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 19, 2025.
• 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.
• An Accessible seating area can be found at Vermont St. and University Ave.
  • • The seating area is shaded & wheelchair accessible, and will provide snacks, water, an announcer, and ASL Interpreters. The area surrounding the seating area will be loud and crowded.
    • One guest is permitted to accompany a guest requiring the accessible seating area. Seating is limited 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• 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 at Vermont St. and University Ave, and along the parade route. 
• Here is a view of the Parade Route.
• This event will be LiveStreamed. You can watch this year’s Pride Parade on The CW San Diego starting at 10:00 a.m. CBS 8 will also be live streaming the Pride Parade across our digital platforms and on our streaming channel CBS8+. Here’s how to watch:
  • • CBS8+ on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV: https://cbs8.com/plus
    • CBS 8 Website: https://www.cbs8.com
    • CBS 8 App: https://cbs8.com/app
    • CBS 8 YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/SanDiegoNews8
    • CBS 8 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/News8

• Service animals are permitted throughout this event.
• Our accessible seating area can be found near Vermont St. and University Ave. This area is shaded.
  • • 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The best seating area for someone with a service animal is probably at or near Upas St. and Sixth Ave. at the park. There will be slightly less noise, ample grass and trees for cooling and relief areas, and trash cans to discard waste.
• 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 at the accessible seating area and via water fountains at the park. 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.
• Our accessible seating area can be found near Vermont St. and University Ave. 
  • • The accessible seating area near Vermont 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. 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 Vermont St. and Essex St., near the Vermont 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 Vermont St. and Essex St. This is about 500 ft. from the accessible seating area near Vermont St. and University Ave.
    • Parade shuttles will run from 7 am-3 pm on the Saturday of the Pride Parade.
    • 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 Vermont St. and University Ave., and along the parade route. 

• 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 Upas St. and Sixth Ave. in the grassy park area is recommended, as this area is usually less noisy than other areas and is easier to remove yourself from. However, this area will still be noisy and crowded.
• Noise-reduction headphones and fidget tools will be available at the accessible seating area near Vermont St. and University Ave. for use during the Parade. 
  • • 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation will be provided at the accessible seating area near Vermont 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. 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 the accessible seating area.
• This event will be broadcasted on CBS 8 with captioning and ASL interpretation. You can watch this year’s Pride Parade on The CW San Diego starting at 10:00 a.m. CBS 8 will also be live streaming the Pride Parade across our digital platforms and on our streaming channel CBS8+. Here’s how to watch:
  • • CBS8+ on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV: https://cbs8.com/plus
    • CBS 8 Website: https://www.cbs8.com
    • CBS 8 App: https://cbs8.com/app
    • CBS 8 YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/SanDiegoNews8
    • CBS 8 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/News8
• 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 Vermont St. and Essex St., near the Vermont 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.
    • Parade shuttles will run from 7 am-3 pm on Saturday, July 15th.
• To get to the accessible seating area near Vermont 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 Vermont St. and Essex St. This is about 500 ft. from the accessible seating area near Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont St. and Essex St. (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 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).
    • 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 area near Vermont 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• 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.
• Water and snacks will be available at our accessible seating area near Vermont 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 by contacting [email protected] or (619) 692-2077 ext. 147. Reservations must be made in advance and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Currently, Accessibilty for Parade Contingent Participants is managed by Parade Contingent leaders. If you have any questions that San Diego Pride can help answer, feel free to email [email protected].

Here is a view of the parade route.

• 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 our accessible seating area near Vermont St. and University Ave., who will be wearing a blue Accessibility shirt, or a general Parade volunteer, wearing a purple Volunteer shirt.

Click here to learn more about the Pride Parade.