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360-degree views of San Francisco I've been to San Francisco many times in the past as a "tourist" but this was the first time hubby has taken me to Bernal Heights Park in this hilltop neighborhood. There is a short steep hike to the top starting with some wooden stairs thereafter it's all dirt and loose gravel so stay cautious on your ascent. The park has both dirt and paved trails and is about a mile on a loop trail. Once we reached the summit we were treated to sweeping views of the City of San Francisco. We didn't do a full (360°) spin but we were awed by how beautiful the sights are from as far as our eyes can see. From a distance i recognized the Bay Bridge, SF General Hospital and the (can't miss) Salesforce Tower. This "park" has no picnic tables, very few benches, very little to no grassy area, and most importantly, no bathrooms. There is a privately-owned equipment building and 50-foot tall telecommunications tower that is fenced off to the public. Coyotes are also known to frequent the area so stay alert. Bernal Heights Park is a hidden gem to both locals and visitors. Review #3793
We love this dog play area and so does Gustav & his friend, Milo! Wished we have something like this in Seattle...will def go back & bring Gustav for another doggy play date.
The perfect perfect perfect most magical place to be at sunset in SF. When I lived in the area I would make the trek up (LOTS OF STAIRS) as often as I physically could for that sense of peace and calm up here.
Beautiful City Views, Especially During Sunrise & Sunset. Stunning Flowers in Spring. Clean, Maintained Trail. Customizable Trail from Hilly/Long to Pretty Flat/Short. Swing on Tree for Cool Experience/Pics. Free to Visit, No Entrance Fee. Free Residential Parking.
This park is lovely. It has great views and best if all (for me) it is full of dogs. The first time we came here, it felt like home. I saw a dog walker with 15 dogs and almost every person had a pup with them. I love that you can have your dog off-leash here so the whole family can explore together. We had a particularly terrible incident here on one visit where I wandered down a hill and left my sweet pup with her father, thinking he had the same voice control over her that I did. When she saw me from the top of the hill, she instinctively jumped. It was one of the worst moments of my life. Time seemed to move in slow motion as I watched her roll and hit a rock. Ultimately she was ok, other than a bloody lip and began playing with a dog near me at the bottom of the hill while I fussed and screamed but I will never forgive myself...or my husband. Of course this park has the iconic swing but sometimes it is there and sometimes it isn't. I will say that when it is there, there is typically a line for it, but it is quite sturdy, as I weigh 300+ lbs and it holds me just fine. The hike can seem steep at points, but again, I am large and I don't have an issue, so just know that it looks harder than it is. Parking can be tricky, like everywhere in the city, but people and their dogs are always coming and going so honestly, if you're patient you should be able to find a spot. It's worth it for a lovely walk with your pup in the heart of the city.
This is an awesome place. Park and walk. Beautiful vistas. Love this city skyscape. Saw quite a few people walking their dogs. There's a swing. There's a bench. Such a great neighborhood walk.
I have so special many memories of this park. Before I moved to SF earlier this year , my first introduction to Bernal Heights was with a friend. We stopped by here after picking up Tortas in the south Mission, and spent a good hour looking over the city as our day started. After moving here - literally an hour after I landed, the first thing I did was visit Bernal Heights. That's when It really hit me that I had finally made it out here (that day has a lot of sentimental value to me) The park itself is beautiful - plenty of room for you to go with a group, sit on the hill and enjoy a sunset or hangout while looking at the city. It does get cold later I. The day, so I'd recommend bringing a jacket. The view from Bernal heights is quite incredible and, if you're lucky, you may even get the opportunity to get in the tree swing This is a must visit place for anyone visiting or living in the city
Hiking: pretty short trails that lead to the top of the hill where you can pretty much get panaroma views of the whole city/bay on a clear day The swings at the top of the hill pictured have apparently been gone for a few years! boo! Trails: can get pretty steep, are dirt/rocky/unpaved and can be pretty slippery even when dry. The terrain at least when we went was all dry rock, so there wasn't anything scenic about the hike itself other than the views of the city. Tons of dogs, I'm not sure what the exact rules are but most of the dogs were off leash No bathrooms Parking: a joke of a parking lot on one side with 3 spots, otherwise there are trailheads all around the park, so it's not too hard to find street parking.
