List of waterfalls in California facts for kids

California is a state full of amazing natural wonders, and its waterfalls are definitely among the most spectacular! From towering giants to hidden gems, these beautiful cascades are formed when rivers or streams flow over a sudden drop in the land. Imagine water rushing down cliffs, creating a misty, roaring spectacle.

This article lists many of the incredible waterfalls you can find across California, organized by county. Get ready to explore some of the state's most breathtaking watery wonders!

Northern California Waterfalls

Northern California is home to many stunning waterfalls, often found in lush forests and mountainous areas. These falls can range from gentle trickles to powerful torrents, especially after heavy rains.

Alameda County

• Murrietta Falls – 100 ft (30 m)

Alpine County

• Llewellyn Falls – 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Wolf Creek Falls – 40 ft (12 m)

Amador County

• Moore Creek Falls

Calaveras County

• North Fork Stanislaus River Falls (Portage 24 Falls)

Butte County

Feather Falls

• Phantom Falls (Coal Canyon Falls) – 164 ft (50 m)
• Feather Falls – 410 ft (120 m) +
• Frenchy's Falls

El Dorado County

Horsetail Falls

• Bassi Falls – 109 ft (33 m)
• Bridal Veil Falls (Esmeralda Falls) – 81 ft (25 m)
• Eagle Falls – 160 ft (49 m)
• Glen Alpine Falls (Big Falls) – 73 ft (22 m)
• Horsetail Falls – 500 ft (150 m) +
• Modjeska Falls (Upper Glen Alpine Falls) – 51 ft (16 m)
• Pyramid Creek Cascades (Lower Horsetail Falls) – 75 ft (23 m)
• Traverse Creek Falls

Humboldt County

• Baldwin Falls – 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Gold Dust Falls – 80 ft (24 m)

Lake County

• The "Jams" Rapid Falls 30 ft (9.1m)

Mendocino County

• Dora Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Chamberlain Creek Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Russian Gulch Falls – 36 ft (11 m)

Modoc County

• Mill Creek Falls – 50 ft (15 m) +

Napa County

• Zim Zim Falls – 105 ft (32 m)

Nevada County

• Bowman Lake Falls (Sawmill Falls, Canyon Creek Falls) – 80 ft (24 m)

Placer County

• Devils Falls – 65 ft (20 m)
• East Snow Mountain Falls – 2,200 ft (670 m) +
• Grouse Falls – 504 ft (154 m)
• Heath Falls – 65 ft (20 m) +
• Hidden Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• New York Canyon Falls – 462 ft (141 m) +
• Petroglyph Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Wabena Falls – 65 ft (20 m)

Plumas County

• Chambers Creek Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Fern Falls – 35 ft (11 m)
• Frazier Falls – 178 ft (54 m)
• Halsey Falls (Hawlsey Falls) – 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Indian Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Little Jamieson Falls – 40 ft (12 m)

Shasta County

Burney Falls

Pit River Falls

• Burney Falls – 129 ft (39 m)
• McCloud River Falls (Falls of the McCloud River) – 80 ft (24 m) +
• Kings Creek Falls – 46 ft (14 m)
• Pit River Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Potem Falls – 70 ft (21 m)
• The Cascades (Kings Creek) – 198 ft (60 m)
• Whiskeytown Falls – 180 ft (55 m) +

Siskiyou County

• Ash Creek Falls
• Coquette Falls
• Hedge Creek Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Ishi Pishi Falls
• Mossbrae Falls
• Mud Creek Falls (Konwakiton Falls)
• Whitney Falls – 200 ft (61 m)

Tehama County

• Battle Creek Falls – 16 ft (4.9 m)
• Bluff Falls – 47 ft (14 m)
• Deer Creek Falls – 18 ft (5.5 m)
• Mill Creek Falls – 75 ft (23 m)

Central California Waterfalls

Central California features a mix of coastal and inland waterfalls, including some of the most famous ones in Yosemite National Park. These falls are often fed by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Contra Costa County

