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    Carson Falls

    3.9 (26 reviews)

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    Joan W.

    Round trip about 3 miles/2 hours. Park at Azalea Hill and start at the Pine Mountain Trail. If the area is full there is some parking along Bolinas road. The first part of the hike isn't that impressive trail wise. Depending on the time of the year it can be dry and dusty or very muddy. It's also rocky so I would recommend hiking boots or sturdy sneakers (no keds or flip flops). The views are vast, you can see all the way to the bay and Mt. Diablo in the distance. At about a mile take a left on Oak Road. From there go down until you hit Carson Falls Trail and make a right. This trail is better because it's more shady and forresty. Once you get to the waterfall you can view it at the top but there is also a couple of other viewing areas past the bridge down the trail. I like this waterfall because there are many different levels and it has great photo opportunities. It's also quite the social scene on weekends which make it fun yet can get a bit crowded while trying to take photos. For the serious photographer come super early or on a weekday.

    Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs blend in
    suzanne w.

    3 mile round-trip hike from Azalea Hill parking lot and back. This is Watershed land managed by Marin Water which means dogs are allowed on leash. Bikes are not allowed on trails, only the fire roads. Waterfalls are glorious. They are home to Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs which is listed as both a federal and state species of special concern. The frogs breed in spring so it is important to keep out of the water from March through May or you might crush frogs eggs or tadpoles. Frogs, eggs and tadpoles are same greenish/gray color as the rocks so they blend in but if you have patience and/or binoculars you can spot them. You may also see newts, salamaders, lizards, all kids of wildflowers and lots of poison oak. Keep your feet and your dogs out of the falls to protect these sensitive species!

    | www.eddie-hernandez.com
    Eddie H.

    Unlike most waterfall hikes, this one is not covered. From Fairfax-Bolinas Road at Pine Mountain Road. There are about 8-10 parking spots on the left hand side of the road while the trail starts on the right hand side of the road. The first 1/2 half of this hike is mostly uphill and will catch you a little off-guard and leave you breathing a little harder than expected. There are 3 tiers of waterfalls at the top and 1tier of falls at the bottom (the biggest of the 4 which is about 35 feet). Collectively, the 4 falls are about 80 feet and if you position yourself correctly, you can capture all 4 in one shot. This hike is just over 3 miles round trip but with the elevation change during the first leg of the trail, you'll feel like you've been hiking a bit longer. =============== For more hiking recommendations: http://www.yelp.com/list_details?list_id=kc_cpimm3r3OA07lrBGKBA

    Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.

    It's only 1.3 in, really. Depending what you do it is about 3 miles back and forth with a decent net gain - it's a short hike that will make you feel like you worked hard if you go at a click. http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/carsonfalls.html That is solid advice, except the right onto broadway doesn't mention it's actually a right from Pastorini to Belmont which becomes Central which becomes Broadway. Here's a public album of snow capped peaks on a brisk late winter Sunday. It's the time the falls are really flowing. Don't be fooled either, there's endless hiking and loops up here that go for days. You can hike to the falls, or you can also hike around the falls up the falls down the falls my oh my what a good day. pics: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=111894&id=1211590808&l=f7194cb3f7

    Marissa C.

    We took the Azalea Hills route and what was supposed to be about 5 miles turned into 8 miles because my friend led us off trail and lost. The shaded areas are super pretty with the giant redwoods and makes a pleasant hike. Once you're out in the sun though, its dry and rocky...reminded me of Mission Peak in Fremont. Expect it to be all uphill in the start but after that it's not that bad at all. Unfortunately, the falls had no water when we went so it was just a giant rock with some leftover moldy looking water at the bottom. No falls at Carson Falls for us =( but it was still a decent hike.

    Carson Falls after a rain, near Faifax. Beautiful place to go to get away from it all for the day.
    Ron W.