Everyone's giving me wanderlust vibes with their Spring Break photos, so I'mma write about one of my favorite views from a past trip. I've been to San Francisco numerous times and wanted to try something different. It was our last full day in the city and I knew I wanted to get a different vantage point of San Francisco without having to invest a whole lot of time hiking. Bernal Heights Park offers just that! We took an uber and was dropped off near the entrance of the park. We walked for maybe 5, not even 10 minutes, before reaching the highest point of the park which culminated in 360 degree views of the city and came complete with a fun swing. We spent at least a good 30 minutes here and took 100s of photos and just sat and people watched. We probably could have taken the other route to soak in the outdoors a bit more, but we headed straight for the swing that day. I wanted to capture a specific photo and we went during a weekday morning so we pretty much had the swing all the ourselves. Sad to say that the swing is now gone apparently, which I think was the best part and drew a lot of visitors here for that "signature swing photo." I'm happy we were able to capture those memories before the swing came down. The views are still amazing though and I still would recommend a stop here.
This place is great for a walk/hike since it is not crowded at all. I came here for the swing! The road is easy to go up to the swing once you park your car and walked up about 5 minutes to the swing. I came here on Saturday afternoon and the swing was waiting for me. I saw couple people enjoying the views but no one seem to focus on the swing at all so I had it by myself for hours. The view was breathtaking! You can see the whole Bay Area of San Francisco. It wasn't cold the day I went up there. You can hike up here since the road is easily to walked. The view is just amazing!
It's such a good park with great view. I enjoyed walking with my senior dogs and they didn't mind walking up there. I love the view and nice breeze. Parking on street no problem.
Some people will argue that this place has even better views of the Bay Area than Twin Peaks. And while I won't confirm or deny this, I will say that it provides one of the most stunning views of the City that I've seen around these parts. It can definitely rival that of Twin Peaks, but I feel like Bernal Heights is just a completely different feel. For one thing, it doesn't have the touristy feel that Twin Peaks does. Not that it's bad or anything, but sometimes you just want to experience something without the crowds. Something that not too many people know about. This is that place. Tucked away on a big hill in Bernal Heights is this small little local park. There's a tiny parking lot with maybe enough spaces for about 4 cars max. From there, there's a wide fire road that inclines up a hill to the top of a vista point. I came here during the night time after spending the day in the City, and it was the perfect way to end the evening. There weren't many people there since it was dark, but the views of the city were so gorgeous. They just kept getting better and better as I moved higher up the hill. When you reach the semi-top, there's a rest bench where you can sit and take in the views. I've only been here at night, but I can only imagine that the views are just as stunning during the day time. The whole jaunt is maybe about a mile or so roundtrip. There are also some other short hiking trails on the other side of the hills, but would definitely do those during the daylight hours instead. I did see a few people still hiking those hills with a few flashlights. A little too bold for me in this area, but I'm sure locals do this all the time. People walk their dogs and bring their little ones for a brisk walk here, but you should definitely be very careful because there are coyotes in those hills. I heard something rustling in the bushes behind me, and sure enough when I turned around, a coyote was literally crossing the trail right behind me. Kind of scary, but more so for those who decide to bring small dogs and children (especially at night). Just be aware of your surroundings and you should be alright. Didn't see the oh so popular swing, but it was dark out and the city views were enough for me. Would love to see this park during the daytime and even during a sunset. If it's anything like it is at night, I'm sure those views would be just as stunning.
