Bay Area Waterfall Hikes

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. Most 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
• 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.

Tips: Footing near waterfalls is treacherous -- use extreme caution and avoid the areas where water flows over a large drop-off. Slips can be fatal if they happen at the wrong place and the wrong time.

What to bring:
Layers -- rain jacket recommended
Water and snacks
Trail maps
Camera
Binoculars