California doesn’t have the most natural waterfalls in the United States. That honor is taken by states like Washington and Oregon. But it does have some of the most sublime, and many of them within driving distance of the Bay Area.

From the sky-kissing majesties of Yosemite National Park to Pacific Coast deluges in Big Sur and Marin County, there’s always a fine waterfall to discover (though during the summer, their rage might be a bit subdued). Now Tripadvisor has compiled a 2025 ranking of the best falls in California according to travelers’ ratings, as highlighted in an article from the Ventura County Star.

“California has different biomes within the state’s borders as well as many lakes, rivers and waterfalls, but finding some of the best in the state can be difficult,” writes the paper’s Ernesto Centeno Araujo. So take this as your guide — and always check the trails and park status, as some viewing spots might be closed. For instance, No. 1 winner McWay Falls is only visible from the highway until 2026, and Alamere Falls in Marin requires a 13-mile minimum hike.

Tripadvisor’s top California waterfalls for 2025

1: McWay Falls, Big Sur

2: Yosemite Falls, Yosemite

3: Vernal Fall, Yosemite

4: Lower Eagle Falls, Lake Tahoe

5: Rainbow Falls, Mammoth Lakes

6: Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite

7: Mossbrae Falls, Dunsmuir, Siskiyou County

8: Tokopah Falls, Sequoia National Park

9: Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, Yosemite

10: Alamere Falls, Marin County

— John Metcalfe, Bay Area News Group