Great small park, with great views, plus some optional steep sections. On the West side of the park, You can exit the park and go down some interesting steps into the neighborhood. Parking not too bad: Small parking area, or you can park on street. Lots of dogs. read more
Enjoyed a sunny day with a short hike and 360 panoramic views of the hometown. What I appreciate about this park is there are benches everywhere to admire the view. The lower level is flat and paved and I would recommend for people with mobility issues. The unpaved graveled path to the top of the hill is where you get a birds eye view. It's typically windy but I got lucky this day. Shoes with grip is advised, Note the road to the path is narrow so drive slow. read more
9 months ago
Had such a good time at this park! I thought it would be more of an open space, but it's actually more of a walking trail - so bring good walking shoes! The parking lot is fairly small, but you can go down the hill after the lot and park in the neighborhoods, which isn't too far down. Loved seeing so many dogs off leash and enjoying their walk. My dog had such a good time running around! Remember to bring a jacket! It gets super windy as you hike up. The views were also lovely! read more
360-degree views of San Francisco I've been to San Francisco many times in the past as a "tourist" but this was the first time hubby has taken me to Bernal Heights Park in this hilltop neighborhood. There is a short steep hike to the top starting with some wooden stairs thereafter it's all dirt and loose gravel so stay cautious on your ascent. The park has both dirt and paved trails and is about a mile on a loop trail. Once we reached the summit we were treated to sweeping views of the City of San Francisco. We didn't do a full (360°) spin but we were awed by how beautiful the sights are from as far as our eyes can see. From a distance i recognized the Bay Bridge, SF General Hospital and the (can't miss) Salesforce Tower. This "park" has no picnic tables, very few benches, very little to no grassy area, and most importantly, no bathrooms. There is a privately-owned equipment building and 50-foot tall telecommunications tower that is fenced off to the public. Coyotes are also known to frequent the area so stay alert. Bernal Heights Park is a hidden gem to both locals and visitors. Review #3793 read more
Beautiful City Views, Especially During Sunrise & Sunset. Stunning Flowers in Spring. Clean, Maintained Trail. Customizable Trail from Hilly/Long to Pretty Flat/Short. Swing on Tree for Cool Experience/Pics. Free to Visit, No Entrance Fee. Free Residential Parking. read more
This park is lovely. It has great views and best if all (for me) it is full of dogs. The first time we came here, it felt like home. I saw a dog walker with 15 dogs and almost every person had a pup with them. I love that you can have your dog off-leash here so the whole family can explore together. We had a particularly terrible incident here on one visit where I wandered down a hill and left my sweet pup with her father, thinking he had the same voice control over her that I did. When she saw me from the top of the hill, she instinctively jumped. It was one of the worst moments of my life. Time seemed to move in slow motion as I watched her roll and hit a rock. Ultimately she was ok, other than a bloody lip and began playing with a dog near me at the bottom of the hill while I fussed and screamed but I will never forgive myself...or my husband. Of course this park has the iconic swing but sometimes it is there and sometimes it isn't. I will say that when it is there, there is typically a line for it, but it is quite sturdy, as I weigh 300+ lbs and it holds me just fine. The hike can seem steep at points, but again, I am large and I don't have an issue, so just know that it looks harder than it is. Parking can be tricky, like everywhere in the city, but people and their dogs are always coming and going so honestly, if you're patient you should be able to find a spot. It's worth it for a lovely walk with your pup in the heart of the city. read more
1 year ago
I have so special many memories of this park. Before I moved to SF earlier this year , my first introduction to Bernal Heights was with a friend. We stopped by here after picking up Tortas in the south Mission, and spent a good hour looking over the city as our day started. After moving here - literally an hour after I landed, the first thing I did was visit Bernal Heights. That's when It really hit me that I had finally made it out here (that day has a lot of sentimental value to me) The park itself is beautiful - plenty of room for you to go with a group, sit on the hill and enjoy a sunset or hangout while looking at the city. It does get cold later I. The day, so I'd recommend bringing a jacket. The view from Bernal heights is quite incredible and, if you're lucky, you may even get the opportunity to get in the tree swing This is a must visit place for anyone visiting or living in the city read more
