4 spectacular Bay Area waterfall hikes for winter walks

There are few things more exciting to me than a waterfall hike in the rainy season, when creeks are spilling over in their full, splashy glory. Time it right, and the reward is so deeply fulfilling: You can see the power and serenity of water rushing over rocks, spot the tallest falls and deepest pools, and smell the earth-damp scent of the forest, glistening with newly-fallen raindrops.

These four Bay Area hikes visit seasonal cascades and waterfalls in Oakland, Walnut Creek, Morgan Hill and Los Altos Hills with ideas for warm-your-heart bites nearby. Since waterfall hikes tend to be in chilly canyons that can get wet and muddy, dress in layers and footwear to help protect against cold and muck. Although some waterfalls flow year round, most in our area need a good kick in the pants to get going, so a good strategy is to wait until late in the rainy season or after a heavy storm system passes through to see their ephemeral magic.

Leona Heights Park, Oakland

This hidden hiking haven boasts waterfalls cascading down a redwood-filled ravine and sunset-perfect vistas of the San Francisco Bay at the top. This 2.8-mile round-trip hike visits these highlights on a moderately steep trail with sharp drop-offs: Please take care with young children.

Begin on the York Trail off Mountain Boulevard, hiking into a shady ravine with evergreen redwoods and blackberry shrubs. Small waterfalls cascade down Horseshoe Creek as you cross pedestrian bridges and scramble along the narrow, rocky trail.

After 0.7 mile, merge left onto a dirt road and follow it to the summit. The rolling, fieldlike area overlooks a western vista of Mount Tamalpais, San Francisco, San Leandro Bay, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. When ready, retrace your steps to the trailhead, enjoying the cascades and ravine once more.

Trail map: https://tinyurl.com/leonaheights

Details: Leona Heights Park is open daily from dawn to dusk at 4444 Mountain Blvd. in Oakland. Free street parking is available on Mountain Boulevard, just south of Leona Lodge. Leashed dogs are allowed. Find more details at www.oaklandparks.org/leona-heights-park/.

Grab a bite: Phnom Penh House serves Southeast Asian specialities, such as delicious chicken soup with lemongrass and lime ($12.95), beginning at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday at 3912 MacArthur Blvd. in Oakland; phnompenhhouse.com.

Uvas Canyon County Park, Morgan Hill

This park is a waterfall wonderland in the rainy season, with multiple waterfalls along Swanson Creek. This 2.2-mile hike maximizes your time at Uvas, visiting five waterfalls in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills with an option for one more.

Begin by following the Waterfall Loop Nature Trail from the day-use parking lot. In 0.1 mile, turn right onto the Lower Swanson Creek Trail, descending through a rainforest-like riparian corridor to Lower Falls. When ready, retrace your steps back to the Waterfall Loop, crossing Uvas Canyon Bridge over Granuja Falls.

The wide and moderately steep trail continues along Swanson Creek, with spur trails leading to Black Rock Falls, Upper Falls and Basin Falls. After taking your pictures, turn around and retrace your steps to the parking lot. Alternatively, continue on the Contour and Alec Canyon Trails to visit one more waterfall, Triple Falls, for a longer 5.3-mile total loop with 1,400 feet cumulative elevation gain.

Trail map: tinyurl.com/uvaswaterfalls

Details: Uvas Canyon County Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset at 8515 Croy Road in Morgan Hill. Parking reservations ($6) are required seven days a week and can be made at gooutsideandplay.org. Learn more at parks.sccgov.org.

Grab a bite: Craft Roots serves yummy plant-based food, including a Chili Cheeze Burger ($17), from noon on Wednesday through Sunday at 17230 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill. Outdoor dining and takeaway are available. Find more at craftroots-mh.com.

Diablo Foothills Regional Park, Walnut Creek

Rolling green hills, creeks and castlelike sandstone formations make Diablo Foothills Regional Park a fun and adventurous hike in winter. This moderate 3.0-mile round-trip traces Pine Creek through a beautiful canyon to a seasonal waterfall.

Begin on the Stage Road Trail, hiking along Pine Creek and beneath sandstone peaks in Mount Diablo State Park that are home to nesting peregrine falcons. In 1.1 miles, arrive at the first of four creek crossings. Hiking poles may come in handy, as the creeks can be up to a foot deep after heavy rains, according to park staff.

After hopscotching across the fourth creek, turn right onto the Little Yosemite Trail into a rocky canyon. In 500 feet, a stream trickles over steep rock slabs covered in ferns, turning into a waterfall after heavy rains. Turn around here for a 3.0-mile hike or continue further for vistas of the foothills and distant North Coast Range peaks.

Trail Map: tinyurl.com/littleyosemite

Details: Hours vary by season, but Diablo Foothills Regional Park is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Feb. 28 at 1700 Castle Rock Road in Walnut Creek. Free parking is available at the end of Castle Rock Road and in the Orchard Staging Area. Leashed dogs are allowed. Learn more at www.ebparks.org.

Grab a bite: Kacha Thai offers spiced curries and New Zealand lamb satay ($14) daily from 11:30 a.m. on-site or to-go at 1665 Mt. Diablo Blvd. in Walnut Creek; kachathai.com.

Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills

Hidden Villa’s farm animals, creeks and hiking trails are a welcome and joyful escape from the hustle of everyday life. A 1.75-mile balloon loop visits farm animals, a beautiful creek and small cascades in a shady forest, and wildflowers on a family-friendly outing. (A 3.25-mile grand loop offers spectacular hiking, too, but erosion closed access to the Bunny Loops trail in late January, so save that idea for a later date.)

For the 1.75-mile loop, begin at the information kiosk, following the path beside the road towards the foothills. To your right is the Tin Barn with its heart-meltingly adorable sheep, and beyond it to the left is the White Barn and its playful goats. Pass the White Barn and continue on the flat Creek Trail to a confluence of the West, Middle and East Forks of Adobe Creek.

Bear left here across wooden bridges to stay on the Creek Trail, hiking upstream under a partly shady tunnel of California bay laurel and alongside rippling cascades in Adobe Creek. At the 0.8-mile mark, turn left onto the partly sunny Pipeline Trail, sprinkled with early season wildflowers like warrior’s plume and milkmaids. Close your loop and return to the parking lot, waving goodbye to the goats and sheep until next time.

Trail Map: tinyurl.com/hiddenvillacreeks