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Cedar Creek Falls - CLOSED
- Good for Kids:
- No
103 reviews for Cedar Creek Falls
103 reviews in English
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Review from Judy P.
San Diego, CA
8/27/2011
I can't choose a favorite hike because I love them all, but this one is definitely up there. It brings back so many great memories with my teammates. Ive been to the hike a few times during the day and once at night, and the two experiences are extremely different from each other.
The hike in the day time is a challenging one, especially because of the heat. Since you will be hiking down to the waterfall, the way back up is killer for those who are not in the best shape. When I went on the hike at night, I did not find it challenging at all, but I would choose to go there at night over the day time. My friends and I started the hike at 10 pm and since it was spontaneous, we came completely unprepared, but that made it that much more fun. We totally forgot that we would have to cross a couple creeks, and DAMN it was the coldest water I've ever dipped my feet in. Sitting by the waterfall in the middle of the night was so relaxing and so much different than being there in the day time. I loved how we had the whole place to ourselves instead of being surrounded by a bunch of teens drinking. If you have never gone on a night hike before, I would recommend that you get a group of friends together to do so. It is one of the most fun experiences you will ever have.
Whether you go in the day or at night, its an amazing hike that you should not miss out on if you're a San Diego native. It is definitely worth the drive and hike there. I can't wait til this hike opens again! -
Review from Devon K.
Ramona, CA
2/2/2012
This trail seriously has it's ups and downs, literally and figuratively. The trail from Ramona to what the locals call the Devil's Punch Bowl has undergone a recent renovation. Some people like the new trail, and some people prefer the old, rougher one, which is now "gated off".
Personally, I like the new trail. It's easier, and a wider variety of people can use it, on foot, bike, or horseback. The downside though is now everyone can use it, and what was once a relaxing getaway is now an overpopulated mess. I've got to say my worst experience here was getting to the waterfall and there were some teens smoking marijuana. It smelled disgusting, and they had no consideration for the people around them. Mostly everyone is friendly though.
Overpopulation of the trail didn't go unnoticed. The increase in medical assistance calls definitely did not go unnoticed. Shortly after the renovation, both of these spiked. Very shortly after the new trail opened, a 16 year old died after slipping off a bluff and falling 80 feet. This bluff is popular for cliff jumpers that like to climb it and jump from the extreme height, to the amusement of the watchers below.
Anyways, so some idiot died and ruined it for the rest of us and now the trail is closed until who knows when. I strongly suggest you use it when it reopens, but just don't be an idiot. -
Review from Krista Y.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 8/14/2011 5 photos
I used to love this hike.
Why do we have to have a super easy switch back trail now?!? Are we trying to fatten America even more.
Just because someone died at this hike does not mean it has to be ruined for the rest of us, even though it was already ruined by the ridiculous trail and the "idiot barriers" to keep us out of the brush. It sucks that someone died, but it used to happen at least once a year and it was not made into this big of a deal.Listed in: Best Places in Ramona
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/11/2011
Still awesome! This place was overflowing when I went a week ago since it had rained recently. It is… Read more »
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Review from Kristin F.
San Diego, CA
6/19/2011 22 photos
This review is for the Cedar Creek Falls hike via the Ramona entrance at the San Diego River Gorge Trailhead.
After turning right onto Thornbush Road from Ramona Oaks Road, continue uphill a short distance through a residential area. You can't miss the staging area with a parking lot (and plenty of street parking if the lot is full), restroom, drinking fountain, picnic table, trash/recycle bins, and water tower. Much thanks to blonde Heather W. for sharing this address in her review to plug into GPS:
15331 Thornbush Road
Ramona, CA 92605
The out-and-back trail is composed of packed sand with the exception of the quarter mile near the falls where you can anticipate sizable rocks underfoot. After starting out on the trail and gradually descending down the hills--there's zero shade those first 2 miles, by the way--you'll encounter 3 streams to cross. During Saturday's hike brunette Heather W. and I were able to just step across on stones without getting wet, but no doubt stream crossing is more of an adventure when the water level is higher.
The trail isn't marked past the trailhead, which surprised me being that there's an area where you have 3 distinct route options. (We went with the middle, correct route.) Furthermore, the trail can be tricky because hikers have repeatedly cut the trail and worn new paths. I inadvertently veered off-trail, and, though Heather W. and I quickly realized the mistake, we got turned around and ended up clocking 6.62 miles total, roughly 2 miles more than the hike distance should have been.
The waterfall, punchbowl, and surrounding area are beautiful but come at a price: the uphill hike in the scorching sun back to the trailhead isn't a piece of cake, especially the last .5 mile or so. It's no surprise that many rescues are made in this area after people indulge in an afternoon of partying at the falls.
Speaking of partying, know what others have been writing and saying about...
...the shouting?
...the music?
...the beer cans?
...the cigarette butts?
...the broken glass?
...the near-death dogs?
...the marijuana?
...the carelessness?
...the ignorance?
All of it's true and it's a shame.
Unless you wish to go on a hike with a destination the obnoxious equivalent of an MTV Spring Break scene, head to otherwise gorgeous Cedar Creek Falls on an off day.Listed in: San Diego Area Hikes
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Review from Brandon L.
San Diego, CA
6/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great hike, really fun, been a few times and want to help some people out. Things to bring :
1. Walking/running shoes AND sandals because you cross 3 streams, and there is alot of rocks and hot ground in-between them (it sucks to soak your shoes and socks and it's hard to frodo baggins it barefooted so bring sum sandals to wear from the 2nd river crossing on)
2. Bathing suit (your going to want to cool off in the waterfall swimming hole and the rivers) - Guys just wear board shorts and bring a backpack for any items your bringing
3. Sunblock (you will get burnt, almost no shade)
4. LOTS of water ( 2-3 water bottles per person, it's hot and dry)
5. Lunch (great to chill and eat once you reach the waterfall)
Pretty easy hike, fun, scenic, and you can do it all in about 3.5 hours - that includes lunch, swimming, hangin out, ect. Best to start early as possible, it gets hot. ALSO seen alot of people carrying their dogs back to the car uphill! Not fun, so make sure your dog can make it in this hot, dry heat. This is not the place to experiment with them. -
Review from Sarahbelle B.
