Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Cruz, CA

167,835 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
14 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Santa Cruz? There are 14 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Santa Cruz. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 36.9789°N, -122.0346°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

14 of 14 gauged

1 of 14 waterfalls near Santa Cruz is flowing strongly today

Berry Creek Falls Moderate Butano Falls Moderate Golden Falls Moderate Silver Falls Moderate Castle Rock Falls Roaring Pfeiffer Falls Barely Flowing Pine Falls Barely Flowing Tehan Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Partly Sunny · 70°F

Tue 69°F Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Wed 66°F Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
Thu 66°F Mostly Cloudy
Fri 70°F Partly Sunny Best
Ind 71°F Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Sun 70°F Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
Mon 71°F Partly Sunny

Flowing best right now near Santa Cruz

Updated about 1 hour ago

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

  1. 1 Castle Rock Falls Roaring · 2 cfs 100th percentile
  2. 2 Butano Falls Moderate · 10 cfs 65th percentile
  3. 3 Golden Falls Moderate · 10 cfs 65th percentile
  4. 4 Silver Falls Moderate · 10 cfs 65th percentile
  5. 5 Berry Creek Falls Moderate · 4 cfs 29th percentile
  6. 6 Pfeiffer Falls Barely Flowing · 24 cfs 1st percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Santa Cruz

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Cruz (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 Santa Cruz (3 waterfalls)

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

Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

48.8 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

All 14 Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

48.8 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

Fiver Finger Falls

32.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

34.5 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

31.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Black Rock Falls waterfall

Black Rock Falls

34.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Triple Falls waterfall

Triple Falls

31.5 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Castle Rock Falls waterfall

Castle Rock Falls

33.1 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Berry Creek Falls waterfall

Berry Creek Falls

44.5 miles away
California
Hard
10.5 miles 2 ft
Silver Falls waterfall

Silver Falls

41.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Golden Falls waterfall

Golden Falls

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

Butano Falls

21.3 miles away
California
Moderate
4.5 miles 500 ft

Tehan Falls

37.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pfeiffer Falls waterfall

Pfeiffer Falls

36.3 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Pine Falls waterfall

Pine Falls

40 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Are there free waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

There are 2 free waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Golden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Santa Cruz?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near Santa Cruz, including Castle Rock Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Santa Cruz?

There are 3 dog-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Golden Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

There are 8 kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Berry Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Santa Cruz?

The shortest waterfall hike near Santa Cruz is Basin Falls at 1.2 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

The tallest waterfall near Santa Cruz is Castle Rock Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Santa Cruz require permits?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Santa Cruz?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Santa Cruz have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Santa Cruz?

The closest waterfall to Santa Cruz is Maple Falls, approximately 9.6 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Santa Cruz With Waterfalls

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Los Gatos, CA
33,093 residents
Cupertino, CA
59,763 residents
Campbell, CA
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Sunnyvale, CA
154,573 residents
Gilroy, CA
110,720 residents
Los Altos, CA
31,133 residents
Santa Clara, CA
128,058 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Santa Cruz, California

Sargent Estate Warm Spring

21.9 mi 77°F

Sargent Estate Warm Spring flows at 77°F in the hills east of Gilroy in the Diablo Range. The modest 19-degree temperature rise...
Sulphur Hot Spring

Sulphur Hot Spring

25.7 mi 100°F

Sulphur Hot Spring flows at 100 degrees in Monterey County near Seaside at just 36 feet elevation, essentially at-grade with th...

Gilroy Hot Springs

29.9 mi 106°F

Gilroy Hot Springs flows at 106 degrees Fahrenheit within Henry W. Coe State Park, a California Historical Landmark and Nationa...
Mineral Springs

Mineral Springs

30.7 mi 84°F

Mineral Springs flows at 84°F near East Foothills in the Santa Clara Valley foothills, creating a modest 25-degree temperature ...
Alameda Warm Springs

Alameda Warm Springs

31.1 mi 80°F

Alameda Warm Springs flows at 80°F (27°C) in Mission Peak Regional Preserve near Milpitas, a modest thermal seep just 20 degree...

Unnamed Spring Monterey County

39.8 mi 114°F

This exceptional 114-degree thermal spring near Carmel Valley Village flows at just 255 feet elevation, creating remarkably hot...

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

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

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Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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