Alamere Falls Hike: Why To Skip the Shortcut & What to Do Instead
A short distance from San Francisco, yet so remote, Point Reyes National Seashore has countless hikes to offer and places to explore. Rugged cliffs, wild ocean waves, incredible wildlife, tide pools, and salty air — all of that and more is Point Reyes.
One particularly unique feature is Alamere Falls, one of only two major waterfalls in California that flow directly into the Pacific Ocean (this is called a tidefall). Since the hike is long for a single day and there is an unofficial shortcut to the waterfall, many opt to take it instead of doing the full hike.
In this article, I’ll answer the key questions I asked myself before doing this hike, and chances are, you’re wondering the same things. While the shortcut is popular, my experience led me to a clear recommendation. I’ll walk you through all the whys, whats, and whens.
Settle in, grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever you need to get cozy, and let’s get started!
1. First Things First: Plan for Low Tide
Before diving into the details, here’s a very important disclaimer: the beach portion of the trail is cut off by the ocean except at low tide. There’s a very narrow section close to the falls, so check the tide schedule for the lowest tide of the day and plan to hike that stretch while the tide is still receding.
Even if the tide looks low, heading out when it's rising isn't a good idea — the beach narrows quickly in spots, and it’s easy to get caught. It’s roughly one mile each way along the beach, and with several especially tight sections near the ocean, there’s a real risk of getting trapped.
2. Why You Should Skip the Shortcut
Safety Risks & Habitat Damage
Here’s the statement on the National Park Service Website:
Please take note! There is NO park-sanctioned "Alamere Falls Trail." Many social media posts, websites, and guide books reference an "Alamere Falls Trail" (sometimes referred to as a "shortcut"). This is NOT a maintained trail, and poses many hazards to off-trail hikers—crumbling and eroding cliffs and lots of poison oak. Visitors who use this unmaintained trail damage park plants and wildlife habitat and may endanger themselves and rescuers. On an almost weekly basis, visitors get hurt scrambling down the route leading to the top of the falls or sliding down the crumbly cliff-face to get to the beach, sometimes requiring the efforts of search and rescue teams to extracted the injured party. The National Park Service strongly advises visitors against using this unmaintained route. Please use the recommended routes described below to visit the falls.
I think this sums up the safety concerns and ecological impact of the shortcut, and why it is not a good idea to take it. Now, let’s take a look at the beautiful things you’ll experience if you go the official way!
The most beautiful Part of the trail Comes Later
In my opinion, the best part comes after the shortcut turnoff. Just past the shortcut, the trail splits: one way continues along the Coastal Trail (which is, confusingly, farther from the coast than the alternative in this stretch); the other is the Ocean Lake Loop. The Ocean Lake Loop was hands-down my favorite part—it’s incredibly scenic, with the best views of the ocean, coastal scrub, and lakes all at once. You can even spot Alamere Falls in the distance and admire how it’s nestled into this stunning landscape.
I’m a fan of loop hikes rather than out-and-backs, so I liked following the Coastal Trail on the way out and returning via the Ocean Lake Loop. The Coastal Trail section that runs parallel is a bit overgrown in stretches, but it’s also quiet and peaceful. If you’d rather skip the brush and enjoy more open views, you can take the Ocean Lake Loop in both directions.
View from the Ocean Lake Loop looking south. You can see Alamere Falls in the distance along with lush vegetation, lakes, and the Pacific Ocean.
Walk Along the Beach: Building Anticipation & The Little Highlights to Discover
Don’t miss out on the little things—or how powerful building anticipation can be!
The walk along the beach offers not just sweeping views of the falls, but also a slow build-up of anticipation and plenty of little wonders along the way.
As you walk along the beach toward the falls, you keep it in sight for most of the time, and that slow build-up makes finally standing in front of it feel even more rewarding.
There’s so much to notice along the way—tiny hidden seasonal waterfalls, wildflowers, birds, and whatever treasures the ocean has left behind at low tide. Seeing the waterfall up close is exciting, but from a distance, you get a fuller sense of how beautifully it’s framed by the cliffs and coastal landscape. Watching it grow larger with every step adds something special to the journey.
3. The Best Way to Experience Alamere Falls
The absolute best way to experience Alamere Falls without feeling rushed and to truly enjoy the trail without crowds is by turning it into a backpacking trip with an overnight stay at Wildcat Campground.
There are several ways to get to Wildcat, but I highly recommend starting at the Palomarin Trailhead and following the Coastal Trail. You can stay on this trail all the way to the campground, which is what we did on the way out. But on the return trip, or both ways if you’re up for it, don’t miss the Ocean Lake Loop Trail. In this stretch, it brings you closer to the cliffside than the parallel Coastal Trail and offers some of the most phenomenal views of the entire route, with lakes, ocean, dramatic coastline and even Alamere Falls in the distance all at once.
We started hiking in the early afternoon, just as parking spots were beginning to open up again (see below for parking tips). We reached Wildcat Camp in time for golden winter light and a glowing sunset, with a view across the bluff toward Alamere Falls, which we could actually see from above.
The next morning, we set off early to reach the base of the falls while the tide was nearing its lowest point, giving us plenty of time to explore without watching the clock too closely. We had the entire place to ourselves, not a single soul in sight. That final stretch along the beach, with the waterfall slowly growing larger with every step, felt like the perfect payoff. That slow reveal is something you completely miss if you just take the shortcut down.
The only downside to visiting in the early morning is that the waterfall faces west so it is still in shade. But honestly, the cool, peaceful air and having the whole scene to ourselves more than made up for it.
Just keep in mind that your timing may need to shift depending on the tides.
