Bernal Heights Park – Great 360 Views Of San Francisco

Bernal Heights Park is a small dog-friendly park located near the southeastern corner of San Francisco. At a total elevation of 400 ft., taking a walk to the top of Bernal Height Park will reward you with a 360-degree panoramic view of multiple San Francisco landmarks including Sutro Tower, the downtown SF Skyline, the Bay, and Golden Gate Bridge. If you’re lucky, you can even find a swing overlooking the city.

There are multiple intersecting trails that traverse the park. It is a popular urban hike with local dog owners, runners, and those seeking a slice of nature in the city.  

Bernal Heights Park -What To Expect

• Park Hours – Open from 5 AM to Midnight 
• Many different entrances and crisscrossing trails to the top 
• Dog-friendly park with a dedicated off-leash area
• Paths are mostly packed dirt with loose gravel. 
• Minimal shade with mostly open grasslands 
• 50ft to 150ft climb to the peak depending on which entrance you start from. The elevation at the peak sits at 400 ft.

Bernal Heights History And Geography

The neighborhood of Bernal Heights has a rich history. The collision of the Pacific and North American Plates formed this peak hundreds of millions of years ago. The geography of Bernal Heights also has a unique composition. It sits on bedrock which reduces the length of shaking during an earthquake. Because of this, the 1906 earthquake did not destroy the homes in the area.

The gold rush of the 1800s initially drew the rush of inhabitants into this neighborhood, chasing the dream of getting rich with gold. At Bernal Heights summit, there is a functional microwave transmission tower that sits on top. You can read more about the history of the surrounding neighborhood and it’s current culture here.

Getting To Bernal Heights Park

You will find Bernal Heights Park nestled in a residential neighborhood. The entrances accessible to cars lie in the western half of the park. Bernal Heights Blvd along with a short stretch of Folsom St. hugs the perimeter of the park. The roads leading up to the park from Bernal Heights Blvd are tight and steep. If you’re uncomfortable navigating these types of roads it’s either best to come up Folsom St. or take an Uber or Lyft. 

Driving and Parking at Bernal Heights Park

The small lot on Folsom St. has 3 dedicated parking spots with one additional spot for handicapped parking. Your best bet in finding a spot would be on Bernal Heights Blvd. Street parking is available on the entire length of the street on the side of the road descending the hill. There are multiple trailheads along Bernal Heights Blvd.

If you’re looking for the fastest trail to the top you would want to park close to the trailhead near Anderson St, or where Bernal Heights Blvd. turns into a dead end. You will notice shattered glass near the trailheads, warning you of problematic car break-ins in the area. With this being the case, we always recommend to use common sense safety and not have valuables out in the open.  

Getting to Bernal Heights Park by Uber & Lyft

Taking an Uber and Lyft is the easiest and most carefree way to visit Bernal Heights Park. And as an added plus, you won’t have to worry about the drive, parking or car break-ins. It’s a relatively cheap destination on the edge of San Francisco, and there is ample space to coordinate pickups and dropoffs. 

Trails in Bernal Heights Park

The different paths to the peak of Bernal Heights Park mostly consist of dirt paths and rocky terrain. There is one paved route that will bring you to the top that begins at the end of Bernal Heights Blvd. During the summer and fall, the park is typically very dry which is reflected in the yellow grass. But when February rolls around, the hills begin to show more color with green grass and a diverse number of plants. You can often find birds who call this hill home as well so it can be a great place to bird watch.

Quickest Way To The Top

The quickest path to the top of Bernal Heights Park would be taking the 0.1 mile dirt path trail from the end of Bernal Heights Blvd. The entrance is close to the intersection of Anderson Street. There are two paths to the top. One way is up a steep path with loose gravel which will bring you to the East side of the peak.

This will show you the view of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay.  Alternatively, there is a pathed path that winds up to the top that will bring you to the Westside.  From here, you will see the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks.

Swing at Bernal Heights Park

The iconic Bernal Heights picture is a person on a swing overlooking the Bay. If you’re lucky, you can find the Bernal Heights Swing that’s located on the hillside with views overlooking the city. Swings often pop up overnight at parks throughout the city, but authorities often take it down just as fast. They are unofficially put up by visitors and can be dangerous if set up improperly. It makes for a good photo opportunity but I wouldn’t see how high I can go on one of these. 

How To Get To The Bernal Heights Swing

To get to the Bernal Heights swing, it’s quickest to take the entrance at the end of Bernal Heights Blvd. Starting from that entrance, walk up the paved slope to your right. In about 0.1 miles up the slope, you will see two trees to your left side when there is a curve in the path.

The Bernal Heights swing should be perched on the large of the two trees if it has not been taken down. There are not many trees on the hill so the swing shouldn’t be hard to find.

Local Tips

• There are multiple warnings put up around the park for coyotes. Coyotes in San Francisco are typically not aggressive, but it is best not to approach or feed them.
• Between Twin Peaks and Bernal Heights Park, our opinion is that Bernal Heights Park provides a better view of San Francisco with it being a lot less crowded. Being in the heart of San Francisco while being able to see a 360 view of San Francisco more closely is definitely a different experience than seeing it from afar on Twin Peaks, which is situated on the eastern edge of San Francisco.
• Popular area for viewing fireworks 
• There are often strong winds at the top of the peak – Bringing a jacket is definitely recommended.

Nearby Attractions

Mission District – Less than a mile walk from Bernal Heights Park you can check out authentic Mexican food and many well-known restaurants and shops.

Twin Peaks – At 2 miles away, it is the second tallest peak in the city by elevation. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations.

Mission Dolores Park – At 1.5 miles away this park is one of the most iconic parks in San Francisco aside from Golden Gate Park. Many visitors picnic on the open lawn overlooking the city. It lacks the high winds you will find at Bernal Heights.

Check out our other article for other gorgeous views in San Francisco.