San Diego, CA
6/27/2011
Everyone here has pretty much said everything, but just to say my experience... I went with about 20 friends, some from LA so we wanted to show them the waterfall. Getting to the fall wasn't difficult, we were smart and began the trail at 830am. Got to the trail about 9:15am (taking the Ramona trail). Nobody there, sweet. We got to waddle around, jump off the rocks, we even brought snorkling gear even though God knows what's down there...I scared myself hahah fish!! Eek, anyways. They do have a tree with a rope you can swing from into the water. I didn't see too many people mention that, so now you know! But don't hesitate, let GO of the rope, or you'll hit the tree cause that's where the rope wants to go with that momentum...Eek it happened to my friend lol =[
Now to touch up on the filthy people who go on the hike just to play in the waterfall, they are pretty obvious. They leave their trash everywhere, their beer cans everywhere, they ARRIVE in flip flops with their TEENY TINY DOGS who I feel so bad for on the way up. And when we began our ascend, we saw more girls coming down carrying NO WATER, NOTHING, wearing those flip flops and coming in their bikini's.......Yah.. good luck getting back up LOL.
Take lots of water if you plan to ascend in the sun :).
The place was so filthy, but my friend knew this would happen so he brought a plastic bag to clean up the place, at least we came up one large plastic bag full of plastics, and another full with trash (leftover lunches, a styrofoam beer cooler...etc) and we dropped it off at the trash spot which is located at the intersection of the ramona/julian trails.
Simple rule, PEOPLE: carry out what you carried in. So disappointed.. -
Review from Miss Maggie C.
San Diego, CA
6/6/2011
People die on this hike!!?!? This was a nice hike with creeks to cross through to get to devil's punchbowl... I suggest to not hike through the creek in your shoes unless you don't mind them getting wet... I ended up just going through the creeks barefoot .. because the first creek i went through, I lost balance and my shoes got soaked :(
Hike's 4.2 miles round trip, so it's not bad. The hike to devil's punchbowl is more downhill and flat, so that's much easier than going back, plus there are shortcuts along the way. Devil's punchbowl was nice, there were lots of people there jumping into the water from rocks above it, but the water was too cold for me to go in! There were two guys trying to jump from 70 feet up, and they had the whole crowd waiting to see them jump, but they put on a show for us for an hour and never ended up jumping!! Boo... what a tease.
If you've ever done the Inca trail up to Machu Picchu, I would say this hike is less than 1/4 the difficulty of climbing to Machu Picchu. :) I would do this hike again! -
Review from Valerie L.
San Diego, CA
6/11/2011
I've always wanted to go to Cedar Creek to see the waterfall. The directions on yelp are incorrect though! It was about 10 miles further than the yelp directions. After you arrive at Eagle Creek Road you drive down a dirt uphill road. It's a NARROW road, so you can't drive fast. We though we were going the wrong way because there were "No Trespassing" signs everywhere! It's really confusing and easy to get lost if it's your first time.
My friends and I went through the Julian route because we wanted to get some Julian Pie after. I love the hike, first you start going downhill and it's really easy. I do cardio daily, so going uphill after the waterfall wasn't too bad. It was REALLY HOT though. I brought a 1.5 liter water bottle and drank it all!
It's something to do at least once, but I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon because driving here takes an hour! I would drive more than an hour to EAT, but not work out! Hahaha. -
Review from Chelsia B.
Redondo Beach, CA
7/6/2011
Did this hike with my bf on Saturday 5/21. Got to the Ramona trail head around 9am and the parking lot was already pretty full.
This hike was my favorite so far as I've just recently taken up hiking. The canyon isn't the most beautiful thing right now as its starting to turn brown but still great nonetheless.
The river crossings can be done right now without getting wet as long as you have decent rock hopping skills. We didn't swim at the waterfall but it was stunning! (minus the trash! Really people?)
The hike up was great! You're really able to work up a sweat which is always nice. Not too challenging, but if you're out of shape might be pretty tough. Should be fine with some stops a long the way.
It took us a total of 2 hours round trip. When we got back to the trail head at 11 it was packed AND hot out. Try to get there as early as possible.
Tip: keep your eyes peeled for snakes! We saw 4 total, the only identifiable one was a king snake. -
Review from Cecilia S.
San Francisco, CA
5/25/2011
Awesome hike! I highly recommend this trail for those looking for a nice and relaxing hike. If you're looking for some rock climbing and canyon jumping type of ordeal, this is not the place for you.
There are two main ways to get to the waterfall - the Ramona way and the Julian way. I heard the Julian way is a bit longer, and the hill is a bit steeper. You also have to drive a good distance on this little dirt road to get to the start of the path. We didn't want to deal with all that, so we went the Ramona way.
It's a little confusing getting there because it feels like you're driving into the middle of a residential area. But don't worry; you're at the right place! You can park your car on the streets in front of a bunch of houses and there's a little entrance off to the side.
It's not an intense hike at all - roughly 4 miles or so and it took us about an hour to get to the falls. It's such a beautiful hike with spectacular views. We visited some time in April, and it was absolutely perfect. It was a clear and sunny day with a slight breeze. We took our time and stopped for a few pictures. There's a dirt path that leads the way, so it's kind of hard to get lost. Plus, all the other hikers are usually super nice so you have that camaraderie.
There was a ton of people at the falls - mostly young people. It's a great place to just kick back with a beer, hang out on a rock, go for a quick swim, or jump off a 70ft cliff. Make sure you bring sunscreen!
Overall, it was a great hike. It's mostly downhill on your way to the falls from the Ramona side, but it's all uphill going back.
Notes:
- Make sure you visit during the appropriate seasons. The water tends to run during the spring due to the melting of the snow, but it will be gone by summertime/fall.
- It also gets super hot in the summer, so stay hydrated! There have been people who were picked up by helicopters due to injures or dehydration. You don't want that to ruin your fun!
- Be prepared to get your shoes dirty and wet. There are little creeks you must pass along the way.
