Part of the appeal of 33 Falls is that it rewards a little effort: the closer you get, the cooler the air and the louder the water, and the photos rarely do it justice.
Geology and background
What makes 33 Falls special
33 Falls is a California fall, and the number in the name is part of the name, not a height: no height is verified for this fall. It sits in the hills above Ojai in Ventura County, where the creeks run down from the Los Padres country toward the valley. Rose Valley Falls is 5.0 miles away, the closest neighbour, with White Swift Falls 12.5 miles away and Punch Bowl 13.2 miles away.
The distances make this a single stop rather than part of a tight cluster. The nearest fall is a short drive away, but the next two are further out, so plan the visit around this fall and the Rose Valley falls beside it.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Best time and crowds
No stream gauge is linked to 33 Falls, so recent rain is your best guide. Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. Carry extra water: this is dry, hot country.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Do not read the number in the name as a height: no height is verified for this fall.
Pair it with Rose Valley Falls, 5.0 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Most waterfalls form where a stream crosses from hard rock onto softer rock. The soft layer wears away faster, the hard lip is left overhanging, and over thousands of years the fall slowly cuts its way upstream.
Water flow and seasons
No stream gauge is linked to 33 Falls yet, so recent rain is your best guide. The weather panel on this page adds up the last three days of rain at the fall.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
The trail and the viewpoint
We do not have a trail length for 33 Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
We do not list a park for this fall, which often means a small trailhead or roadside pull-off with few or no facilities.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to 33 Falls
33 Falls is in California. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (34.5301, -119.2691) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our California waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit 33 Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near 33 Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around 33 Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
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