This short hike begins a Trabuco Creek Road about 3 miles east of Trabuco Canyon Road. After heavy spring rains, this hike may be impossible since it requires hiking across Trabuco Creek which can become impassible. This is one of the better waterfalls in the Santa Ana Mountains accessible by a short hike (about 1/2 mile).

From Trabuco Canyon Road, turn onto Trabuco Creek Road. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, but I have seen Toyota Corollas make it on this road. Park at any turnout near GPS coordinate 33' 40.423N 117' 32.086W. The closest is at a wide area to the south side of the creek road with parking on the incline of the hillside. There is room for several vehicles. Take one of the many fisherman trails the short distance north toward Trabuco Creek.You will need to cross the creek which should be relatively easy in all but the rainiest part of the season. If there are flooding conditions, you aren't likely to have successfully made the drive to this point anyway.If you arrived from the previously referenced GPS location, you will see Falls Canyon perpendicular to the creek to your left as you arrive at Trabuco Creek. You will cross the Falls Canyon drainage several times before you reach the falls, and some minor scrambling may be required, but this is a relatively easy short hike. The waterfall is obviously best in the spring, and typically dry the other seasons except for El Nino years where it may flow into early summer. I recommend long pants on this trail unless you are immune to poison oak. There are sections of this trail where almost all of the green vegetation you see is poison oak.

The small pools along falls creek typically are less than 2 feet deep even during the spring.