Autism - Friendly Spots

Everyday errands just got a little easier.
Walmart now offers sensory-friendly shopping hours to help create a calmer experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities — including autistic children and adults.

🕗 When:
Daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
🌟 What to Expect:
-Dimmed store lighting
-Lowered background music and announcements
-A more peaceful, reduced-stimulation environment
-These special hours offer families a more comfortable and manageable shopping experience —
without the usual hustle and sensory overload.
💡 Tip: Weekday mornings tend to be even quieter if you're looking for a less-crowded time to shop!
📍 Available at participating Walmart locations. Check with your local store.

Reading and relaxation go hand-in-hand.
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is making learning more inclusive by offering sensory-friendly rooms and calming kits at select locations — perfect for children and families who need a peaceful environment to focus, explore, or unwind.

📍 Where:
Available at select LAPL branches (call ahead or check online for availability).
🌈 What’s Offered:
-Quiet, designated sensory-friendly rooms
-Calming sensory kits with fidgets, noise-canceling headphones, and more
-Welcoming spaces for neurodivergent kids and families
💡 Tip: Libraries may also host inclusive storytimes or activities — ask a librarian about upcoming events!

A space where inclusion shines.
The Cayton Children’s Museum offers weekly sensory-friendly play sessions designed for children with autism or sensory sensitivities. Families can explore, play, and connect in a thoughtfully adjusted environment — where calm, creativity, and inclusion come first.

📍 Location: Santa Monica, CA
🕒 When: Weekly (check their website or call ahead for updated times)
🌈 What’s Included:
-Sensory bags with fidgets, headphones, and comfort tools
- Quiet play areas to decompress and reset
-A supportive, understanding environment for all

💡 Tip: Arrive a few minutes early to settle in and explore at your child’s pace. Staff are kind and helpful!

A child-sized city built with love.
Pretend City offers special sensory-friendly play sessions where children with autism or sensory needs can explore, imagine, and play at their own pace — without the overwhelming noise or crowds.

📍 Location: Irvine, CA
🕒 When: Offered on select days (check their calendar for upcoming sensory-friendly events)
🌈 What to Expect:
-Reduced noise levels and adjusted lighting
-Trained staff who understand sensory sensitivities
-A safe, supportive space for discovery and joy
💡 Tip: Tickets may need to be reserved in advance for these sessions — early booking is recommended!

Travel made softer.
Flying with sensory-sensitive children just got easier. SFO offers a beautifully designed Sensory Room in Terminal 1, giving families a peaceful place to relax, reset, and prepare for takeoff.

📍 Location: Terminal 1, Departures Level (post-security)
🌈 What You’ll Find:
-A soothing Sensory Room with soft lighting and tactile tools
-Calming activities and a simulation area to practice boarding and transitions
-A quiet, welcoming space for kids who need a break from the hustle of the airport
💡 Tip: Arrive early to explore the sensory room before boarding — it’s a great way to reduce anxiety for both kids and parents!

Where wild meets calm.
The San Francisco Zoo offers a peaceful day out with sensory-friendly supports that help families enjoy the wonders of wildlife without sensory overwhelm. From calming animal exhibits to thoughtfully designed quiet zones, it’s a nature-filled adventure made with all children in mind.

📍 Location: San Francisco, CA
🌿 What’s Available:
-Sensory maps to help plan a comfortable visit
-Quieter zones throughout the park for breaks and breathing room
-Naturally calming exhibits like giraffes, penguins, and meerkats
💡 Tip: Mornings and weekdays are often less crowded for a more relaxed experience!

Adventure meets calm.
The Los Angeles Zoo now includes a mobile sensory room designed to support little explorers who need a break from the excitement. Whether you're navigating crowds or just need a quiet moment, this calming space helps make your zoo visit more enjoyable for everyone.

📍 Location: Los Angeles, CA
🌿 What’s Offered:
-A mobile sensory support room with soft lighting and fidget tools
-Quiet seating areas for downtime between exhibits
-A welcoming option for families with sensory-sensitive children
💡 Tip: Ask staff at the entrance where the mobile sensory room is stationed that day — it may move to different areas of the zoo!

Science is for everyone!
Discovery Cube offers monthly Sensory Friendly Mornings designed for children with autism and sensory sensitivities. These special hours create a peaceful, play-based learning environment with thoughtful adjustments that make science fun — and stress-free.

📍 Locations: Santa Ana & Los Angeles
🧠 What to Expect:
-Low-stimulation spaces with softer lights and reduced sounds
-Adapted exhibits that support sensory needs
-A welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where kids can explore at their own pace
💡 Tip: Check the website for upcoming dates — these mornings often fill up fast, and pre-registration may be required.

A big league experience made gentle for little heroes.
Angel Stadium now offers a dedicated sensory room so families can enjoy the excitement of the game — with the option to take a quiet break when it’s needed most. It’s a thoughtful addition that helps make baseball fun and accessible for everyone.

📍 Location: Anaheim, CA
🎧 What’s Offered:
-A quiet, sensory-friendly room with calming features
-A safe space to decompress from noise, lights, and crowds
-Designed especially for guests with sensory sensitivities
💡 Tip: Ask guest services about the room’s location as soon as you arrive — and feel free to come and go as needed during the game!

Game days made gentler.
Golden 1 Center is proud to be the first Sensory Inclusive Certified venue in California, making sports and concerts more accessible for families with sensory sensitivities. Whether you're cheering on the Kings or enjoying a live show, support is always available.

📍 Location: Sacramento, CA
🌈 What’s Offered:
-A peaceful Sensory Room for calming breaks
-Sensory kits with fidgets, noise-reducing headphones, and more
-Staff trained to assist guests with sensory needs
💡 Tip: Visit guest services when you arrive to check out a sensory kit or ask for directions to the calming room!

Where hugs, smiles, and accommodations go hand-in-hand.
Sesame Place is a Certified Autism Center where inclusion is part of the magic. From quiet spaces to low-sensory show areas, this playful theme park ensures every child can enjoy the day at their own pace — with kindness at every turn.

📍 Location: San Diego, CA
💛 What’s Offered:
-Two quiet rooms with dim lighting and calming tools
-Sensory kits available at Guest Services
-Low-sensory viewing areas for shows and parades
-Staff trained to support children with sensory needs
💡 Tip: Stop by Guest Services when you arrive to pick up a sensory kit and a map of sensory-friendly zones!

Where curiosity meets comfort.
The Tech Interactive invites families to explore the wonders of science and technology — with sensory-friendly hours designed for comfort and calm. Kids can enjoy hands-on learning in a gentle, stress-free environment tailored to their needs.

📍 Location: San Jose, CA
🧠 What’s Offered:
-Sensory-friendly hours with reduced lighting and lower sound levels
-Quiet rooms available for breaks and calm moments
-An inclusive space where all kids can explore at their own pace
💡 Tip: Check their calendar for upcoming sensory-friendly dates, and arrive early to take advantage of the quieter atmosphere before crowds build.