var _ndnq = _ndnq || []; _ndnq.push([’embed’]);

Waves of mist engulf me like a tsunami, mingling with those feel-good negative ions generated by the near torrential flow of Alamere Falls in Point Reyes National Seashore. This year’s banner Bay Area rainfalls — record-setting in some situations — have bestowed impressive volumes to this and other local waterfalls.

Of course, this same precipitation has made many waterfalls inaccessible in the short run, destroying trails and felling trees along access routes. Forewarned, I was already plotting the next destination of my adventure tour of four Bay Area cataracts, pondering my plan while lounging on this Marin County beach, getting giddy on ions. You can get giddy, too.

Here’s how to reach some of the Bay Area’s most spectacular waterfalls. Some require some strenuous footwork; others are a mere happy hop.

Marin’s jewels

On a recent warm weekday morning, I head for Bolinas, eager to access Alamere Falls via the Palomarin trailhead at the end of Mesa Road. The moderate-level, 13-mile round-trip trail threads along the coast, offering dizzying clifftop views, before heading inland through seashore flora, past lurking poison oak and forested areas and skirting two small lakes.

I learn early on the daylong uphill climb and return that with few exceptions, the mantra is, “Wanna see the falls? You gotta earn the falls!”

After 3.5 miles, I come to a trail junction and a sign made of rocks pointing to “falls.” This shorter route was once the official falls trail, but is now unmaintained, storm-damaged and not recommended. Park rangers cite crumbling rock and dangerous conditions, as well as poison oak and ticks, imploring you to continue on to Wildcat Campground and proceed south along the beach at low tide to the falls.

The reward is significant: Alamere Creek plunges down a series of cascades before toppling some 30 feet down a shale cliff to the ocean beach below. This “horsetail” variety of falls is one of two rare “tide-falls” in California that crash directly into the ocean. Major bridge damage has made Big Sur’s sublime McWay Falls unreachable from the north by car, but Marin’s Alamere is accessible.

On this particular day, Alamere is simply stunning: Waters cascade in a spectacle of infinite patterns, while visitors play in the spray, taking selfies and picnicking on the beach and along the cliffs.

Another splendid Marin waterfall is Carson Falls, off Fairfax-Bolinas Road, which climbs past the Meadow Club golf course to the road closure gate at the Pine Mountain Fire Road trailhead. The journey up the rutted fire road rewards hikers with sweeping vistas of verdant green hills, soaring hawks and vultures and crystal-clear bay views.

This moderate, 3.2 mile roundtrip trail is well-marked on sign posts as you head left down Oat Hill Road and bear right into a thick forest, arriving at the top of Carson Falls.

Crossing a small bridge on the right, I come to a spot midway down the falls, where several cascades rush down a basalt gorge into pools, preparing for their final leap off a 35-foot rock face. To see the lower falls, I continue down the trail and then double-back up the creek, jumping rocks and stream to get into position for some great photos.

(Tempting as it may be to do a two-for-one and take in nearby Cataract Falls, access is curtailed, due to the Fairfax-Bolinas Road closure.)

Alameda County choices

The East Bay has its own waterfall claims to fame, of course, including Donner Falls on the flank of Mount Diablo, reached by a 5.2-mile moderate loop from Clayton. And for you masochists, there’s 100-foot tall Murrieta Falls at Del Valle Regional Park near Livermore, a gut-punching 12-miler, with a killer 4,000-foot vertical climb.

Not being a masochist, I opt for a 2.8-mile stroll in the Sunol Wilderness Regional Park to reach the Little Yosemite area. Sunol Park, off Calaveras Road at the end of Geary Road, is popular with families and dog walkers, and the trail draws large weekend crowds. The path is quite wide, gently rising next to a gorge lined with igneous and metamorphic rock boulders.

In the canyon, the now-raging Alameda Creek has gone all Merced River here, overrunning its banks and flooding forested areas on its way through Niles Canyon and out to the bay. In the Little Yosemite area, hikers climb among the rocks to catch views of small waterfalls and churning pools. Alas, perfect swimming holes are not to be; no dipping allowed.

Big Basin Wonder

Heading south, I make my way down Highway 9 to State Route 236, bound for Big Basin Redwoods State Park and Sempervirens Falls, near Boulder Creek. Newly paved but very narrow, Route 236 winds through the archetype of the forest primeval, winding and winding, seemingly taking one minute less than forever to reach park headquarters. From there, a short ride up nearby Sky Meadow Road yields a small parking area adjacent to the falls. And no hiking required!

Sempervirens Falls — Sequoia sempervirens is the coast redwood tree — is a small, postcard-perfect waterfall that drops into an emerald pool that might as well be situated in the Forest of Lothlorien in Elvish Middle Earth. The little cascade is a perfect place for contemplation.

IF YOU GO

When hiking to waterfalls, carry extra layers of clothes, plenty of water and trail food, a multitool, a flashlight and, if you’re carrying a camera, an extra battery. A small first aid kit and moleskin is always helpful. Make sure your cell phone is charged. Check these websites for road and trail updates before you go.

Alamere Falls: Check the tide tables for beach hiking here. Find more information at www.nps.gov (use the search field to look for Alamere Falls).

Carson Falls: bahiker.com/northbayhikes/carsonfalls.html

Sempervirens Falls: Big Basin has been especially hard-hit by storms this winter. The main 10.5-mile loop trail to Berry Creek, Silver Falls and the Golden Cascade is impassable, although you can still reach those falls by other more circuitous, strenuous routes. But Sempervirens Falls is easy to reach and beautiful. Find more details at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540.

Sunol Wilderness: www.ebparks.org/parks/sunol

Falls on Grass Valley Creek: These waterfalls at Oakland’s Chabot Park can be reached by parking at the Clyde Woolridge Staging Area at the intersection of Grass Valley Road and Skyline Blvd. Walk up the hill about 100 yards to an entry gate, go through the gate and walk down the Jackson Grade trail about 1/3 of a mile until you come to the stone bridge. Proceed right at the Cascade Trail about 1/4 mile to the falls. The trails are being cleared of trees so call 1-888-EBPARKS before you go to make sure the path is clear.

More waterfalls resources: Find information about waterfalls around the world, including falls in Northern California and the Bay Area at www.world-of-waterfalls.com.