Loud noises, including cheering, clapping, music from five stages at multiple areas throughout the event, announcements, speeches, and people talking
    • Large amounts of people
    • Bright colors
    • Bright and flashing lights at night
    • Dancing and movement
    • Vendors speaking to you and giving out items
    • Scents from food vendors and other vendors and guests
• Volunteers and event coordinators are encouraged to refrain from wearing scented products at this event.
• No Smoking is allowed in Balboa Park.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided for all performances, as well as select presentations and workshops. 
  • • A detailed ASL schedule will be made available closer to the Festival date.
    • An ASL viewing area will be available for the Stonewall Stage.
• ASL Interpreters will be available for assistance in communicating with vendors and other guests. Stop by the Accessibility Booth near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr. to connect with an interpreter.
• Large print main stage schedule information will be available at the Accessibility Booth.
• Large print, braille, or other print and communication methods for our information can be made available at the Accessibility Booth with advance request. Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 by June 11th to enhance our ability to fulfill your request.
• If you are in need of anything else to support your communication at the event, please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Click here to learn about offerings for Seniors at the Pride Festival

• Click here for instructions on parking, shuttles, and public transportation to the Pride Parade and Festival.
• Please note that traffic will be very congested around the Parade and Festival and any transportation will take a long time.
• ADA shuttles are available. 
  • • Shuttle stops include:
      • • Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way).
        • The corner of Essex St. and Richmond Ave, near the Richmond St. and University Ave. accessible seating area along the parade route.
        • Near the Festival Accessibility Entrance (near 6th Ave. & Juniper St.).
    • ADA shuttles will be on-call and may have long wait times.
    • Festival shuttles will run from 8 AM- Midnight on Saturday, July 15th and 8 AM-11 PM on Sunday, July 16th.
• To get to the Festival Entrance: 
  • • Park at the Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way), then proceed to our ADA shuttle waiting area near these spots, near the entrance to the parking lot on Presidents Way. Click here for the approximate location of the ADA Shuttle waiting area.
      • • The ADA shuttle will drop off near the Accessible Entrance at 6th Ave. & Juniper Rd. The stop will be less than 500 ft. from the entrance, and there will be signs and volunteers guiding you to the Accessible Entrance. 
    • Take bus #3 to 5th Ave. & Juniper St. (about 500 ft. from the Accessible Entrance) or 4th Ave. & Juniper St. (about 0.2 miles from the Accessible Entrance)
    • Take bus #120 to 5th Ave. & Laurel St. (about 0.2 miles from the Accessible Entrance) or 4th Ave. & Laurel St. (about 0.3 miles from the Accessible Entrance)
    • Take bus #11 to 1st Ave. & Juniper (about 0.3 miles from the Accessible Entrance) or 1st Ave. & Ivy. St. (about 0.4 miles from the Accessible Entrance)
    • If you are using MTS Access, you can set your drop off location to a location near Juniper Rd. & 6th Ave. (Please note this service may be limited or unavailable at this time.)
    • Click here to find the best transportation option for you. (Please note street closures.)

• Face coverings, vaccinations, and obtaining a negative COVID-19 test, if accessible to you, are strongly recommended for attending this event.
• This event will be outside. Guests may be in close vicinity with one another.
• Masks will be available at our Accessibility Area.
• Hand Sanitizer and Hand Wash Stations will be available throughout the event.
• Click here for more information about COVID-19 in relation to San Diego Pride events.

• A variety of food trucks will be at the Festival. More information will be available closer to the event date.
• An accessible dining area, where you can sit and enjoy your food, will be available in the Accessibility Area, near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr.

• If you have any questions regarding accessibility at the Pride Festival before the event, please feel free to contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.
• If you have any questions regarding accessibility when you are at the Pride Festival, please visit the Accessibility Booth, located inside the festival near the corner of Juniper Rd. & Balboa Dr., about 300 ft. straight in from the Accessible Entrance on Juniper Rd. & 6th Ave.

Click here to learn more about the San Diego Pride Festival.

Pride provides ASL Interpretation automatically for most of their events, and is guaranteed for all Pride Week events.

For more information about ASL Interpretation and other communication accessibility at Pride Week Events, please review the Communication Accessibility sections within each event section above.

To see if ASL Interpretation will be provided at a non-Pride Week event, please check the event description on our Events page. If it is not listed there, please contact the event organizer or [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

If you require ASL or other Interpretation in order to participate in an event, meeting, volunteer opportunity, or other, please reach out to [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Yes! Service animals are welcome at all San Diego Pride events. 

