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Adjusted the trip for some waterfall exploration
The Ultimate Top-to-Bottom Waterfall Stops
1. Washington (Olympic Peninsula)
Madison Falls Hiking area
Located just 20 minutes from your starting point in Port Angeles. It is a lush, moss-covered, 60-foot roadside cascade.
Marymere Falls Waterfall
Near Lake Crescent on US-101. A beautiful 1.6-mile round-trip walk through a dense old-growth temperate rainforest to a 90-foot plunge.
2. Oregon Coast
Munson Creek Falls Waterfall
Located just a few miles south of Tillamook off US-101. This is the highest waterfall in the entire Oregon Coast Range, tumbling down over 300 feet. The trail is a short, easy walk through ancient cedar trees.
Hug Point Falls Waterfall
A unique waterfall located right on the sand at Hug Point Recreation Site. Crucial Moto Tip: You can only walk around the point to see this waterfall at low tide, so check the tide charts before parking!
3. Northern California Redwoods
Dora Falls Waterfall
Tucked away right off US-101 across from the Frank and Bess Smithe Redwood Grove. Most tourists drive right past it, making it a perfectly peaceful, shaded spot to pull the bike over and take a break.
4. Central Coast & Big Sur
McWay Falls Waterfall Little Video from YouTube
Located inside Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This is arguably the most famous waterfall on the West Coast, dropping 80 feet from a granite cliff directly onto an untouched, pristine sandy beach. The trail is incredibly short (.25 miles), starting right from a PCH pullout.
Salmon Creek Falls Little Video from YouTube
Located on a massive horseshoe bend on Highway 1 at the southern end of Big Sur. A powerful, 120-foot dual-tier waterfall that is just a quick, 5-minute scramble from the side of the road.
Mossbrae Falls Mossbrae Falls near Mt Shasta
Burney Falls:
A jaw-dropping, 129-foot wall of rushing water fed by underground springs, widely considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North America.
McCloud Falls:
A technical, curvy moto road that takes you past three distinct, massive waterfall tiers on the McCloud River.
This updated 7-day, 6-night waterfall itinerary keeps you close to the coast but aggressively prioritizes beautiful cascades.
The route is specially modified with Day 3 and Day 4 pushing inland to northern California's premier "Waterfall Highway", while keeping the physical exertion minimal—nearly all of these stops require little to no hiking.
The Top-to-Bottom Waterfall & Moto Itinerary & Camping Options
[Port Angeles] ➔ [Olympic Cascades] ➔ [Oregon Coast Range] ➔ [The Waterfall Highway] ➔ [Sonoma Dunes] ➔ [Big Sur Plunges] ➔ [Canyon Loops] ➔ [Dana Point]
Day 1: Mossy Rainforest Falls (Washington) Day 1: Google Map
The Route: Head West out of Port Angeles on US-101 around Olympic National Park. [1]
💦 Madison Falls (🚶♂️ Minimal Hiking): Located right on your way out of town. The paved trail is dead flat and less than 500 feet from the parking area. It is a stunning, lush 60-foot wall of water. [1]
💦 Marymere Falls (🚶♂️ Moderate Hiking): Near Lake Crescent on US-101. This one is a 1.6-mile round-trip walk under an old-growth forest canopy. If you want to skip the hike, stick to Madison Falls and enjoy the twisties around the lake.
Where to Camp: Kalaloch Campground, pitched directly on the misty ocean bluffs.
Day 2: Coast Range Giants & Beach Cascades (Oregon) Day 2: Google Map
The Route: Cross the massive Astoria-Megler Bridge into Oregon and head down US-101.
💦 Hug Point Falls (🚶♂️ Minimal Hiking): Located right on the sand at Hug Point Recreation Site. You park your bike, walk directly onto the beach, and the waterfall is right there dropping onto the sand. Check tide charts—only accessible at low tide.
💦 Munson Creek Falls (🚶♂️ Minimal Hiking): Just south of Tillamook. An easy 0.3-mile flat stroll brings you to the base of the highest waterfall in the Oregon Coast Range, tumbling down over 300 feet through ancient cedars.
Where to Camp: Cape Blanco State Park Campground on Oregon's westernmost windswept peninsula. [1]
Day 3: The Inland Shift to "Waterfall Highway" (Oregon to NorCal) Day 3: Google Map
The Route: Start the morning riding through the jagged sea stacks of Samuel H. Boardman Corridor. Cross into California, but instead of staying on the coast, cut east on CA-299 toward Interstate 5 North/CA-89 to access the ultimate mountain waterfall zone.
