Already well-known for its nigh-endless coastline, vast desert landscapes and dynamic mountain peaks, California is also a premier destination for those drawn to chasing waterfalls! Although there are dozens of California waterfalls across the state’s nearly 164,000 square-mile area, we’ve chosen ten you absolutely don’t want to miss on your next Golden State adventure.
Top 10 Waterfalls in California
Visiting Waterfalls in California
Burney Falls
Only about a hundred miles south of the Oregon border, in the shadow of stunning Mt. Shasta, Burney Falls has long been a beloved if well-kept California secret. Despite its stunning stature and unique makeup, not that many people have heard of these falls — at least as compared to, say, Niagara.
Tucked as it is into its own memorial state park between the bulk of Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Lassen National Forest about an hour northeast of Redding, this waterfall is off the beaten path for many California travelers. That said, those who make the trek will be well-rewarded. (Case in point: Upon his visit, President Theodore Roosevelt called these 129-foot falls the eighth wonder of the world!)
Thing to do near Burney Falls
Given that it’s surrounded by national forest land, there are unending outdoor recreation opportunities in this area, including Mt. Shasta itself, which can be summited by those with technical climbing skills. You’re also not too far off from Lassen Volcanic National Park!
Brandy Creek Falls
A breathtaking, tiered set of waterfalls located just outside of Whiskeytown to the west of Redding, Brandy Creek Falls features multiple sets of waterfalls cascading into cool, whirling pools along Brandy Creek. This makes it an iconic Northern California getaway for both residents and visitors in the area.
Along with the waterfalls themselves, this hiking trail is known for its proliferation of beautiful wildflowers. Leashed dogs are welcome to come along for the adventure — just make sure they (and you!) are prepared for rocky, sometimes steep terrain.
Things to do near Brandy Creek Falls
This part of California is too-often overlooked and absolutely chock full of things worth seeing. Head back toward town and stop at Brandy Creek Beach, where these falls meet Whiskeytown Lake, for a relaxing stroll in the sand.
Alamere Falls
There’s something fundamentally unbeatable about a waterfall that cascades immediately beside the vast expanse of the ocean. Those who make their way to Alamere Falls get to experience just that. Plummeting down a 30-foot cliff to the sands below, catching every crag in the rock face along the way, this waterfall marks the place where the Alamare Creek meets the Pacific. It creates a stunning spectacle for those lucky enough to stand at its foot.
Of course, an experience this special isn’t one you can just drive up to. Alamere Falls is accessible only on foot and requires an 11-mile round-trip hike with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Once you get where you’re going, you’ll want to spend some time relaxing and enjoying it, so be sure to pack a lunch!
Things to do near Alamere Falls
Located in the gorgeous coastal wilds just north of San Francisco, there are plenty of other rugged outdoorsy adventures to get into around Alamere Falls, such as exploring Wildcat Beach or Bass Lake. You can even turn your hike into an overnight and sleep under the California stars out here!
Grizzly Falls
Just west of Kings Canyon National Park, deep in the heart of the Sequoia National Forest, Grizzly Falls offers visitors the opportunity to experience a rugged and beautiful California waterfall without necessitating a long and arduous hike.
The Grizzly Falls picnic area is located directly off a major roadway. The falls themselves cascade an impressive 80 feet off the cliff above to the pool below, making for a decidedly excellent lunch spot. The lake that feeds the falls is bounded by a 2000-foot-tall granite wall, and also offers some great nearby camping.
Things to do near Grizzly Falls
Obviously, Kings Canyon National Park is well worth devoting some time to, and Sequoia National Park isn’t that much further afield. It’s all only about two hours outside of Fresno, and there are some excellent campgrounds to explore in this area, too!
McWay Falls
Back on the coastline, tucked into the scenic and often-sung-about heart of Big Sur, McWay Falls beckons with a once-in-a-lifetime viewpoint. This 80-foot waterfall plunges directly from the rock face above to the sand below in one powerful column, all along a shoreline rhythmically caressed by the ocean.
Better yet, this fall doesn’t require you to have a certification in outdoor survival skills to access. Instead, it’s just a quick (if somewhat steep) walk from the parking area above, and the beach is broad enough to lay out a towel and truly soak up both the sunshine and the view for a few hours.
Things to do near McWay Falls
There’s a reason Big Sur is so famous and so much art has been made of it, and you’ll likely want to give yourself ample time to explore this place where the redwoods meet the crashing sea. McWay Falls is located right alongside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, but there are many other state parks and wildernesses along the way, such as Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Limekiln State Park, Garrapata State Park and others.
Rainbow Falls
Tucked into the dense forest known as the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Rainbow Falls is an epic, iconic waterfall along the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. The fall tumbles more than 100 feet into the carved rock bowl that catches it.
