These are the California waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Burney Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in California, or browse by town: Burney, Carmel Valley Village, Rancho Cucamonga, Bolinas, Yosemite Valley. You can also compare our best waterfalls in California and most beautiful waterfalls in California.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 43% of all Google reviews of California waterfalls.
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1. Burney Falls
Burney Falls near Burney takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,774 reviews.
Shasta County, CA 96013 (GPS 41.0107, -121.6528)
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1,774 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in California, about 21% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 2.7 times as many as McWay Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 7,527 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 88% five-star reviews. "Well-known scenic waterfall accessible by hiking trails & surrounded by an overlook & greenery." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Burney, about 8.9 miles to the south.
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2. McWay Falls
McWay Falls, near Carmel Valley Village, is next up, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 646 reviews.
Monterey County, CA 93920 (GPS 36.1586, -121.6716)
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646 Google reviews make it number 2 in California, about 8% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,073 photos of it. It averages 4.6 stars, with 75% five-star reviews. "Unique, 80-foot-tall waterfall flowing onto a small beach, with a short hiking trail." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Carmel Valley Village, about 25 miles to the north.
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3. Bonita Falls
Bonita Falls, near Rancho Cucamonga, is next up, rated 4.7 out of 5 from 428 reviews.
San Bernardino County, CA 92358 (GPS 34.2303, -117.5048)
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428 Google reviews make it number 3 in California, about 5% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,526 photos of it. It averages 4.7 stars, with 79% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Rancho Cucamonga, about 9.9 miles to the southwest.
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4. Alamere Falls
Alamere Falls near Bolinas is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 414 reviews.
Marin County, CA 94924 (GPS 37.9542, -122.7834)
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414 Google reviews make it number 4 in California, about 5% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,408 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 86% five-star reviews. "Day hikes to a scenic, remote spot where water cascades down a 30 ft. cliff onto a rugged beach." The nearest town is Bolinas, about 6.1 miles to the southeast.
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5. Bridalveil Fall
Bridalveil Fall near Yosemite Valley is another strong option, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 379 reviews.
Mariposa County, CA 95389 (GPS 37.7166, -119.6468)
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379 Google reviews make it number 5 in California, about 4% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,678 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 84% five-star reviews. "This famous plunge waterfall in Yosemite National Park drops from a height of 617 ft." The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 4.1 miles to the northeast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in California?
Burney Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 1,774 Google reviews. It is near Burney in Shasta County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 43% of all Google reviews of California waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in California?
Our directory lists 189 waterfalls in California. See every one, with filters and a map, on the California waterfalls page.
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.
Summary
Burney Falls near Burney is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in California, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,774 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
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.
For more options, see every waterfall on the California waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in California, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.