Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Cruz, CA

167,835 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
14 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Redwood canyons behind Santa Cruz hold most of these fourteen falls. The big commitment is Berry Creek Falls, 65 feet deep in Big Basin, reached partway through ten and a half miles of round trip. In the Forest of Nisene Marks, Maple Falls costs 7.5 miles and 800 feet of climbing, dog friendly. Castle Rock Falls drops 80 feet near the Skyline ridge after a 1.2 mile walk. Come in the wet months, because these creeks thin out by midsummer.

Located at 36.9789°N, -122.0346°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

14 of 14 gauged

7 of 14 waterfalls near Santa Cruz are flowing strongly today

Berry Creek Falls Strong Butano Falls Roaring Golden Falls Roaring Silver Falls Roaring Castle Rock Falls Roaring Pfeiffer Falls Strong Pine Falls Strong Tehan Falls Moderate

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Today

Sunny · 73°F

Tod 73°F Sunny Best
Sat 74°F Sunny
Sun 73°F Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Lab 77°F Sunny
Tue 76°F Mostly Sunny
Wed 77°F Slight Chance Light Rain
Thu 76°F Mostly Sunny

Flowing best right now near Santa Cruz

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Castle Rock Falls Roaring · 1 cfs 99th percentile
  2. 2 Butano Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 96th percentile
  3. 3 Golden Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 96th percentile
  4. 4 Silver Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 96th percentile
  5. 5 Berry Creek Falls Strong · 2 cfs 81st percentile
  6. 6 Tehan Falls Moderate · 5 cfs 74th percentile

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Santa Cruz hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Find waterfalls to hike near Santa Cruz

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Cruz (3 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Santa Cruz (3 waterfalls)

Bring your four-legged friend along! These waterfalls welcome dogs on their trails.

Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

36.7 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

All 14 Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Maple Falls waterfall

Maple Falls

36.7 miles away
California
Moderate
7.5 miles 800 ft

Fiver Finger Falls

38 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Basin Falls waterfall

Basin Falls

38.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Upper Falls waterfall

Upper Falls

39 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Black Rock Falls waterfall

Black Rock Falls

39 miles away
California
Moderate
2.0 miles 300 ft
Triple Falls waterfall

Triple Falls

39.5 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft
Castle Rock Falls waterfall

Castle Rock Falls

6.9 miles away
California
Easy
1.2 miles 200 ft
Berry Creek Falls waterfall

Berry Creek Falls

48.9 miles away
California
Hard
10.5 miles 2 ft
Silver Falls waterfall

Silver Falls

42.7 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Golden Falls waterfall

Golden Falls

42.7 miles away
California
Moderate
2.5 miles 400 ft
Butano Falls waterfall

Butano Falls

47.6 miles away
California
Moderate
4.5 miles 500 ft

Tehan Falls

21.9 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pfeiffer Falls waterfall

Pfeiffer Falls

34 miles away
California
Easy
1.5 miles 200 ft
Pine Falls waterfall

Pine Falls

37.6 miles away
California
Moderate
3.0 miles 500 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Santa Cruz

Are there free waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

There are 2 free waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Golden Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Santa Cruz?

There are 3 easy waterfall hikes near Santa Cruz, including Castle Rock Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Santa Cruz?

There are 3 dog-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Golden Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

There are 8 kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Cruz, including Berry Creek Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Santa Cruz?

The shortest waterfall hike near Santa Cruz is Basin Falls at 1.2 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Santa Cruz?

The tallest waterfall near Santa Cruz is Castle Rock Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Santa Cruz require permits?

Yes, 1 waterfall near Santa Cruz requires a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Santa Cruz?

Yes, 2 waterfalls near Santa Cruz have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Santa Cruz?

The closest waterfall to Santa Cruz is Maple Falls, approximately 9.6 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Santa Cruz With Waterfalls

Live Oak, CA
17,707 residents
Soquel, CA
10,505 residents
Scotts Valley, CA
12,239 residents
Watsonville, CA
68,020 residents
Saratoga, CA
30,771 residents
Los Gatos, CA
33,093 residents
Cupertino, CA
59,763 residents
Campbell, CA
43,464 residents
Sunnyvale, CA
154,573 residents
Gilroy, CA
110,720 residents
Los Altos, CA
31,133 residents
Santa Clara, CA
128,058 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Santa Cruz, California

Sargent Estate Warm Spring

21.9 mi 77°F

Sargent Estate Warm Spring flows at 77°F in the hills east of Gilroy in the Diablo Range. The modest 19-degree temperature rise...
Sulphur Hot Spring

Sulphur Hot Spring

25.7 mi 100°F

Sulphur Hot Spring flows at 100 degrees in Monterey County near Seaside at just 36 feet elevation, essentially at-grade with th...

Gilroy Hot Springs

29.9 mi 106°F

Gilroy Hot Springs flows at 106 degrees Fahrenheit within Henry W. Coe State Park, a California Historical Landmark and Nationa...
Mineral Springs

Mineral Springs

30.7 mi 84°F

Mineral Springs flows at 84°F near East Foothills in the Santa Clara Valley foothills, creating a modest 25-degree temperature ...
Alameda Warm Springs

Alameda Warm Springs

31.1 mi 80°F

Alameda Warm Springs flows at 80°F (27°C) in Mission Peak Regional Preserve near Milpitas, a modest thermal seep just 20 degree...

Unnamed Spring Monterey County

39.8 mi 114°F

This exceptional 114-degree thermal spring near Carmel Valley Village flows at just 255 feet elevation, creating remarkably hot...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Santa Cruz, California on SoakingSprings.

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

Hotels & Lodges Booking.com

Find hotels, lodges, and B&Bs near the trailhead
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

← → walk · Esc to stop