• Mount Diablo Falls

Fresno County

Grizzly Falls

• Big Creek Falls (Kerckhoff Cascade, The Cascada)
• Crystal Veil Falls
• Dinkey Creek Falls – 400 ft (120 m) +
• Garlic Falls – 820 ft (250 m)
• Grizzly Falls – 150 ft (46 m)
• Minnow Creek Falls – 250 ft (76 m)
• Mist Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Purple Lake Falls – 300 ft (91 m) +
• Redwood Creek Falls – 300 ft (91 m) +
• Roaring River Falls – 40 ft (12 m)
• Royce Falls (Royce Lake Falls) – 750 ft (230 m) +
• Silver Pass Falls – 475 ft (145 m)
• Silver Spray Falls – 200 ft (61 m) +
• Slissate Falls – 250 ft (76 m)
• Stevenson Creek Falls – 1,200 ft (370 m)
• Tenmile Creek Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Triple Falls – 550 ft (170 m)

Inyo County

• Darwin Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Portal Falls (Whitney Portal Falls, Lone Pine Creek Falls) – 150 ft (46 m) +

Madera County

• Angel Falls
• Camino Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Chiquito Creek Falls – 70 ft (21 m)
• Corlieu Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Jackass Falls – 160 ft (49 m)
• Nydiver Falls
• Rainbow Falls – 101 ft (31 m)
• Reconnaissance Creek Falls – 900 ft (270 m)
• Hidden Falls – 40 ft (12 m)

Marin County

• Alamere Falls – 60 ft (18 m) +
• Cascade Falls
• Cataract Falls
• Dawn Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)

Mariposa County

Vernal and Nevada Falls

Upper Yosemite Fall

Mariposa County is home to a large part of Yosemite National Park, which is famous for its incredibly tall and powerful waterfalls. Many of these falls are fed by melting snow and are at their most impressive in spring and early summer.

• Bridalveil Fall – 620 ft (190 m)
• Chain Cascade (Cascade Cliffs) – 1,150 ft (350 m)
• Chilnualna Falls – 690 ft (210 m)
• Fissure Falls – 400 ft (120 m) +
• Horsetail Fall – 2,130 ft (650 m)
• Illilouette Fall – 370 ft (110 m)
• Lehamite Falls – 1,180 ft (360 m)
• Nevada Fall – 594 ft (181 m)
• Pywiack Cascade – 600 ft (180 m)
• Quaking Aspen Falls – 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Ribbon Fall – 1,612 ft (491 m)
• Royal Arch Cascade – 1,250 ft (380 m)
• Sentinel Fall – 1,920 ft (590 m)
• Silver Strand Falls – 574 ft (175 m)
• Snow Creek Falls – 2,140 ft (650 m)
• Staircase Falls – 1,300 ft (400 m)
• The Cascades (Cascade Falls) – 750 ft (230 m)
• Three Chute Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Vernal Fall – 317 ft (97 m)
• Widow's Tears – 1,170 ft (360 m)
• Wildcat Falls – 720 ft (220 m)
• Yosemite Falls – 2,425 ft (739 m)

Mono County

• Aspen Falls
• Big Bend Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Ellery Lake Falls
• Gem Lake Falls
• Leavitt Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Lee Vining Falls
• Minaret Falls – 250 ft (76 m) +
• Rush Creek Falls (Horsetail Falls) – 200 ft (61 m) +
• Sardine Falls

Monterey County

McWay Falls

• Limekiln Falls – 100 ft (30 m)
• McWay Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Salmon Creek Falls – 120 ft (37 m)

San Mateo County

• Elliot Creek Falls
• Peters Creek Falls
• Pomponio Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Tip Toe Falls – 6 ft (1.8 m)

Santa Clara County

Berry Creek Falls

• Basin Falls – 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Black Rock Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Granuja Falls
• Triple Falls – 35 ft (11 m)
• Uvas Falls

Santa Cruz County

• Berry Creek Falls – 65 ft (20 m)
• Castle Rock Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Golden Cascade
• Silver Falls – 50 ft (15 m)

Tulare County

Tokopah Falls

• Black Wolf Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Broder Falls (Coyote Creek Falls) – 63 ft (19 m) +
• Brush Creek Falls
• Cascade Falls (Yucca Creek Falls) – 50 ft (15 m) +
• Chagoopa Falls – 1,200 ft (370 m)
• Crystal Creek Falls
• Franklin Falls
• Freeman Creek Falls – 150 ft (46 m)
• Marble Falls (Marble Fork Falls) – 600 ft (180 m)
• Middle Fork Tule River Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Panther Creek Falls
• Peppermint Creek Falls – 150 ft (46 m)
• Rock Creek Falls – 100 ft (30 m)
• Salmon Creek Falls – 450 ft (140 m) +
• South Creek Falls – 120 ft (37 m)
• South Fork Kaweah River Falls
• Sky Blue Lake Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Three-Falls-Below-The Gate (Mineral King Falls) – 200 ft (61 m)
• Tokopah Falls (Tokopah Valley Falls) – 1,200 ft (370 m)
• Tufa Falls – 450 ft (140 m) +
• Volcano Falls (Golden Trout Creek Falls)

