A comprehensive field guide to viewing more than 300 waterfalls in northern California—from the Oregon border to the mountain ranges south of the Bay Area • Waterfalls reached by car, on foot, or by canoe or raft • Falls rated from one to five stars for their appeal • At-a-glance table for selecting waterfalls by scenic rating, form, how to access, best season, and waterfall type • Organized according to highway routes and popular day trip or vacation itineraries in each region On the road and seeking prime waterfall drive-up views? Feeling like a short stroll or longer hike to bask in a refreshing spray up close? Looking for a beautiful backdrop for a family picnic? Waterfall Lover’s Guide to Northern California will tell you where to find the falls that fit the occasion.
To help you select, each waterfall is keyed for accessibility by car, on foot, by canoe, or raft, and rated for magnitude and aesthetic value. The Danielssons note which falls can be seen from the road, cast a rainbow from their base, pour directly into the Pacific Ocean, or spin wheels of water along their flow.
MATT and KRISSI DANIELSSON are avid hikers who live in Marina, California. Matt, an editor for a technology publication, and Krissi, a freelance writer, are also the authors of A Bark in the Park: The 45 Best Places to Hike with Your Dog in the Shasta/ Rogue River Region.
