Waterfalls in California

We list 401 named waterfalls in California, with the most near Yosemite Valley (45), Oroville (11) and Burney (11). The highest drop we have on record is East Snow Mountain Falls at about 2198 feet.

Waterfall areas: near Yosemite Valley (45) · near Oroville (11) · near Burney (11) · near Mammoth Lakes (11) · near Three Rivers (11) · near South Lake Tahoe (10) · near Day Valley (9) · near Altadena (9) · near San Diego Country Estates (8) · near Boulder Creek (7) · near Big Pine (7) · near Bridgeport (7) · near Carmel Valley Village (7) · near Kernville (6) · near Bolinas (5) · near McCloud (5) · near Dunsmuir (5) · near Weaverville (5) · near Lone Pine (5) · near Thermalito (5) · near Squaw Valley (5) · near Malibu (5) · near Happy Camp (5) · near Cambria (5)

Near Yosemite Valley 45

Snow Creek Falls 2133 ft · trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Sentinel Fall 1936 ft · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
Ribbon Fall 1611 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi · seasonal Directions
Horsetail Fall 1542 ft · trailhead 1.1 mi · seasonal Directions
Upper Yosemite Fall 1444 ft · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
Wapama Falls 1286 ft Directions
Royal Arch Cascade 1247 ft · trailhead 0.9 mi · seasonal Directions
Lehamite Falls 1181 ft · seasonal Directions
Staircase Falls 1017 ft · trailhead 0.4 mi Directions
Tueeulala Falls 915 ft Directions
Middle Cascades 676 ft · trailhead 0.9 mi · seasonal Directions
Wildcat Falls 623 ft · trailhead 1.2 mi Directions
Bridalveil Fall 617 ft · trailhead 0.2 mi Directions
Nevada Fall 594 ft Directions
Pywiack Cascade 591 ft Directions
Silver Strand Falls 574 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi · seasonal Directions
Illilouette Fall 361 ft · trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Lower Yosemite Fall 322 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi · seasonal Directions
Vernal Fall 318 ft · trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Alder Creek Falls trailhead 1.5 mi Directions
Bunnell Cascade Directions
Carlon Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions
Chilnualna Fall trailhead 1.4 mi Directions
Foresta Falls Directions
LeConte Falls Directions
Quaking Aspen Falls trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Three Chute Falls trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Waterwheel Falls Directions
California Falls Directions
Cascade Fall Directions
Chilnualna Creek Cascades Directions
Chinquapin Falls Directions
Florence Falls Directions
Little Nellie Falls Directions
Lower Cathedral Creek Falls Directions
Lower Chilnualna Falls trailhead 0.2 mi Directions
Preston Falls Directions
Rancheria Falls Directions
Silver Apron trailhead 1 mi Directions
Tenaya Creek Waterslide trailhead 1 mi Directions
The Cascades Directions
Tuolumne Falls Directions
Upper Cascades Directions
Upper Cathedral Creek Falls Directions
White Cascade Directions

Near Oroville 11

Schirmer Cascade 200 ft · seasonal Directions
Phantom Falls 164 ft · seasonal Directions
Little Phantom Falls 125 ft · seasonal Directions
Beatson Falls 105 ft Directions
Schirmer Falls 95 ft · seasonal Directions
Ravine Falls 75 ft · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
Hollow Falls 46 ft · trailhead 0.6 mi Directions
Ravine Twin Falls 46 ft · trailhead 1 mi · seasonal Directions
Coon Falls 43 ft · seasonal Directions
Lower Ravine Falls 39 ft · seasonal Directions
Little Hollow Falls trailhead 0.7 mi · seasonal Directions

Near Burney 11

Burney Falls 115 ft Directions
Clark Creek Falls Directions
Hatchet Creek Falls Directions
Hatchet Falls Directions
Kinner Falls Directions
Lion Slide Falls Directions
Lion Wash Falls Directions
Montgomery Creek Falls Directions
Pit River Falls Directions
Rock Creek Falls Directions
Young Falls Directions

Near Mammoth Lakes 11

Upper Crater Creek Falls 190 ft Directions
Twin Falls 154 ft · trailhead 0.6 mi Directions
Horsetail Falls 98 ft Directions
Rainbow Falls 98 ft · trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Mammoth Creek Falls 39 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Reds Creek Falls 39 ft · trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Lower Rainbow Falls 26 ft Directions
Minarets Falls trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Granite Creek Falls Directions
Horsetail Falls trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Twin Falls Directions

