Alamere Falls is a dramatic 40-foot coastal waterfall found deep in the wilderness in Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County, California. These “tidefalls,” in which a waterfall flows directly onto the beach, are an extremely rare sight found in just 25 places in the world.
We’re lucky to have a tidefall right here in the Bay Area, but seeing Alamere Falls with your own eyes requires a challenging 13-mile round-trip trek and perfect timing with low tide. Would you add it to your bucket list?
California does have one more famous tidefall: McWay Falls in Big Sur, which doesn’t require a hike but is about a 3-hour drive down the coast.
Hiking to Alamere Falls
There are three trailheads you can choose from to reach Alamere Falls, all of which take you to Wildcat Campground. From the campground, you’ll see a worn trail that takes you down to the beach. The NPS recommends printing a map from their website or picking one up at the visitor center.
- Palomarin Trailhead (13.2 miles round trip) – This is the most popular and shortest official route to reach Alamere Falls, which begins near Bolinas and takes you past Bass Lake before reaching the campground. There is also an unofficial “shortcut” from this route, which reduces the trek to about 8 miles but is not maintained and not recommended by the National Park Service.
- Bear Valley Trailhead (14.8 miles round trip) – The Bear Valley route offers a more gradual hike with moderate elevation gain. You’ll start on the Bear Valley Trail before linking up with Glen and Stewart Trails, which take you to the Coastal Trail and campground.
- Five Brooks Trailhead (15.6 miles round trip) – As the longest official route to Alamere Falls, Five Brooks follows the Stewart Trail over Inverness Ridge before descending toward the campground. This route tends to be less crowded with more diverse landscapes, but it is also the most strenuous.
Timing your hike with low tide
One very important caveat: In order to view the falls safely, you’ll need to time your hike with low tide. If you arrive and see waves reaching the base of the bluffs, do not walk to the falls, as you could get swept away. Avoid this situation by checking the tide predictions and NWS advisories before you head out.
More Alamere Falls features
Alamere Falls is fed by Alamere Creek, which flows through the rugged landscape of Point Reyes before cascading over the fragile shale cliffs at Wildcat Beach. While the main drop onto the beach is about 40 feet tall, there are three additional small cascades upstream with a total drop of 20-30 feet.
Alamere Falls by the seasons
There are pros and cons to visiting Alamere Falls during all four seasons. Spring is often favorable for its higher water flow and wildflowers along the trail, but the hike can be quite muddy and slippery. During the summer, trails are drier but there are more crowds and water flow may be reduced. In the fall, weather is mild with less crowds and clearer views.
🌐 Learn more: The National Park Service has a comprehensive guide to visiting Alamere Falls. Make sure you read it entirely before making the trip.
More things to do in Point Reyes
In addition to the marvel that is Alamere Falls, Point Reyes offers a stunning selection of sights and activities to round out your trip.
- Whale watching – Find good vantage points at Chimney rock or the Point Reyes Lighthouse
- Wildlife watching – Consider visiting the Tule Elk Reserve or the elephant seals
- Marshall Store – Savor mouthwaternig fresh oysters on Tomales Bay
- Cypress Tree Tunnel – Walk through a natural tunnel formed by rows of Monterey Cypress trees
- Heidrun Meadery – A scenic venue serving sparkling honey wines