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 offered here, we’ve put together the ultimate SoCal waterfalls road trip that will take you to some of our favorite falls. 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?
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
Get ready for some summer fun on this delightful road trip in SoCal that will take you to the following eight waterfalls. What a perfect way to spend an outdoorsy 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.
Address: 928 W Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
To reach Escondido Falls from the parking area along Pacific Coast Highway, you can expect to take a two-mile hike. There are several 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, one of the most peaceful waterfalls in SoCal can be reached along the Solstice Trail. Although there are more advanced hikes throughout the canyon that will take you to other waterfalls, this gem is nice and easy to reach if all you are up for is a stroll.
Address: 3455 Solstice Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
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.
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.
Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264
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.
Address: 15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065
So there you have it — the incredibly fun ultimate SoCal waterfalls road trip leading you to the most beautiful waterfalls. You may not be able to reach them all in a single trek, but you can definitely pick and choose the ones that are close to home and make a day trip out of it.
Address: 928 W Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA
Address: 27200 Winding Way, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Address: 3455 Solstice Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Address: 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
Address: Chantry Flat Rd, Arcadia, CA, USA
Address: 250 CA-138, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA
Address: 15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ultimate SoCal Waterfalls Road Trip
April 15, 2021
Melissa M
What is the tallest waterfall in Southern California?
Big Falls in San Bernardino County is considered to be the tallest waterfall in Southern California at a total height of 500 feet, although the impressive top part of the falls is only about 150 feet before continuing down to the river below. If you want to do a shorter version of the waterfall road trip above, here is our Southern California’s Tallest Falls Road Trip that will take you to four of the tallest waterfalls in SoCal.
What are the best hikes to take in Southern California?
Along with Southern California’s unparalleled beauty comes extraordinary hiking trails that lead to the most scenic spots. Hummingbird Trail in Simi Valley is a 5-mile trek that leads through incredible rock formations and rocky terrain. Torrey Pines State Reserve in La Jolla is so picturesque that you won’t even notice you’re breaking a sweat hiking; you’ll be too busy being wowed by the beauty all around you! And did you know that redwood trees exist in Southern California too? Head to Carbon Canyon Regional Park Redwood Grove in Orange County and take a magical 2.5-mile hike through a forest of these massive enchanting trees.
Are there any other road trips I can take in Southern California?
We’ve all heard of the seven wonders of the world, but how about the seven wonders of SoCal? Using our handy Scenic Road Trip guide, you can take a few days to visit marvelous places like the otherworldly Zabriskie Point in Death Valley, the lava tube at Mojave National Preserve, the Sunny Jim Sea Cave in La Jolla, and more!
Address: 928 W Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA
Address: 27200 Winding Way, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Address: 3455 Solstice Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265, USA
Address: 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
Address: Chantry Flat Rd, Arcadia, CA, USA
Address: 250 CA-138, Crestline, CA 92325, USA
Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA
Address: 15519 Thornbush Rd, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
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