Accessibility at the San Diego Pride Parade

• The San Diego Pride Parade is a parade containing many different types of floats and marching groups celebrating and honoring the LGBTQ+ community.
• The parade begins at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave. and Normal St., proceeds west on University Ave., turns south on 6th Ave., turns left onto Balboa Dr. and ends at Quince Dr.
  • • Click here for a map of the Parade Route.
• You can watch the parade from any spot along the parade route.
• There are usually over 300,000 people watching the parade, so it will be crowded.
• The parade is on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
• The parade starts at 10 AM and goes until about 2 PM. It is recommended to get there early to get a good spot, but you can come and go at any time.
• Accessible seating areas can be found at Richmond St. and University Ave. as well as Upas St. and Sixth Ave.
  • • 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. Reservations can be made through San Diego LGBT Community Center closer to the date of the event. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • Accessible seating areas are shaded with chairs.
    • 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. 
• This event is free and open to the public.
• Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms will be available at this event at the staging area, near the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave, and along the parade route. 

• Service animals are permitted throughout this event.
• Accessible seating areas can be found near Richmond St. and University Ave. as well as Upas St. and Sixth Ave.
  • • The best seating area for someone with a service animal is probably at or near Upas St. and Sixth Ave. There will be slightly less noise, ample grass for cooling and relief areas, and trash cans to discard waste.
    • Both seating areas are shaded.
• Service animals may be sitting or standing on hot pavement while navigating this event. Please protect your animal from burning their paws or overheating.
• Water can be provided for service animals. Please provide your own water bowl.
• Non-service animal pets and emotional support animals are discouraged from attending this event due to the crowds, hot asphalt, and limited space. Owners whose animal is causing a disruption will be asked to leave the event.

• This event is accessible to all mobility devices. However, there will be large crowds and may be cracks in pavement or sidewalks.
• Accessible seating areas can be found near Richmond St. and University Ave. as well as Upas St. and Sixth Ave.
  • • The accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave. is most easily accessible by our ADA shuttle.
    • 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. Reservations can be made through San Diego LGBT Community Center closer to the date of the event. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• ADA accessible 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.).
    • For the Parade, 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 corner of Essex St. and Richmond Ave. This is about 500 ft. from the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave.
    • Parade shuttles will run from 7 am-3 pm on Saturday, July 15th.
    • Click here for more information about parking and shuttles or read the Transportation and Parking section below.
• Accessible, gender-inclusive portable restrooms will be available at this event at the staging area, near the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave, and along the parade route. 

• A Sensory Break Area can be found at the accessible seating area near Upas St. and Sixth Ave..
  • • 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. Reservations can be made through San Diego LGBT Community Center closer to the date of the event. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • The Sensory Break Area can be accessed without an accessible seating reservation. Feel free to sit near the accessible seating area if you do not need accessible seating, and visit the Sensory Break Area as desired.
• Here are some examples of sensory stimulation that you may encounter at the Pride Parade:
  • • Loud noises, including cheering, clapping, music, horns, cars, and speaker announcements.
    • Large amounts of people
    • Bright colors
    • Movement from parade walkers and floats
    • Items being handed out from parade contingents
    • Scents from cars, food from guests, and restrooms
• Volunteers, event coordinators, and parade contingents are encouraged to refrain from wearing scented products at this event.
• Sitting near or at the accessible seating area near Upas St. and Sixth Ave. is recommended, as this area is usually less noisy than other areas. However, this area will still be noisy and crowded.
• Noise-reduction headphones and fidget tools can be provided at either accessible seating area for use during the Parade. Please contact [email protected] or (619) 289-8842 to let us know that you would like these so we can ensure we have some available for you when you arrive.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided at the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave.
  • • 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. Reservations can be made through San Diego LGBT Community Center closer to the date of the event. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Announcements of parade contingents with descriptions will be provided at both of the accessible seating areas.
• This event will be livestreamed on CBS 8 with captioning. More information about accessing the livestream will be made available closer to the event.
• 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 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.
        • Near the Festival Accessibility Entrance (near 6th Ave. & Juniper St.).
    • ADA shuttles will be on-call and may have long wait times.
    • Parade shuttles will run from 7 am-3 pm on Saturday, July 15th.
• To get to the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave. or the general parade viewing areas nearby: 
  • • 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 corner of Essex St. and Richmond Ave. This is about 500 ft. from the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave.
    • Take bus #7 to the Old Naval Hospital (Park Blvd and Presidents Way), then follow the steps above.
    • Take bus #215 to Park Blvd. and University Ave., then make your way to the accessible seating area near Richmond St. and University Ave. (about 0.3 miles from the bus stop)
    • If you are using MTS Access, you can set your drop off location to Essex St. and Richmond 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.)
• To get to the accessible seating area near Upas St. and Sixth Ave. or general parade viewing areas nearby:
  • • Take bus #3 or #120 to 5th Ave. & Upas St. (about 350 ft. from the accessible seating area).
    • Take bus #3 or #120 to 4th Ave. & Upas St. (about 0.1 mile from the accessible seating area).
    • Take bus #11 to 1st Ave. & Upas St. or any stops along Upas St. (about 0.3 miles from the accessible seating area).
    • 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.
      • • Get off the shuttle at the Festival entrance (near 6th Ave. & Juniper St.) or the Parade shuttle stop (the corner of Essex St. and Richmond Ave)
        • Make your way to the accessible seating area near Upas St. and Sixth Ave., about 1 mile away from both shuttle stops.
    • If you are using MTS Access, you can set your drop off location to 5th Ave. & Upas St. (about 350 ft. from the accessible seating area). (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.)

• San Diego Pride adheres to best-practice COVID protocols based on local, state, federal, and global health guidelines.
• As we navigate a world where COVID continues to be present, we ask that you not attend if you test positive for COVID, feel sick or ill or present any symptoms associated with COVID.
• 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 and hand sanitizer will be available at this event at our accessible seating areas.
• Please follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations for your safety and the safety of others.

• Many Hillcrest restaurants may be open in the area, however they will most likely be very crowded.
• You are welcomed and encouraged to bring your own food, snacks, and water to sustain you throughout the day.

• If you have any questions regarding accessibility at the Pride Parade 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 Parade, please ask a volunteer at one of the accessible seating areas, who will be wearing a pink shirt.

Click here to learn more about the Pride Parade.