Huntington Beach has become the first destination in California to earn Sensory Inclusive® Certification from KultureCity, a nonprofit organization focused on sensory accessibility and acceptance, city and tourism officials announced Thursday.
City, tourism and public-safety staff trained to support sensory needs
The designation follows a destination-wide initiative led by Visit Huntington Beach in partnership with the City of Huntington Beach and local businesses. The effort brought together visitor-facing employees at hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions with Huntington Beach lifeguards, police officers, firefighters and other public-safety personnel to improve how the community responds to people with sensory needs and invisible disabilities.
"Accessibility is about more than getting to the beach — it's about feeling confident and welcomed throughout your entire experience in Huntington Beach," said John Urdi, president and CEO of Visit Huntington Beach.
The certification is described by organizers as a complement to Visit Huntington Beach’s existing accessibility work, including a partnership with Wheel the World, which maps and verifies accessibility information across the destination. According to the tourism agency, the combined initiatives aim to help travelers both plan ahead and feel supported when they arrive in Surf City USA.
What the certification means for residents and visitors
Officials say the KultureCity program focuses on staff training, environmental considerations and resources that can make public spaces and services more accommodating for visitors with sensory differences. For Huntington Beach, that meant coordinated training across private businesses and multiple city departments, rather than isolated efforts at single sites.
- Staff training: Hospitality and public-safety personnel participated in KultureCity training to recognize and support visitors with sensory needs.
- Destination coordination: Visit Huntington Beach led the initiative to align private businesses with city departments.
- Accessibility information: The Wheel the World partnership provides verified accessibility data for planning trips to the city.
Visit Huntington Beach framed the certification as part of a broader strategy to make the city more welcoming and to allow more people to enjoy local amenities on their own terms. City officials and tourism leaders repeatedly emphasized that accessibility extends beyond physical access to include interactions, services and supports throughout a visitor’s stay.
Partners and next steps
The announcement did not provide a detailed list of every business or department that completed the training, but organizers highlighted the cross-sector nature of the campaign. KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive certification is intended to signal to travelers that destination staff are equipped to provide compassionate and informed support.
| Lead organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Visit Huntington Beach | Coordinated destination-wide initiative |
| City of Huntington Beach | Participated through lifeguards, police, firefighters and other departments |
| KultureCity | Provided Sensory Inclusive certification and training |
| Wheel the World | Supplies verified accessibility information |
Local business owners and residents who work with visitors said they expect the certification to raise awareness and improve everyday interactions. Huntington Beach’s tourism leaders described the designation as a practical step toward enabling people with sensory sensitivities to participate more fully in the city’s recreation and commerce.
Officials framed the certification as an initial milestone rather than a finish line. Visit Huntington Beach and city partners signaled plans to continue outreach and to expand verified accessibility resources, aiming to connect visitors with accurate information before they travel and to ensure a supportive environment upon arrival.
For Huntington Beach, which promotes itself as a coastal destination for millions of visitors each year, the certification aims to marry hospitality with equitable access — creating both the physical and social supports that can make travel feasible and comfortable for people with a range of needs.