Tuolumne County

Wapama Falls

• California Falls – 120 ft (37 m)
• Clavey Falls
• Le Conte Falls – 250 ft (76 m)
• Niagara Creek Falls – 730 ft (220 m)
• Piute Falls
• Rancheria Falls
• Tueeulala Falls – 880 ft (270 m)
• Tuolumne Falls – 100 ft (30 m)
• Wapama Falls – 1,080 ft (330 m)
• Waterwheel Falls – 360 ft (110 m)
• White Cascade – 75 ft (23 m)

Southern California Waterfalls

Southern California also has its share of beautiful waterfalls, often found in canyons and mountains that become especially vibrant after winter rains.

Kern County

• Spear Creek Falls (Poso Creek Falls)

Los Angeles County

Eaton Canyon Falls

• Bailey Canyon Falls – 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Eaton Canyon Falls – 40 ft (12 m)
• Escondido Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Falls Creek Falls – 200 ft (61 m)
• Fish Canyon Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Fox Creek Falls – 60 ft (18 m)
• Grand Chasm Falls (Rainbow Falls)
• Hermit Falls – 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Leontine Falls
• Lodged Boulder Falls
• Maidenhair Falls
• Millard Canyon Falls – 60 ft (18 m)
• Moss Grotto Falls
• Newton Canyon Falls
• Ribbon Rock Falls
• Roaring Rift Falls
• San Antonio Falls – 75 ft (23 m)
• Saucer Branch Falls (Punch Bowl)
• Sturtevant Falls – 60 ft (18 m)
• Switzer Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Thalehaha Falls (Bridal Veil Falls) – 80 ft (24 m)
• Trail Canyon Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Wolfskill Falls – 100 ft (30 m)
• Zuma Canyon Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)

Orange County

• Black Star Canyon Falls – 50 ft (15 m)
• Falls Canyon Falls – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Holy Jim Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Laurel Canyon Falls – 100 ft (30 m)

Riverside County

Tenaja Falls

Tahquitz Falls

• Ortega Falls – 35 ft (11 m)
• San Juan Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Tahquitz Falls – 60 ft (18 m)
• Tenaja Falls – 150 ft (46 m)

San Bernardino County

• Big Falls – 500 ft (150 m)
• Bonita Falls (Bonita Canyon Falls) – 230 ft (70 m) +
• Etiwanda Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Frustration Creek Falls – 60 ft (18 m)
• Monkeyface Falls – 100 ft (30 m)
• Sapphire Falls

San Diego County

• Adobe Falls
• Cedar Creek Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Kitchen Creek Falls – 120 ft (37 m) +
• Three Sisters Falls (Devils Punchbowl) - 160 ft (49 m)
• Mildred Falls - 350 ft (110 m)
• Maidenhair Falls - 20 ft (6.1 m)

San Luis Obispo County

• Big Falls – 135 ft (41 m) +
• Nacimiento Falls – 20 ft (6.1 m)

Santa Barbara County

Nojoqui Falls

• Mission Falls
• Nojoqui Falls – 80 ft (24 m)
• Rattlesnake Falls
• San Ysidro Falls
• Seven Falls
• Sisquoc Falls – 250 ft (76 m)
• Tangerine Falls (West Fork Cold Springs Falls) – 100 ft (30 m)

Ventura County

• La Jolla Canyon Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Matilija Falls – 40 ft (12 m) +
• Paradise Falls (Wildwood Falls) – 70 ft (21 m)
• Piru Creek Falls – 15 ft (4.6 m)
• Rose Valley Falls – 300 ft (91 m)
• Santa Paula Canyon Falls (The Punchbowl) – 30 ft (9.1 m)
• Santa Ynez Falls
• Solstice Canyon Falls – 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Tar Creek Falls (Emerald Falls) – 70 ft (21 m) +

California's Tallest Waterfalls

California is home to some of the tallest waterfalls in the world! Many of these giants are found in Yosemite National Park, where ancient glaciers carved out deep valleys, creating perfect conditions for massive waterfalls. Here's a list of some of the highest ones you can find:

See also

• List of waterfalls
• List of waterfalls of the United States