Near Three Rivers 11

Panther Creek Falls 154 ft Directions
Tamarack Falls 52 ft · seasonal Directions
Grizzly Falls Directions
Roaring River Falls trailhead 0.2 mi Directions
Tokopah Falls trailhead 1.6 mi Directions
Lower Buck Creek Falls Directions
Lower Cliff Creek Falls Directions
Marble Falls Directions
Tufa Falls trailhead 0.3 mi Directions
Upper Buck Creek Falls Directions
Upper Cliff Creek Falls Directions

Near South Lake Tahoe 10

Horsetail Falls 814 ft Directions
Rocky Canyon Falls 89 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Lower Pyramid Creek Cascade 56 ft · trailhead 0.3 mi Directions
Upper Pyramid Creek Cascade 43 ft · trailhead 0.3 mi Directions
Cascade Falls Directions
Eagle Falls Directions
Glen Alpine Falls trailhead 0.4 mi Directions
Lower Eagle Falls Directions
Modjeska Falls trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Upper Eagle Falls Directions

Near Day Valley 9

Basin Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Black Rock Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Fairy Falls Directions
Five Finger Falls Directions
Granuja Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Lower Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Maple Falls Directions
Triple Falls trailhead 0.4 mi Directions
Upper Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions

Near Altadena 9

Leontine Falls 131 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Thalehaha Falls 79 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Grand Chasm Falls 59 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Ribbon Rocks Falls 30 ft · trailhead 0.6 mi Directions
Moss Grotto Falls 23 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Suspended Boulder Falls 23 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Roaring Rift Falls 20 ft · trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Eaton Canyon Waterfall trailhead 1 mi Directions
Millard Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions

Near San Diego Country Estates 8

Devil's Jumpoff Falls 351 ft · seasonal Directions
Mildred Falls 331 ft · seasonal Directions
Cedar Creek Falls 115 ft · trailhead 1.6 mi Directions
Second Sister Falls 69 ft Directions
Third Sister Falls 49 ft Directions
Upper Falls 26 ft Directions
First Sister Falls 23 ft Directions
Lower Falls 20 ft Directions

Near Boulder Creek 7

Berry Creek Falls Directions
Golden Falls Directions
Scott Creek Falls Directions
Sempervirens Falls Directions
Silver Falls Directions
Slippery Falls Directions
The Cascades Directions

Near Big Pine 7

Blue Canyon Falls Directions
Mist Falls Directions
Triple Falls Directions
First Falls trailhead 0.3 mi Directions
Lower Gardiner Falls Directions
Second Falls trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Upper Gardiner Falls Directions

Near Bridgeport 7

Silver Falls 20 ft · trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Leavitt Falls trailhead 1 mi Directions
Carson Falls Directions
Cascade Falls Directions
Horsetail Falls trailhead 0.5 mi Directions
Llewellyn Falls Directions
Sardine Falls Directions

Near Carmel Valley Village 7

McWay Falls Directions
Fern Falls Directions
Firehose Falls Directions
Highbride Falls Directions
Pfeiffer Falls trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Pico Blanco Falls Directions
Pine Falls Directions

Near Kernville 6

Peppermint Creek Falls 151 ft Directions
Alder Creek Slides Directions
Nobe Young Falls Directions
Salmon Creek Falls Directions
Seven Teacups Directions
South Creek Falls Directions

Near Bolinas 5

Alamere Falls Directions
Cataract Falls Directions
Helen Markt Falls Directions
Laurel Dell Falls Directions
Midway Falls Directions

Near McCloud 5

Middle Falls Directions
Upper Falls Directions
Ash Creek Falls Directions
Lower Falls Directions
Mud Creek Falls Directions

Near Weaverville 5

Canyon Creek Falls Directions
Grizzly Lake Falls Directions
Kickapoo Waterfall Directions
Middle Canyon Creek Falls Directions
Upper Canyon Creek Falls Directions

Near Lone Pine 5

Chagoopa Falls 1201 ft Directions
Darwin Falls trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Volcano Falls Directions
Lower Picket Creek Falls Directions
Upper Picket Creek Falls Directions

