Nojoqui Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nojoqui Falls County Park |
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Nojoqui Falls, April 2011
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 Nojoqui Falls County Park
Location in California
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| Location | Santa Barbara County, California, United States |
| Nearest city | Buellton |
| Governing body | Santa Barbara County Department of Parks and Recreation |
Nojoqui Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in Santa Barbara County, California. It's found within a park that shares its name. This waterfall is special because it only flows during certain times of the year, usually after it rains a lot.
About Nojoqui Falls
Nojoqui Falls drops almost 100 feet (about 30 meters) down a rock wall. This wall is made of a type of rock called sandstone.
What makes these falls unique is how they grow. Most waterfalls slowly wear away the rock upstream. But Nojoqui Falls actually builds outward from the cliff! This happens because of the water.
How the Falls Grow
The water flowing over the falls contains tiny bits of calcium and magnesium carbonate. These are minerals from the rocks above. As the water flows and evaporates, these minerals are left behind. Over time, they build up, forming a special kind of rock called travertine.
You can think of it like how stalactites grow in a cave. They are also made of travertine and form slowly as minerals are deposited. The grooves and curved shapes you see at the bottom of Nojoqui Falls show where the rock has dissolved back into the stream over many years.
Where to Find the Falls
Nojoqui Falls is located in Santa Barbara County, California. It's about one and a half miles east of Highway 101. If you're coming from Buellton, it's about five miles south. From Solvang, it's about seven miles southwest along Alisal Road.
Once you are in the park, the falls are at the end of a short walking path. This path starts south of the main parking area. Since 2014, the area right at the base of the falls has been closed. This is because of natural events like landslides, which can make the area unsafe.
See also
In Spanish: Cascada de Nojoqui para niños
External Links
- Santa Barbara County Parks Department: Nojoqui Falls Park
- World Of Waterfalls: Nojoqui Falls
- Local Hikes: Nojoqui Falls County Park
- Central Coast Tourist: Nojoqui Falls
- Google Maps: Nojoqui Falls
