San Francisco is an absolute stunner, but wait until you escape the city limits. Go in any direction and you’ll see some of Mother Nature’s finest work, but taking the road north—which starts pretty marvelously by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge—into Marin County is an absolute must for any San Francisco resident or visitor. This epic waterfall is one reason why.
From San Francisco, you've got a scenic (and very curvy) drive that passes through Muir Beach, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, and Stinson Beach (pictured here).
You'll then pass near the town of Bolinas, and head towards Point Reyes National Seashore. You'll have to drive the last few miles on a gravel road to get to the parking lot. Here's where you'll find the Palomarin Trailhead.
Follow the Coastal Trail roughly 4 miles.
Along the way, you'll pass by Bass Lake. If you want to go for a dip, this is a refreshing detour on a hot day—and there's even a tree swing!
Once you've reached this well-worn sign, you'll take a left. And yes, it may seem like you are heading off-trail, but keep following the narrow path. Watch for poison oak—long layers are highly recommended here.
You'll come across a few mini falls, like this one. A fine photo opp here, but you haven't quite reached the main attraction yet!
Come closer to the edge and take in the sweeping views at the top. The California coast is something you can never get sick of.
Now, look left: You've made your way to the top of Alamere Falls.
Turn right to descend this steep, rocky cliffside to get down to the beach. Watch your footing—it can be a bit gravelly.
Once you've reached the beach, you'll get a spectacular view of the 40-foot falls as they flow down through the beach and into the Pacific.
This is also known as a "tidefall," a rather rare (and incredibly breathtaking) phenomenon.
Be sure to pack a lunch—there's really no better spot for a picnic.
The whole hike is roughly 8.4 miles out and back. We highly recommend getting to the trailhead early (parking can be tricky the later it gets). Weekdays are, of course, less crowded. There are also several other trails to explore in the Point Reyes National Seashore area. If you're craving more cascades, though, check out these other beautiful waterfalls near San Francisco.
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