10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in California (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of California's 189 named waterfalls, starting with Nevada Fall. The list spans the Yosemite and the Western Sierra, Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains, and Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 93 publicly accessible California waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Nevada Fall
Yosemite Valley, CA · Mariposa County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 5,052 photos of it on Google, about 42 for every review. 97% of its 120 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "594-ft. waterfall in scenic surrounds, featuring hiking trails to the top & sweeping park vistas." The setting includes Liberty Cap (summit, 0.2 mi) and Little Yosemite Valley (valley, 0.3 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 2.6 miles to the northwest.
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2. Burney Falls
Burney, CA · Shasta County · Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 7,527 photos of it on Google, about 4.2 for every review. 88% of its 1,774 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Well-known scenic waterfall accessible by hiking trails & surrounded by an overlook & greenery." The setting includes Burney Spring Mountain (summit, 1.3 mi) and Jamo Point (summit, 1.9 mi). Name history: Designated a National Natural Landmark in December 1984. It is one of 44 named falls in the Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains region. The nearest town is Burney, about 8.9 miles to the south.
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3. Lower Yosemite Fall
Yosemite Valley, CA · Mariposa County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 505 photos of it on Google, about 6.4 for every review. 94% of its 79 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Reviewers single out its wooden overlook bridge, valley views, and beautiful place. The setting includes Lost Arrow (pillar, 0.4 mi) and Yosemite Point (cliff, 0.4 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 1.3 miles to the southeast.
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4. Vernal Fall
Yosemite Valley, CA · Mariposa County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,047 photos of it on Google, about 6.4 for every review. 92% of its 321 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "Powerful 317-foot waterfall featuring a shady, steep trail to the top & sweeping scenic views." The setting includes Emerald Pool (lake, 0.2 mi) and Grizzly Peak (summit, 0.3 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 1.9 miles to the northwest.
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5. Alamere Falls
Bolinas, CA · Marin County · Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 2,408 photos of it on Google, about 5.8 for every review. 86% of its 414 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Day hikes to a scenic, remote spot where water cascades down a 30 ft. cliff onto a rugged beach." The setting includes Pelican Lake (lake, 0.5 mi) and Ocean Lake (lake, 0.6 mi). It is one of 52 named falls in the Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains region. The nearest town is Bolinas, about 6.1 miles to the southeast.
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6. Angel Falls
Oakhurst, CA · Madera County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 244 photos of it on Google, about 4.4 for every review. 84% of its 56 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its view and beautiful scenery. The setting includes Chepo Saddle (gap, 1.3 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Oakhurst, about 4.4 miles to the west.
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7. Mossbrae Falls
Dunsmuir, CA · Siskiyou County · Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,124 photos of it on Google, about 4.0 for every review. 86% of its 283 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "Picturesque 52-ft. waterfall cascading into the Sacramento River, approached by a 1-mi. trail." It is one of 44 named falls in the Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains region. The nearest town is Dunsmuir, about 2.3 miles to the south.
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8. Tokopah Falls
Three Rivers, CA · Tulare County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,364 photos of it on Google, about 12 for every review. 84% of its 110 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Viewable via hike, this 1,200-ft. waterfall flows over a granite precipice in Sequoia National Park." The setting includes Heather Lake (lake, 0.6 mi) and Aster Lake (lake, 0.8 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Three Rivers, about 17 miles to the southwest.
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9. Rainbow Falls
Mammoth Lakes, CA · Madera County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 959 photos of it on Google, about 4.0 for every review. 84% of its 239 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Numerous trails lead to these scenic falls within the lush forests of the Ansel Adams Wilderness." The setting includes Snow Canyon (valley, 0.5 mi) and The Buttresses (cliff, 0.7 mi). It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Mammoth Lakes, about 6.9 miles to the northeast.
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10. Berry Creek Falls
Boulder Creek, CA · Santa Cruz County · Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 275 photos of it on Google, about 5.2 for every review. 77% of its 53 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Reviewers single out its photos and beautiful place. The setting includes McAbee Mountain (summit, 1.2 mi) and Chalk Mountain (summit, 1.6 mi). It is one of 52 named falls in the Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains region. The nearest town is Boulder Creek, about 8.4 miles to the east.
When to Visit California's Waterfalls
Timing depends on elevation. Low-elevation coastal and Southern California falls peak during and just after winter storms, typically January through April, and often fade by June. Sierra Nevada falls follow the snowpack: in Yosemite, flows usually build in April, peak in May and June, and decline through July, with some falls dry by late summer in an average year. Big snow years extend the season; drought years shorten it sharply. Spring-fed falls in Shasta and Siskiyou counties are the exception and are worthwhile in any season. High Sierra roads such as the Tioga Road and those to the eastern trailheads usually remain closed into late spring, and summer weekends bring heavy crowds to Yosemite Valley and other well-known sites.
Before You Go
California's falls are spread across national parks, national forests, state parks and county or regional open space, with a few on tribal land. In Yosemite and other heavily visited parks, the National Park Service has used vehicle reservation systems during busy periods in recent years, so checking current entry requirements before travel is wise. Many trailheads in Southern California fill early on weekends. The most serious hazards are swift, cold snowmelt and slick granite: people regularly die after slipping into rivers above waterfalls in the Sierra, especially in late spring. In the southern mountains and deserts, sudden storms can produce flash floods in narrow canyons, and summer heat makes midday hiking risky. Wildfire closures can also affect forest access in late summer and autumn.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More California Waterfalls
See all 189 waterfalls in the California waterfall guide, or browse by town: Yosemite Valley, Burney, Bolinas, Oakhurst, Dunsmuir, Three Rivers, Mammoth Lakes, Boulder Creek.
More California Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in California?
Nevada Fall tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 120 Google reviews. It is near Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 93 publicly accessible California waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in California?
Our directory lists 189 named waterfalls in California. See them all, sorted by town, in the California waterfall guide.
Which California waterfalls flow year-round?
Spring-fed falls in the volcanic north are the most reliable, notably Burney Falls in Shasta County and Mossbrae Falls in Siskiyou County. Larger river falls such as Vernal Fall on the Merced River also keep flowing, though at much lower volume in autumn.