- Bring sunscreen, a towel, your bathing suit, a camera, and WATER! Stay hydrated! -
Review from Kaylee H.
San Diego, CA
5/22/2011
I am torn between giving this place 5 stars just for the awesome factor, or 1 star because of the fact that MAN HAS RUINED IT. I mean come on, the place is pristine, and then man finds a way to get in and all of a sudden it's full of empty beer cans and garbage and cigarette butts. Apparently some people do not respect nature.
The hike down is great, the hike up is hell. Pure unmitigated hell. Please do not bring your small children and if you bring a dog bring plenty of water for it. Dogs get heat stroke much faster than we do and they cannot tell you when they are too tired or hot to go on.
Come on people, grow the freak up. Carry out what you bring in.
Sad.
Really sad. -
Review from Melissa C.
San Diego, CA
5/29/2011
One of my favorite hikes in San Diego. The waterfall is beautiful and it feels nice to swim once you get there after you've been hiking for a while. My advice? Bring a camera, lots of water, and your swim suit, but don't go when it's too hot!
Check out this video on Cedar Creek Falls: http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Brittany H.
Walnut Creek, CA
5/9/2011
This is such a beautiful hike! I heard that the hike is very dangerous in the summer and many people had to be picked up in a helicopter. When I went a few weeks ago the helicopter was already circling the area to make sure everyone was ok. I would not recommend bringing dogs in the summer because several of them died last year. I like to go during March-May because it's not too hot and the waterfall is bigger from all of the rain. It will be cold though!
Here is a video:
http://www.youtube.com... -
Review from Sophia T.
Poway, CA
5/10/2011
Yeah, I am tempted to write this saying it really sucks, full of garbage and bandits, broken glass in the river, definitely don't go.....just so we can have a piece of this place to ourselves.
But it rulez.
Only thing that doesn't rule about it is cellular reception. And when we were there the Sherrif's helicopter hovered overhead on 2 occasions just because people CAN'T get cell there so if something had gone wrong, they wouldn't know until later, after the 3 mile hike out straight uphill!
I like jumping off a 20 foot cliff rock into the 40 degree water. It was icy, but good. -
Review from Tony L.
San Jose, CA
7/17/2011 1 photo
The hike was hard as other reviewers said. But for my group, (10yr olds to 27yr olds), the hardest part was going down the trail in the heat. But the end was well worth it. The fall was nice and the water was pretty deep. I thought there would be more room to lounge around but there isn't. Just boulders to balance on.
Hike from Julian side - hike down 3:30pm.. go up 6:30pm cooler
Started at 3:30pm. Went down Eagle Peak Rd I think. Man it was dusty and paved but dirt. Follow the signs of miles on the road till mile 9. It dead ends. Once you're there, you'll know. Parking was sucky. The lot was full so we parked on the side of the road next to the wall. Barely room for cars to pass since the road was about 1.5 cars wide. It was hot, seeing other hikers resting up top like they were dying hahah. Some lady passed us on the way saying she went down to give people water cause they ran out.
We started at a fast pace. Sun was beating. We passed by people going up and they look like they regretted going. Halfway our group started to get dizzy. It was so hot. Helicopters were fling around. I'm guessing they were there to save people if needed. Finally got to the bottom, there were rangers and cops. They were handing out water for people for the way back up.
Going down was really hard. I thought I was gonna sit and die omg.
Rested. From the bottom its about 10-15min hike to the waterfall. Passing by 2 or streams. Got there, cops were there to regulate on underage drinking, pot smoking, and cliff jumping.
The fall was nice and water was cold. It was a good break. Swam for a while and started back up. Back up was not hard at all. We left at 6:30pm. Once we got to the top, it was dark.
Tips !!!!!!
1. Hard hike if taken in daytime about 4.5 miles RT
2. Bring plenty of water
3. Shoes and sandles
4. Don't bring your dog, the paws will burn and dog will overheat. (I felt bad for our golden retriever. She hid when she could out of the heat in shade. But she was fine hiking back up after the swim. She was not hyper for 3 days ahahah) never again
5. Wear a hat.
6. No phone reception. (Parents called the cops looking for us hahaha)
7. Hike up in the evening when it is cooler
Overall, the hike was one to remember. Life threatening experiences always are. Everyone in the group the pool was well worth it. Just wished the lounging area was cleaner. It was kinda dirty. Good hike if you are prepared, death hike if you're not. -
Review from Lap L.
San Diego, CA
7/9/2011
This fall has a past of dehydration, injuries, and more recently, deaths.
Hike and dive at your own risk. -
Review from Lyndie N.
N HOLLYWOOD, CA
7/6/2011
2 stars for the hike
5 stars for the falls
We did this hike on July 4th at 12:30 in the afternoon. We hiked down from the Julian Side. Be prepared for 9 miles of dirt road that will make your entire car shake and no road markers.
The hike has no shade and it was about 100 degrees. Down is easy enough and the falls are absolutely gorgeous! The water is so refreshing and cool and there is a little grotto area you can swim to. It was really crowded, but everyone was nice and we found a little place to chill in the water. Bring water shoes if you have them for traction on the mossy rocks.
We started back up around 3:00PM. I am in pretty good shape, but the uphill in the heat was brutal. I had to keep telling myself to put one foot in front of the other and I took many breaks. I can see why they have to airlift people out. I overheated and at one point was ready to lay down and give up when I felt dizzy and nauseous. I was still feeling lightheaded later in the day.
BRING TONS OF WATER!!!!
Everyone that passed us on the way up looked like they were ready to keel over. Maybe the Ramona side is easier as we didn't pass any creeks, just dirt and rocks. The view over the side is very pretty though. Definitely go with someone else and not during the heat of the day. -
Review from Angela C.
San Diego, CA
5/27/2011
Holy cowwww!!! This was one hell of a hike, especially considering that the most walking that I get nowadays is to my car. If you're a beginner then you may either want to exercise more or go to a different one like Cowles Mountain.