Hiking: pretty short trails that lead to the top of the hill where you can pretty much get panaroma views of the whole city/bay on a clear day The swings at the top of the hill pictured have apparently been gone for a few years! boo! Trails: can get pretty steep, are dirt/rocky/unpaved and can be pretty slippery even when dry. The terrain at least when we went was all dry rock, so there wasn't anything scenic about the hike itself other than the views of the city. Tons of dogs, I'm not sure what the exact rules are but most of the dogs were off leash No bathrooms Parking: a joke of a parking lot on one side with 3 spots, otherwise there are trailheads all around the park, so it's not too hard to find street parking. read more
Everyone's giving me wanderlust vibes with their Spring Break photos, so I'mma write about one of my favorite views from a past trip. I've been to San Francisco numerous times and wanted to try something different. It was our last full day in the city and I knew I wanted to get a different vantage point of San Francisco without having to invest a whole lot of time hiking. Bernal Heights Park offers just that! We took an uber and was dropped off near the entrance of the park. We walked for maybe 5, not even 10 minutes, before reaching the highest point of the park which culminated in 360 degree views of the city and came complete with a fun swing. We spent at least a good 30 minutes here and took 100s of photos and just sat and people watched. We probably could have taken the other route to soak in the outdoors a bit more, but we headed straight for the swing that day. I wanted to capture a specific photo and we went during a weekday morning so we pretty much had the swing all the ourselves. Sad to say that the swing is now gone apparently, which I think was the best part and drew a lot of visitors here for that "signature swing photo." I'm happy we were able to capture those memories before the swing came down. The views are still amazing though and I still would recommend a stop here. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
This place is great for a walk/hike since it is not crowded at all. I came here for the swing! The road is easy to go up to the swing once you park your car and walked up about 5 minutes to the swing. I came here on Saturday afternoon and the swing was waiting for me. I saw couple people enjoying the views but no one seem to focus on the swing at all so I had it by myself for hours. The view was breathtaking! You can see the whole Bay Area of San Francisco. It wasn't cold the day I went up there. You can hike up here since the road is easily to walked. The view is just amazing! read more
Some people will argue that this place has even better views of the Bay Area than Twin Peaks. And while I won't confirm or deny this, I will say that it provides one of the most stunning views of the City that I've seen around these parts. It can definitely rival that of Twin Peaks, but I feel like Bernal Heights is just a completely different feel. For one thing, it doesn't have the touristy feel that Twin Peaks does. Not that it's bad or anything, but sometimes you just want to experience something without the crowds. Something that not too many people know about. This is that place. Tucked away on a big hill in Bernal Heights is this small little local park. There's a tiny parking lot with maybe enough spaces for about 4 cars max. From there, there's a wide fire road that inclines up a hill to the top of a vista point. I came here during the night time after spending the day in the City, and it was the perfect way to end the evening. There weren't many people there since it was dark, but the views of the city were so gorgeous. They just kept getting better and better as I moved higher up the hill. When you reach the semi-top, there's a rest bench where you can sit and take in the views. I've only been here at night, but I can only imagine that the views are just as stunning during the day time. The whole jaunt is maybe about a mile or so roundtrip. There are also some other short hiking trails on the other side of the hills, but would definitely do those during the daylight hours instead. I did see a few people still hiking those hills with a few flashlights. A little too bold for me in this area, but I'm sure locals do this all the time. People walk their dogs and bring their little ones for a brisk walk here, but you should definitely be very careful because there are coyotes in those hills. I heard something rustling in the bushes behind me, and sure enough when I turned around, a coyote was literally crossing the trail right behind me. Kind of scary, but more so for those who decide to bring small dogs and children (especially at night). Just be aware of your surroundings and you should be alright. Didn't see the oh so popular swing, but it was dark out and the city views were enough for me. Would love to see this park during the daytime and even during a sunset. If it's anything like it is at night, I'm sure those views would be just as stunning. read more
2 years ago
Beautiful view and even swing too. You can enjoy swing same time view of city and skyline too. read more
