Nojoqui Falls: what to know before you go

Nojoqui Falls quick facts

Address

3250 Alisal Road, about 6.6 miles (19 min) by road from Mission Santa Inés by OSRM

Hours

8am to sunset

Status (Oct 18, 2026)

County page: picnic Area A closed for erosion damage until further notice. No trail closure or flow report posted

Trail

About 0.65 miles round trip and 175 feet of climb, roughly 30 minutes, per Hikespeak; the county just says "short trail". Bikes aren't allowed on trails

The falls

About 80 feet, per Hikespeak and onX; other sources give 140 to 164 feet, and the county gives no height. Water leaves travertine on the face, so the falls build outward

Facilities

Ball fields, BBQ grills, picnic tables, group areas, playground, restrooms

Group areas

B (125), C (110), D (100); $15 non-refundable reservation fee, book ahead

Is Nojoqui Falls open, and is it flowing?

The park is open daily, 8am to sunset. On Oct 18, 2026, the county's park page listed one closure: group picnic Area A, "closed due to erosion damage, out of service until further notice". It said nothing about the falls trail being closed, and it didn't report water flow. The fall is seasonal, so there's usually little to see in a dry spell. Driving out just for the water? Call County Parks on 805-568-2460 first.

What's near Nojoqui Falls? Make a day of it

Most visitors drive straight back to Solvang after the falls. Three stops close by make a better afternoon, and the first is barely a mile or two away. Drive times are without traffic.

• Folded Hills, 2323 Old Coast Highway, Gaviota: about 1.9 miles, 7 minutes. It's a winery on a 600-acre working ranch and farm. Its Farmstead animals are out to meet on weekends: Folded Hills' September 2026 post says Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm, and lists no fee. Paid private ranch experiences are separate; the weekday-only Corks & Critters animal feeding is $50 per adult and $15 per child. The Homestead tasting room is open daily 11am to 4pm, and reservations are encouraged.
• Vega Vineyard & Farm, 9496 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton: about 6.4 miles, 13 minutes. Full-service lunch daily 11am to 5pm (to 7pm Friday and Saturday), weekend brunch 10am to 1pm, farm animal feeding, a kids' play area, and tractor rides Friday to Sunday.
• Industrial Eats, Buellton: about 7.5 miles, 14 minutes. Wood-fired pizza and shared plates, open daily noon to 8pm.

How long is the Nojoqui Falls hike?

About 0.65 miles round trip, with 175 feet of climb: Hikespeak's measured route, which it puts at roughly 30 minutes of walking. The county calls it only a "short trail" and gives no distance. The path follows Nojoqui Creek under oaks and laurels, crosses a wooden bridge, climbs stone steps and ends at a stone viewing platform at the base of the falls. Hikespeak and onX put the drop at about 80 feet. Other sources say 150 or 164, and the World Waterfall Database reads about 140 feet from lidar, noting the upper part likely can't be seen from the trail's end. The water deposits travertine down the rock face, so the falls slowly build outward instead of wearing back. Bikes aren't permitted on the trails.

How do you get to Nojoqui Falls?

From Solvang, follow Alisal Road south to the park. From Highway 101, take Old Coast Road to Alisal Road; the county puts the falls 1½ miles east of the highway near Gaviota Pass. From Mission Santa Inés in Solvang it's about 6.6 miles, 19 minutes.

Can you bring a dog to Nojoqui Falls?

The county's park page doesn't address dogs. Nearby hotel The Marlo lists it as a leashed hike, so bring a leash and check County Parks rules before you go.

Good to know

What is there to do near Nojoqui Falls? Folded Hills' Farmstead animals are about 7 minutes away by road (weekends 11am to 5pm, per its Sept 2026 post). Vega Vineyard & Farm is about 13 minutes and Industrial Eats in Buellton about 14.

Can you bike at Nojoqui Falls? Not on the trails. The county says bikes aren't permitted on them.

Don’t miss

• Group picnic Area A is closed for erosion damage until further notice; book B, C or D ahead ($15 fee). (2026-10) source

You might also like

• Folded Hills Farmstead · about 7 min drive (1.9 mi). Farm animals and tasting off Old Coast Highway. Tip: Farmstead weekends 11am–5pm per its Sept 2026 post; tasting daily 11am–4pm. Official site · source
• Vega Vineyard & Farm · about 13 min drive (6.4 mi). Lunch, animal feeding and tractor rides. Tip: Lunch daily 11am–5pm, Fri–Sat to 7pm. Official site · source
• Industrial Eats · about 14 min drive (7.4 mi). Wood-fired lunch in Buellton. Tip: Open daily noon–8pm, per its site. Official site · source
• Alisal Ranch · about 12 min drive (4 mi). Lunch on the way back up Alisal Road. Tip: Alisal River Grill takes reservations on Tock. Official site · source

Drive times are without traffic.

Nearby: eat, taste, stay

• Solvang windmills: Where they are and photo spots
• Folded Hills Farmstead: About 7 min by road; animals Sat–Sun 11am–5pm per its Sept 2026 post
• Industrial Eats: Two wood-fired ovens and a butcher shop · About 14 min by road in Buellton, open daily noon–8pm
• Alisal Ranch: 10,500 acres, one public grill · On Alisal Road on the way back to town
• Solvang bakeries: Picnic pastries for the lawn
• Things to do in Solvang: More outdoor ideas
• Pet-friendly hotels in Solvang: Fees, limits and patios

Quick answers

Is Nojoqui Falls flowing right now?

The county park page doesn't report flow. The fall is seasonal; call County Parks at 805-568-2460 before a special trip.

Is the Nojoqui Falls trail open?

On Oct 18, 2026 the county listed no trail closure. Only group picnic Area A was closed, for erosion damage.

What are Nojoqui Falls Park hours?

8am to sunset.

How far is Nojoqui Falls from Solvang?

About 6.6 miles, roughly 19 minutes by road from Mission Santa Inés, south on Alisal Road.