- Miles: 1.33
- Time: 30 min
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best Season: Spring
- Elevation Gain: 277 ft
- Max Elevation: 6425 ft
- Type of Trail: Out & Back
- Parking Lot: Fits 30+ cars
- Dogs: Allowed On A Leash
- Restrooms: Not Available
- Trail Popularity: Very High
Looking for an easy weekend adventure? Visit the enormous San Antonio Falls in the Angeles National Forest! Most guides online claim the falls is only 75 ft high, but I believe that only applies to the bottom tier. The video below shows how much larger it actually is.
The trail at San Antonio Falls totals 1.3 miles roundtrip, and mostly consists of a concrete road leading hikers past beautiful pine trees, mountain cabins, and ending at a huge multi-tiered cascade at the base of Mount Baldy. The best time to visit is in the late winter to early summer months. Since the trailhead begins at a high elevation, snow can be expected during the winter months.
San Antonio Falls is both one of the best hikes and best waterfalls in all of SoCal. Check out the other trails by viewing the posts below:
Best Hikes In Southern California
San Antonio Falls Trail Map
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Address & Directions
To be redirected to the trailhead via Google Maps, click the following link: 993 Falls Rd, Mt Baldy, CA 91759
Helpful Links
SoCal Adventure Pass (required for parking in CA mountains)
San Antonio Falls Hike
I came to San Antonio Falls (sometimes referred to as the Mt Baldy Waterfall) in early June and was pleasantly surprised to see a decent amount of water.
You will begin the hike by walking past the gate, and heading up a concrete road called Falls Rd.
Shade is scarce, and the temperature can get pretty warm, so I suggest bringing some shorts, a hat, and sunscreen!
Everywhere you look there is a sea of pine trees and breathtaking views.
When you arrive at the first fork, stay on Falls Rd. The road to the left is a driveway leading down to privately owned cabins.
Before switching from Falls Rd to a dirt trail, you will notice a wall made of short vertical logs.
This area is an overlook that offers a view of all three waterfall tiers, the surrounding canyon, and the creek. It’ll be the best view the hike has to offer.
Hop over to the dirt trail. This is the only somewhat difficult section of the hike.
It’s a bit steep and the dirt is loose, but once you make it past this section, it’ll be smooth sailing.
Almost there!
After trekking only 0.6 miles from the trailhead, you’ve made it to San Antonio Falls!
The crystal clear water is pleasantly refreshing, and the mountain breeze feels amazing. Everywhere you look you’re surrounded by pine trees and canyon walls.
In my opinion, San Antonio Falls is one of the best hikes in LA. Check out the complete list by clicking the link below:
Best Waterfalls In & Near Los Angeles
Update: I visited San Antonio Falls on Nov 9, 2022 a day after it snowed. Needless to say, I was blown away.
Can you spot the guy in blue in the image below?
For those who crave more adventure, there is a way to get up to the top tiers, but I’ll let you figure that one out yourselves as it’s not very difficult 😉
FAQ
Can you swim at San Antonio Falls?
No, there is no swimming hole deep enough to swim.
How is San Antonio Falls rated?
It’s rated a 4.5 stars from 56 Yelp reviews.
Is San Antonio good for kids?
Yes this hike is easy enough for kids.
Does San Antonio Falls have an overlook?
Yes, there is a section of the trail that overlooks the waterfall.
