Alamere Falls - California Waterfalls; Pt. Reyes Natl. Seashore, Bolinas-hike/trail/map/directions

What more could you ask for! A waterfall dropping right into the ocean! Thats what you get at Alamere Falls, and more! This is an excellent hike along the California Coast Trail starting from the Palomarin trailhead near Bolina. It is incredibly pretty with amazing ocean views and lush vegetation (especially in spring).

It is a 4 mile hike on the Coast Trail from the Palomarin Trailhead to the turnoff to Alamere Falls. The turnoff is unsigned and easy to miss. Indeed, I saw many people walk right on by it with no clue whatsoever. Don't miss it! If you get to the bridge over Alamere Creek, you must know that you have gone too far (by about a half mile). This spur trail may have poison oak (but I did not see any), and it leads to the top of Alamere Falls. Getting to the bottom (and ocean) is very difficult and potentially very dangerous. Even getting down to the top of Alamere Falls (where the upper falls is located), is a bit tricky. Be careful. If the ground is wet, it may be slippery and dangerous.

Once down the first part, you have to cross Alamere Creek (below the upper falls), which may be difficult at high flows. You can get a nice side view of Alamere Falls from the cliffs, but again be careful, and don't get too close to the edge. If you fall off, you will die.

To get down to the beach, you must scramble down the cliff. This is dangerous and not for everyone. It is very steep and a fall here could cause a serious injury. But if you are careful, it is really not too bad.

Once down at the beach, you will be treated to a wonderful experience, standing beside a 40 ft. waterfall on the ocean. It is a lot more impressive in the winter months after there has been a lot of rain.

One very important thing to note is that you must check the tides before you come! At high tide the ocean waves will be crashing right up against the cliff, and it will be impossible to get down to the base of the falls. On one Saturday,we were hiking back from Wildcat camp and we saw hundreds of people going to Alamere Falls. Not one of them would have been able to see the falls because it was high tide and the waves were crashing against the cliffs. I don't know if it is different in the summer, but in the winter you certainly cannot get down to the beach at high tide. You can also hike up from Alamere Falls to Wildcat camp along the beach (or vice versa), but again, this can only be done at low tide.

6 Miles NW Bolinas CA (Elev. 531 ft)

Overnight
Rain. Low around 49. West southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain, mainly after 11am. High near 52. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain, mainly before 11am. High near 51. West wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 53.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 54.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 57.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 49.