Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Maria, CA

143,647 residents
Los Angeles Time Zone
4 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Santa Maria? There are 4 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Santa Maria. These trails range from easy to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 34.9333°N, -120.4431°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Santa Maria

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

4 of 4 gauged

1 of 4 waterfalls near Santa Maria is flowing strongly today

Islay Falls Strong Nojoqui Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 1 hour ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

This Afternoon

Mostly Sunny · 71°F

Aft 71°F Mostly Sunny Best
Sat 72°F Mostly Sunny
Sun 71°F Mostly Sunny
Lab 75°F Mostly Sunny
Tue 74°F Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Wed 76°F Partly Sunny
Thu 75°F Mostly Sunny

Flowing best right now near Santa Maria

Updated about 2 hours ago

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

  1. 1 Islay Falls Strong · 2 cfs 82nd percentile
  2. 2 Nojoqui Falls Low · 18 cfs 22nd percentile
  3. 3 Wellhouse Falls Low · 0 cfs 10th percentile

Know when to go.

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

Find waterfalls to hike near Santa Maria

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🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Santa Maria (1 waterfall)

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.

Nojoqui Falls waterfall

Nojoqui Falls

19.2 miles away
California
Easy
0.7 miles 100 ft

🐕 Dog-Friendly Waterfall Hikes Around Santa Maria (2 waterfalls)

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

Islay Falls waterfall

Islay Falls

13.9 miles away
California
Moderate
5.0 miles 300 ft

All 4 Waterfalls Near Santa Maria

Nojoqui Falls waterfall

Nojoqui Falls

19.2 miles away
California
Easy
0.7 miles 100 ft
Islay Falls waterfall

Islay Falls

13.9 miles away
California
Moderate
5.0 miles 300 ft

Sisquoc Falls

35.3 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Wellhouse Falls waterfall CC

Wellhouse Falls

4.1 miles away
California
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Santa Maria

Are there free waterfalls near Santa Maria?

There are 3 free waterfalls near Santa Maria, including Islay Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Santa Maria?

There is 1 easy waterfall hike near Santa Maria, including Nojoqui Falls.

Are there dog friendly waterfalls in Santa Maria?

There are 2 dog-friendly waterfalls near Santa Maria, including Islay Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Maria?

There are 2 kid-friendly waterfalls near Santa Maria, including Islay Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Santa Maria?

The shortest waterfall hike near Santa Maria is Islay Falls at 0.7 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Santa Maria?

The tallest waterfall near Santa Maria is Nojoqui Falls at 80 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Santa Maria require permits?

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

Can I camp near the waterfalls around Santa Maria?

Yes, 4 waterfalls near Santa Maria have nearby campgrounds.

What is the closest waterfall to Santa Maria?

The closest waterfall to Santa Maria is Nojoqui Falls, approximately 31.2 miles away.

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Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Santa Maria, California

Newsom Springs

13.4 mi 99°F

Newsom Springs delivers 99-degree water at just 638 feet elevation in the coastal ranges, creating a remarkable 39-degree tempe...

Las Cruces Hot Springs

30.5 mi 99°F

Las Cruces Hot Springs emerges at 99°F within Gaviota State Park in Santa Barbara County, accessible via a short 350-foot walk ...
Cameta Warm Spring

Cameta Warm Spring

31.0 mi 73°F

Cameta Warm Spring flows at 73°F from the Temblor Range in San Luis Obispo County at 1,621 feet elevation near Shandon. This ro...

Pecho Warm Springs

33.7 mi 95°F

Pecho Warm Springs flows at 95 degrees Fahrenheit within Montaña de Oro State Park along the San Luis Obispo County coast, crea...

Franklin Hot Springs

40.4 mi

Franklin Hot Springs sits at 864 feet elevation in San Luis Obispo County's gentle rolling terrain near Paso Robles, positioned...

Santa Ysabel Springs (Sulphur Spr)

41.1 mi 92°F

Santa Ysabel Springs, also known as Sulphur Springs, delivers 92°F thermal water in the rolling hills east of Paso Robles. The ...

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

Explore California springs

Where to Stay

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

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