Top 10 Best Waterfalls in California
Last Updated on January 22, 2024
You will see a rainbow in the mist if you come at midday on a sunny day! This waterfall is located in the Eastern Sierra region of California.
The full trail is 5 miles round trip but you can take a shuttle back from the waterfalls and then it’ll only be 3.5 miles roundtrip. Also on the same trail, you can see Devil’s Postpile National Monument. These incredible rock formations are worth visiting, too! You can go down to the waterfall, there are stairs that allow you to get close but I do not recommend going down the stairs when it is raining, it can be very slippery.
Park at Mammoth Lakes Main Lodge shuttle stop, take the shuttle to Stop 6 to Devil’s Postpile National Monument, hike to Rainbow Falls, take the shuttle from Stop 10 back to Mammoth Lakes Main Lodge stop. If you just want to see the falls, hike to Rainbow Falls from Stop 9, which is approximately a 3-mile round trip. The total height of the falls is 101 feet (31 m) and swimming is allowed.
This is the best California waterfall to visit during Autumn, but it is gorgeous all year round! It doesn’t get dry in the fall like other California waterfalls because it is fed from underground springs instead of depending on rain. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in California and one of the best in the country. This is my forever top favorite waterfall because of how easy it is to access and how beautiful it is. Burney Falls is located in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Shasta County.
There is a $10 entry fee for the park, which is open from sunrise to sunset.
The main trail to access Burney Falls is the easiest. It is paved and is approximately a 1-mile round trip walk. You will get a great view of the waterfall. There are several overlooks along the main trail, and at the end you can sit on the rocks for the perfect perched view. The total height of the falls is 114 feet (35 m), and 250 feet (76 m) wide.
Swimming near the falls is now allowed and it does get very crowded on the weekends, so I advise coming earlier than 10 am on weekends.
While you’re here you can enjoy plenty of other outdoor activities like hiking, camping, picnicking, and fishing. The park is known for its diverse plant species and birdwatchers especially will enjoy the variety of birds in the park.
McWay Falls
These are the falls to visit when you are looking for a great view at sunset. McWay Falls is a stunning waterfall located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, along the rugged and picturesque Big Sur coast of California. This waterfall is known for its unique location where it flows directly onto a pristine, untouched beach, making it one of the most iconic and easily recognizable waterfalls along the California coast.
McWay Falls is accessed from a short trail, approximately a 1-mile round trip. The viewpoint is wheelchair accessible so everyone is able to enjoy the view. The total height of McWay Falls is 80 feet (24 meters). Visitors are not allowed to hike down to the beach below, or the area surrounding the falls. The ecosystem is very delicate in this region and it is not maintained like public access areas so it is also not safe for visitors.
Nearby points of interest include Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach, and numerous hiking trails like the renowned Ewoldsen Trail and Partington Cove Trail. McWay Falls is a must-see stop if traveling near Big Sur along Pacific Coast Highway.
Located in Yosemite National Park on Mist Trail. I highly recommend bringing a raincoat and waterproof shoes if you come in spring or early summer.
The loop is 8.5 mi with an elevation gain of 2,200 feet but if you don’t want to hike, Yosemite Valley will provide the opportunity for great views, too! Vernal Falls is harder to get to compared to other waterfalls on this list but worth it if you’re able. It is especially stunning this year after all the snow, make sure to go see it soon if you haven’t yet.
Also in the area for those seeking a more challenging hike and additional scenic beauty, you can continue on from Vernal Falls to reach Nevada Falls, the one without the guardrail. This is another impressive waterfall on the Merced River. The trail to Nevada Fall is more challenging but offers amazing views.
The tallest waterfall in North America and you can see it from Yosemite Valley, or walk 1 mile to the Lower Falls. Towering at 2,425 feet (739 meters) and made from three distinct sections: the Upper Fall, the Middle Cascades, and the Lower Fall. If you want a closer look, hike the challenging Upper Yosemite Fall Trail to the top of the falls. May and June is the best time to visit Yosemite for the dramatic waterfall views because this is when they are most likely to be more powerful.
There is so much to do in Yosemite National Park, but Yosemite Falls (and Vernal Falls) are both spectacular stops to prioritize.
Visit three waterfalls in one day! Located on the McCloud River in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. There are multiple trails you can explore to visit McCloud Falls: McCloud Lower Falls, McCloud Middle Falls, and McCloud Upper Falls. Each of these trails you can drive to and all three trails add up to about a mile in total. If you want to combine them all, McCloud Waterfalls Trail is 4 miles. All the trails are easy and have wheelchair-accessible views.
Middle Falls is my favorite but they are all worth visiting and very close to each other. The best time to visit McCloud Falls is during the late spring and summer when the weather is generally mild and the falls are at their fullest due to snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. In the winter, the area can be covered in snow and is much more challenging to access.
McCloud River is known for its great fly-fishing so don’t be surprised if you see a lot of fishing going on along the river. Since you are only an hour and a half from Redding, I highly recommend making your way there for great nature trails, museums, parks, and even more waterfalls.
Mossbrae Falls are too gorgeous not to include but keep in mind there is no safe or legal trail to explore this waterfall. However, it is in the works but the project has a long way to go. You can read more about the initiative to make this a safe and enjoyable place for visitors. The falls themselves are magical though, especially with all the moss! SFGate did an article in 2022 about the dangers of visiting Mossbrae Falls in person and what that trek entails.
Located in Kings Canyon National Park, Mist Falls is one of the park’s most famous natural attractions and a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. This waterfall is approximately 100 feet (30 meters) tall and is on the South Fork of the Kings River.
The trailhead is located in the Cedar Grove area of the park, and it’s easy to access from the road. The hike to Mist Falls is approximately 8.4 miles round-trip, and worth the trip. It gets hot on this trail so prepare for an early morning hike around sunrise to avoid the heat and beating sun.
While at Kings Canyon, check out these other waterfalls:
Grizzly Falls- A quick 0.1 mile from the parking lot. While it isn’t as impressive as the rest, it is still pretty and makes for an easy stop. It will be the first one on your way through.
Roaring River Falls– This is one of the most photogenic waterfalls as seen in the second photo of me in the yellow dress. Since it is well known for its beauty, it gets really crowded so plan ahead to come early. This trail is paved and an easy 0.3 mile hike.
Find your next waterfall destination in Sequoia National Park on the Tokopah Valley Trail.
This trail is an easy-to-moderate 4-mile round trip with a 600-foot elevation change. The Tokopah Falls cascade flows 1,200 feet (366 meters) to the bottom, which is one of the tallest on this list. It is in the Mineral King area of the park, which is a hidden gem and has beautiful scenery.
The trail itself is a beautiful hike. You will get to walk in the canyon along the river and it is one of my favorites in the park!
