Visiting Wheelchair Accessible Morgan Hill, California

 

It’s been a busy California filled year for me as that state is making big strides in accessibility. My first trip of the year involved three locations. I had the pleasure of sharing each town with different family members.

This first story from that trip is on a place I had never heard of before it was suggested to me. Morgan Hill turned out to be a town that is not only accessible, but it’s welcoming and full of fabulous art and delicious food.

My brother, Mark, and I arrived in Morgan Hill in time for lunch at Cochi’s Kitchen. It’s a small shop with big recommendations. They are deserving. Cochi’s sells breakfast bowls, sandwiches, and salads.

Mark had the special, the Cluck Norris Sando, with buttermilk fried chicken, honey mustard slaw, Cochi Sauce, and pickles, served on a garlic butter bun. I had the brisket sandwich with barbecue sauce. Our food was delicious and the sandwiches were so big we couldn’t finish them.

After lunch, I was able to go to my first Magical Bridge playground. There are currently 13 around the country and each one embraces accessibility. The concept was started in Palo Alto, by Olenka Villarreal. She couldn’t find a place to take her two daughters, Ava, born with disabilities, and older sister Emma. She raised funds and made the world’s first multigenerational playground designed for all abilities and all ages.

In keeping with the format of every Magical Bridge playground, Morgan Hill’s is divided into grouped play experiences. The Play Zones introduce space for creativity and imagination, essential movement, quiet reflection, group play, and non-verbal expression.

 

It was nice for me to wheel around without any barriers and watch all the smiles among the kids playing with each other. Of course, I had to check on the restroom. The bathroom at Magic Bridge is as accessible as you’d expect it to be.

After Magic Bridge, we checked into the Holiday Inn. We had a large accessible room, with a queen bed and a pullout couch. I really liked the bathroom as it had a bathtub with a chair. I can still get into a tub if it is low and has a chair and railings, so it’s a treat for me. The bathroom also had towel shelves that I could reach from the wheelchair.

I put my feet up for a while before we went to downtown Morgan Hill for dinner. It was suggested we go to Rosy’s on the Beach. I loved the décor and we enjoyed the cocktails, but after looking at the menu, we decided to go somewhere else. 

The menu was 95% seafood and I am highly allergic. Even the waiter told us to go when I mentioned my allergy.

We took a walk (and roll for me) down the street. There is no shortage of restaurants in Morgan Hill. We decided on Noah’s Bar & Bistro. The menu looked good and the place relaxing. 

It was an excellent choice. I had the Sausage Penne Pasta, which was flavorful without being too spicy. Mark also picked a great dish, the Pan Seared Mahi Mahi.

As tempting as it was to check out more of Morgan Hill, I was exhausted and we had another full day coming up. We went back to the Holiday Inn to rest.