Waterfall Hikes Near Mission Viejo, CA

642,211 residents

Los Angeles Time Zone

7 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Waterfall days from Mission Viejo mean a long freeway run north, out of Saddleback country and into the San Gabriels. San Antonio Falls on the Mount Baldy road pays off fastest, 75 feet of water for 1.4 miles of easy walking, dogs welcome. Sturtevant Falls in Santa Anita Canyon is the classic, 3.25 miles with 400 feet of gain. Bonita Falls in Lytle Creek drops 160 feet after a mile and a half. Seven falls make the list here, worth saving for a wet week in spring.

Located at 33.6096°N, -117.6551°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Mission Viejo

Pins are within 50 miles; hollow circles are day trips 50–100 miles out.

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

7 of 7 gauged

1 of 7 waterfalls near Mission Viejo is flowing strongly today

Bonita Falls Barely Flowing Hidden Heart Falls Moderate Middleman Falls Strong San Antonio Falls Moderate Wolfskill Falls Moderate

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Monday

Mostly Sunny · 79°F

Aft 78°F Sunny

Thu 78°F Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Fri 78°F Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny

Sat 82°F Sunny

Sun 81°F Mostly Sunny

Mon 79°F Mostly Sunny Best

Tue 81°F Sunny

Flowing best right now near Mission Viejo

Updated about 2 hours ago

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

Know when to go.

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Find waterfalls to hike near Mission Viejo

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Mission Viejo (1 waterfall)

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.

San Antonio Falls

33.2 miles away

California

Easy

1.4 miles 300 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Mission Viejo (4 waterfalls)

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

LiDAR

Bonita Falls

36.7 miles away

California

Moderate

1.5 miles 200 ft

Sturtevant Falls

44.8 miles away

California

Moderate

3.3 miles 400 ft

All 7 Waterfalls Near Mission Viejo

Wolfskill Falls

31.7 miles away

California

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

San Antonio Falls

33.2 miles away

California

Easy

1.4 miles 300 ft

LiDAR

Bonita Falls

36.7 miles away

California

Moderate

1.5 miles 200 ft

LiDAR

Middleman Falls

41.2 miles away

California

Unknown

Unknown Unknown

Hidden Heart Falls

43 miles away

California

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

Sturtevant Falls

44.8 miles away

California

Moderate

3.3 miles 400 ft

Hidden Falls

49.8 miles away

California

Moderate

2.5 miles 500 ft

🧭 Day Trips From Mission Viejo (11 waterfalls, 50–100 miles away)

Everything listed above is within 50 miles of Mission Viejo. Make a day of it and 11 more are within 100 miles. The closest is Andreas Falls, about 51 miles away, and the tallest is Big Falls at 500 ft.

Distances are approximate, measured from the center of Mission Viejo; the drive is usually longer.

Andreas Falls

51.1 miles away

California

Easy

1.6 miles 100 ft

LiDAR

Monkeyface Falls

53.5 miles away

California

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

Big Falls

55.4 miles away

California

Easy

0.7 miles 100 ft

Tahquitz Falls

55.7 miles away

California

Moderate

2.0 miles 350 ft

LiDAR

Washtub Falls

58.1 miles away

California

Unknown

Unknown Unknown

Silverwood Falls

58.2 miles away

California

Moderate

2.0 miles 300 ft

Mildred Falls

68.9 miles away

California

Moderate

1.5 miles 300 ft

Cedar Creek Falls

69.4 miles away

California

Hard

6.6 miles 1,000 ft

Maidenhair Falls

69.6 miles away

California

Moderate

6.0 miles 900 ft

Green Valley Falls

80 miles away

California

Easy

1.5 miles 200 ft

The Falls

89.7 miles away

California

Unknown

Unknown Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Mission Viejo

Are there free waterfalls near Mission Viejo?

There is 1 free waterfall near Mission Viejo, including Hidden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Mission Viejo?

There is 1 easy waterfall hike near Mission Viejo, including San Antonio Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Mission Viejo?

There are 4 dog-friendly waterfalls near Mission Viejo, including Bonita Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Mission Viejo?

There are 4 kid-friendly waterfalls near Mission Viejo, including Bonita Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Mission Viejo?

The shortest waterfall hike near Mission Viejo is Bonita Falls at 1.4 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Mission Viejo?

The tallest waterfall near Mission Viejo is Bonita Falls at 160 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Mission Viejo require permits?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Mission Viejo require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Mission Viejo?

Yes, 7 waterfalls near Mission Viejo have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Mission Viejo?

The closest waterfall to Mission Viejo is Wolfskill Falls, approximately 31.7 miles away.

What waterfalls are within a day trip of Mission Viejo?

Beyond the 7 waterfalls within 50 miles, 11 more are between 50 and 100 miles from Mission Viejo. The closest of those is Andreas Falls, approximately 51.1 miles away.