Leon Turnbull Photography

When I was here a couple weeks ago I stupidly missed seeing this waterfall (read prior post Who’ll Stop The Rain?) so I wanted to return here and finally get to it. The weather forecast was for it to be cloudy with showers all day. It was sunny. You have got to be kidding me. They could not get it more wrong if they intentionally tried to get it wrong! Clouds or sun? How difficult is that, really? Ugh!

I started out on the same trail as before. I arrived at the creek crossing above the first waterfall. The flow was way down. I was not expecting this. I was expecting it to be about the same. It has pretty much rained non stop (until this day). There was a wooden board to easily step across the creek. I did not even see the board last time because the creek was in flood. I got down to the last section before getting onto the beach. Two weeks ago it was very easy to get down to the beach. Now the trail was washed out. There was a cliff! There was no longer any way down to the beach! Well, it was not too horrible. I was able to slide down the cliff on my butt (it was a small cliff) and get onto the beach. I hoped I would not have any trouble climbing back up later. It was an interesting adventure already and I had not even gotten to the waterfall yet.

The tide was on its way out. I thought I might have to sit and wait an hour or two before I would be able to walk up the beach, however it was not a problem. I made it easily to the first waterfall of the day: RCA Beach Falls. What does RCA stand for? I have no clue. RCA Beach is a clothing optional beach, however I saw no people at all, clothed or otherwise. I did not even see any naked sea lions. Well, it was quite a bit chilly. The waterfall was in full sun. I waited. This would be my theme for the day: hike to waterfall, wait 30 to 60 minutes for clouds to pass in front of sun, take photographs, hike to next waterfall. It was a good thing I was not in a hurry. Low tide would not be until 2:30pm. There was no rush. I had all day.

Finally I got some clouds and took a photo. I certainly had to be on my toes because I only had about a minute or two before the sun was out again. RCA Beach Falls is a marvelous 50 ft. cascade dropping into the ocean. I find it hilarious when people say there are only two waterfalls in California that drop into the ocean. There are many of them! This is one. I would be seeing four more today.

Part 2 is coming …