Being part of Point Reyes National Seashore helps. Trails to Alamere Falls are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
What brings people back to Alamere Falls is how different it looks from one visit to the next. A wet spring week and a dry August afternoon can feel like two different places.
Geology and background
What makes Alamere Falls special
Alamere Falls is a coastal waterfall in Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California, and it flows directly into the ocean. It is one of only two coastal waterfalls in California, the other being McWay Falls. That is the whole claim, and it is a strong one: a waterfall that falls onto a beach and into the Pacific, where the tide meets the fresh water at the base.
A tidefall is a rare thing. Most waterfalls end in a pool or a river; Alamere Falls ends in the ocean. At high tide the water meets the sea at the base of the fall, and the beach, the surf and the fall are all in the same view. The fall is in Point Reyes National Seashore, a long stretch of protected coast north of San Francisco, and the seashore setting is part of the visit: cliffs, beach and open ocean, with the fall dropping through it all.
Its neighbours are a short drive away. Little Carson Falls is 7.7 miles away, Roy’s Riffles 7.8 miles away and Helen Markt Falls 8.2 miles away, so Alamere Falls can be one stop on a tour of the Point Reyes area.
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
This is a rain-fed coastal fall, so flow follows the weather. No stream gauge is linked to Alamere Falls, so recent rain is your best guide. Expect the most water after heavy rain, and the least in a dry spell. The tide matters too: the fall meets the ocean at the beach, so the look of the base changes with the tide.
Point Reyes National Seashore is busiest on summer weekends. Arrive early or late: the middle of a summer weekend is peak time, and the parking lots can be full by 10 a.m.
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. The ocean is dangerous: keep clear of the surf, watch the tide, and never turn your back on the water.
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
Pair it with Little Carson Falls, 7.7 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Check the tide before you go: the fall meets the ocean at the beach, and the base looks different at high and low tide.
Check the Point Reyes National Seashore page on the day for closures.
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 Alamere 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 Alamere 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
Facilities depend on Point Reyes National Seashore: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
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 Alamere Falls
Alamere Falls is in Point Reyes National Seashore, California. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (37.95376, -122.78334) 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 Alamere 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 Alamere Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Alamere Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
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.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
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
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Alamere Falls, California located?
Alamere Falls is in Point Reyes National Seashore, California. Its GPS coordinates are 37.95376, -122.78334.
What kind of waterfall is Alamere Falls, California?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Alamere Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Alamere Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
No gauge is linked, so use the last three days of rain in the weather panel: more rain usually means more water.
The bottom line
Alamere Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Check the flow before you go, start early to beat the crowds, and stay well back from the edge.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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