LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Tehan Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Tehan Falls has been posted closed to the public, with no official trail to it. We could not find a current East Bay Regional Park District trail or staging area that serves the falls, so do not trespass from nearby neighborhoods.
About Tehan Falls
Tehan Falls is a seasonal waterfall in Tehan Canyon on the east side of Pleasanton Ridge, above the west edge of Pleasanton, California. It sits on publicly owned land that a city planning document describes as inaccessible to the public, with a future trail proposed but not confirmed as built. The falls run mainly after winter rains.
The Setting
Tehan Falls sits at 860 feet within Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, in the foothills of California.
Trail & Hike Details
Accessibility
Accessibility information for Tehan Falls is not available. The trail may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Tehan Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Tehan Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer may be the best times to visit, as water flow is typically higher during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Safety Information
Trail conditions may be unmarked or rugged. Visitors should exercise caution, especially during wet or slippery conditions. Always inform someone of your plans before visiting remote areas.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Arroyo De La Laguna A Corte Madrid, 1.7 miles away, not on Tehan Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
6 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 2 years of record
5.22 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge ARROYO DE LA LAGUNA A CORTE MADRID NR PLEASANTON (3 km away).
Today
Low
6 cfs
6/10Tomorrow
Low
24 cfs
6/10Thu
Low
21 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
9 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
8 cfs
5/10Sun
Moderate
15 cfs
5/10Mon
Moderate
16 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to mid March, peaking in February.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Pleasanton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Tehan Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Tehan Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 73°F to 54°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 6 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 286 feet of descent through Tehan Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 866 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 90 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 163 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 866 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 286 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
860 feet above sea level
Coordinates
37.673264° N, -121.939959° W
Land Management
Managed by REG Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Where to Stay
Four Points by Sheraton Pleasanton
Residence Inn Pleasanton
Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn
La Quinta by Wyndham Dublin - Pleasanton
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Nearby Attractions
Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, with staging areas on Foothill Road including Tyler Ranch and the Foothill Staging Area, has many miles of open ridge trails.
Wildlife
The area may host typical California wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and insects. Be cautious of potential encounters with snakes or other wildlife.
Cities near Tehan Falls
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