“Love on the Spectrum’s” Abbey Romeo & Cory Lee on Accessible Travel | California Now Podcast

How is California leading the way in accessible travel for people with autism, mobility needs, and other disabilities? On this episode of the California Now Podcast, host Josh Meyers explores inclusive Golden State adventures with Abbey Romeo of Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum” and accessible travel expert Cory Lee, founder of the blog Curb Free with Cory Lee. Abbey, joined by her cousin and travel companion Mary, shares how she navigates travel as a person on the autism spectrum—from sensory-friendly strategies at theme parks to building confidence on epic water slides. She opens up about her experience as a gestalt language learner, what Autism Awareness Month means to her, and why places like Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland make her feel included and empowered. Then, Cory Lee, who has traveled to 50 countries and all seven continents in a motorized wheelchair, dives into the realities of wheelchair accessible travel. He shares lessons from the road, why planning is key, and the California destinations that stand out for accessibility, including Yosemite National Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and beach experiences in San Diego and Long Beach. What You’ll Learn • How California theme parks are creating more inclusive experiences for guests with autism • Planning tips for wheelchair accessible travel • The most accessible California destinations—from beaches to national parks • How inclusive tourism benefits travelers and destinations alike View the full episode show notes: http://visitcalifornia.com/podcasts/accessible-travel-experiences Timestamps: 00:00 Accessible Travel in California Intro 01:20 Abbey Romeo on Travel, Theme Parks, and Living in L.A. 06:55 Where Abbey Would Send Disney Characters on Vacation 07:27 Beaches, Waterparks, and Sensory-Friendly Strategies 13:04 Autism Awareness & Gestalt Language Learning 14:05 Ad Intermission 17:17 Cory Lee on Travel as a Wheelchair User 20:16 Planning Tips for Accessible Travel 25:13 Meeting Kelly Clarkson & The Rock 26:35 Most Accessible California Destinations 37:00 Cory’s California Bucket List & The Curb Free Foundation 40:18 Outro Subscribe to the California Now Podcast on your favorite podcast streaming service: https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/a97a3010-f48e-41d6-883a-b4855037ea86?d=sJdNs7PGK ----- VISIT US! Website - https://visitcalifornia.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/visitcalifornia/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VisitCalifornia TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@visitcalifornia Threads - https://www.threads.com/@visitcalifornia X - https://twitter.com/visitca ----- Disclaimer: Please note any businesses, locations, and attractions mentioned in our YouTube videos were open at the time the video was originally published. We encourage you to confirm operating hours and statuses prior to visiting specific businesses and locations. Enjoy planning and visiting California!