Nojoqui Falls Park Trail Solvang Santa Barbara Hike

Nojoqui Falls Parks is located just off Highway 101 north of the Gaviota Tunnel between Santa Barbara and Buellton. In addition to picnic tables and playing fields, the park offers a short hike to an eighty-foot waterfall. This two-thirds of a mile round trip trail ascends 175 feet up a shaded canyon to the enchanting Nojoqui Falls.

Nojoqui Falls
Nojoqui Falls Trail

There are no junctions on the way to Nojoqui Falls. Just stick to the wide trail as it passes through an old forest of oaks and laurels. Halfway up, the trail enters the canyon below the falls, crossing a wooden bridge and climbing stone steps on the left bank of the creek. The trail crisscrosses the canyon and arrives at a stone viewing platform at the base of the falls. Overhead, Nojoqui Falls cascades down an 80-foot wall of fern-lined sandstone. This year-round attraction peaks in early spring when the falls are fullest, but Nojoqui Falls remains picturesque in the autumn when the waterfall is reduced to a slender ribbon of water flowing down a lush green tapestry. After heavy rains, Nojoqui Falls expands from a trickle to a torrent, becoming a truly powerful sight.

Nojoqui Falls
From a trickle in November…
Nojoqui Falls
To a torrent in January

Unfortunately, the Chumash word Nojoqui is pronounced na-hoo-ee and not no-joke-ee, which would have been more humorous to their English speaking successors. Regardless of the name, the waterfall is a beautiful sight, certainly worthy of the short hike (no joking). After enjoying the falls, simply return the way you came. The entire hike takes about 20 minutes. While this is not enough time to work up a sweat, visiting the falls is a nice activity for anyone driving on the 101 and looking for a quick break. Those spending more time in Nojoqui Falls Park can make use of the picnic tables, BBQ pits, and ball fields. The park is free to the public and dogs are welcome on leash.

Nojoqui Falls
IMAGE-CAPTION

To get to the trailhead: From Santa Barbara, take Highway 101 north. Drive 5.4 miles past the Gaviota Rest Area and turn right on La Lata Place, following signs for Nojoqui Park. Take La Lata Place for one mile and make the first left on Alisal Road. After 0.8 miles, turn right into Nojoqui Falls Park. Follow the road through the park to the left and toward the mountains. Restrooms are located in front of the cul-de-sac at the trailhead. The park is free to the public and dogs are welcome on leash.

To get to Nojoqui Falls Park from the north, from the city of Buellton, take Highway 101 south for 4.7 miles and turn left following signs for Nojoqui Park onto La Lata Place. Make the first left on to Alisal Road and proceed to the park as described above.

Trailhead address: 3200 South Alisal Road‎, Nojoqui Falls Park‎, Gaviota, CA 93117
Trailhead coordinates: 34.530632, -120.176306 (34° 31′ 50.27″N 120° 10′ 34.70″W)

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Photos

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These photos were taken in November of 2010 and January of 2011. Click to enlarge.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Gaviota State Park · Santa Ynez Mountains · Waterfalls
Distance: 0.65 miles · Elevation change: 175 feet

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38 Comments on Nojoqui Falls in Santa Barbara County

  1. David wrote:

    Nice pictures, good to see the waterfall flowing so well.

  2. Wondering if anyone knows what conditions are like around mid-August
    Nojoqui Falls in Santa Barbara County?

    • Steve Howe wrote:

      I just did this short hike and the falls were totally dry. It’s still a pretty hike. I’ll be back again in early spring to catch the falls flowing!

  3. Diana wrote:

    saving this now – planning for a spring hike.

  4. […] Hikespeak also has a detailed write-up here. […]

  5. E.J. Morris wrote:

    How is the water there? Still any flowing or is it dry?

  6. Dave wrote:

    Trail is closed due to rockslide right near falls from heavy rainstorm in Dec. Temp fencing and warning signs didn’t seem to discourage many hikers though.

  7. Kevin wrote:

    This trail is still closed as of this week.

  8. Katrina wrote:

    Does anyone know if this trail will be open by the 27th? Or if it is open now?

  9. Skeezer wrote:

    Can someone tell me if the trail is open now?

  10. Rick wrote:

    I would also like to know if the trail in open… If not we’ll just have to climb!

  11. linda kelleher wrote:

    I am wondering if the trail is opened and if there is any water falling.

  12. Jenny wrote:

    I am also wondering if the trail is open and if there is any water falling.

    Thanks.

