These waterfalls aren’t just perfect selfie backdrops—dive right in.
Summertime across the Golden State can mean brutal heatwaves or dreary, foggy mornings that might tempt you to stay indoors all day. Fight the urge to binge-watch TV and set out on a summertime swimming adventure instead. From the eastern reaches of San Diego County to northern California’s Mount Shasta area, the state is home to a series of waterfalls whose cascading streams create swimming pools and punch bowls perfect for a refreshing dip.
Pack up the car with sunscreen, water shoes, and plenty of water to drink before exploring these six waterfalls you can actually swim in.
1. Sturtevant Falls
A slice of refreshing paradise awaits Southern Californians, conveniently located only about 15 minutes off the 210. Nestled in the Big Santa Anita Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains, Sturtevant Falls is a shaded, cool spot where fresh water rushes into a wading pool large enough to splash around in. Reach this popular spot in Arcadia by trekking down a steep decline along the Sturtevant Falls Trail, a moderate, 3.4-mile hike that may take up to two hours.
The long journey is worth it when the cacophony of L.A. traffic gives way to bird calls and the gentle sounds of wind moving through the trees. When you reach the falls themselves, you may be shocked at their stature. Standing at nearly 75 feet tall, the falls are surrounded by stately rock walls and large boulders covered in green moss.
After cooling off in the falls, enjoy a picnic lunch at the Chantry Flat Picnic Area, a quiet corner known for bear sightings. As hiking enthusiasts note, the biggest challenge in reaching Sturtevant Falls is finding a parking spot—arrive early, especially on weekends, or you may have to park a half-mile down the road from the park entrance. Keep your National Forest Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass on display to avoid being ticketed.
2. Cedar Creek Falls
The roundtrip journey to Cedar Creek Falls may take up to six hours, but those with the endurance to hack it will witness a sight they won’t find anywhere else in Southern California: an 80-foot waterfall plunging into a large pool perfectly sized for a summertime swim. Located in the tiny town of Ramona, about 50 miles northeast of San Diego in the Cleveland National Forest, Cedar Creek Falls is an enchanting destination, but it portends many potential risks.
The trail to the falls, which requires a permit, offers very little shade, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service reports that hikers who do not bring enough water often experience heat-related illness. In fact, the site may close during peak summer months due to heat advisories, so be sure to search for up-to-date information from the Forest Service before setting out.
3. Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls
Quite possibly Southern California’s largest waterfall-sourced swimming hole open for public use, the Santa Paula Canyon Falls and Punch Bowls offer awe-inspiring views of a 20 to 30-foot waterfall cascading into clear, deep swimming pools. Known as punch bowls for their rotund shape, the pools at Santa Paula Canyon can reach depths of seven feet following strong rainfall, but even during dry season, these pools remain the perfect spot for a refreshing dip.
Located in Fillmore in the Los Padres National Forest about 25 miles northeast of Ventura, the Santa Paula Canyon Falls and Punch Bowls can be reached via the Santa Paula Canyon Trailhead. Follow this route about 1.5 miles, and make sure to veer left at the fork in the trail following Big Cone Camp to reach the Punch Bowls. When you arrive, you’ll spot a miracle produced by Mother Nature: a water slide formed by smooth rocks lining the edges of the pools. Use caution while sliding down and wear water shoes to avoid knicks and cuts, but most importantly, enjoy yourself!
4. Tahquitz Falls
Near the southern tip of Palm Springs lies an impressive, 60-foot waterfall that rushes into a large wading pool lined with boulders. Owned and managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Tahquitz Falls requires a $15 admission fee for adults and $7 for children, which includes ranger-guided tours of the area. Once you register at the Visitor’s Center and show proof of purchase of at least 32 ounces of water to drink, you’re free to embark on the moderate, two-mile Tahquitz Canyon Loop, which ends in breathtaking waterfall views.
After a refreshing soak in the chilly wading pool, which can reach depths of five feet after rain, explore the legacy of the indigenous tribes who have called this area home for centuries by studying the ancient irrigation systems and rock art that remain.
5. Potem Falls
Located within the lush, leafy landscape of Shasta-Trinity National Forest in northern California’s Shasta County, Potem Falls is a stunning and secluded summertime destination that promises fun for the entire family. As the forest gives way to an open gorge, rushing water fans out from a narrow opening at the top of this 70-foot waterfall, growing in width as it reaches a deep pool below.
To reach the trailhead leading to Potem Falls, you must drive about six miles down a dirt road. Travelers have noted conditions on Fenders Ferry Road can be rough, so low-lying sedans or cars without four-wheel drive should not attempt to cross. Once you make it to the trailhead, a moderate, at times very steep, 0.6-mile trek separates you from a scene of utter serenity. Dogs are allowed in the area, but be mindful of rattlesnakes and poison oak along the trail.
McCloud River Falls
About a 20-minute drive east of the town of Mount Shasta, a series of waterfalls on the McCloud River offers a plethora of natural swimming pools with water so refreshing you may forget all about summertime’s brutal heat. Underneath the Lower Falls, a moderately deep pool forms, perfect for swimming with your little ones, but be sure to warn your children not to jump into the water, as submerged boulders pose dangers.
Follow the spring-fed McCloud River a bit further upstream to reach the Middle Falls, a scene of beauty surrounded by Douglas firs and Pacific dogwoods. The easy, four-mile McCloud Waterfalls Trail guides you even further to the Upper Falls, whose roaring waters make the Lower Falls look like a tiny trickle. Exercise caution in this area, maybe even designating this fall as simply a stunning backdrop for photos.
