Waterfall Hikes Near Escondido, CA

151,114 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
9 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

San Diego County hides most of its waterfalls east of Escondido, out where the chaparral climbs toward Julian. Cedar Creek Falls is the big commitment, 80 feet into a pool at the bottom of a 6.6-mile round trip that regains 1,000 feet on the way out, hot and exposed by late spring. Green Valley Falls in Cuyamaca is the family version, a mile and a half with swimming allowed. Maidenhair Falls waits in an Anza-Borrego canyon, six miles round trip. Nine falls within fifty miles, nearly all at their best January through April.

Located at 33.1348°N, -117.0723°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Escondido

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

9 of 9 gauged

9 waterfalls near Escondido have live flow data today

Andreas Falls Barely Flowing Hidden Heart Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 95°F

Mon 95°F Sunny Best
Tue 96°F Sunny
Wed 98°F Sunny
Thu 100°F Sunny
Fri 100°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 99°F Sunny
Sun 96°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Escondido

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Hidden Heart Falls Moderate · 0 cfs 31st percentile
  2. 2 Andreas Falls Barely Flowing · 0 cfs 0th percentile
  3. 3 Washtub Falls Barely Flowing · 0 cfs 0th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Escondido hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Escondido

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Escondido (2 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Green Valley Falls waterfall

Green Valley Falls

26.2 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Escondido (4 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Mildred Falls waterfall

Mildred Falls

41 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 300 ft
Cedar Creek Falls waterfall

Cedar Creek Falls

41.6 miles away
California
Hard
6.6 miles 1,000 ft

All 9 Waterfalls Near Escondido

Washtub Falls

30.2 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Mildred Falls waterfall

Mildred Falls

41 miles away
California
Moderate
1.5 miles 300 ft
Cedar Creek Falls waterfall

Cedar Creek Falls

41.6 miles away
California
Hard
6.6 miles 1,000 ft
Maidenhair Falls waterfall

Maidenhair Falls

41.7 miles away
California
Moderate
6.0 miles 900 ft
Green Valley Falls waterfall

Green Valley Falls

26.2 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Hidden Heart Falls waterfall

Hidden Heart Falls

9.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
The Falls waterfall

The Falls

43.7 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hidden Falls waterfall

Hidden Falls

25.4 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 500 ft
Andreas Falls waterfall

Andreas Falls

17.2 miles away
California
Easy
1.6 miles 100 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Escondido

Are there free waterfalls near Escondido?

There is 1 free waterfall near Escondido, including Hidden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Escondido?

There are 2 easy waterfall hikes near Escondido, including Andreas Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Escondido?

There are 4 dog-friendly waterfalls near Escondido, including Cedar Creek Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Escondido?

There are 5 kid-friendly waterfalls near Escondido, including Andreas Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Escondido?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Escondido, including Cedar Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Escondido?

The shortest waterfall hike near Escondido is Andreas Falls at 1.5 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Escondido?

The tallest waterfall near Escondido is Cedar Creek Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Escondido require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Escondido requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Escondido?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near Escondido have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Escondido?

The closest waterfall to Escondido is Washtub Falls, approximately 13.9 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Escondido, California

Agua Tibia Spring

13.5 mi 92°F

Agua Tibia Spring emerges at 92°F (33°C) near Rainbow in San Diego's foothills, where the name aptly means warm water in Spanis...
Murrietta Hot Springs

Murrietta Hot Springs

24.1 mi 132°F

Murrietta Hot Springs flows at a dramatic 132°F (56°C) in Riverside County—68 degrees above ambient air temperature—with high s...
Temecula Hot Springs

Temecula Hot Springs

24.3 mi 116°F

Temecula Hot Springs emerges at 116°F in Riverside County's warm inland valleys, with remarkably alkaline chemistry (pH 9.1) re...

De Luz Warm Springs

25.4 mi 85°F

De Luz Warm Springs emerges at 85°F from the rolling hills of northern San Diego County near Fallbrook, where water surfaces ju...
Warner Hot Spring

Warner Hot Spring

26.0 mi 138°F

Warner Hot Springs reaches 138°F in the mountains northeast of San Diego, among California's hottest documented springs. Sittin...

Unnamed Spring Riverside County 1

33.8 mi

This unnamed warm spring emerges on the Cahuilla Reservation in Riverside County near Anza at 3,600 feet elevation, representin...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Escondido, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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Glamping Hipcamp

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