💦 Hedge Creek Falls (🚶♂️ Minimal Hiking): Located right off I-5 in Dunsmuir. A short, 5-minute downhill walk leads to a beautiful falls where you can actually walk completely behind the cascading water column. https://maps.app.goo.gl/HmUJ4SAFKLGkUEzY6
Where to Camp: Avenue of the Giants RV Park or Fowler
Day 4: Giant Spring Walls & Volcanic Basalt (Northern California) Day 4: Google Map
The Route: Spend the morning exploring CA-89 before heading southwest on CA-299 to connect back down to the redwoods and US-101.
💦 Burney Falls (🚶♂️ Zero Hiking): Located inside McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. This jaw-dropping, 129-foot wall of roaring water is fed by underground springs. The main overlook is just steps from the paved parking lot. You do not need to hike down into the canyon to get the best view.https://maps.app.goo.gl/aew2B9bEaqW7sQLR8
💦 McCloud Falls (🚶♂️ Zero Hiking): Three distinct, massive waterfall tiers. You can ride your motorcycle directly to the paved overlooks of both Lower Falls and Upper Falls without walking more than 20 feet from your bike. https://maps.app.goo.gl/GfTNyx4WBYArfbYKA
Where to Camp: Fowlers Campground by McCLoud Falls
Day 5: The Redwoods to Sonoma Coast Day 5: Google Map or Optional Google Map
The Route: Hug the coastal tarmac of Highway 1 south.
💦 Dora Falls (🚶♂️ Zero Hiking): Tucked right off US-101 across from the Frank and Bess Smithe Redwood Grove. It is literally right on the side of the road—pull your bike over into the gravel turn-out, turn off your engine, and enjoy the stream.
Where to Camp: NOT Bodega Dunes Campground.
Day 6: The Reopened Big Sur Ocean Plunges (Central Coast) still to come - more exploration! I'm still learning...
The Route: Cross the Golden Gate Bridge, pass Monterey, and enter the newly fully reopened Highway 1 through Big Sur.
💦 McWay Falls (🚶♂️ Zero Hiking): Dropping 80 feet from a granite cliff directly onto an untouched beach cove. Important 2026 Trail Update: The official walk-in overlook trail is closed for long-term retaining wall repairs. However, the best view is entirely intact directly from the Highway 1 roadside pullouts, requiring zero walking.
💦 Salmon Creek Falls (🚶♂️ Minimal Hiking): Located on a massive horseshoe bend at the southern end of Big Sur. Pull off the highway; a quick, 2-minute flat scramble into the canyon opens up to a powerful 120-foot dual-tier waterfall.
Where to Camp: Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
Day 7: Malibu Canyon Cruise to Dana Point
The Route: Complete the trip by tracking Highway 1 through the surf flats of Malibu, bypassing LA traffic early, and finishing the route down at Dana Point.
🏍️ Waterfall Accessibility Checklist
Waterfall Location Hiking Distance Effort Level Moto Parking Terrain
Day 1: Mossy Rainforest Falls (Washington)
Madison Falls Washington (US-101) ~500 feet Easy (Paved) Flat paved lot
Marymere Falls Washington (US-101) 1.6 miles under old-growth forest Flat paved lot
Day 2: Coast Range Giants & Beach Cascades (Oregon)
Hug Point Falls Oregon Coast 100 feet Easy (On sand) Paved state park lot
Munson Creek Falls Oregon Coast 0.3 miles Easy (Flat dirt) Gravel pullout
Day 3: The Inland Shift to "Waterfall Highway" (Oregon to NorCal)
Hedge Creek Falls Dunsmuir, CA 0.1 miles Short downhill walk Paved trailhead
Day 4: Giant Spring Walls & Volcanic Basalt (Northern California)
Burney Falls Burney, CA (CA-89) 50 feet Zero Hiking (Overlook) Large paved lot
McCloud Falls McCloud, CA 20 feet Zero Hiking (Drive-up) Paved loop overlooks
Day 5: The Redwoods to Sonoma Coast
Dora Falls NorCal Redwoods 0 feet Roadside Stop Dirt shoulder
Day 6: The Reopened Big Sur Ocean Plunges (Central Coast)
McWay Falls Big Sur (Hwy 1) 0 feet Roadside View Paved highway pullout
Salmon Creek Falls Big Sur (Hwy 1) 200 feet Quick rocky scramble Wide dirt turn-out
Day 7: Malibu Canyon Cruise to Dana Point - Just a Ride
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