Alamere Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Northern California, known for being one of the only waterfalls in the United States that pours directly into the ocean. The waterfall cascades over a 40-foot-high cliff, creating a stunning and impressive view.
HIKE TO: Alamere Falls Trail: Palomarin Trailhead > Coast Trail > Alamere Falls MILES: 13.7 miles TIME: 6 hours hike time + time at the waterfall DIFFICULTY: moderate-strenuous ELEVATION: 259 ft / 79 m ELEVATION GAIN/ LOSS: 1,817 ft HIKE PERMIT: no PARKING PERMIT: no LOCATION: Point Reyes National Seashore’s Phillip Burton Wilderness, California
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Alamere Falls Trailheads
There are three main trailheads that lead to Alamere Falls: Bear Valley, Five Brooks, and Palomarin.
From all three of these trailheads, you will make your way to Wildcat Camp. From Wildcat Camp, you will make your way down Wildcat Beach to reach Alamere Falls.
The most popular trailhead to Alamere Falls is Palomarin which starts you off on the Coast Trail. This trail is considered to be a hard route mostly because of its long distance but also because of its elevation gain.
How to Get to Alamere Falls from Palomarin Trailhead
To begin the hike, you start by passing through a eucalyptus grove. As you continue down the trail, you make your way to a forested area that provides a significant amount of shade.
As you keep going down the forested trail you will pass by a few small lakes including Bass Lake and Pelican Lake.
About 4 miles into the hike down Palomarin Trailhead, you will reach the Alamere Falls Shortcut. The shortcut is highly discouraged due to dangerous conditions so you will want to continue on the path and follow signs for Wildcat Campground.
As you continue on your hike, you will reach a fork in the trail. To continue on the Coast Trail, you will want to take the right fork.
After about 1.5 miles you will reach the Wildcat Campground. Once you reach the campground you will need to continue hiking about 1 mile down the beach to reach Alamere Falls.
It’s important to note that you will want to check tide charts before heading out on this hike. Oftentimes during high tide, the beach is completely covered by the water, trapping hikers from continuing on their journey to Alamere Falls.
Alamere Falls Parking
Depending on which trailhead you choose, there is parking at Bear Valley Trailhead Parking Lot, Palomarin Trailhead Parking Lot, and the Five Brooks Parking Lot.
The Bear Valley Parking Lot offers the most parking spaces. However, the Five Brooks Parking Lot has a few spaces designated for oversized vehicles, if you are looking for a place to park your trailer or large vehicle.
All three parking lots fill up fast so it’s important to get to the trailhead early to reserve your parking spot.
Alamere Falls Shortcut: Everything You Need To Know
Many hikers reference a shortcut to Alamere Falls, claiming it can cut the trail distance by almost half. It’s crucial to understand that this is an unregulated, unmaintained path, and it presents numerous risks to hikers, such as eroding cliffs, unstable rocks, lack of cell phone coverage, and other hazardous conditions.
There have been several incidents where hikers got hurt trying to follow this shortcut. For your safety and in keeping with Leave No Trace principles, it is strongly advised not to take the Alamere Falls shortcut and to stay on the designated trails.
The Best Time Of Year For An Alamere Falls Hike
Alamere Falls is located about an hour away from the San Francisco Bay Area. Due to the Bay Area’s consistently mild climate, Alamere Falls is open for exploration throughout the entire year.
Hiking to Alamere Falls is a wonderful experience no matter when you choose to go. However, the prime time for an Alamere Falls hike typically falls during the months of August and September. This is because these months offer warm, sunny conditions, with less rainfall.
What to Pack for An Alamere Falls Hike
- Long Sleeve Shirt- Lululemon Swiftly workout shirt or Himali sun shirt (10% off with this link)
- Sun Hat- Sunday Afternoons Charter Hat
- Day Pack- Gregory Nano 18 Backpack
- Sunblock- Think Sport Face
- Hiking Boots- Danner Mountain 600 Boots
- Water Bottle- Nalgene
- Energy Bars- Honey Stinger Oat bars are currently my favorite!
- Hiking Pants- See my favorite hiking leggings here
Tips For Hiking Alamere Falls
- Wear Hiking Boots– Due to the waterfall’s convenient location next to the coast, it is not uncommon for the trail to be muddy. Make sure you wear hiking boots so that you have great traction throughout your hike.
- Bring Layers- This area of California is known for its fog and being cloudy, make sure you pack layers with you so that you stay warm regardless of whether the sun is out or not. Remember, you are also hiking on the coast which is always cooler than inland.
- Carry Plenty of Water- This hike is considered to be both challenging and long, so make sure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated during your hike.
- Arrive at the Trailhead Early- The parking lots fill up fast so it’s important to arrive at the parking lots early in the morning so that you can get your spot near the trailhead.
- Check The Tide Beforehand– It’s very important to complete this hike during low tide. During high tide, the waves may cover the beach and force you to turn around on your hike so while the hike is beautiful, you won’t have the chance to make it to the waterfall destination.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles- Make sure that you stay on the designated trail at all times and follow Leave No Trace Behind Rules. This is important for preserving our trails and allows all hikers to enjoy the great outdoors.
FAQs About Alamere Falls
How long is the Alamere Falls hike?
Depending on which trailhead you pick, the hike to Alamere Falls is roughly 14 miles in length.
How hard is Alamere Falls?
The Alamere Falls hike is considered to be a hard hike as you experience an elevation gain of over 1,800 feet and the hike is roughly 14 miles long.
What is the shortest trail to Alamere Falls?
The shortest trail to Alamere Falls is from Palomarin Trailhead, making it a 13.7-mile roundtrip hike. The other trail options are 14.8 miles and 15.6 miles roundtrip.
What is the source of Alamere Falls?
The Alamere Creek feeds into Alamere Falls, which makes its way to the Pacific Ocean.
Final Thoughts On The Alamere Falls
Alamere Falls stands as one of the United States’ few tidefalls, making it a must-visit spot for those in search of an exciting waterfall hike in Northern California. The Alamere Falls hike provides you with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and one of the most epic waterfalls in the state of California, making it a bucket list worthy hike in the United States.
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Places to Stay Near Point Reyes CA
- Budget-Friendly Standard Lodge: Muir Woods Lodge – Experience comfort on a budget and relax in clean, well-maintained rooms, while enjoying the convenience of being close to the natural beauty of Muir Woods. Affordable and cozy, it’s the perfect base for your Bay Area adventures – click here to book your stay at Muir Woods Lodge.
- Cabin-vibes: Mountain Home Inn – This Inn gives you all the cabin vibes with a real log fireplace and epic views of the valley. The outdoor patio has stunning views and it’s easy to access hiking trails in Mount Tom and Muir Woods. Not the mention, the free breakfast is delicious and the rooms are clean – click here to book your stay at Mountain Inn.
- Luxury B&B feels: Olema House at Point Reyes – Experience coastal charm at this hidden gem near Alamere Falls. Cozy rooms with rustic elegance, modern amenities, a tranquil garden, and a farm-to-table dining experience, this lodging offers the perfect blend of comfort and natural beauty for nature lovers – click here to book your stay at Olema!
Things to Do Nearby
Driving up from Southern California? Stop by Big Sur! Use this guide to find the best glamping and must-see hikes near Big Sur.