  13. Ismael Fernandez wrote:

    The Trail is still Closed as of August 29, 2015

  14. Imelda Diaz wrote:

    I’m wondering if the trial has open or not?

    Imelda Diaz's ratings for this hike: Imelda Diaz gives a rating of 2Imelda Diaz gives a rating of 2Imelda Diaz gives a rating of 2Imelda Diaz gives a rating of 2Imelda Diaz gives a rating of 2
  15. Nishant Pol wrote:

    Trail is still closed as of 12/26/2015. Ranger told us there have been two landslides, and a boulder is blocking the trail, so it is closed indefinately.

  16. Dan wrote:

    Is the trail open yet? Does it have water?

  17. Alisa wrote:

    Hi all. We went to the falls yesterday. There is nothing more than what I would call a trickle. The landslide happened just in front of the falls. There is a posted sign warning to go no further, but a footpath has been created by people ignoring the sign and fence that traverses the (mostly) dry creek bed.

  18. "Peter" wrote:

    Is the trail open? I’ve been wanting to take my daughter there. Last year, after it closed, I heard that there was a fracas involving the police and the on-ranger. Maybe there needs to be a change of personnel in charge of this park?

  19. Genese wrote:

    Well, on March 3 the waterfall was dry. We had some pretty good rain yesterday (all day). Does anyone know if there is a waterfall? I am planning on going there this afternoon with my daughter.

  20. Lydia wrote:

    Is the waterfall open and is there any water coming down? Has anyone been there recently 6/12/16? Thank you in advance.

  21. Susan wrote:

    Are dogs allowed on the hiking trails?

  22. Chris wrote:

    Dogs are allowed on the hiking trail. Also the trail is still closed right before the falls but as others have stated there is a path simply walking around the close barrier. Only a few drops coming down the falls.

  23. Ann wrote:

    What does the name Nojoqui mean?

  24. Justina wrote:

    Careful here. My moms car was broken into on November 18, 2016. If anyone was there on that day please let me know. Someone smashed out her window and stole her purse and everything in it. Very weird that everyone said they didn’t hear anything. Doesn’t seem to be a safe place.

    • E King wrote:

      Too bad I didn’t read your post sooner. We were there Dec. 30, 2016, a couple of days ago, and the same thing happend to us. I wish they had signs posted as we were the SIXTH break-in in two weeks.

  25. […] Solvang there is an easy trail to a beautiful waterfall, Nojoqui Falls. We were so excited about seeing this because we love going on family hikes. Plus it was a trail […]

  26. Elie wrote:

    Thank you guys for giving a heads up about the break-ins. I’m glad I read this. I really wanna see this spot but now I know to uber there or something.

  27. Natalie wrote:

    Can you hike clear up to the falls yet, or is the trail still closed just before the falls?

  28. K wrote:

    The top 200 feet remains closed indefinitely. Too much debris still falling which makes it unsafe.

  29. […] due to a hold off on the expected rain, we pulled off the 101 north of Santa Barbara to walk the Nojoqui Falls Park Trail. It’s a pretty area to drive to and walk to see the Falls. We hadn’t done the research […]

  30. christine burkett wrote:

    Any water in the falls today June 8, 2019?

  31. Alice wrote:

    Just wondering if there’s any update on the waterfall, hiking conditions recently. Thanks in advance

  32. Kt wrote:

    There was water this weekend. More of a beautiful trickle then a thundering falls. The signs that are up all around the falls are soooo ugly. It would be nice if the message was blended better into the surrounding. They also need a falls viewing area with a sign for photo ops. It’s a great walk for kids. Short and sweet. If you like a more peaceful walk either come really early or skip this one.

  33. Kacie Gene Kirkendall wrote:

    Is the trail open now (July 2020)?

  34. Linda wrote:

    We are planning to hike the Nojoqui trail on November 22 – Sunday before Thanksgiving. Please let me know if it will be open and available for 6 to 8 people?Also, Are there bathrooms and,are there ballfield and or picnic tables available also?

  35. LIZ AND EDDIE wrote:

    Visited the falls this past May 30th, 2021 and there was a little bit of water flowing on the falls. The hike is pretty short. I think we hiked it in about 15 minutes and that included making short stops along the way for pictures. Its still a really nice hike and has pretty scenery. Uneven paths and a slight incline on the way up with uneven stairways. Saw a few seniors waiting down at the bottom while other hikers continued the hike. So if you have seniors with you or you have any kind of physical limitations, you might want to re-think this hike.