Near Thermalito 5

Ranch Falls 157 ft · seasonal Directions
Crevice Twin Falls 135 ft · seasonal Directions
Western Falls 121 ft Directions
Ladder Falls 46 ft · seasonal Directions
Crevice Falls 30 ft · seasonal Directions

Near Squaw Valley 5

Rancheria Creek Falls 33 ft Directions
Silver Spray Falls Directions
Ella Falls trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Garlic Falls Directions
Viola Falls trailhead 0.8 mi Directions

Near Malibu 5

Newton Canyon Falls 26 ft · trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Solstice Canyon Falls 26 ft · trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Zuma Canyon Falls 16 ft · trailhead 0.3 mi Directions
Escondido Falls (Lower) trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Escondido Falls (Upper) trailhead 0.8 mi Directions

Near Happy Camp 5

Horsetail Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions
Ishi Pishi Falls Directions
Maple Falls Directions
Ponytail Falls trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Wilderness Falls Directions

Near Cambria 5

Jewel Falls Directions
Manning Falls Directions
Salmon Creek Falls seasonal Directions
Three Troughs Falls Directions
Upper Salmon Creek Falls Directions

Near Oakhurst 4

Angel Falls trailhead 0.2 mi Directions
Corlieu Falls trailhead 0.1 mi Directions
Camino Falls Directions
Whisky Falls Directions

Near Anaheim 4

Bear Claw Fall Directions
Frog Jump Falls Directions
Schweitzer Falls Directions
Washout Falls Directions

Near Chester 4

Deer Creek Falls Directions
Bluff Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions
Kings Creek Falls trailhead 0.9 mi Directions
Mill Creek Falls trailhead 1.1 mi Directions

Near La Cañada Flintridge 4

Lower Switzer Falls 33 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Upper Switzer Falls 33 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Brown Mountain Dam Waterfall Directions
Royal Falls Directions

Near Greenfield 4

Canogas Falls Directions
Devil's falls Directions
Eagle Creek Falls Directions
Tassajara Creek Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions

Near Portola 4

Fern Falls trailhead 1 mi Directions
Frazier Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions
Hackmans Falls Directions
Loves Falls Directions

Near Sierra Madre 3

Bailey Canyon Falls Directions
Hermit Falls Directions
Sturtevant Falls Directions

Near Cherry Valley 3

Big Falls 226 ft · trailhead 0.4 mi Directions
High Creek Falls Directions
Vivian Falls trailhead 0.3 mi Directions

Near San Luis Obispo 3

Big Falls Directions
Little Falls Directions
Reservoir Creek Falls Directions

Near Rancho Cucamonga 3

Near Bella Vista 3

Potem Falls Directions
Clover Creek Falls Directions
Three Falls Directions

Near Pine Valley 3

Near Yucaipa 3

Monkeyface Falls 151 ft Directions
Mountain Home Canyon Falls 49 ft Directions
Frustration Falls seasonal Directions

Near Bradbury 3

Glen Camp Falls Directions
Lower Double Falls seasonal Directions
Upper Double Falls seasonal Directions

Near Santa Paula 3

White Swift Falls 59 ft · seasonal Directions
Jackson Falls seasonal Directions
Punch Bowl Directions

Near Auberry 3

Rancheria Falls 131 ft · trailhead 0.8 mi Directions
Stevenson Creek Falls Directions
Line Creek Falls Directions

Near Lakeland Village 3

Ortega Falls 26 ft · seasonal Directions
Lion Canyon Falls seasonal Directions
Tenaja Falls Directions

Near Cathedral City 3

Murray Canyon Falls Directions
Seven Sisters Waterfall Directions
West Fork Falls Directions

Near Topanga 3

Santa Ynez Canyon Falls 16 ft · trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Owl Falls trailhead 0.9 mi · seasonal Directions
Temescal Falls seasonal Directions

Near La Mesa 2

Adobe Falls no public access
Lower Adobe Falls Directions

Near Lake Arrowhead 2

Aztec Falls Directions
Hesperia Falls Directions

Near Winterhaven 2

Bear Canyon Falls 13 ft · seasonal Directions
Carrizo Falls 10 ft · seasonal Directions