Going to the waterfall, you feel pretty satisfied because you actually made it! Through the long dusty paths, the random clothing bench marks, and the little streams/rivers of water that you have to cross with rocks. There were a few steep parts, but I think only one person fell. Make sure to have good gripping shoes, as this is all downhill. The waterfall is pretty awesome. Watching crazies jumping off the high ledge or jumping off the rope swing. i can't swim so sucks for me, but it was still great to eat lunch at and take some pics. There was a little water snake in there, so my friend freaked out because she gets scared of even plastic snakes.
the HARD part is going back up to your car, because EVERYTHING is uphill except for like one or two flat surface parts. I think I was either about to die or faint while going up. My friends literally dragged me. No joke. I bought them pie afterwards to thank them. Luckily, we didn't get lost though because its not too hard to find what path to go on.
This is a beautiful hike, I would recommend going to it at least once. But make sure to bring lots of water. I needed more than 3 water bottles (made the mistake of only drinking like 2.5 though), but my friends only needed like 1.5-2. Of course they're way more fit than I am and I get dehydrated easily. And food + sunblock! -
Review from April B.
4/18/2011 8 photos
Wow. Everyone MUST do this hike! It was amazing!! The view is breath taking and I really cherish where I live THAT much more! I love doing things like this!! Try and go as early as you can because the heat can make it a lot harder. It's a bit far from where I live it took about 30min to get there but totally worth it!
The only thing I don't like is the hike to the falls is easy. It's getting back to the car is the hard part. I'd rather have the incline in the begging and getting to the falls as a reward rather than getting to the car as the reward HA! But I still love this hike.
You have to cross 3 creeks. My friends tried to step on the rocks to get across which worked for some but for me I said screw it. Took my shoes off and went right in! It's a lot harder and dangerous to cross the creek by jumping on the rocks. The water is sooooo cold but felt really good! Be careful when crossing because the rocks move and are very slippery. Two of my friends actually fell (not too bad).
When you reach the falls you can swim and cliff jump. It's pretty amazing! I didn't swim I put my feet in the water, sat, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery. I felt no where near home at this point. It was great.
Another test of endurance! Love it.
I recommend bringing:
- Water
- Extra pair of socks!! **
- Sandals to cross the creeks or go barefoot, sandals for after because there's 3 creeks. Don't want to keep taking your shoes off and on
- Towel to wipe your feet
- Hat
- Sunblock
Enjoy!!Listed in: Lets Get Hiking!
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Review from Angela H.
San Diego, CA
5/12/2011
I'd like to title this review: The Case of the Missing Sock
My cousin had been going on and on about hiking here so when I finally had a day off last week we went. Unfortunately it was during like the hottest week ever so I almost had heat exhaustion walking back up the hill. But I really did like this hike. They made a trail which makes it pretty easy to go down and back up. It took us a little over an hour each way.
On our way to the waterfall, I found various items of clothing discarded along the way. There was: a sweater, levi's jeans, and socks. At the waterfall there was a pair of jean shorts just hanging out between the rocks in the water. I couldn't understand how people could just leave these things behind. Socks I can kind of get because they're small and maybe they fell out of someone's backpack or something. But your jeans? Come on right?
Well when we got to the waterfall, because it was a blistering hot day and I had already gotten my shoes/socks wet crossing the creeks, I wanted to jump into the pool. So I left my socks next to my shoes to dry in the sun and climbed up the rocks to jump off just like everybody else. Then I swam around the pool for a bit before coming back to collect my stuff. Lo and behold one of my socks was missing. We looked all around the area but it was nowhere to be found. I just couldn't understand it because no one had moved my stuff and the water isn't like a river where it's gushing downstream to carry away my sock. It's a mystery just like those other pieces of clothes I saw on the way. Maybe the creeks like to steal clothes and deposit them randomly along the trail. Who knows?
Anyway, good thing I like looking stuff up on yelp because reading other's reviews I decided to bring an extra pair of socks in my backpack. So even though the wilderness has claimed one of my socks I had back up along the way. Thanks yelpers! Oh also if you work up an appetite doing this hike and you're a fatty like me and my cousin, you can go to Barona and eat at the buffet because it's pretty close. -
Review from Rachel S.
San Diego, CA
6/6/2011
Beautiful hike, but make sure to bring plenty of water if you're going during the summer months. I did this one last June and took my dog with me. He's been on plenty of hikes, and the forecast said it would only be in the 80s so I figured he would be fine. We hiked down no problem, swam in the watering hole and had a great time. Started hiking back up around 1 and that's when things got bad. It was so hot out that the pads of his paws were burning and about half way up, he just couldn't go any further. I had to have my guy friends carry him part of the way. When we got to the top, my car said that it was 100 degrees.
Two weeks later, I read an article about a group that had gone down with 2 dogs, and on the way up one died and the rest of the group had to be air lifted out. It's not a very long hike, but there is absolutely no cover once you leave the watering hole so it is full sun. They sometimes set up volunteers along the way with water bottles because people do not go there prepared for the hike back up.
Definitely worth the hike, but if it's summer, leave your dogs at home and be sure to bring plenty of water. Also timing it so that the up hill part of your hike is after 4 when it starts to cool down a bit. -
Review from Amir A.
San Diego, CA
6/13/2011
This hike single-handedly brought me closer to my friends and made me have a newfound love for nature.
The hike trail starts at a water tower near the edge of a residential neighborhood and proceeds to go about 2 miles down. I suggest bringing flip flops, some good shoes with traction (it gets a bit slippery), and extra socks. Lots of water, maybe an mp3 player and some snacks would also be helpful.
There are a ton of shortcuts carved out by previous hikers but they are either steep or challenging so be careful. We saved about 15-20 minutes going downhill on them. Once you go down far enough the trail will enter a series of streams that run through. I suggest switching to flip flops at the first sign of these and hiking the rest in them, just watch your step!
The actual falls are tucked away behind brush and rock and once you get there it really is breathtaking. I could not believe places like this still existed. There were a lot of people there when I went but my group found a nice spot to stash our stuff and head out to the cliffs that were perched anywhere from 30-70 feet above the diving pool below. There are also tree swings located on a little piece of land near the fall. The rocks near the water are extremely slippery, so be careful! The water itself is extremely cold, but it actually is very refreshing once you hike down especially if its hot out.
