Alamere Falls

Weekend hike to Alamere Falls I finally hiked to Alamere Falls this weekend. Overall, it wasn't difficult at all, and we finished the entire hike without needing long breaks. Time: About 5 hours This trail is long, but the difficulty is relatively low. The first half follows the coastline with gentle inclines, so as long as you keep a steady pace, it doesn't feel tiring. At the end of the hike, you reach the beach, where you'll see the waterfall flowing directly into the ocean. That alone makes the hike worth it. About the waterfall section We took the shorter route up to the waterfall. The reality is that it's not really an official trail. Instead, it's a steep slope covered with loose rocks right beside a cliff. The ground is made up of loose gravel, so it can be slippery, and there is a drop-off beside you. You can definitely climb it, and it isn't very long, but you'll need to choose your footing carefully. Just pay attention to where you step and don't rush. Things to know before you go * The waterfall looks best at low tide. * There is poison oak along the trail, so wearing long pants is recommended. * Wear shoes with good grip. * Parking fills up quickly on weekends, so arrive early. Overall thoughts Don't let the 12-mile distance scare you. Although it's a long hike, there is very little elevation gain. If you can hike Mission Peak, you'll have no problem with this trail. The scenery changes beautifully along the way. The hike begins with fields of little yellow wildflowers and towering eucalyptus trees. As you continue, you'll pass several calm lakes that look like mirrors, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds and rolling hills surrounding them. Once we reached the beach, we could already see the waterfall in the distance. As we got closer, we took off our shoes and socks to cross the icy stream. The water was freezing, but it was all part of the experience. Behind the waterfall, there's even a small cave hidden by the curtain of water. We watched an elderly woman wearing a bikini walk straight through the waterfall and sit inside the cave. I have to say, she must have incredible tolerance for cold water. Useful tips Plan your hiking time carefully. Besides checking the sunset time, make sure to check the tide schedule as well. The best experience is to arrive at the beach about an hour before the lowest tide. For example, on our visit, low tide was at 3:03 pm with a tide level of approximately -0.98 ft. Arriving before low tide gives you plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall and still hike back before dark. The drive to the trailhead is quite winding, so passengers sitting in the back may experience motion sickness. The final dirt road leading to the trailhead has plenty of large potholes. We drove a regular sedan without any issues, but you should drive carefully and avoid getting too close to the roadside ditches. On our way out, we saw a car with its right wheels stuck in one of the ditches. That's another good reason to leave the trailhead area before it gets dark.