Waterfall Hikes Near San Francisco, CA

3,364,979 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
15 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

San Francisco occupies a compact coastal peninsula marked by steep urban hills, rocky coastal bluffs and shorelines, and nearby forested ridgelines and gorges across the bay and to the west. Within a short drive the waterfall hikes are dominated by moderate routes through old-growth coastal forest and fern-filled canyons, supplemented by a handful of short roadside cascades and a couple of strenuous canyon scrambles; fog-swept ocean vistas and easy city access make the terrain distinctive for hikers.

Located at 37.7558°N, -122.4449°W

Map of Waterfalls Near San Francisco

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

15 of 15 gauged

1 of 15 waterfalls near San Francisco is flowing strongly today

Alamere Falls Moderate Berry Creek Falls Moderate Butano Falls Barely Flowing Golden Falls Barely Flowing Silver Falls Barely Flowing Castle Rock Falls Roaring Cataract Falls Barely Flowing Dawn Falls Barely Flowing Green Valley Falls Barely Flowing Huntington Falls Barely Flowing Kent Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Linda Falls Barely Flowing Tehan Falls Barely Flowing

Updated 32 minutes ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Sunny · 70°F

Tue 64°F Partly Sunny
Wed 65°F Partly Sunny
Thu 69°F Mostly Sunny
Fri 67°F Mostly Sunny
Sat 66°F Mostly Sunny
Sun 72°F Sunny
Mon 70°F Sunny Best

Flowing best right now near San Francisco

Updated 32 minutes ago

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

  1. 1 Castle Rock Falls Roaring · 1 cfs 93rd percentile
  2. 2 Alamere Falls Moderate · 9 cfs 38th percentile
  3. 3 Berry Creek Falls Moderate · 5 cfs 33rd percentile
  4. 4 Linda Falls Barely Flowing · 5 cfs 6th percentile
  5. 5 Butano Falls Barely Flowing · 7 cfs 3rd percentile
  6. 6 Cataract Falls Barely Flowing · 1 cfs 3rd percentile

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near San Francisco

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near San Francisco (3 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.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around San Francisco (8 waterfalls)

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

Huntington Falls waterfall CC

Huntington Falls

13.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

13.4 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Dawn Falls waterfall

Dawn Falls

24.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.7 miles 400 ft
Cataract Falls waterfall

Cataract Falls

22.2 miles away
California
Moderate
2.6 miles 750 ft

All 15 Waterfalls Near San Francisco

Huntington Falls waterfall CC

Huntington Falls

13.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

13.4 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kent Falls waterfall

Kent Falls

26.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Dawn Falls waterfall

Dawn Falls

24.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.7 miles 400 ft
Cataract Falls waterfall

Cataract Falls

22.2 miles away
California
Moderate
2.6 miles 750 ft
Alamere Falls waterfall

Alamere Falls

36 miles away
California
Hard
13.0 miles 1,600 ft

Tehan Falls

37.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Haraszthy Falls waterfall CC

Haraszthy Falls

13.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Butano Falls waterfall

Butano Falls

21.3 miles away
California
Moderate
4.5 miles 500 ft
Golden Falls waterfall

Golden Falls

41.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 400 ft
Silver Falls waterfall

Silver Falls

41.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Berry Creek Falls waterfall

Berry Creek Falls

44.5 miles away
California
Hard
10.5 miles 2 ft
Green Valley Falls waterfall

Green Valley Falls

45.8 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 100 ft
Linda Falls waterfall

Linda Falls

25.2 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Castle Rock Falls waterfall

Castle Rock Falls

33.1 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near San Francisco

Are there free waterfalls near San Francisco?

There are 8 free waterfalls near San Francisco, including Alamere Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near San Francisco?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near San Francisco, including Castle Rock Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in San Francisco?

There are 8 dog-friendly waterfalls near San Francisco, including Cataract Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near San Francisco?

There are 11 kid-friendly waterfalls near San Francisco, including Berry Creek Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near San Francisco?

There is 1 waterfall that allows swimming near San Francisco, including Green Valley Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near San Francisco?

The shortest waterfall hike near San Francisco is Alamere Falls at 1.2 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near San Francisco?

The tallest waterfall near San Francisco is Castle Rock Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near San Francisco require permits?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around San Francisco?

Yes, 9 waterfalls near San Francisco have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to San Francisco?

The closest waterfall to San Francisco is Huntington Falls, approximately 1.9 miles away.

Waterfall Hikes Near San Francisco, CA Pinterest Guide

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near San Francisco, California

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Vallejo White Sulphur Springs

28.9 mi 68°F

Vallejo White Sulphur Springs flows at 68 degrees just 104 feet from the nearest road in the San Francisco Bay Area, making it ...

Unnamed Spring Contra Costa County

31.0 mi 70°F

Mount Diablo State Park shelters this 70-degree thermal spring in warm, dry foothills just 17 meters from a paved road. The 10....

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

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Where to Stay

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