10 Best Historic Waterfalls in California 2026

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, on the Tuolumne River, just above mile marker 140, on the north slope of Falls Ridge. (US-T121). Name history: Named for Professor Joseph Le Conte (1823-1901), University of California, a scientist of world-wide reputation, especially qualified in geology, chemistry and natural history. (US-T121). Older records also call it LeConte Cascade and California Falls. Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 3 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 14 miles to the southwest. The nearest other named waterfall is Waterwheel Falls, about 0.4 miles to the northwest.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 129 feet high. Name history: Designated a National Natural Landmark in December 1984. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 1,774 Google reviews. The nearest town is Burney, about 8.9 miles to the south. The nearest other named waterfall is Pit River Falls, about 9.6 miles to the east.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: 33 ft. high; on the San Bernardino National Forest, along Indian Creek 3 mi. W of Indian Mountain, 1.6 mi. SE of Angelus Hill; Sec. 36, T4S, R1E, San Bernardino Meridian. Name history: Named for a heart-shaped pile of rocks at the top of the falls. The nearest town is Valle Vista, about 3.9 miles to the southwest. The nearest other named waterfall is Andreas Falls, about 12.9 miles to the east.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: approx. 250 ft. long; located along Glen Alpine Creek on private land within Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (U.S. Forest Service); Sec 22, T12N, R17E, Mount Diablo Meridian. Name history: Named for Robert Lee Sawyier, Jr (1917-2008) and Alice Olson Sawyier (1921-2015), who owned property and a cabin overlooking the falls. The nearest town is South Lake Tahoe, about 6.9 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Horsetail Falls, about 3.7 miles to the southwest.

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). Older records also call it Bridalveil Falls and The Bridal Veil Fall. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 379 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 4.1 miles to the northeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Horsetail Fall, about 1.3 miles to the northeast.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, just east of mile marker 131 on the Merced River and just west of Emeral Pool. (US-T121). Older records also call it Nevada Fall and Peiwayak. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 321 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 1.9 miles to the northwest. The nearest other named waterfall is Silver Apron, about 0.3 miles to the southeast.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, plunges down the north wall of Yosemite Valley to its floor in two falls, the greater being nearly 1300 feet, total drop over 1600 feet. (US-T121). Older records also call it Scho-tal-lo-wi and Schoolook. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 140 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 1.5 miles to the southeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Upper Yosemite Falls, about 0.2 miles to the southwest.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, on the Merced River just west of mile marker 132 in Little Yosemite Valley and at the base of Liberty Cap. (US-T121). Older records also call it Yo-wy-we and Yo-wi-we. Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 120 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 2.6 miles to the northwest. The nearest other named waterfall is Silver Apron, about 0.4 miles to the west.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, 0.48 km (0.3 mi) north of the mouth of Falls Creek at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. (US-T121). Older records also call it Macomb Falls and Hetch Hetchy Falls. Visitors rate it 4.6 stars across 62 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 19 miles to the southeast. The nearest other named waterfall is Tueeulala Falls, about 0.4 miles to the west.

The USGS gazetteer describes it as: In Yosemite National Park, on the Chilnualna Creek, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) north of Wawona Dome and 3.2 km (2 mi) east of the settlement of Wawona. (US-T121). Older records also call it Chilanoialna Falls and Chilnoialny Falls. Visitors rate it 4.8 stars across 32 Google reviews. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley, about 12 miles to the north. The nearest other named waterfall is Red Rock Falls, about 9.1 miles to the south.