Near Shingletown 2

Bear Creek Falls Directions
Deadhorse Falls Directions

Near Ramona 2

Black Canyon Falls 26 ft · seasonal Directions
Washtub Falls 7 ft · seasonal Directions

Near Borrego Springs 2

Maidenhair Falls 20 ft · seasonal Directions
Borrego Palm Canyon Falls 16 ft Directions

Near Willow Creek 2

Burnt Ranch Falls Directions
Gray Falls Directions

Near Portola Valley 2

Tip Toe Falls Directions
Butano Falls Directions

Near Trabuco Canyon 2

Canyon Falls trailhead 1.1 mi Directions
Holly Jim Falls trailhead 0.8 mi Directions

Near Weed 2

Coquette Falls Directions
Whitney Falls Directions

Near Lewiston 2

Crystal Creek Falls Directions
Whiskeytown Falls Directions

Near Berry Creek 2

Feather Falls 410 ft Directions
Curtain Falls Directions

Near Palm Springs 2

Tahquitz Falls 59 ft · seasonal Directions
Dry Falls Directions

Near Truckee 2

East Snow Mountain Falls 2198 ft Directions
Weber Falls Directions

Near Loyola 2

Gerow's Waterfall Directions
Peter's Creek Falls seasonal Directions

Near Portola Hills 2

Harding Canyon Falls 33 ft · seasonal Directions
Upper Harding Canyon Falls seasonal Directions

Near Crestline 2

Middleman Falls 69 ft Directions
Heart Rock Falls 26 ft Directions

Near Montecito 2

Hot Springs Falls trailhead 0.7 mi Directions
Tangerine Falls trailhead 0.8 mi Directions

Near Noe Valley 2

Huntington Falls 112 ft Directions
Rainbow Falls Directions

Near King City 2

Laguna falls Directions
Middle Fork Falls Directions

Near Woodacre 2

Little Carson Falls Directions
Roy's Riffles Directions

Near Aguanga 2

Lower Barker Valley Falls 121 ft Directions
Upper Barker Valley Falls Directions

Near West Bishop 2

Lower Evolution Creek Falls Directions
Upper Evolution Creek Falls Directions

Near Montague 2

Upper Jenny Creek Falls 39 ft Directions
Lower Jenny Creek Falls 16 ft Directions

Near Julian 2

Temescal Creek Falls 259 ft · seasonal Directions
Orinoco Creek Falls 59 ft · seasonal Directions

