When the historical heart of Solvang becomes too busy for your liking, head south to visit Nojoqui Falls, one of the most elusive, seasonal waterfalls in California.
Last updated: September 21, 2024
How to Visit Nojoqui Falls, California
Nojoqui Falls (pronounced na-hoo-ee) is an endearing, 80-foot waterfall on California’s Central Coast. Popular with locals and visitors (at least those that know about it) alike, the natural attraction is nested between Solvang and Buellton.
A part of Nojoqui Falls Park with ample recreational activities, the Nojoqui Falls area can be a full day adventure or a short stop while visiting Solvang, a city known for its Scandinavian heritage and European traditional shops.
The Best Time to Visit Nojoqui Falls
There is hardly a bad season to visit the enchanting Nojoqui Falls. The picturesque natural attraction welcomes guests all year round. The Mediterranean climate of the region also encourages you to venture to Nojoqui Falls and admire its bubbling streams of water emptying in a small pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The sight is astounding. It lures adults and kids. The latter constantly strive to dip their little hands in the cold water.
Yet the force of the waterfall’s streams varies from season to season. While in late summer and fall, only thin trickles slide down the smooth mountain face, the spring revives the waterfall, returning its old power and force.
Naturally, the spring months are the best time to visit Nojoqui Falls and admire the towering giant in its full glory. The rainy season also does the trick to the waterfall, transforming it into a roaring river that cascades down a fern-lined sandstone wall.
During our recent visit, Nojoqui Falls was just a trickle, hardly visible from a distance. Yet the sheer cliff wall, abundantly covered with algae and other water-loving plants, attested to the existence of the waterfall, showcasing its full potential not that long ago.
How to Get to the Park
Home to Nojoqui Falls, Nojoqui Falls Park is an easy day trip from Santa Barbara or small towns in the Santa Ynez Valley. The place is located less than two miles east off Highway 101 along the Old Coast Road and Alisal Road. The nearest town, Solvang, is roughly five miles down Alisal Road.
Nojoqui Falls Trail
- Distance: 0.9-mile, round-trip trail
- Elevation gain: Approximately 215 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 10-20 minutes
- Address: 3250 Alisal Road, Goleta, CA 93117
Hiking to the Waterfall
To take in the sight of the charming Nojoqui Falls, follow a two-thirds of a mile round trip trail. There are no trail junctions, which eliminates any opportunity of getting lost on the way to the waterfall. The wide path is well-trodden and filled with a set of stone steps and a few wooden footbridges across a narrow creek. The short trail runs through a forest and arrives at a stone viewing platform at the base of Nojoqui Falls.
Nojoqui Falls is an easy hike that even a child will enjoy. On the other hand, due to the uneven surface, people with disabilities may find this trail challenging. Furthermore, the path is not wheelchair friendly.
The entire hike to Nojoqui Falls takes approximately twenty minutes. Allow yourself more time if you like to dawdle while photographing the waterfall and its surroundings.
