California’s Best Swimming Holes to Beat the Summer Heat (Part 1 of 2)
Conquer the Golden State’s Coolest Trails of 2025
This blog includes the trail that nearly broke me.
The climb down a cliff with a rope.
The missing iPhone.
Let’s just say, God’s Bath is my arch nemesis.
Last summer, I challenged myself to visit three legendary swimming holes in a single day: one near Yosemite, and two tucked into Stanislaus National Forest. The forecast? 103°F. I started early and made God’s Bath my first stop.
To reach it, I had to descend a ~100-foot cliff using a sketchy rope; gloves on, phone loosely stashed in my pocket. The final stretch to the water involves a rope-assisted rock ledge and a tunnel exit swim. The adrenaline was flowing.
So was my panic when I realized: My phone had vanished.
It had fallen, likely into the water, carrying all my photos and video from the last 3 years (not backed up). I scrambled back up, drove 45 minutes to the nearest town with service. Thankfully, I had a second phone with me for maps. I purchased goggles and a flashlight at a local grocery store before returning to the river, but the pools were too deep to search. I felt like this was the end of ‘Outdoor Wise Living’ and all these trail guides I make.
Two weeks later, a diver I hired drove up from SoCal and found the phone, intact and still functional after drying. It was a miracle!
Needless to say, I now back up to the cloud daily and zip up my phone in a fanny pack whenever I’m not using it. With this story in mind, let’s start July with what’s most important:
Swimhole Safety Reminders
Rivers and creeks are deceptively dangerous in the summer. Use caution and follow these tips:
Never hike or swim alone
Share your exact location with someone before you go
Assume no cell reception and carry offline maps or GPS
Wear grippy water shoes or hiking sandals
Use reef-safe sunscreen and reapply often
Avoid alcohol near cliffs or fast-moving water
Don’t dive headfirst
As always, you can find all my best trails on my California Map, and be sure to follow along on Instagram or TikTok or Facebook to see more inspiration! Subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss part 2 of California swimholes.
5 California Swim holes for July
1. Santa Paula Canyon to the Punchbowls
Ventura County
📍 AllTrails Link
Distance: 10.5 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: ~1,900 ft
Dog-Friendly: Yes (but not recommended in the heat)
Highlights: Waterfalls, a natural waterslide, rope scrambles
Trailhead: Begins near St. Thomas Aquinas College off Hwy 150
Tips: Do not go beyond the Punchbowls—the trail past that point is in poor shape. Bring tons of water. Natural slide is easy to crash into the rock wall so proceed with caution.
2. Big Sur River Gorge
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
📍 AllTrails Link
Distance: 1.1 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Dog-Friendly: No
Highlights: Swim through towering granite walls, river bouldering
Parking Fee: $10
Trail Notes: There’s no formal path—just follow the river upstream
3. The Potholes
High Sierra near Kit Carson
📍 AllTrails Link
📖 Full Trail Blog
Distance: 1.5 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: ~150 ft
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Parking: Free but small lot
Best Time to Visit: June–September
4. Stoddard Canyon Falls
Angeles National Forest, Mt. Baldy Area
📍 [Trailhead: Mt Baldy Rd, Claremont, CA 91711]
Distance: 1.25 miles out-and-back
Elevation Gain: 188 ft
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Permit Needed: Adventure Pass
Highlights: Waterfall fed pool, shaded canyon, rock slide (use caution if trying)
Notes: The trail descends first; save energy for the climb out. There’s graffiti; please practice Leave No Trace principles if you go
Final Thoughts
Swimming holes are nature’s answer to heatwaves. Whether you’re chasing a natural waterslide, a secret river canyon, or just a cold pool to wade in, I hope this list adds some excitement to your next adventure.
Got a favorite hidden swim hole I haven’t mentioned yet? Hit reply and let me know!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with a friend and help others discover California’s coolest hikes!
Last, you can find the guide to my Nemesis below (only for the extreme adventurers)!