For more information about service animals at Pride Week events, please review the Service Animal sections within each event section above.

For more information about service animals at year-round Pride events, please check the event details on our Events page or contact the event organizer, [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Non-service animal pets or emotional support animals may or may not be permitted at different Pride events. Please see the event details above or on our Events page or reach out to the event organizer or Accessibility Team at [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 to check if you can bring your non-service animal pet or emotional support animal.

For information about mobility accessibility services at Pride Week events, please review the Mobility Accessibility Information sections within each event section above.

For information about mobility accessibility at year-round Pride events, please check the event details on our Events page or contact the event organizer, [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

For information about sensory accessibility services at Pride Week events, please review the Sensory Accessibility Information sections within each event section above.

For information about sensory accessibility at year-round Pride events, please check the event details on our Events page or contact the event organizer, [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Seniors are welcome to access all of our accessibility services. Click here for more information about services for Seniors at the Pride Parade and Festival.

Some services for seniors may be used by people with disabilities and vice versa. Anyone who has a need to access any of our accessibility services is welcome to.

Click here for general information about transportation and parking for the Pride Festival and Parade.

For more information about accessible transportation to Pride Week events, please review the Transportation and Parking sections within each event section above.

For information about transportation to year-round Pride events, please check the event details on our Events page or contact the event organizer, [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Face coverings, vaccinations, and obtaining a negative COVID-19 test, if accessible to you, are strongly recommended for attending Pride events.

Masks and hand sanitizer are available at most of our events.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 in relation to San Diego Pride events.

Most Pride events have a variety of food options, or ask for dietary restrictions when registering for an event.

If you are unsure if an event will have a food option that works for you, or would like to make a specific request, please contact the event organizer, [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.

Information about food options at She Fest and the Pride Festival will be available closer to the event date. Please check back here for more information closer to the event date.

If you need to bring your own food to an event for any dietary need, please feel free to do so.

Reservations can be made through San Diego LGBT Community Center. Contact senior[email protected] or 619-692-2077 ext. 147 to reserve your spot!

Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. One guest is permitted to accompany a guest requiring the accessible seating area. Seating is limited in these areas and we would like to prioritize guests who would benefit most from the accessible seating area.  

The accessible seating area at Richmond St. and University Ave. will have an Announcer & ASL Interpreter. This area is usually loud.

The accessible seating area at Upas St. and Sixth Ave. will have an Announcer & Sensory Break Area. This area is usually quieter, but will still have an announcer and noises from the crowd and parade. 

Yes! A limited number of mobility devices will be available for use at the Festival. We encourage guests to bring their own mobility devices, if available. If you do not have your own device or find yourself needing one on the day of, we can provide one for you on a first come, first served basis. You can pick up a mobility device at the Accessibility Booth.

For information about mobility accessibility services at Pride Week events, please review the Mobility Accessibility Information sections within each event section above.

Anyone who can benefit from Pride’s accessibility services is welcome to use them.

Please note that we may have limited resources for some accessibility services. 

Our goal in providing accessibility services is to ensure everyone who would like to participate in Pride events is able to while having the best experience possible. If you would be able to attend Pride and have a positive experience without these services, please refrain from utilizing resources that may be essential for someone else to have a positive experience.

If you have an urgent medical emergency, please alert the closest volunteer or staff member to you, and they will find help. Volunteers and staff members will be wearing pink shirts and/or San Diego Pride branded shirts.

• At She Fest, the Pride Parade, and the Pride Festival, medical volunteers will be roaming the area and will look out for signs of distress as well.

At the Festival, if you have a medical emergency or need and are able to make your way to the Medical Tent, about halfway down the Balboa Dr. loop, please do so. If you are unable to get to the Medical Tent, please alert a volunteer or staff member, and they will find a medical volunteer for you.

If there is a general emergency at an event, please follow the instructions of first responders, event staff and volunteers. Emergency plans are in place for Pride events.

Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 to inquire about any access needs.

• San Diego Pride will consider any request by a guest with a disability for reasonable modification of its policies, practices or procedures or for auxiliary aids and services that will permit the attendee equal enjoyment of the goods and services offered at an event. We encourage you to make any such request as far in advance as possible to enhance our ability to evaluate and fulfill the request. Most requests will require at least one month to fulfill and plan for. If shorter notice is given, an alternative solution will be provided.

We are working to build our accessibility at our events. If you have any feedback about or ideas for accessibility at Pride events, please click here to fill out our Accessibility Questions and Feedback Form or contact  [email protected] or (619) 289-8842.