11 Reviews
Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden San Diego follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!
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WE ARE NO LONGER GIVING DIRECTIONS TO THIS SPOT
Back in the 1950s Raul “Roy” Tarango and his friends would set out on a 40-minute hike to the Salt Falls. Tarango and his friends would bring a small paper bag of avocados, tomatoes, apricots and watermelon from orchards along the way. Once they arrived, the boys would strip off their clothes and head into the water.
“I started going to the falls when I was 8. We called it Marron Falls then,” Tarango said. “We weren’t supposed to be there, but once you were down in the hole it was difficult to be seen. It was solid granite and shaped like a horseshoe. The waterfall was in the middle. Our goal was to find the bottom of the pond. We never did, and we were pretty good swimmers. The pond was full of fresh water, and there was always watercress growing nearby that tasted great with salt.”
Indians originally settled along here about 9,000 years ago. The falls is a registered sacred site with the Native American Heritage Commission. The springs were used to irrigate agricultural fields that remained in the Marron family into the 20th century.
Personal Experience
This is a pretty legit waterfall going by San Diego’s standards. I would say the main fall is around 15-20′ with several different cascades and pools. This is a short adventure but very peaceful. If you do venture out here please do your part to respect the land and help pick up any trash. Thank you!
Hanna
I went there today the “entrance” was gone! Looks like they replaced it with a new fence.
May 4, 2014
Vista 4 Life
They put up a new fence and the arrow on the rock has been washed off. There were a couple ppl there eating and having lunch there. Its really hidden behing all the bushes and trees but you can see all the ducks at the pond.
September 30, 2014
Vista 4 Life
They put up a new fence and the arrow on the rock has been washed off. There were a couple ppl there eating and having lunch there. Its really hidden behing all the bushes and trees but you can see all the ducks at the pond.
September 30, 2014
Anonymous
Huh..I know right where that is. Crazy how I’ve driven past it a hundred times…never having a clue.
August 7, 2015
Osider
I drive by everyday to work & never herd about it, I even mention it to locals here in Oside and they dont even know..Pretty Cool Spot I wish they would let ppl down there but its all blocked off.
October 28, 2015
Autumn
Finally went to check this place out, but it’s been bulldozed! So sad
January 2, 2016
Osider
I didn’t know if was bulldozed, I will go this month to check it out and report back.
March 13, 2016
Anonymous
Autumn doesn’t know what he is talking about I was just there today it is protected safe and very much so just flowing today
April 9, 2016
Anonymous
Sad…. The water level is low & it’s all tagged up. There’s lots of trash around too.
May 30, 2016
Osider
I went there on Sunday afternoon, I drove up to find a cop car parked outside the gate to the waterfall. I was really saddened because I wanted to see it again.
June 29, 2016
Maricela
I heard they were gonna build a visitors center. I cant even see if since they put the homes in it diverted the flow of the water.
November 30, 2017