    4 falls totaling about 80 feet high. Short hike less than 2 miles each way. The incline can be a bit strenuous for older folks so just walk slowly. As with all falls it is best viewed after a good rainfall. Nice quiet place usually not crowded at all on weekdays. Great place for photography, post card views. Excellent for picnics too. To get there from US 101 in Marin County, exit San Anselmo/Sir Francis Drake. Drive about 5 miles west on Sir Francis Drake to Fairfax. Turn left on Pastori, right on Broadway, and left onto Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Drive about 4 miles on Fairfax-Bolinas Road to the parking lot on the left side of the road has about 10 parking spaces. The whole Carson Creek area is a really nice place to explore.

    Falls within 2 miles of starting the 8 mile long scenic and moderate hike
    Mahak R.

    Good number of options of hikes to choose from in this area. Dog friendly trails. Biking and walking both. A bit challenging on a sunny day as there is a lot of open trails and are also quite steep in some areas. Be on a look out for snakes though!

    Trail map at the trailhead- endless trails to choose from!

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    what a fantastic place - a magical spot right in our own backyard. Be sure to check it out this winter.

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    Review Highlights - Carson Falls

    Drive about 4 miles on Fairfax-Bolinas Road to the parking lot on the left side of the road has about 10 parking spaces.

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    Alamere Falls - Point Reyes National Seashore - Honeysuckle  on the trail of Alamere Falls

    Alamere Falls - Point Reyes National Seashore

    (564 reviews)

    Wow--absolutely spectacular, magical, and truly epic!…read more Alamere Falls is one of the most breathtaking hidden gems along the California coast, tucked inside Point Reyes National Seashore. What makes it so special is that it's a rare "tidefall," where the waterfall flows directly into the ocean--something you can only see in a couple of places in California, including McWay Falls. Watching the water cascade over the rugged shale cliffs onto the beach below is simply unforgettable. The surrounding landscape feels wild and untouched, adding to the sense of adventure. Upstream, the smaller cascades create a beautiful lead-up to the main falls, making the entire hike feel like a journey through nature's artwork. This spot is not just a destination--it's an experience. From the scenic hike to the dramatic ocean views, every moment feels rewarding. If you're looking for something unique, peaceful, and awe-inspiring, Alamere Falls absolutely delivers.

    This is a bucket list hike if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Alamere Falls is one of 2 falls of…read moreits kind in California, one of 3 of its kind in the US and only one of 34 in the world. Yes bucket list if you are looking for a waterfall that dumps directly onto an Oceanside Beach. Pretty Amazing. For us we took the 13 mile RT hike in 6 hours total including about 20 minutes to eat lunch. We left San Francisco at 8am, arrived at the parking lot around 9:15am and hot back to the parking lot around 3:30pm. Our group ranged in age from 23-60. Trail was muddy and slippery in some parts. Some classify it as a moderate-difficult hike. I personally ride a bike about 5,000 miles a year and still had soreness in my ankles and at one point felt some shin splints that I worked through. We took the 5.3 long route down to Wildcat camp and walked the last mile along the beach south to the falls. Here is the catch. Probably the most dangerous part of the hike is if you want to see both the top tide pools as well as be on the beach at the bottom. There is a small eroding hillside just 20 yards to the North of the falls with eroding unsecure slippery rock that really allow only one person at a time climb up or down. It is a 50 foot ascent or descent. I saw two people coming down scrape their leg and/or back after a slip. We did not take the shortcut which is usually guarded by the ranger as the shortcut is full of poison oak, is a manmade path thar ruins the environment and is dangerous. That said, taking the long way along the beach and then climbing up the 50 ft cliff is the more ecologically friendly and safer, but longer way around. To give a sense, we saw nobody coming back on the legal path but tons of people on the illegal path which after a bit seemed like the traffic jams hou see at My Everest. So here is what they don't say that I would say. If you are overweight and out of shape don't do this hike. I'd say on average not to bring anyone younger than 12 or older than 65. Watch the tide times. We saw high tide was 12:30pm and got there just at noon when the tide was coming in. During high tide Wildcat Beach makes it difficult to get around the rocks without getting wet or stand in front of the falls for a picture. The last mile or so of road is filled with potholes and non-maintained road. Bring your higher clearance cars. Civics and Prius cars should stay at home. Wear good shoes. No tennis shoes or running shoes or sandals there is lots of poison oak especially on the shortcut so wear long sleeves and pants. I didn't get any but I was pricked by a stinging nettles plant! Ouchie! Last, really gauge you time right. We were leaving at 3:30 and people were asking how much further. They had two hours of hiking and by then sunset was going to hit. Even if they got there in time, that was going to be a dark and scary hike back in the dark for almost 6 miles. There is some elevation. Bring plenty of water and good snackable items

