Salmon Creek Falls
Big Sur, CA
Salmon Creek Falls is reached by a trail that continues on to backcountry campsites deep in Los Padres National Forest, with genuine waterfalls along the way that most people driving Highway 1 never stop to see. It's a hiking destination more than a beach, worth the detour if you have the time and the legs for it.
A genuinely rewarding waterfall hike that most Highway 1 drivers skip entirely, though it's a forest trail rather than anywhere near the ocean itself.
How we score beachesBudget real hiking time if you're going past the falls themselves, the trail continues into genuine backcountry and it's easy to underestimate the distance.
Free parking is available at the trailhead.
A trail leads from the trailhead to the falls and beyond into backcountry.
Dogs are welcome; check posted signage for specific leash rules.
Winter and spring rains bring the strongest flow to the falls, while summer can run considerably lower.
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