city guide

The best waterfalls in San Diego

A hand-picked guide to 1 of the most stunning waterfalls in San Diego. Each entry below has our personal notes, photos, driving directions and the practical detail you need to plan a visit — from parking and hike lengths to swimming rules and the best time of year to go.

#1 · 24 m drop

Cedar Creek Falls (CA)

San Diego · California · United States

Geographic Reference

Cedar Creek Falls Trail | Hiking near San Diego

This is a down-then-up trail, and it requires crossing a creek about three times before reaching the waterfall at the end.

Geology

The waterfall is quite impressive in scale and is one of the largest in the San Diego area. After doing several relatively boring “pure exercise” trails around San Diego—where there’s not much to see except endurance training—this trail stands out as one of the best in both scenery and overall experience in the region.

Read the full guide to Cedar Creek Falls (CA)

Safety first

Stay safe at every waterfall

Wet rocks, hidden currents and fast-changing weather catch out experienced hikers every year. Read our quick safety guide before you head out.

Read safety tips