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Bay Area Waterfall Hikes Guide Details
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Overview:
Rainy season darkens San Francisco Bay Area skies for about three months of the year, but nature lovers have one consolation: waterfalls bursting down the canyons of the region's mountain ranges.
Bay Area waterfalls are small but scenic. Must run only from early January to late April, but the three listed here flow all year: Cataract Creek Trail (3 miles, moderate) in Marin County north of San Francisco; Berry Creek Falls (12 miles, strenuous) in Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains west of San Jose; and Uvas Canyon County Park (2 miles, easy) in Santa Clara County south of San Jose. Best time to go: after several days of rain in February or March.
Cataract Creek Trail
The hike is very simple -- no more than a mile and a half each way -- but the view is spectacular. Cataract Creek pours down a canyon with more than a half-dozen distinct waterfalls in one of the prettiest miles in Marin County.If you're lucky enough to find a parking space (go on a weekday if at all possible) the walk is straightforward: find Cataract Creek Trail and walk past Alpine Lake, then go toward the sound of roaring water. It won''t take long.
The route is quite steep most of the way. Rest up at the Laurel Dell picnic area after your climb and head back. Mind your footing on the return trip; it's downhill but it's not especially easy.
EveryTrail trip: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=206929
Driving Directions:
From Highway 101 in Marin County, take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard West exit and turn west. Stay on Sir Francis Drake for about five miles till you reach the town of Fairfax. Turn left in the turn lane just past the Valero gas station, then take an immediate right turn onto Broadway. Go about a block and turn left on Bolinas Road. Stay on Bolinas Road for about eight miles; you'll cross a dam and a find a small parking area at a sharp hairpin turn. The trail starts here.
Berry Creek Falls
This 70-foot waterfall tucked in among the towering redwoods of Big Basin state park is the best in the Bay Area. If only there were an easy way to see it.If you're up for five to six hours of trekking, the 12-mile loop from the Park Headquarters via the Sunset and Skyline-to-the-Sea trails is the hike of a lifetime (be sure to buy a map at the park HQ and consult with the rangers about trail closings -- fallen redwoods often block major trails).
The middle section of the hike passes two more falls: Silver Falls and Golden Cascade (note the footing here is a bit precarious; there's a steel cable to hang on; you'll need it). The walk from Berry Creek Falls past these two falls is one of the best at Big Basin.
There is another option for waterfall watchers who prefer shorter walks: ride a bike from the Waddell Beach trailhead about 18 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. It's a bit over five miles of riding next to Waddell Creek with 300 feet of elevation gain; you can park your bike at a rack (be sure to lock it) and walk another 15 minutes to the base of Berry Creek Falls (taking in the other falls will add a couple miles of walking).
EveryTrail Trip: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=33697
Driving directions
From Highway 17 north of Santa Cruz, take Mount Hermon Road exit and go south through Scotts Valley. Mount Hermon Road ends at an intersection with Graham Hill Road; turn right. You will immediately come to another lighted intersection (Highway 9). Turn right again. Take California Highway 9 to Boulder Creek and head west on Highway 236 for nine miles to the park entrance; continue to park headquarters.
Uvas Canyon County Park
The sound of tumbling water calms hikers and campers alike at this small park in the hills south of San Jose. Spring-fed creeks keep the water flowing year-round, though a nine-month trickle becomes a torrent at the height of the rainy season.The easy one-mile Waterfall Loop is the main attraction. Get a free map at the trailhead parking lot and follow the the signs. Be sure to catch the spur trail to Black Rock Falls, the prettiest one in the park (just be very careful on the rocks if you decide to explore it up close: the rocks are extremely slippery and it's a major challenge to keep your footing).
EveryTrail trip: http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=143865
Driving directions
From U.S. Highway 101 south of San Jose, take Bailey Avenue exit, go west for 3.2 miles, turn left at McKean Road, go 2.4 miles, continue on Uvas Road for 3.7 miles, turn right at Croy Road, go 4.4 miles to the park (last mile passes through Sveadal resort -– drive carefully, watch for kids).
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