Creating a positive sensory environment with the utmost levels of accessibility is imperative when traveling with children with special needs, and Novato offers a multitude of activities suitable for disabled youth.
Hooves for Harmony provides horse therapy for children with special needs, fostering personal, emotional, and physical development through horseback riding. Children are given the opportunity to experience the great outdoors in a safe and relaxed environment. This organization boosts children’s confidence, betters their communication, improves muscle tone, and helps children overcome their fears. Hooves for Harmony’s unique equine therapy services are completely free of charge, and the organization relies heavily on volunteer support to operate.
Sonoma Train Town Railroad, located just 20 miles east of Novato, offers handicap accessible train rides on their quarter scale railroad over 4 miles of track. Journey over bridges, through tunnels, and enjoy a stop in Train Town’s own miniature town to experience a petting zoo and take pictures in kid-sized buildings. Fun for kids of all ages!
Novato’s Hamilton Field is home to a wheelchair accessible portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail, offering handicap adventurists breathtaking views of Mt. Burdell to the north and Mt. Diablo to the east. The 2.7 mile flat, well-manicured trail borders wetlands that are inhabited by an abundance of waterfowl, making this trail perfectly suitable for physically and mentally challenged animal-lovers. Stafford Lake Park includes a paved wheelchair accessible trail bordering beautiful Stafford Lake, and is located just 5 miles from Downtown Novato. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the large, barbeque-equipped picnic areas, popular children’s play structure, shore fishing opportunities, and spacious meadows at Novato’s 139-acre regional park.
San Rafael’s Lifehouse Agency provides care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a long term or day-to-day basis, so if your loved one is in need of professional assistance while vacationing, the Lifehouse team is here to help.
Novato is a premiere destination for handicapped travel in the North Bay, with nearly every hotel accommodating wheelchair travelers. The Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn, Courtyard Marriott Novato, Days Inn Novato, Inn Marin Novato, and Marinwood Inn and Suites all offer handicap accessible rooms for patrons with physical disabilities.
From horseback riding to soccer games to train rides to hiking or wheeling along the beautiful North Bay coast, Novato provides visitors of all abilities with an expansive itinerary to keep them happy and engaged from the moment their vacation begins.