DO NOT tire yourself completely out though. The hike up is....well. a bitch. Drink plenty of water and just take it slow. Probably take around 2 hours. When you're done reward yourself and gorge on Barona's Buffet. I did until I threw up. Yay.
All in all this a great day hike. I loved this place and I really can't wait to go back. -
Review from Jon S.
San Diego, CA
4/3/2011
If you live in SD or anywhere within 200 miles and you have not done this hike you are really missing out. The walk down isnt bad, the walk up is a bitch but its totally worth the waterfall at the end. This has to be one of the coolest places I have ever seen in my life and strongly encourage you and any friends or family to do this. Just be careful not to get lost. When you get to the bottom it forks off 2 directions (coming from Ramona side). Go straight to get to the bottom, left to the top, or right to get lost. DO NOT GO TO THE RIGHT.
All and all, one of the best and most rewarding experiences of my lifetime so far. -
Review from John S.
Champaign, IL
3/26/2011
This hike was absolutely fantastic and discovering the waterfall at the end was awesome! Me and my friends, all college kids from Illinois, did this hike in March and the weather was beautiful, about mid 70's and sunny. The hike down the mountain in the beginning is a little bit longer than we expected but once you get to the valley and cross the streams with the cool water it pays off.
Seeing the waterfall appear through the trees was an unbelievable sight! It truly is a hidden gem out in the middle of nature. A fantastic getaway for any nature lovers or adventure seekers.
The path does get a little confusing once you hit the valley, you have to cross three streams and just keep walking to get to the waterfall. We met a couple who had walked up and down the sides of the stream and told us they couldn't find the waterfall, so we told them we thought we had to cross the stream and we ended up being right after about another half mile or so.
The water was absolutely frigid, but totally worth jumping in from fifty feet or so and the rope swing was also a lot of fun. You just had to get out of the water immediately before panic swept over your body and you had a heart attack lol. There was a family there who asked us if we were Navy Seals because we were jumping in the water which the locals viewed as deathly cold.
All in all, a great experience I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun way to spend a day hiking! -
Review from Chung S.
Poway, CA
3/7/2011
I have lived in San Diego all my life and I can't believe I never visited cedar creek falls. This is truly a hidden gem right in our backyard. After traveling to Costa rica last year and seeing their amazing waterfalls, I wanted to travel the world to find the best waterfalls. I was shocked to see how amazing and huge the fall was.
The best part is that you are able to jump in for a swim if you can handle the cold water. The hike there is about 5 miles round trip. My 10 year old niece was able to do it so most people in decent shape should be able to also.
On the same day I was there they open up new trails to make the hike less steep.
Remember to pack food and lots of water. You will be passing small rivers and streams so be prepared. -
Review from Terrence M.
San Diego, CA
2/13/2011
Ccedar Creek Falls is a beautiful, but strenuous, trail with inspiring views of looming mountains and drastic valleys that ends in a very rewarding waterfall scene, complete with a large pool for rock jumping and swimming.
Beginning at the trail head in Ramona, the trail meanders down, down down for about about two miles, crisscrossing the creek a few times before ending at the falls. Some stretches are quite steep. The Parks Service (or whoever administers the area) is currently adjusting the trail by adding switchbacks to make it easier, but I don't know when those changes will be finished. The hike back up is difficult: we passed crying kids, dogs that needed to be carried, and people who had to stop and catch their breath every few steps. Not recommended for someone who isn't use to some physical activity.
Some tips:
- Go during the rainy season to enjoy the full effect of the falls.
- Be prepared to get your shoes wet during the creek crossings.
- Go on a weekday, if possible, to avoid the crowds (there were about 30 people hanging out at the falls when we got there on a Saturday afternoon).
- The trail head is NOT the access road that starts beyond the water storage tank! You should be walking parallel to the last row of homes as you start the trail.
- The trail forks a couple times, especially near the creek crossings, so pay attention to your route.
If you're in decent shape and enjoy seeing waterfalls in San Diego, you'll love this hike! -
Review from Heather W.
San Diego, CA
7/25/2011 8 photos
wow. i finally get around to reviewing this hike and its been SHUT DOWN.
what did it take? a death, of course. the *sadly* expected, inevitable demise of someone falling off the cliff. RIP.
http://www.signonsandi...
thank goodness all i witnessed at the punchbowl was a lot of partying bros, college kids, stoners and drinkers that gave the ever-charming "spring break" atmosphere. but even just hearing about the kid's death is awful. and dont get me started on reading about several dogs who died of heat stroke by negligent owners.
what is it about a pool of water that makes people act like idiots? or rather, brings the idiots out hiking when they have no clue what they are doing. they come in flip flops, carrying a case of beer, blasting a radio...littering the trail and falls up like its whatevs. they spend all day jumping off the top of a cliff into a pool of water...cheering and egging each other on. they are drunk, they are stoned...they *somehow* make the trek back to their cars in the heat going fully up-hill in previously stated flip flops. they continue to live none the wiser.
but it only takes one.
well, what can i say at this point...the bad apples ruined it again. frustration from the neighboring community, several rescues, pet deaths, , and general disrespect had already put strain on this public jewel... though in all honestly, as a "hike" it was fairly mediocre. if there was no waterfall and giant pool of water to seek, there would have been no incentive at all. the journey itself is drab - standard chaparral, little shade, pretty short (~4 mi).
im glad i got the chance to check it our while i could, though. the fall was beautiful and would have been wonderful without the crowd. obviously some time the trail will reopen but as long as there is a fall and a big pool of water...the idiots will come.Listed in: Yo Couch Potato!
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Review from Brian E.
San Diego, CA
4/27/2011
We hiked in from the Ramona side Easter Sunday, April 24th 2011. The facilities at the trailhead are new and there are no dirt roads to drive on to get there. I had heard stories about getting to the east trailhead out of Julian, so the drive to this trailhead was a nice surprise.
