Tetley at Fairway Falls
There’s no need to work up a sweat on a waterfall hike, especially if the hike is a family-friendly, one-mile round trip to Fairway Falls, also known as Arroyo de San Jose Falls. This seasonal gusher offers its best rewards just after a hard rain, when a swath of water takes a fierce, 30-foot tumble through a forested ravine into a rock-lined pool and the fast-flowing, foamy creek below. The trail following the creek bed is flat and easy most of the way, but don’t forget to wear rain boots, as you’ll likely get your feet (and Fido’s paws) wet in places where the path crosses the stream.
If you’re up for a thigh-burner, continue up the path past the first falls and follow Arroyo de San Jose to view three smaller cataracts.
Fairway Falls is located in the Marin County Parks & Open Space District’s Igancio Valley Open Space Preserve, where dogs under voice control are allowed to accompany you off-leash. The Ignacio Valley, Loma Verde, Pacheco Valley and Indian Valley preserves are all connected, with trails for all abilities cris-crossing the diverse landscape. Throw a towel in the car and bring drinking water, as there’s none available on site.
