Cliff Diving & Jumping in California
53 spots across 43 areas. Pick a town to explore, or get the app for the full map.
California spans more cliff jumping terrain than any other state. In the north, granite-lined rivers dominate — the South Yuba (Hoyt's and Edwards Crossings), the American at Knights Ferry, the McCloud Falls and Burney Falls country, plus Sierra swimming holes like Bassi Falls and Gods Bath. Lake Tahoe's coves draw summer jumpers. In the south, the scene is creeks and coast: Aztec Falls and Deep Creek in the San Bernardino Mountains, Malibu Creek's Rock Pool, Tar Creek near Fillmore, and the sea cliffs of La Jolla and Corona del Mar. Mountain water stays cold year-round; coastal spots depend on tide.
Auburn1 spot
Avalon1 spot
Avila Beach1 spot
Burney1 spot
Calabasas1 spot
Camptonville1 spot
Carlsbad1 spot
Cedar Glen1 spot
Cherry Valley1 spot
Chico2 spots
Corona del Mar1 spot
Fillmore1 spot
Gold River1 spot
Hesperia1 spot
Jackson1 spot
Knights Ferry1 spot
La Jolla2 spots
Lakeport1 spot
Long Barn1 spot
McCloud2 spots
Montgomery Creek2 spots
Nevada City2 spots
Ojai1 spot
Pacific Palisades1 spot
Palmdale3 spots
Pearblossom1 spot
Penn Valley1 spot
Pine Valley1 spot
Porterville1 spot
Potter Valley2 spots
Ramona1 spot
San Diego1 spot
San Dimas2 spots
San Pedro1 spot
Santa Barbara1 spot
Sequoia National Park1 spot
Solana Beach1 spot
South Lake Tahoe1 spot
Tahoma1 spot
Thousand Oaks1 spot
Upper Lake1 spot
Vallecito1 spot
Willow Creek2 spots
Cliff jumping in California — FAQ
What are the best cliff jumping spots in California?
Up north: the South Yuba River, McCloud Falls, Burney Falls, Knights Ferry, and Gods Bath. Around Tahoe: the east-shore coves. Down south: Aztec Falls (Deep Creek), Malibu Creek Rock Pool, Tar Creek, and the La Jolla / Corona del Mar sea cliffs.
Is cliff jumping legal in California?
Many river and lake spots are tolerated, but some — like Malibu Creek Rock Pool — are posted and ticketed, and a few have been closed after accidents. Check signs and local rules before you jump.
Is the water cold at California cliff jumping spots?
Sierra and NorCal river spots are cold even in summer (snowmelt-fed). Lake Tahoe is frigid year-round. SoCal creeks and the coast are milder in late summer.