Coming from this side you do have to cross three streams to get to the falls- the San Diego River (it's small at this point) and Cedar Creek (twice), but it is very doable and even felt good after a few miles on the trail.
The falls themselves are well worth the two mile hike in. When you finally get there you are rewarded with the sight of a falls dropping 80' from a sheer granite wall into a natural water-filled bowl below- a surprising and delightful site in semi-arid San Diego County.
The only disappointment was the amount of trash we encountered at the falls and on the trail, which is why I can only give this hike 4 stars. I wish people could appreciate what a natural treasure these falls are treat them accordingly.
I prefer hiking in the Sierras, but Cedar Creek Falls would be riight at home there. Definately a must see, especially if you're a local. -
Review from Pakie S.
San Diego, CA
3/15/2011
i've been to all those mountain hikes in san diego. All of their views are pretty nice, but when I went on the cedar creek hike. I was shocked so many times! I can't believe this is in San Diego!
1. on the way down the hill from ramona, take a break, sit on a big rock and look down at the whole valley! it's hill after hill of green!! you don't see any houses...unlike cowles mountain.
2. then a stream in my path!? the water is so clean here! it also makes you feel even deeper into the wild. you jump on rocks to get across or walk across depending on how high is the water level....then there's 2 other stream!
3. the waterfall is juz unbelievable. Once you get close, it is so huge, you have to really tilt ur head to see the top! You can also jump off into a swimming hole, it is so pretty. I jumped in and it was freezing, colder than the beach in the winter...but it's all worth it!!
totally worth the drive into ramona! Bring your dogs too, they'll love it there! Aside from food and water. Make sure you are wearing appropriate foot wear!!! -
Review from Stella A.
San Diego, CA
4/24/2011
I really enjoyed this hike. Usually when you go hiking you climb up and then down a mountain, but this was the reverse of that. The scenery is gorgeous, and dogs are definitely allowed :) The best part is that at the bottom there is a waterfall and there are some cliffs you can jump off of into the water. Its so unique!
When you come dont forget a lot of H2O and some snackies, because you probably want to rest at the bottom and swim a bit before going back up. -
Review from Chun P.
6/6/2011 12 photos
******* THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY, Episode 13: CEDAR "DOUCHEBAG" CREEK FALLS ******
I'd been meaning to do this hike for the past few years, and was finally able to do it yesterday and drag some friends, but apparently we were too late. Was it National White/Trailer Trash Day yesterday?
THE GOOD: Mother Nature
1. The actual hike itself is beautiful and majestic, and moderate despite going down and up about 1000'.
2. The Waterfall and pool at the end are incredibly majestic and gorgeous...this is in San Diego? The water is cold, but pleasant once you get used to it.
THE BAD: Homo Sapien Douchbagiticus
1. Early Warning Signs: 1 out of 2 folks were definitely not hikers: Flips Flops? No/little water? Coolers? Uh oh...
2. Dog Abusers: Do NOT bring your dogs down here. Its hot and dusty. If your dog is heavily panting, please stop torturing it and turn around. Yanking the leash on an exhausted dog is just evil and animal abuse. Dogs have died on this hike...leave Fido at home!
3. Smokers: Um, Dry Brush = Fire? 2nd hand smoke? Cigarette butts littered all over...idiots!!!
4. White/Trailer Trash & Douchebags: EVERYWHERE!!! I would say there were about 70-80 people a the falls, and 1 in 3 were a solid 100% DBag...enough to make the rest of us uncomfortable. Chip bags, cigarette butts, beer cans are littered throughout. I've never NOT wanted a tatoo more in my life. Where are all the real hikers and hippies? This place is going to be a dump by the end of the summer! :(
THE UGLY:
1. No law enforcement: the lone ranger at the trailhead was just spacing out off to the side, not even checking coolers. Of course, with all the budget cuts it'll be a long while until park rangers can truly police this area. Something bad is going to happen inevitably in the future.
2. Some D-Bags sitting by us were playing with a slingshot to launch sockballs into the pool and near the crowd. No care for public safety whatsoever. One D-Bag lost grip and accidently hit my wife in the back of the head with his hand. Being outnumbered and without any law enforcement, my wife and I reluctantly just accepted his apology instead of punching him in the face. (I was also dizzy from my head hitting a branch 10min prior...but that's another story...)
3. My wife later found out that her coworker and her husband also did the same hike 4 hours earlier and made it to the waterfall around 1030AM...apparently it was all TrailerTrashVille...they just turned back left when they noticed some were carrying RIFLES!
CONCLUSION: Go in group with some men for safety, lots of water, sunscreen, wear hiking boots or sneakers, and be prepared for Humanity's worst specimens. The website posted is http://sandiego-romant......but with this crappy crowd don't expect anything "romantic"
(1 STAR for Humanity) + (5 STAR for Mother Nature)/ 2 = 3 STAR
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*7-6-2011* UPDATE: Some teenage boy just died here and Forest Service is gonna close this place down:
http://www.signonsandi...
Don't let this happen to your Fido...RIP: http://www.10news.com/... :(
Try not to break an arm, leg, or neck...or die: http://www.eastcountym... -
Review from Emily H.
Carlsbad, CA
8/3/2011
This place deserves five stars because it's nature at its best. It gets four stars because people ruin nature. I went almost 10 years ago when I was still in high school, there was no trail to and from the fall, we had to practically make our own. Way unprepared for that trip but way better then how it is now just due to people.
I went back two years ago & it was nice to see an actual trail, except for the fact it's not a secret anymore. I went again June 2011. It's definitely a sight to see & if you enjoy cliff jumping it's a good place to go. I don't mind the party scene although I don't feel this is the place for it as it takes away from it's awesomeness mainly because the trash I see is always cigarettes, beer cans & bottles of booze. There are a number of people that do the hike just to pick up trash, and those people I would like to thank. I personally pack out what I pack in & all should fallow that simple rule.
I suggest checking this place out, during the week if possible. Bring plenty of water, extra socks & water shoes if you plan on cliff jumping. Wear a hat & sunscreen there is no shade either way, Julian or Ramona. The Julian way is more scenic but a little bit more challenging. I slipped crossing the 1st creek last time I went, ruined my camera hope you can take a lesson from me & put your camera in your pack while you cross. Although I've never fallen crossing a creek before, accidents happen.
