Hiking to Three Sisters Falls in San Diego
Hiking to Three Sisters Falls in San Diego
Hiking to Three Sisters Falls is one of the most popular outdoor activities for adventure enthusiasts in the San Diego area. Situated in the Cleveland National Forest near Julian, this trail offers a rare chance to explore cascading waterfalls in Southern California's often-arid terrain. Featuring rugged landscapes, challenging trails, and rewarding views, it’s an experience that highlights the region's natural beauty and appeal for outdoor lovers.
Adventure Guide to Hiking to Three Sisters Falls
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Trail Information:
- Distance: Approximately 4.5 miles round trip.
- Level: Strenuous, with steep sections requiring caution. Recent trail improvements have reduced erosion and increased safety but expect to navigate uneven paths and loose dirt.
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The Falls:
- The waterfall's three tiers give it its name, resembling “sisters” in formation. During late winter and early spring, after seasonal rains, water flow is most impressive. By late summer, the falls may reduce to a trickle, emphasizing the importance of timing your visit.
- The pools at the base of the falls are popular for relaxing or cooling off after a challenging hike. However, always exercise caution as rocks can be slippery.
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Flora and Landscapes:
- The trail starts with sweeping views of Chaparral and oak woodlands, gradually transitioning into a canyon filled with boulders and desert vegetation. Look out for unique plants such as white sage and yucca, which are native to the area.
Local Insights
The area forms part of the Cuyamaca Mountains, historically home to the Kumeyaay people, who relied on these lands for resources. They used plants like sagebrush for medicines and relied on acorns as a food source. Visitors today can still feel the quiet, rugged charm of this land steeped in history.
Visitor Tips
- When to Visit: Aim for late winter or spring for optimal water flow and cooler temperatures. Avoid summer afternoons due to extreme heat.
- What to Bring:
- Sturdy hiking shoes with good grip.
- At least 2 liters of water per person to stay hydrated.
- Sunscreen and a hat for sun protection.
- Snacks or a light meal for energy.
- Driving Directions: From San Diego, head east on I-8, take the CA-79 exit towards Julian, and follow Boulder Creek Road to the trailhead—approximately 1.5 hours drive. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for parts of the unpaved road.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Mohammad Ahmed11 months ago
Fun trail to drive to, about 7 miles of dirt road which is kept very well, even after the recent rain storms. There are 2 water crossings, but they weren't more than 6 to 10 inches deep. I did this run with a 5 series RWD. The hike itself is moderate. I started with Eagles Peak and then made my way down to the falls, around 6 or 7 miles RT for both trails. Definitely bring a hat and shades. A majority of the hike is fully exposed. Water is flowing heavily right now! The rocks are slippery near the falls. Some took their shoes off to go all the way down to the falls for better traction.
Clinton Woods12 months ago
Trailhead moved from old location. Will be bigger and gravel. Has pit toilets and picnic tables.
Trail to falls can be deceivingly tough. Downhill to the falls, but 1000 feet back up to the parking lot. Trail is eroded in places and some small rock scrambles.
Around the falls, the rock can be slippery. Be careful!
Trail to Eagle Peak is nice. Easy peak to bag.
A beautiful place, but can and has been deadly.
Jonathan Caasi7 months ago
Hike is great! It was about 4 miles in and out with an almost 2,000 ft elevation change. Bring water and electrolytes. The trail has been improved but you will need to climb a couple of small rocks. Hiking boots are recommended. There is some shade on the trail but the majority of it is in the sun.
Rachel Hamilton4 months ago
This was my third visit to Three Sisters Falls. It's my favorite hike in San Diego, and offers an easy to moderate experience with incredible mountain views throughout the hike. The parking lot is gravel but spacious. There are also bathrooms available at the lot, but bring some hand wipes with you, as there are no sinks or fountains. It's a single track trail that takes me about 45-50min one-way. You would be fine to wear short sleeves and shorts, but you will sometimes brush up against some bushes or tall grasses. It's well-trimmed and maintained otherwise. It's every variety of terrain in one (open air/hard-packed sand, woodland shaded/hard-packed dirt, some rocky parts that require some slight "climbing"), all leading to a beautiful waterfall at the end. There is access to the water and an elevated rock platform at the bottom that's popular for taking pictures, or you can simply rest and enjoy the view in the shade along the sides. I strongly recommend this as one of the best hikes in San Diego.
H G10 months ago
Roads leading there are very narrow so go slow. The paved road ends and 7 miles is dirt and rock. The hike itself is mild but at the beginning of march when i went, the wind is what really got you. The hike to the falls is all downhill, but coming back gets tough, I cant imagine if if had been hot. Beautiful scenery, some narrow walking paths, once you get there, the rocks are very slippery. I thought it was worth it and my kids couldn't wait to go back when its not as cold and can get in the water.
