Little Yosemite via Canyon View Trail

1895 Geary Road, CA
3.9
13 Reviews
Little Yosemite via Canyon View Trail
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Details

Distance
3.01 miles
Elevation Gain
705 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back

Features

Wildflowers
Waterfall
Food Nearby
Dog Friendly
Family Friendly
Bathrooms
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About this place

Added by Ed Francisco

Little Yosemite in Sunol is a scenic hike offering breathtaking oak lined canyon views and dramatic waterfalls. It's a short 2 miles upstream from the visitors center and is open 8am to dusk all year long. There are camping options available as well.

Please note this is a fragile ecosystem and watershed. There is NO swimming allowed in Alameda Creek and trespassing is prohibited on Water Department lands that are not accessible to the public. You can learn more about the restrictions and the area at ebparks.org

After entering the kiosk you’ll be able to pick up a brochure with a map at the trail head. A wooden bridge leads over Alameda Creek and to the right you’ll find Canyon View Trail, which will take you to the falls. The trail narrows after the McCorkle Trail junction and you’ll notice a steep drop off to the right where you can enjoy epic views of the oak canyon. After the canyon, the trail evens out and you’ll hear the falls from Little Yosemite. Here you’ll be able climb the boulders along the gorge with cascading waterfalls. If you’d like to take a direct trail back to the entrance, there’s a wide fire road along the creek.

A permit is required to camp overnight. Gates are locked at night so campers must arrive before dusk. Guided horse rides are also available through Western Trail Riding Services.

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Adrian Nguyen
11/27/2025
Crowded during the Spring and Summer months. Bring water! There’s not too much cover.
Crowded
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Andy
11/23/2020
Good hike with water
One of the first hikes I went on. Follow the main road/trail then go down towards the water. We missed the entry ...
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Elena P
7/7/2020
Fun little hike
It's a fun little hike where you get to climb down some rocks to the water. There are also lots of rocks in the river to walk on.
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Liz Claflin
4/1/2018
One of my favorites!
When the water is flowing in the spring, Little Yosemite is a site to behold! Even when the water level is low, it’s find ...
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Marley Jean
10/20/2016
waterfalls in sunol!
my friends and I went on a hike/ adventure to the water falls and had a blast. we found the perfect place to jump ...
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Brittni Paul
8/17/2016
Stay Beautiful
Definitely bring lots of water as it's mostly uncovered. The hike is gorgeous with its sweeping hillside. Speaking of which there's a quarry close ...
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Kristen Moninger
8/6/2016
Great On A Summer Day
I'm sure there would be more water in the winter but we went in August and had a great time! Love that the park ...
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Nathalie Quant
7/14/2016
June 22, 2016
The actual hike was cool; nothing but hills and dry grass during the summer but finding Little Yosemite was super nice! Water felt great ...
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Garren Riechel
2/17/2016
Crowded Winter hike
Little Yosemite is pretty underwhelming, and there were hundreds of people all trying to take nature selfies. You can't swim in the stream either, ...
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Kay Vasilyeva
11/30/2015
A fave in the late fall/winter months
Green and diverse terrain with a little bit of something for everyone -- exposed sunny hills, bay and oak covered trails, rocks to scramble ...
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Brad Murphy
5/15/2015
Pretty cool little hike to do in the winter. Everything's green. Saw some friendly cows as well.
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Mary Wray
3/29/2015
Awesome info, Ed. I'll check it my next trip to SF! 🙆
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Angelica King
3/27/2015
Did this with Lyndl on December 31st, 2014. Last hike of 2014 with a great guy and the beauty of nature surrounding us
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