Cataract Falls

13 Best Hikes in California

"Just an hour's drive from San Francisco in the wilds of Marin County, the Cataract Falls trailhead in Mount Tamalpais State Park is easy to find along Bolinas-Fairfax Road after you pass Alpine Lake. Hikers can follow the rushing waters of Cataract Creek through a primordial forest of redwoods, live oaks, and Douglas firs, and past numerous small waterfalls along this out-and-back trail. Spring is the best time for wildflowers and to see the chutes at their full flow, while summer is a great time to find relief from the heat under the trees. Meanwhile, the foliage in fall — look out for the bigleaf maple trees — is magnificent. The trail is not too long, but there are some steep climbs, so pack a good pair of hiking boots." - Travel + Leisure Editors