25 Can't-Miss Waterfalls in California

Spanning more than 900 miles from top to Tijuana, California’s 163,000 square miles encompass many of the country’s iconic wilderness landscapes. Look, we love waterfalls at least as much as everyone else—see exhibits A, B, and C*—but we can’t get enough of California’s gorgeous cascades. Start with these 25.

Northern California

The scenery of northern California is dominated by pine forest of Douglas fir and the famed Seqouia sempervirons, the California redwood, and its lush and verdant wilderness is ripe for waterfall exploration. The best areas to explore are near the volcanos, where the considerable snowpack consistently pumps energy into the Pit and Klamath rivers, and the North Coast, California’s wettest hydrologic region.

• Faery Falls
• Burstarse Falls
• Kings Creek Falls
• Burney Falls

Sierra Nevada

Heavy snowfall and white granite formations give the Sierra Nevada some of the most iconic waterfalls in North America, but the cordillera contains more than just Yosemite National Park. The region is dry enough that its most spectacular falls, like Yosemite, become a trickle at the end of the season, so be sure to visit when the spring melt is at its peak.

• Canyon Creek Falls
• Crystal Creek Falls
• Brandy Creek Falls
• Feather Falls + Frey Creek Falls
• Vernal Falls
• Yosemite Falls
• Roaring River Falls
• Marble Falls
• Grizzly Falls

San Francisco Bay Area

• Alamere Falls
• McWay Falls, Big Sur

Los Angeles + San Diego

Desert waterfalls, while rare, spring an oasis from a barren landscape. The scale of cascades here is smaller than wetter parts of the California, and the region is far from deserted. Where they exist, cascades are busy, especially during the hotter months, and many of the region’s falls are seasonal. Still, they are a great place to escape the city heat. Combine your waterfall visits with swimming holes for maximum effect.

• Cedar Creek Falls
• Millard Falls
• Coal Canyon Waterfall
• Trabuco Falls
• Eaton Canyon Falls
• Holy Jim Falls
• Escondido Falls
• Sturtevant Falls
• San Antonio Falls
• Big Falls

*D, E, F, G, H, I… you get the picture.