25 Breathtaking California Waterfalls You’ll Want to Visit
Go chasing.
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CategoryExperiences
After a couple very wet seasons, California’s boasting some post-drought, natural bounty—serious snow pack, brimming lakes and, don’t forget, gushing waterfalls. If you ever wanted to check out these natural wonders, 7×7 curated a list of 25 gorgeous waterfalls, from north to south, with some stats courtesy of outdoorproject.com. Here are some highlights:
BURSTARSE FALLS HIKE VIA PACIFIC CREST TRAIL
Mount Shasta + Medicine Lake Area, California
PROS: Yosemite-like waterfalls. Well-shaded trail (great during summer). Not congested.
CONS: Initial half mile is strenuous and rocky. Climbing to the falls is rigorous and slippery.
CONGESTION: Low
PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: Not Required
TOTAL DISTANCE: 5.00 mi (8.05 km)
TRAILHEAD ELEV.: 2,750 ft (838 m)
NET ELEV. GAIN: 1,060 ft (323 m)
TRAIL USES: Hiking, Biking, Horseback
TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
CRYSTAL CREEK FALLS
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Trinity Alps + Marble Mountain Wilderness, California
PROS: Easy access. Great for kids. Wheelchair accessible. Restroom at the trailhead.
CONS: Parking fee required.
CONGESTION: Moderate
PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: General Day Use Fee ($10.00)
TOTAL DISTANCE: 0.66 mi (1.06 km)
TRAILHEAD ELEV.: 1,700 ft (518 m)
NET ELEV. GAIN: 0 ft (0 m)
TRAIL USES: Hiking
TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
TRABUCO FALLS
Los Angeles Metro Area, California
PROS: Scenic falls. Less crowded than other hikes in the area.
CONS: Technical hiking. Poison oak.
CONGESTION: Low
PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Winter, Spring
DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQUIRED: California Adventure Pass
TOTAL DISTANCE: 1.20 mi (1.93 km)
TRAILHEAD ELEV.: 1,495 ft (456 m)
NET ELEV. GAIN: 210 ft (64 m)
TRAIL USES: Hiking
TRAIL TYPE: There-and-back
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes
Get the full list here.
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