    Cataract Falls Trail - 1.10.26

    Cataract Falls Trail

    (256 reviews)

    Went here with a friend and her dog and had such a great time. Such a beautiful, peaceful hike and…read moredefinitely one of my favorites on Mount Tam. The drive in was beautiful too, the views of Alpine Lake along the way made the whole trip feel extra special before we even got to the trail. Be prepared for a lot of stairs, so it can definitely get your legs working, but the waterfalls make it completely worth it. Hearing the water and being surrounded by all the greenery made the whole hike feel so calm and relaxing. The views throughout the hike are gorgeous, and it's such a nice escape if you're looking for something peaceful and scenic. Definitely recommend checking out Cataract Falls if you're up for a little workout with a really rewarding payoff. Definitely will be coming back :)

    3/21/2026, on our quest of visiting as many Water Falls as we can while we're still in CA, we drove…read moreto see the Cataract Falls Trail in Fairfax (Bolinas) from the East Bay. Took the 880-80-580-San Raphael Bridge to Fairfax and follow the Apple Map to the trail. We had to park on the street quite away from the trail, but it's a hiking day so it's OK. From the bottom to the Falls is about 1 mile up hill a little but we stopped there and not going up higher. There's a lake on the way to the falls on the left which is very nice. The trail is narrow sometimes. It was a nice experience and the Cataract Falls actually has water running down. We're very happy. This one is close to the Cascade Falls which we went last year and saw dried up falls, no water, so we will try it on the way back. https://youtu.be/b-TLp1fuw1g

    Audubon Canyon Ranch

    Audubon Canyon Ranch

    (6 reviews)

    We went here for a fourth grade field trip with All Hands Ecology, and it was a magical experience…read morefor all involved. The grounds are rich with insects, wildlife, and plants, and the views of Bolinas lagoon are stunning, especially watching the birds feed from the binoculars at the lookout. Hiking paths abound. From marshlands to creeks with towering redwoods, this property has it all!

    Martin Griffin Preserve/Audubon Canyon Ranch is pretty neat if you like to see Great Egrets…read more(suppose to see Great Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets too) in trees, they have several fancy telescopes to get a better look at them. Stop & Park, then register at the table that was near the entrance. Suggested donation is $15 or FREE if you're a cheapskate, it's voluntary & you just put the registered card into the box with the money you want to donate. They supposedly have 8 total miles to hike, but since we were there late about 2pm we could only do the 3 mi Zumie Loop Trail. First we saw Clem Miller Lookout where you see Bolinas Lagoon, then we went to Parsons Pond which is not much of a pond to me - lots of overgrown weeds. Then we climbed & climbed in the hot sun which I didn't like. No views! After all the climbing we go down a bit & got to sit on Chase Swing! How often do you see a swing on a hike! After that lots of down, then ups. Ferns/creek similar to Mt Tam. Saw what looked like Lightning Tree - not that great looking & I didn't take a pic of it - my bad. Saw Cookson Bench - long triangle bench V. put his bag down on.Henderson Overlook elev. 240 is the Highlight of the Preserve. It's got a docent there & about 6 telescopes to see the Egrets. Supposedly there was about 58 Great Egrets in May 2012 - they were sitting, preening, flying. it was pretty neat. Worth a view. Only open Mid March-Mid July Sat, Sun, Holidays. Website: http://www.egret.org/

    Palomarin Trailhead

    Palomarin Trailhead

    (62 reviews)