The most popular trail to the falls starts at nearby Devils Postpile National Monument, and runs some five miles round trip, seeing about 500 feet of elevation gain along the way. That is to say, it’s pretty doable for most hikers in decent shape.
While the waterfalls themselves are, of course, lovely, the unique surrounding rock formations and interior California flora make this adventure all the more enriching.
Things to do near Rainbow Falls
In the winter, nearby Mammoth Mountain is a beloved ski area — and no matter when you visit, this part of California is chock-full of outdoor adventure opportunities and hikes galore.
Eaton Canyon Falls
Year-round waterfalls are harder to come by as you move further south through California’s expanse. The southern desert is well-known for its frequent droughts and dry-ups. But Eaton Canyon Falls is fairly steadfast and readily accessible to much of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Tucked into the southern edge of Angeles National Forest, just under the shadow of Mount Wilson, this waterfall is accessed via a relatively short, relatively flat trail. The trail runs under five miles round-trip and sees only about 500 feet in elevation gain.
Do be forewarned that, because of its beauty, reliability and ease of access, the trail to this waterfall is a pretty popular one — but when you have access to something this stunning, what can we say? You’ve gotta share the wealth.
Things to do near Eaton Canyon Falls
The rest of the Angeles National Forest rvshare beckons, as do the many urban adventures that await in Los Angeles proper and its surrounding cities. Believe it or not, there are many great RV parks and campgrounds in the LA area too!
Sturtevant Falls
Another fairly reliable southern California waterfall — and only a scant few miles from Eaton Canyon Falls — Sturtevant Falls is an especially scenic destination. Here, the falls cascade some 55 feet along the rock face above to the pool below. Thanks to the combination of warm temperatures and ever-present water, the rock is colored with blue-green algae, adding to the effect.
At little more than three round-trip miles and about 700 feet of elevation gain — most of which is seen on the return trip — this trail definitely falls into the moderate-to-challenging category. But hey, it’s a great workout with a scenic reward… and you may have fewer folks to share the trail with!
Things to do near Sturtevant Falls
Once again, the greater expanse of Angeles National Forest awaits, as do all the great things Los Angeles itself has to offer. Keep in mind, too, that there are many excellent state parks in this part of California, like Silverwood Lake, Rio de Los Angeles, Point Mugu and many others.
The Best California Waterfalls for RVers
Yosemite Falls
Perhaps the most iconic waterfall on this list of iconic waterfalls, Yosemite Falls drops a total of almost 2,500 feet across the several separate waterfalls that make it up. This makes it America’s tallest waterfall, and its breathtaking power is accessible by a variety of hiking trails — so you can choose your own adventure based on your skill level and interest.
For example, the trek to the top of the falls runs a little more than seven miles round-trip and requires hikers to haul themselves up 2,700 feet in elevation gain. All that to say, it’s steep and hard and will definitely get your quads and calves burning. On the other end of the spectrum, Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is only about a mile long and pretty much flat, and standing at the foot of these falls is just about as powerful as it is to see them from above.
Do be aware that this waterfall is seasonal, drying up between about July and November and then running powerfully in the winter and spring!
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
This waterfall is a must-see and especially great for RVers because it is located in a national park. This means you can camp onsite. It also means there are plenty of amazing things to see and do without ever leaving the park.
Things to do near Yosemite Falls
Located inside — you guessed it — Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Falls is one of the primary things to see in this park, but it’s far from the only one. The deep valleys, rock-studded rivers and mountain peaks all add to the splendor.
Vernal Falls
Yosemite Falls might be the most famous waterfall in Yosemite National Park — but it’s not the only one! Just a couple miles down the Merced River, Vernal Falls awaits, cascading 317 feet to the waters below.
The hike to the top is tough, but worth it: you’ll climb 1,200 feet over the course of about two miles one way, much of which is made up of literal stairs. Those who do make it to the top will be rewarded not only with the rushing view of the place this water falls, but also sweeping surroundings of the rest of the park.
Why This Waterfall is Perfect for RVers
Again, this waterfall is located in a national park, which means great onsite camping as well as some of the best outdoor recreation opportunities out there. RV camping doesn’t get any better than that!
Things to do near Vernal Falls
Along with the rest of Yosemite National Park, there are many other wildernesses to explore in this area, such as the Sierra National Forest — and, of course, Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park to the south.
Planning an RV Trip to California
The waterfalls are just the beginning when it comes to things to see and do in California. When planning your California RV trip, make sure to check out the best California state parks as well as the top 10 campgrounds in the state, and its most famous cities.
California is also well-known for its many national park locations, and we’ve got in-depth guides to all of those, too!
