With hundreds of waterfalls scattered throughout California, which are the best in the state?

California has different biomes within the states borders as well as many lakes, rivers and waterfalls, but finding some of the best in the state can be difficult.

The state also has one of the most famous waterfalls in the world, Yosemite Falls, in Yosemite National Park. Aside from the 2,245 foot waterfall, there are nearly a dozen more waterfalls in the park including Ribbon Falls, Vernal Falls, Bridalveil Fall and Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir.

With so many waterfalls scattered across the state, what are some of the best?

What are the best waterfalls in California?

Listed below are some famous waterfalls and hidden gems scattered throughout the state.

Here are the Top 15 California waterfalls as of 2025:

McWay Falls- No. 1

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

One of the most scenic sights in beautiful Big Sur is McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall flowering directly into the sea.

Yosemite Falls- No.2

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

California may be in drought, but Yosemite Falls is still flowing. Thanks to spring rain and snow a park ranger estimated it would continue doing so through July.

Vernal Falls- No. 3

The second waterfall in Yosemite ranks in the top 15. The 317-foot waterfall flows year-round and is best seen in Glacier Point.

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: A person climbs a stairway leading to the top of Vernal Fall, with a rainbow visible, as warming temperatures have increased snowpack runoff, on April 28, 2023 in Yosemite National Park, California. Most of Yosemite Valley will close this evening until May 3rd because of forecasted flooding from melting snowpack and extended high temperatures. As of April 1, snowpack in the Tuolumne River basin of Yosemite National Park was 244% of average amid record snowpack levels for some parts of California after years of drought. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4

Rainbow Falls- No.5

The waterfall is about 2.5 miles from the Devil's Postpile National Monument in Mammoth Lakes. The falls are named after the rainbows that appear near the base of the falls on sunny days.

Bridalveil Fall- No. 6

The 620-foot waterfall is in Yosemite. There are several trails leading to the base, but it is also viewable from Highway 120.

Mossbrae Falls- No. 7

The waterfall in Dunsmuir is a short hike from the city. The waterfall has been a popular tourist destination since the 1800s and is accessible through rail or hiking, according to the city's website.

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

Mossbrae Falls in Dunsmuir.

Tokopah Falls- No. 8

The waterfall is located in Sequoia National Park in Three Rivers. The waterfall is located at the end of a 1.7-mile hike.

Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

Wapama Falls thunders into Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park.

Alamere Falls- No. 10

McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

Lower Falls on the McCloud River is the furthest downstream of three waterfalls on the river in northern Shasta County.

Paradise Falls- No. 12

Located in Thousand Oaks' Wildwood Park, the waterfall is a popular hiking location accessible through both the Santa Rosa Valley and Thousand Oaks

Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

This week's rain brought waterfalls to Rose Valley, in Los Padres National Forest above Ojai, where Caltrans employee Bob Kilpatrick took stunning pictures.

Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14

The waterfall is in Cleveland National Forest in Julian, just outside of San Diego. A permit is required to access the trail.

Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

Ending off the list is a waterfall in King's Canyon National Park. A 3.9-mile round-trip walk takes you to the 40-foot waterfall. The King's Canyon National Park website warns that the pool of water at the base of the falls is dangerous to swim in due to powerful currents.

McWay Falls- No. 1, Yosemite Falls- No.2, Vernal Falls- No. 3, Lower Eagle Falls- No. 4, Rainbow Falls- No.5 , Bridalveil Fall- No. 6, Mossbrae Falls- No. 7, Tokopah Falls- No. 8, Hetchy Hetchy Resevoir- No. 9, Alamere Falls- No. 10, McCloud River's Three Waterfalls- No. 11, Paradise Falls- No. 12, Rose Valley Falls Trails- No. 13, Cedar Creeks Falls- No. 14, Roaring Rivers Falls- No. 15

Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon Park.

What is the most beautiful lake in California?

California is also home to many lakes —some of which are prime destinations for snowboarding and skiing, such as Lake Tahoe, Big Bear, and Mammoth— but one was recently chosen as the best in the state.

Housely.com, an online home living and lifestyle platform, took the time to rank one lake in each state as the best.

The website chose Lake Tahoe as the most beautiful lake in California.

The lake is shared by California and Nevada and is the largest alpine lake in North America, according to the website.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: With hundreds of waterfalls scattered throughout California, which are the best in the state?

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