Alamere Falls Hike – A Coastal Hike To A One Of a Kind Waterfall

Alamere Falls is located just a little over an hour North of San Francisco. The views that you’ll experience on this hike are just incredible. As a bonus, the hike ends at a stunning cascading waterfall! The Alamere Falls hike is not the easiest of hikes, but it makes for a fantastic day out. Along the hike are plenty of excellent stops where you can stop for a picnic or even a swim in one of the lakes. We’ll talk about everything you need to know about the hike, starting at the Palomarin Trailhead.

Alamere Falls ​Hike – What to Expect

• Parking – For this hike, I recommend parking at the most popular starting point, the Palomarin Trailhead parking lot. During the weekends and the summer, the parking lot fills up very quickly, so get here early, or you may be turned away.
• Hike Profile – From the Palomarin Trailhead, the hiking distance is about 13 miles (20 km) round trip to Alamere Falls, although there are shortcuts available. There are additional extensions if you are feeling incredibly energetic or looking for a long day out. The elevation gain during the trail is 596 meters.
• Dogs – No dogs are allowed on any of the trails.
• Park Hours – Open every day from 8 am until sunset.
• Admission – Admission to this site is free, and parking is also complimentary.

Getting to Alamere Falls 

Alamere Falls is 34 miles North of San Francisco, which is approximately a 90-minute drive. The Palomarin Trailhead parking lot is at the north-western end of Mesa Road. Be careful driving as you near the parking lot since the road is an unpaved dirt road with huge potholes.

Parking at Alamere Falls

Parking is free at Alamere Falls; however, it does fill up very quickly. Also note, the parking lot is an unmarked dirt lot. Even though there is a lot of space, the parking capacity is still a problem due to the Alamere Falls’ popularity. I’d recommend arriving very early (before 8:30 AM), especially in the summer and on the weekends, to ensure that you don’t miss out on a parking spot. You can park along Mesa Road, but it will add extra mileage to your overall hike. There are restroom facilities at the parking lot, so ensure you use them before heading off.

Alamere Falls Hiking Trail

There are a few variations to the Alamere Falls hike that will vary in mileage. Starting from the parking lot, expect a minimum round trip distance of 8 miles. Because of the Falls’ coastal location, there is no shade on the hike. Make sure you dress appropriately and pack plenty of water on a hot day. The Alamere Falls Trail offers excellent views of the Pacific Ocean throughout the hike. On a clear day, you can also see the Farallon Islands. The trails are well marked, which is great considering that cellular signal is spotty at best. When you arrive at the actual Alamare Waterfall, you can walk past the top falls and cross over it, which will lead you down to the other falls.

Trail Attractions and Conditions

The Palomarin Trailhead starts at the parking lot. After the first mile, the trail will take you through woodland patches and then climbs towards Pelican Lake. You can take a moment to admire the nature here and be on the lookout for salamanders and frogs. Alternatively, if it’s a hot day, you can pack your swimwear and enjoy swimming in Bass Lake.

After the lakes, you’ll make it to the Coast Trail, which will head towards the ocean and Alamere Falls. Keep an eye out for the signpost on the left side of the trail pointing to the Falls; you can easily miss it. It’s a narrow, single-track path that can appear a bit overgrown, but it’s the right one to get you to the falls. After a short distance, you’ll find yourself overlooking the top section of the falls. If you are really lucky, you may see whales in the distance along the Pacific Coast. Hikers commonly stop at this point to enjoy a picnic. The crowds are more apparent when you get closer to the waterfall. If you are looking for a shorter day out, this is the perfect endpoint for a quicker round trip.

Additional Hiking Trails

If you aren’t tired by now, you can continue hiking and connect to different trails. You might even see horses galloping in this area, which is quite a sight! From Wildcat Beach, take the Coast Trail to return to the Palomarin trailhead in a loop. There are also a few further options available for even longer hikes.

Getting Down to The Beach (Not An Official Trail)

The main attraction of this trail is, of course, the Alamere Falls Waterfall. The trail will bring you to the top of the waterfall. From there you’ll see a lot of hikers make their way down to the beach. The path or climb down is quite treacherous, and it’s quite steep with loose dirt and sand. 

If you wish to get to the beach at Alamere Falls, please be warned that it can be quite dangerous. The rangers do not maintain this trail, and as such, are not officially part of the trail system. Since may people go down this trail, it may appear as if it is an official trail. There is even a rope to help you rappel down to the beach. As so many people walk on this path, it becomes pretty slippery due to the heavy traffic, so be careful if you go down there. Don’t attempt to go down here during the high tide as the rock is very slippery and waves could drag you into the surf. There have been many stories of stranded and injured hikers trying to descend to the beach.

How long does it take to hike to Alamere Falls? 

Most visitors can complete the Alamere Falls trail in about two to three hours each way if you are of a moderate fitness level. This trail’s distance with the short cut is about 4.5 miles each way; otherwise, expect about a 6.5-mile trip each way, making it a 13-mile round trip.

Tips For Your Hike

• Beware of hiking too close to the cliff edges, as the area suffers from coastal erosion.
• Poison oak grows along the trail, which can be very dangerous. We recommend you to wear long sleeves and pants if it’s not too hot.
• We recommend proper hiking shoes since the trail can be wet and sandy.
• The only restroom is in the parking lot, so be sure to use it before heading off on the 13-mile hike.
• Check the tide schedule before you head out, as the high tide can trap hikers. Try and visit while the tide is out to allow you plenty of time for the beach walk to the falls.
• Don’t expect to have cell phone coverage on this trail.
• Water isn’t available at any point on this trail, so make sure you bring plenty with you.
• Dogs and pets are not allowed, but the visitor’s center can provide you with more information if you have a service dog.

For an exciting hike and day out, this is one of my favorite options in the area. It’s easily accessible for San Francisco residents and makes for a perfect escape from the city. If you follow all of my top tips above, you’ll be well prepared for a wonderful hike to Alamere Falls.