Near Casa Conejo 2

Paradise Falls 69 ft Directions
Sycamore Falls 56 ft Directions

Near Mission Canyon 2

Sisquoc Falls Directions
Seven Falls Directions

Near Meiners Oaks 1

33 Falls Directions

Near Lafayette 1

Abrigo Falls 16 ft Directions

Near San Diego 1

Africa Rocks Waterfall Directions

Near Idyllwild 1

Andreas Falls Directions

Near Rocklin 1

Antelope Creek Falla Directions

Near Tahoma 1

Bassi Falls Directions

Near Corona 1

Black Star Canyon Falls 164 ft · seasonal Directions

Near Gilroy 1

Bonfante Falls Directions

Near Pollock Pines 1

Bridal Veil Falls 75 ft Directions

Near Lucas Valley-Marinwood 1

Buck Gulch Falls seasonal Directions

Near San Antonio Heights 1

Canyon Falls Directions

Near Fairfax 1

Cascade Falls Directions

Near Saratoga 1

Castle Rock Falls Directions

Near Brooktrails 1

Chamberlain Creek Waterfall trailhead 0.1 mi Directions

Near East Porterville 1

Cholollo Falls Directions

Near Meadow Vista 1

Codfish Falls Directions

Near Littlerock 1

Cooper Canyon Falls 26 ft Directions

Near Dana Point 1

Dana Point Seasonal Waterfall seasonal Directions

Near Kentfield 1

Dawn Falls Directions

Near Midpines 1

Diana Falls 20 ft Directions

Near Piñon Hills 1

Dorr Canyon Falls 33 ft Directions

Near Death Valley 1

Dry fall trailhead 0.6 mi Directions

Near Carlsbad 1

El Salto Falls Directions

Near Mount Shasta 1

Faery Falls Directions

Near Bertsch-Oceanview 1

Fern Fall Directions

Near Mount Hermon 1

Ferndell trailhead 0.3 mi Directions

Near Ripon 1

Finnegan Falls seasonal Directions

Near Azusa 1

Fish Canyon Falls Directions

Near Inyokern 1

Fossil Falls trailhead 0.2 mi · seasonal Directions

Near Idyllwild-Pine Cove 1

Fuller Mill Creek Falls 36 ft · trailhead 1 mi Directions

Near Rainbow 1

Gavilan Mountain Waterfall Directions

Near Descanso 1

Green Valley Falls 16 ft Directions

Near Green Valley 1

Green Valley Falls Directions

Near Visitacion Valley 1

Grey Fox Creek Fountain Directions

Near Sonoma 1

Haraszthy Falls Directions

Near Rancho Mirage 1

Hidden Falls seasonal Directions

Near North Auburn 1

Hidden Falls Directions

Near Greenville 1

Indian Falls Directions

Near Los Osos 1

Islay Falls Directions

Near Twain Harte 1

Jawbone Falls Directions

Near Yreka 1

Johnson Creek Falls Directions

Near Tamalpais Valley 1

Kent Falls Directions

Near Folsom 1

Leete Falls seasonal Directions

Near Angwin 1

Linda Falls Directions

Near Mira Mesa 1

Los Penasquitos Waterfall Directions

Near Forest Ranch 1

Lower Deer Creek Falls Directions

Near East Pasadena 1

Mayberg Waterfall Directions

Near San Juan Capistrano 1

Metrolink Bridge Directions

Near Alturas 1

Mill Creek Falls Directions

Near Redway 1

Mill Creek Falls Directions

Near Pasatiempo 1

Moose Lodge Falls Directions

Near Livermore 1

Murietta Falls 108 ft Directions

Near Solvang 1

Nojoqui Falls Directions

Near San Martin 1

Pacheco Falls seasonal Directions

Near El Dorado Hills 1

Pecker Falls Directions

Near Rio Dell 1

Pepperwood Falls Directions

Near Morgan Hill 1

Pinto Creek Falls Directions

Near Valley Center 1

Prisoner Creek Falls 56 ft Directions

Near Ahwahnee 1

Red Rock Falls trailhead 1 mi Directions

Near Patterson 1

Robison Falls Directions

Near Placerville 1

Rock Creek Directions

Near Ojai 1

Rose Valley Falls Directions

Near Wrightwood 1

San Antonio Falls trailhead 0.4 mi Directions

Near Banning 1

Silverwood Falls Directions

Near Kenwood 1

Sonoma Creek Falls trailhead 0.5 mi Directions

Near Lagunitas-Forest Knolls 1

Stairstep Falls Directions

Near Nipomo 1

Storybrook Falls Directions

Near Dublin 1

Tehan Falls 197 ft Directions

Near Sutter 1

The Falls Directions

Near Sunland 1

Trail Canyon Falls trailhead 1.2 mi Directions

Near Westhaven-Moonstone 1

Trillium Falls 10 ft Directions

Near Goleta 1

Wellhouse Falls Directions

Near Glendora 1

West Fork Waterfall trailhead 0.1 mi Directions

Near Santa Clarita 1

Whitney Canyon Waterfalls trailhead 0.6 mi Directions

Near La Verne 1

Wolfskill Falls Directions

Locations from OpenStreetMap volunteers. Access rules are set by whoever owns the land. 243 smaller or less documented falls are listed with directions only.

For the trail to the falls

We haven't tested these ourselves; we chose them by size and specs. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Check the current price on Amazon.

Waterfalls in other states

Frequently asked questions

Where can you see waterfalls in California?

The most waterfalls in our data are near Yosemite Valley (45), Oroville (11) and Burney (11). Among the tallest are East Snow Mountain Falls (2198 ft), Snow Creek Falls (2133 ft) and Sentinel Fall (1936 ft).

What is the tallest waterfall in California?

Of the waterfalls with a mapped height, East Snow Mountain Falls near Truckee is the tallest at about 2198 feet. Heights for California come from OpenStreetMap and are not mapped for every fall.

Do waterfalls in California run all year?

54 of the 401 are marked as seasonal or intermittent, so they may be dry in late summer. Snowmelt and rain make spring the best time for most of them.