I hear the place is closed but should open within a year. If you get the chance to go, it's worth it. Just be prepared for heat, a 2 mile hike there all down hill, a return 2 mile hike, all up hill (which can be challenging). And possibly a party crowd at the pool. Things may change after the death of the young man but the place shouldn't be closed down because of it. Only bring your dog if your dog is athletic and loves long walks, loves to swim & you bring plenty of water for it!!! I saw someone carrying the english bull dog back up the hill, still wonder why he thought that dog was meant for a hike like that. My friend brought her chihuahua and he did fine, granted we could pcik him up and carry him and he liked the water crossing the streams. Bring enough water... that's the main thing for you & your four-legged companion. My friends were lucky that I brought enough water for myself & to share! -
Review from Grayson S.
Morgan Hill, CA
5/13/2011
Whoohoo! This Place is Amazing! Me and a couple buddy's went here mid April. The walk downhill to the falls is great. It's easy to go off trail and make your own adventure to the canyon(Ramona Side) Great views all the way. It's kind of crazy that there's this waterfall in the middle of what seems to be a desert.
We started around 6 p.m. ish. every one who was coming up the trail were exhausted lol. We crossed two creeks while crossing we did get a little wet, oh well. We also stumbled upon a note posted to a tree that read"Pablo got straight(Middle Trail)" lol meaning someone had to leave behind a friend for whatever reasons..
Arriving to the falls after about a 30 min stroll. We stripped down to our undies and jumped right into the waterfalls swim-hole just like in the movies. Because the sun was down we had the whole place to ourselves. and enjoyed the cool fresh water as well as some cliff jumping.
Prepared with flashlights,a full moon, and clear sky's we began our journey up the hill. we used a shortcut(old blocked off steep trail)t hat could have saved us a total of 20 min comp to 8 min. We then followed the whiny trail back up for about 20 min to the car. The hike back was tough but defiantly manageable for any healthy young adult.
All in all amazing place that I will always remember.I defiantly plan on coming back next time I'm back in SoCal. "Pablo" hope you made your way.
5stars -
Review from David H.
San Diego, CA
9/7/2010
I've done this hike several times and it is really great. It's great exercise (on the way back up) and makes you feel really accomplished. And of course the waterfall, swimming hole and rope swing is a definite plus. I highly recommend this hike.
Few tips:
- In the latter summer months, the waterfall may be dried up. Best times to see the waterfall are Nov - Jun.
- Bring plenty of water!
- Clean up your trash!!! I could post this on every Yelp hike review, but last time we were there, there were piles of beer bottles and garbage down at the bottom. I find this very disrespectful. We decided to carry as much as we could back up the hike. If you lug all those full beer bottles down, the least you can do is bring them back up. Respect the earth! -
Review from Adrianne B.
San Diego, CA
5/6/2011
Great hike ...
Beautiful scenery the entire way.
Once you get to the falls it's pretty entertaining. Lots of people jumping off the rocks, swimming and swinging on the rope swing.
The hike back up isn't extremely difficult, but it is long and uphill the whole way. Bring lots of water and good company or music! -
Review from Heather W.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 7/19/2010 18 photos
Yes, I'm back again...
ETA on 8/1/10 - we went flying over the area yesterday and I've included some aerial shots I hope will help people in finding their way from both the Ramona and Julian sides of this hike. Thanks to Bryan T, my hot pilot. :)
Did this hike again with some friends, this time from the Ramona Side.
First, if you want to get there, plug this address into Google Maps or into your GPS:
Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead - Ramona
15531 Thornbush Road
Ramona, CA 92065
It'll get you there-again that's if you want to come in from the Ramona Side. See my previous reviews for directions from the Julian side.
Observations: This hike is prettier than coming in from the Julian side, and perhaps a wee bit shorter. However, the climb back up is MUCH more difficult. It is a lot steeper. You will cross water, so be prepared in the months where the water levels may be higher (in summer they're not too bad. We just hopped across the rocks).
From across the way you can see the trail coming in from Julian (I've added a photograph with the red arrows for reference). The incline/decline is gradual. The Ramona side is NOT this way.
Just reiterating: Do not do this hike if you are inexperienced or out of shape. Please don't bring kids. There were children crying, red-faced from the heat. Do bring plenty of water, and some sort of snack.
All that written, it is still as fabulous as it ever was.Listed in: Thumbs Up
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/28/2010
HOLY HELL!
First: Remember if coming in from the Julian side, you start this hike just past mile… Read more »
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Review from Aj T.
San Diego, CA
7/11/2011
Ive been going here for years and it was a beautiful hike. now it is filled with people who don't care about preserving this beautiful place. beer cans and all kinds of trash is now scattered everywhere. these people don't deserve to be around this kind of beauty. now all of us who know of places like this around San Diego please do not post reviews on yelp or any other social networking site because obviously we can see what it does to our natural wonders here in San Diego
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Review from Matt V.
San Diego, CA
7/24/2010 5 photos
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. Bring lots and lots and lots and lots of water (gallon per person is safe) and be prepared to work! This trail is not for the weak of heart or for first timers who aren`t up for an adventure. You need to be prepared to do some hard work and not complain. The more positive you are, the more rewarding it is in the end.
Hiking holds a very special place in my heart. I`m not a SD native...actually, I`m from San Jose/Milpitas, and there it is very easy to go hiking. Drive 15 minutes out in any direction and you`ll bump into a reserve/park/trail. Because of that I would go hiking all the time, but down here in SD I have no idea where to go. Going on this trip hella made me feel at home in SD after 3 years.
The drive up through the Ramona side wasn`t that bad. We were hella trippin out though lookin for San Vicente Rd. because we were on Wildcat Canyon for so long. But after we found that road it was all good. I could totally tell that this hike would be hella intense because we were out in the wilderness where no one could hear my screams and because it was hot as balls.