I came here for the swing and saw so much more! Quick way up to the top, but there is so much more to it than just getting to the top and coming back down. It's basically a well kept dog park. Plenty of dogs of all sizes and breeds. I may bring mine next time for the hell of it. I'm sure she'd love it. So, the swing is gone but oh well. I came here on a somewhat sunny day and the weather was great. I think we spent maybe an hour or so just walking around this place and staring at the view of the city. There's also a rock formation that I didn't take a pic of, but if you're into that, it's there. Yet another place to explore and dine out at - I know we're all missing the experience of just eating out. Pack a lunch and come! read more
Great hiking spot with spectacular views! You get a full 360-degree view of San Francisco. The trail itself was pretty clean. I came with my parents, and they enjoyed it. So, I can safely say that this is an easy-leveled hike. Saw lots of dogs. Highly recommend for anyone looking for nice, leisure, nature walk in SF. read more
I love Bernal Heights Park. Many different ways to approach the top of the hill with numerous trails to choose from & diverge off of to change up your approach up around or down the hill. Once to the top of the hill however you choose to get there you will be rewarded with 360 panoramic views of the City including the Bay Bridge & Golden Gate Bridge. Interesting people watching sometimes as you will see walkers, hikers, joggers, runners, & people out enjoying the fresh air walking their dogs. I once saw a coyote up here. On the top of the hill is a big tree with a swing that you can use. Beautiful gem in the City! read more
2 years ago
Love this place for my dogs! There's an off leash section. Beware that there is no gated perimeter and if your dog doesn't have good recall they can fall off the cliff. There's also a water fountain for humans and dogs. There are several ways to hike up and many entrances to park. Thankful I've been able to easily get street parking. As of 8/29/2020 THERE IS NO MORE SWING. The view is amazing! Not too crowded and definitely a sf favorite view spot. Only downside is that there is only one bench at the top and no other seating. Pretty rocky and bumpy so wouldn't suggest sitting on the ground. read more
Paid a visit to SF's little gem. Location: Bernal Heights Bookmarked this gem years ago, why did it take me so long? lol Wish I brought my hiking shoes but I only came to see the views and to swing on the infamous swing. Check me out swinging into Mother's Day. Happy Belated to all the Mother's out there. read more
5 years ago
In search for a place to kill time before hanging out with my friends in the Mission District, and wanting to see if indeed, the views here were superior to those found at Twin Peaks, my roommate and I headed here. He braved the steep and dizzying hills to find street parking in the neighborhood, and we walked up to get to the park. Once at the park, we were floored by the 360 degree views of the city. Nearly all the districts, the Bay Bridge, South San Francisco, and even a part of Daly City were visible from the top! Lots of locals were walking their dogs or getting exercise without pets. The tree swing was still there too, but I didn't get any pictures on it as it was a particularly windy day. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and spent a good amount of time taking in the views and walking around. It's surely an awesome spot to get fresh air if you're brave enough to do the drive. read more
It somehow slips my enfeebled mind that this expansive hilltop park is here providing wondrous vistas of the city comparable to Twin Peaks but far less crowded. You're also less likely to run into a fog bank here. In the midst of a lazy Saturday afternoon, I found myself walking around Bernal Heights and gravitating up the residential streets that gradually climb from Cortland Avenue to the park. The first thing I saw when I arrived was the lunar-like landscape that serves as an off-leash area for dogs and their owners (photo: http://bit.ly/2E0ZtrM). Once I walked up a bluff on the western side of the park, I followed the one-mile park trail which allowed me to take in a panoramic 360-degree view (photo: http://bit.ly/2E2FokF). I found myself precariously walking around a fenced-in radio tower and came upon a swing that begged to be swung (photo: http://bit.ly/2SV6wMX). Desperately waiting for someone to push me, I didn't get too airborne before I started getting vertigo. I recovered and walked down the hill toward Mission with a little urban sliding along the way. It's quite a nice quiet spot to chill and you won't see any tour buses either. RELATED - Up for a hike? Here are the places around the Bay Area where I have trod: bit.ly/2OsCCsK read more
As of August 6, 2021, there is no signature swing but that's okay. I came here on a Friday and it was a beautiful day... windy but not too cold. The views are gorgeous (see pictures). My sister and I were lazy and instead of hiking, we parked at the top of the hill by the residential apartments/homes and only had to walk up the stairs. Definitely worth a visit! Only -1 star because I wanted a picture of myself on this signature swing. read more
