Bernal Heights Park Loop

The Bernal Heights Park Loop circles an open, grassy hilltop in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, California. The trail is reached from Bernal Heights Boulevard and Folsom Street. Visitors can ride the Muni 67 Bernal Heights bus to Bernal Heights Boulevard and walk up, and street parking around the park is limited, particularly on sunny evenings. No permit or fee is required, and the park is managed by San Francisco Recreation and Parks. The loop is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, takes around 45 minutes, and gains about 250 feet (76 m), so it counts as easy for most walkers, with a few steeper pitches near the summit. The surface is a mix of paved road segments, packed dirt and gravel paths across open grassland, and some rocky sections near the top. There is almost no shade, and exposure to wind is high, so the summit can feel much colder than the streets below. Landmarks include the summit radio tower, rock outcrops near the top, the grassland of native and non-native plants that turns green in spring, and the hillside view of downtown San Francisco, the Bay, the Bay Bridge and Twin Peaks. The summit is the natural turn-around point, though the loop can be done in either direction. Many neighbors bring dogs, and the park is known as an off-leash area, so visitors should expect friendly but energetic dogs on the trail. There is no drinking water, shelter or restrooms on the hill, so planning ahead matters. Sunset evenings are popular for the view, and clear days give the longest sightlines. After rain, some of the dirt sections get muddy. Visitors should stay on the established paths to protect the grassland and avoid steep, eroded shortcuts.