We started the hike off of Thornbush Rd at around 4 so the sun was pretty blazing. The first part of the hike is totally downhill which would seem easy except for the fact that I`m out of shape and had to spend all my energy stabilizing myself so I would slip all the way down the damn hills. Our hike took longer than most people would take because my group stopped every 15-20 minutes for a photo session haha. There`s this really nice upstanding boulder/bunch of huge rocks that we climbed up on to see a nice panorama of the place. One of the things we saw was this high ass trail that went all up in the mountains. That`s when someone said "Hell no we are not going up there." *this is when you realize the dramatic irony that we would be going up there*
We pass a small creek and find an area with hella clothes/trash. We thought "naw this isn`t the place" so we take a left and we ened up hiking up into the mountains. Tell me why this hike was the hike of death. We ended up going on the steep ass, high up, hot as balls trail! We stopped every 5 minutes and the sun was blazing. Some of us started feeling dehydrated and like we were going to die because we were all up in this hill and the trail was definitely the one less taken.
After some of the hardest hiking in my life and crushing about a million ants along the way (which are the largest I`ve seen outside of Yosemite), we ended up at the top of the waterfall...holy hell. It was like heaven hearing the running water but fuuuuuuuuu we were at the wrong side! We ended up sliding down the side of the waterfall on the steepest hill of my fuckin life and made it down to the pool after almost dying 5 times.
The lake was amazingly beautiful. There`s a rope swing for the adventurous to swing into the water. Apparently the water used to be deeper until the fires 8 years ago which kicked up a whole mess of dust/ash/dirt which made this random sandbar in the water. My friend Naomi and I just floated around on our backs and right then it hit me...we were so far away from the bustle and hustle and we were really being cradled in the arms of Mother Nature. Yeah, corny words but I don`t know how else to describe it. It`s pretty breathtaking. It`s also pretty breathtaking when I dove into the pool 23- feet up...yeah I almost shit my pants. Totally worth it though.
The sun started setting and we had a long hike back. We took the right path this time but that didn`t make it any easier. Hiking back uphill and having very little water was definitely no bueno. Good thing we found other hikers to share the way with. Definitely for hiking, the more the merrier. It was interesting seeing how landmarks looked differently now that they were being lit by the moon. We almost got lost a few times but we eventually made it back to the car at 9.
That was one of the most amazing times I`ve had in SD. A 5 hour adventure with some amazing people, almost dying, finding an amazing pool, hiking so hard that I can barely move my thighs, and about 20 photo shoots.
07/23/10 Haus of Hoochie, Marc N, Naomi C, Mark Y, Koreena Y, James H -
Review from Sylvia W.
Cypress, CA
6/21/2011
This was our first time on this hike. We got the recommendation from a couple we met at a restaurant in Julian who hiked it at 4:00 pm on Sunday. We didn't know of any hikes with waterfalls so we were sold on hiking to Cedar Creek Falls the next morning. There are 2 ways to get to the hike. The Julian side (off of Eagle Peak Rd) and the Ramona side. We did the Julian side since we were close to Eagle Peak Rd. We started out at 10:30 am and it was already getting warm. It's a long way to the bottom but on a much cooler day, its a nice hike down. I do NOT recommend bringing dogs on this hike on warm/hot days. The sand & rocks on the path heat up quick & are too hot for the dogs paws. There is no real shade along the trail too. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a good pair of shoes you don't mind getting dirty. I saw young girls wearing flip flops - yeah, I bet they regretted wearing those the first 1/4 mile into the hike. LOL! A backpack is good to carry your water, food, flip flops and sunscreen.
When you finally get down to the bottom, there is no visible sign and there are a few forks in the road. If coming from the Julian side, veer to the left and look for the pole that has the neon pink tape someone wrapped around the pole. On the pole someone wrote in black marker Cedar Creek Falls. It's about a 7 minute walk to the falls. You'll find more shade and trees on this short path.
The water was cold but that didn't stop a lot of people from jumping right in. It was a beautiful water fall but it's definitely a place where high school and college aged kids hang out. So expect pot smokers and kids bringing beer and beer bongs. Hopefully they picked up after themselves when they left because there are no trash cans in the area.
We didn't see anyone else in the morning walkiing to the falls but we did encounter one guy coming back up who went the wrong way to the falls. On our way back up, we did see a lot more people making their way down the trail on the Julian side. It took us about 65-70 minutes to walk back up the incline and this is with stops for water and rest. Dogs for sure will have problems going back up on a hot day. Best to leave them at home on this hike. -
Review from Anton T.
San Diego, CA
6/4/2010 18 photos
Best enjoyed during spring.
Took the Ramona route to the trailhead instead of the Julian way as it appeared simpler to get to.
We came on a Sunday (4/25) after 2 days of heavy rain (by San Diego standards) on 4/21 and 4/22.
Relatively mild April weather made the hike down and back up manageable. Each way took about 45 minutes or so.
Once at the base of the mountain, you will have to cross 3 streams. During our visit the bodies of water were definitely too deep to cross with our shoes. We had to take of our shoes off as some parts of the stream went up to my knees.
Have heard that the hike can be brutal during the summers given that the location is near Ramona.
Recent rain made the time spent at Devil's Punchbowl, Cedar Creek Falls ideal.
During that visit there were approximately 100+ people enjoying the pool and the sun.
Waterfall was flowing strongly, keeping plenty of fresh water in the "pool," while the rest ran downstream. Constant flow of new, fresh mountain spring water was greatly appreciated as there were tons of people and a few dogs swimming in the punchbowl.
Highlights of this attraction:
- Giant rock that serves as a jumping platform with several different heights from which to jump into the pool
- Large rope tied to a tree that is used to swing from the rocks into the pool.
- Pool itself is definitely deep. At the very least 7 feet deep at its deepest point during the time we visited.
- Several rocks to lie on and tan, with countless others that could be used for sitting.
Recommendations:
In addition to wearing shoes for the hike up and down, bring flip flops to wear while walking between the 3 streams. There were several areas with noticeable amounts of broken glass from beer bottles and putting your sandy feet into your socks and shoes after each stream would likely be too burdensome.