View of Alamere Falls from a cliff at Wildcat Campground, illuminated in soft, warm light of a January evening.
View toward the other direction: Rugged cliffs and crashing ocean waves.
Getting A Reservation for Wildcat Campground
There’s no way to say this differently: Getting a permit to camp at Wildcat is difficult! You will have to log in when sites are released and time it REALLY well to be the quickest person to book your desired spot. Being flexible with dates will be very helpful too. Unsurprisingly, Saturday or any day embedded between a weekend day & holiday are definitely the most difficult times to secure a spot. So if you can go when many people can’t, go for it!
Yes, getting a permit is HARD, but I’d like to discourage anyone from camping without one. It’s really inconsiderate to those who went through the effort to secure one and you either damage vegetation or have to encroach on someone else’s paid campsite. That’s what happened to us—when we arrived, others were already on our site and admitted they didn’t have a permit. They moved off the main picnic table area but still camped basically right above us, crossing through our space whenever they left ‘their’ spot. On top of that, they claimed the best ocean-view vantage point— besides the privacy, the other major reason I had chosen this campsite. I know we should have said something, but I’m a sensitive person, and you never know how people might react. I wasn’t looking to invite more bad vibes on top of the ones I was already feeling from how inconsiderate they were. They got lucky no ranger showed up—but if you care about fairness and other people’s experiences, don’t do it.
If you don’t get a reservation | Day Hike Version
Yes, this is a long hike for just one day. That said, it’s not particularly hard—moderate, I’d say—so it’s doable for a fit person. If you're attempting it, the most important thing is to check the tides and plan around them. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the beach walk (including the return after visiting the falls), which is only possible at low tide.
Honestly, even if you can't make it to the falls because the tide is too high or you don’t feel like adding the extra 2 miles, it’s still worth hiking out to Wildcat Campground. On a clear day, you can see Alamere Falls in the distance from the Ocean Lake Trail or from the campground itself. (Scroll up for the photos—they’re just a little closer than what you’d see with the naked eye.)
4. When Is the Best Time to Head There?
Tide Timing (Year-round)
No matter the season, the most important thing is to plan your beach section around low tide. You’ll need the tide to be low enough to safely reach the falls and return without getting trapped. Some stretches of the beach are narrow, with cliffs that extend far toward the ocean — and it doesn’t take much water for those areas to become impassable. Always check the tide chart and give yourself ample time.
Winter, Spring & Fall: The Best Times
Winter & Spring
From early winter through mid-spring (late December through May), Alamere Falls is at its most vibrant. This is when you'll find lush greenery, no fog for the most part (in contrast to summer, but more on that below), flowing water, and—starting in spring—wildflowers along the trail.
Yes, winter is the rainy season in California, with January and February typically the wettest. But that doesn’t mean constant rain. There are often entire weeks of sunny, crisp weather with crystal-clear skies. Even in late January, you might spot the season’s first wildflowers (along with February my go-to month for backpacking at Point Reyes). When it’s not raining, the air is clear, the views stretch for miles, and the waterfall usually carries much more water than later in the year.
If the forecast looks dry, this is truly one of the most beautiful times to visit.
Fall: Best Weather
Fall is a fantastic time to visit Point Reyes. Late September to early November typically brings the sunniest and warmest weather at Point Reyes. The soft, golden light at this time of year is absolutely beautiful. The only downside in fall: The vegetation is much drier than in winter and spring, and the flow of the waterfall will be more reduced.
Summer: Fog and Obscured Views
Even though summer is the dry season in California, coastal hikes in Northern California—especially at Point Reyes—aren’t exactly known for crystal-clear skies. Most days in summer bring thick fog, and on some days, the ocean disappears completely into the gray. The landscape also dries out, and the waterfall may be more reduced.
That said, it can still be beautiful in its own moody, atmospheric way. If you enjoy the quiet of foggy cliffs and a breezy hike, summer might just charm you. But for those sweeping coastal views, lush landscapes, beautiful light and a flowing waterfall, the other seasons deliver more.
Trail Facts: Alamere Falls via Palomarin Trailhead, Coastal Trail & Ocean Lake Loop
Now that we’ve covered all the whys, whats, and whens, here’s a quick summary of the key trail facts:
📍 Distance: ~13 mi (20.8 km) round trip
⛰ Elevation Gain: ~1,784 ft (543.8 m)
🔙 Route Type: Out & Back (for the most part, including a small loop section)
Alamere Falls in the early morning, with soft morning light filtering over the cliff and casting a warm glow on the beach.
A Few Reminders & Other Things to Keep in Mind
- Parking fills up early on weekends. Arrive (early) in the morning for the best chance of getting a spot. Alternatively, starting in the afternoon when people start to return from their hike can also work well — especially if you're backpacking and camping overnight.
- There is no entrance fee for Point Reyes, and parking at Palomarin Trailhead is free.
- Check the tides before you go. The beach section near Alamere Falls is only accessible at low tide. Plan your visit around low tide times (NOAA tide chart here).
- Reserve Camping In Advance Sites must be reserved in advance through Recreation.gov. Wildcat Camp is a VERY popular overnight spot, so spots sell out fast.
- Other trail options: While I recommend starting at the Palomarin Trailhead (via the Coast Trail and Ocean Lake Loop), you can also reach Alamere Falls from:
- Bear Valley Trailhead — longer, with scenic forested sections and access to Wildcat Camp.
- Five Brooks Trailhead — longer, less-traveled route that connects to Wildcat via the Glen and Stewart Trails.
- Poison oak and ticks are common. I recommend wearing long pants and insect repellent.
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