5 Must-See Waterfalls in California (2026)
If you only have time for five California waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains, Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains, and Yosemite and the Western Sierra.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited California waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Burney Falls
Burney, CA · Shasta County · Shasta Cascade and the Klamath Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 1,774 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in California, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Well-known scenic waterfall accessible by hiking trails & surrounded by an overlook & greenery." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 129 feet high. 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Pit River Falls and Kinner Falls. 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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2. McWay Falls
Carmel Valley Village, CA · Monterey County · Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 646 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in California, and it holds 4.6 stars. In short: "Unique, 80-foot-tall waterfall flowing onto a small beach, with a short hiking trail." 2 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Pfeiffer Falls and Pine Falls. It is one of 52 named falls in the Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains region. The nearest town is Carmel Valley Village, about 25 miles to the north.
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3. Bonita Falls
Rancho Cucamonga, CA · San Bernardino County · Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 428 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in California, and it holds 4.7 stars. 3 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Middleman Falls and San Antonio Falls. It is one of 52 named falls in the Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains region. The nearest town is Rancho Cucamonga, about 9.9 miles to the southwest.
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4. Alamere Falls
Bolinas, CA · Marin County · Coast Ranges and Southern California Mountains
Why it is a must-see
With 414 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in California, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Day hikes to a scenic, remote spot where water cascades down a 30 ft. cliff onto a rugged beach." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 40 feet high. 3 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Cataract Falls and Dawn Falls. 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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5. Bridalveil Fall
Yosemite Valley, CA · Mariposa County · Yosemite and the Western Sierra
Why it is a must-see
With 379 Google reviews it is the 5th most visited waterfall in California, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "This famous plunge waterfall in Yosemite National Park drops from a height of 617 ft." The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, 620 ft plunge over the south wall of Yosemite Valley on Bridalveil Creek between the north slope of Leaning Tower and the southwest slope of Cathedral Rocks. (US-T121). 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Horsetail Fall and Ribbon Fall. It is one of 67 named falls in the Yosemite and the Western Sierra region. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 4.1 miles to the northeast.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 782 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Burney Falls (start, near Burney)
- Alamere Falls, about 220 mi south
- McWay Falls, about 138 mi southeast
- Bridalveil Fall, about 155 mi northeast
- Bonita Falls, about 269 mi southeast
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.
Explore More California Waterfalls
See all 189 waterfalls in the California waterfall guide, or browse by town: Burney, Carmel Valley Village, Rancho Cucamonga, Bolinas, Yosemite Valley.
More California Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see 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?
These are the five most visited California waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 782 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.
When are Yosemite's waterfalls at their best?
Usually in May and June, when snowmelt from the high country is at its peak. By late summer some of the valley's falls shrink dramatically or stop flowing altogether, depending on the previous winter's snowpack.