    We decided to go up to Alamere Falls this Saturday morning. Parking lot was not that full yet at…read more8am, maybe about 8-10 cars. There are lots of parking at this trail but by afternoon, good luck!! I would definitely come here super early to beat the crowd like we did! The road going here is very zigzag roads and some may get sick. Also, the road is very narrow and lots of loose gravel and lots of potholes so drive with caution. The trails are very well maintained. Lots of people traffic though. We got there early so there was barely anyone there but by the time we started going back, I stopped counting after a hundred people! Very popular trail as everyone wanted to go to Alamere Beach Waterfalls! We didn't go to the campgrounds as it was too far. Just going to Alamere Falls and back was already over eight miles! Alamere trails is another different review! I really enjoyed this trail as it goes along the coast and see the ocean views! Just beware there is a lot of poison oak! I saw a lot along the trail! It's part shade so wear a hat. Some parts of the trails goes up and down and lots of loose rocks so you can sleep. I would rate this trail moderate to hard as it's a long trail! Good workout!! I totally enjoyed this trail but recommend to come really early if you come on the weekend!! [31st R]

    Can I go back to last Thursday when I hiked this trail?! I couldn't have asked for better weather,…read moresunny, light breeze, mid-70s, and best of all, pretty empty! I'm not sure how anyone can find this place because there are no marked signs or paved roads to get to the parking lot or base of the trail. As a passenger, I was oblivious to driving directions. I must say that all the twists and turns left me a bit car-sick and thankfully that quickly passed. There are about 4 restroom stalls in the parking lot that stunk badly. Now onto the positive aspects of Palomarin. Many reviewers have mentioned that this trail to the falls is about 8 miles round-trip. I think I finished in about 4.5 hours with stops here and there at a leisurely pace. I bet the sunset would have been beautiful, but I left around 6:30pm. What I love about this hike is that there's a little of everything in terms of views and things to see. I saw the ocean, a lake, a fox, waterfalls, nature, and fresh air. I wonder if the waterfalls are always flowing, even a few years ago during the drought... A great pit-stop before coming to Palomarin is to stop in Stinson Beach for lunch or dinner. I'm glad lunch was eaten before the hike. Next time I'll bring snacks. Luckily I had brought lots of water. Still having Palomarin withdraws... #53/2018

    Matt Davis Trail

    Matt Davis Trail

    (60 reviews)

    This trail is lush trail with lots of greenery, ferns, and streams in the winter. It's canopied for…read moremost of the trail but there are some clearings with views of Stinson. I think it's easiest to park at the Pantoll campground. It's about 4 miles to Stinson Beach from here. This hike can be done as an out and back or a loop with the Steep Ravine Trail.

    I just hiked this whole trail yesterday, and it was pretty hard…read more The first mile uphill from the Stinson Beach Fire Station was killer. Have you ever just wanted to walk up steep, slippery stairs for a mile straight? If so, this may be the hike for you. That being said, the scenery is unreal. The redwoods are covered in so many deep, thick layers of lichen and mosses, it's like a mini forest on each tree. The canyons, which can be hundreds of feet high, are filled to the brims with ferns, buckeye, and rhododendron. Many of the underlying rocks are serpentine. Mini waterfalls dripping through moss over serpentine looks like something out of a fairy tail. Imagine you're staring at one, and a red fox trots up. I've had a few of these follow me, especially at dusk. I've never heard of one attacking a human, but they can be annoying and kind of hard to scare off. Some other animals I've seen on this trail over the years include deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, and all kinds of birds. I also saw a few white butterflies with gold streaks on their wings. The flowers are too numerous to name in a review, but some of my favorites that I saw this time were the Calypso orchids, poppies, lupine, irises, lilies, shooting stars, blooming grasses and miners lettuce, and more. By the time I finished hiking this trail, I could barely walk. Mission accomplished, I guess. The signs are pretty easy to follow, and I had an easy time figuring out how to make a loop from Pantoll to Stinson Beach and back. There was no water anywhere on the trail, and the closest food stores are the convenience stores and restaurants in Stinson Beach. One of the hardest but also most beautiful hikes I've done. The whole trail is just over four miles long, but took me nearly two hours to complete since I was going uphill and had done Steep Ravine first.

    Carson Falls - hiking - Updated May 2026

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