The Ultimate Southern California Waterfalls Road Trip Is Right Here And You’ll Want To Do It
It’s hard not to love the sight and sound of a waterfall — especially on a hot summer day. So what’s better than seeing only one waterfall? How about an entire weekend devoted to seeing MANY waterfalls?!
Because we know how much you love all the natural beauty that SoCal has to offer, we’ve put together the ultimate waterfalls road trip that will take you to some of our favorite falls right here in SoCal. Some are big, some are small, and some are perfect for an afternoon swim. You may not be able to hit all of these in a single day or even in a single weekend, but pick a few that are close to home and use our customizable map to navigate your way there.
All of the falls on this list require a hike, so make sure to plan accordingly. Bring comfy shoes, lots of water, and a healthy dose of sunscreen. Ready to hit the road?
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Get ready for some summer fun on this delightful road trip that will take you to the following eight waterfalls. What a perfect way to spend an outdoorsy SoCal weekend.
Tucked inside Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you'll find a beautiful waterfall that is a delight to see after a short hike through the park. Although there are miles and miles of trails in Wildwood Park, you can reach Paradise Falls by taking a short 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead.
To reach Escondido Falls from the parking area along Pacific Coast Highway, you can expect to take a two-mile hike. There are severals falls along this trail that are more appropriate for an adventurous hiker, but for those who prefer an easier hike, experiencing the lower falls is quite breathtaking and doesn't require a lot of effort to reach.
If you're seeking an easy to reach waterfall without a strenuous hike, this may be the perfect spot. Located in Malibu within Solstice Canyon, this peaceful waterfall can be reached along the Solstice Trail. Although there are more advanced hikes throughout the canyon that will take you to to other waterfalls, this gem is nice and easy to reach if all you are up for is a stroll.
4. Eaton Canyon Falls (1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena)
To experience this beautiful waterfall in Pasadena, you'll take a fairly flat 4-mile round trip hike. Depending on your pace, this should take anywhere between 2.5 to 3 hours. This is quite a popular destination, so try to hit the trail early to avoid the crowds.
If you're seeking a shady place to spend a hot summer day, Sturtevant Falls may be the perfect SoCal destination. Located in Santa Anita Canyon, this picturesque destination is nestled inside a woodsy forest filled with many beautiful trails. You'll be treated to a 3-mile hike with a refreshing reward at the end of the trail -- a beautiful and ice cold waterfall that is exactly what you need on a hot summer day.
Located in Crestline, this scenic destination will take you to a heart-shaped rock and a waterfall all on the same trip. The hike is fairly easy and will take under an hour depending on your pace. As with many of the falls on this list, morning is the ideal time to be on the trail for the best experience possible.
7. Tahquitz Falls (500 W Mesquite Avenue, Palm Springs)
Since this waterfall is located in the desert, you may want to add this to your post-summer bucket list for the best experience possible. If you do brave this trail in the heat of the summer, just make sure to pack plenty of water and try to go as early in the day as possible. Once you arrive, you'll take a short one-mile hike to find this charming waterfall that will definitely cool you off on a hot summer day.
If you're up for a six-mile hike, this beauty in San Diego County is worth the trek. Tucked inside the remote town of Ramona, you'll be enchanted by the stunning falls at the 3-mile marker. Make sure to bring along plenty of water, as this hike has very little shade so you'll want to stay nice and hydrated.
So there you have it — an incredibly fun road trip that will take you to SoCal’s most beautiful waterfalls. You may not be able to reach them all in a single destination, but you can definitely pick and choose the ones that are close to home and make a day trip out of it.