5 years ago
2 years ago
How did we not know about this place is beyond me! Ignorance! ignorance! I tell you. So, we started with looking for Bernal Height Slide. It's surprisingly shorter than all the pictures of it. But, we had fun. Then we turned 180 degree (literally)and saw stairs. So, up we went with our bags of food looking for a decent place for picnic. Lo and behold, Bernal Height Summit! We went on the first day of 2019 and could not be happier. From the top, SF is just beautiful. No homeless, racism, rudeness, nor other ugliness are seen from up here. Just a beautiful city! Not sure if it's legal. But all the four legged furries were off leashed. My Coco was happy. read more
6 years ago
We were able to find parking in a small lot and hiked up. We were expecting a dog park but did not find it. Lots of dogs on the walk and benches to sit on if you want to just take in the scenery. It is a bit uphill and I saw a lot of cars on the other side of the hilltop trying to find parking in the neighborhoods. read more
6 years ago
Review #074 - 2020 I've had this spot bookmarked for quite some time, but never made my way out since San Francisco is always busy, especially during the weekends. Being that everyone's being quarantined, and there were posted signs all over the freeways stating that "all beaches and state parks are closed due to COVID-19", I decided to make a quick drive over just to see if it were true. Well, I guess everyone's out enjoying the day, so I decided to jump out of my car & made my way up the hills as well. My 15-year old niece is an Instagram junkie so she had no problem trekking up the steep hills with me. Even my 4-year old daughter had no fear! The hike is actually not too bad for people who are in normal shape. You don't have to be in good shape; but if you have a heart condition, like myself, you should most definitely bring a water bottle because I made the mistake of forgetting mine in the car & I almost passed out halfway to the swing. The view up top is awesome! It was pretty cold & windy when we there around 6 PM on Friday, April 10th, so you should have a jacket with you unless you like the cold. It is still under construction so you should be careful & watch your steps. When we finally made it to the swing, we had to wait about five minutes because the 4 girls who were there before us were taking their time. Actually it was just the one girl who refused to get off the swing even though all her friends were ready to leave. I honestly don't know how people got on the swing because it took quite the effort for me, but then again I am short so I guess that makes it harder. My niece is 5'4" and she had a hard time getting on as well so I didn't feel too bad. I am afraid of heights so I was only able to stay on for about a minute before I wanted to jump off. Surprisingly, my daughter had no concept of fear because she really enjoyed the swing. read more
5 stars for the view, 3 stars for the hike. Besides Twin Peaks Bernal Heights has the best 360 view of the city. It's even better in the sense that you are much closer to the fresh air of the Bay and you don't get a million tourists because most of them have never heard of Bernal Heights. The views are spectacular on a clear day and a lot of people just hang out and picnic looking out over the views of the city, bay, and beyond. Many people come here with their dog. For hiking there are a few different trails that go up and around the hill but there isn't a definite path so there are a few different options to explore. The incline isn't too strenuous so if you are doing this as a hike and want a better/longer workout I'd suggest incorporating some of the numerous staircases located in Bernal Heights. The Esmeralda stairs located on the Western side of the hill is probably the most popular one. It has a path directly to the trails as well as an amazing long slide. read more
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More info about Bernal Heights Park
10 Bernal Heights Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94110
Bernal Heights
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http://bernalheightsparksanfrancisco.gastro-america.com
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Ask the Community - Bernal Heights Park
Is the swing still over there?
I went a few weeks back and didn't see the swing!
Can we watch the fireworks here today?
Is there still a swing at the top of the hill now during Covid?
The swing is gone now, sadly. I went and checked yesterday.
What address should we uber to for the swing?
In my experience the quickest way to get to the swing is starting at 39 Ellsworth Street (cross street is Bernal Heights Blvd). Take the small set up steps that lead to a trail and you'll see the swing at the top.
Is this place kid friendly? It's hard to see from the pictures where there is any fencing around the park to control kids and dogs.
The only fencing is around the top tower. Many dogs are usually off leash.
Review Highlights - Bernal Heights Park
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