Waterfalls near San Diego, CA
13 waterfalls within 75 miles · 13 with detail pages · 4 within 25 miles
This page lists every named waterfall in our database within driving distance of San Diego, sorted by how far they are. Distances are straight-line; drive times assume average highway-plus-local routes (typically 30% longer than the straight-line miles). For trip planning, treat them as a starting point and verify the actual route in Google Maps.
Always check current access, parking, and seasonal closures with the relevant land manager — state parks, the National Park Service, or the local ranger district — before heading out. Several of these falls are seasonal and may run dry in mid-to-late summer.
Closest waterfalls to San Diego
All waterfalls within 75 miles, by distance
Within 25 miles of San Diego
| Waterfall | Height | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africa Rocks Waterfall | — | 2 mi | ~5 min |
| Adobe Falls | — | 7 mi | ~10 min |
| Lower Adobe Falls | — | 7 mi | ~10 min |
| Los Penasquitos Waterfall | — | 15 mi | ~25 min |
25–50 miles
| Waterfall | Height | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Falls | — | 31 mi | ~55 min |
| Three Sisters Waterfalls | — | 33 mi | ~55 min |
| Mildred Falls | — | 33 mi | ~55 min |
| El Salto Falls | — | 33 mi | ~55 min |
| The Falls | — | 36 mi | ~1.0 hr |
| Washtub Falls | — | 38 mi | ~1.1 hr |
| Kitchen Creek Falls | — | 40 mi | ~1.2 hr |
50–75 miles
| Waterfall | Height | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maidenhair Falls | — | 55 mi | ~1.6 hr |
| Dry Falls | — | 58 mi | ~1.7 hr |
Beyond 75 miles
Looking for waterfalls further out? Browse the full California waterfall list or jump to all U.S. waterfalls.