Spend a perfect day in Bernal Heights, for a bit of country in the city.
1. Bernal Hill provides visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama and clear views of the city, one of the few remaining natural refuges in San Francisco. Holly Park is also built on a hill with tennis and basketball courts, a ball field and children's playground. The Bernal Heights Public Library has beautifully restored architecture with murals and another great children's playground.
2. Husband and wife duo, Giuseppe Manna and Vega Freeman-Brady have three Bernal restaurants. Vega Pizzeria's dishes are inspired by Giuseppe’s mother’s cooking in Rome, Italy including pasta, gnocchi and ravioli. They also run Bernal Star, a neighborhood brunch & burger spot with an outdoor patio, and VinoRosso wine bar offering many interesting, unique, indigenous wines of Italy.
3. Pick out plants and planters, and make terrariums, vertical gardens, or regular plantings with an array of functional and decorative materials at Succulence with help from their friendly staff. With over 20 years of experience and a strong commitment to animals and their guardians, Bernal Beast helps pet owners keep their animals safe, well-loved, and enriched throughout their lives.
4. Make your own picnic on the hill with specialty foods from these two Bernal favorites. Good Life Grocery provides healthy, natural, fair-priced food with great shopping experience for customers and employees alike. The Epicurean Trader selects artisan products from across America for their dedication to the craft, their incredible flavors and fusions, natural ingredients and beautiful packaging.
5. Book a test ride on an electric bike and climb to the top of Bernal Heights with ease. The New Wheel's passion for electric bikes can be attributed to many things, but the combination of growing up among San Francisco's legendary hills and a lasting desire to do good work for their community top the list.
6. Treat yourself or buy a gift to bring home, from one of these three gift and book shops in Bernal Heights. 12 Small Things showcases handmade gifts from artisans around the world, Therapy offers fun in all sizes, woman- and Asian-American-owned, family operated business. Book Castle is woman-of-color-owned indie bookshop selling new and used books for all ages!
7. Established in 1998, Moki's Sushi & Pacific Grill serves some of the most creative sushi in the city, along with Pan-Asian inspired salads and steaks. Asian tradition meets California flavors at United Dumplings where Sandy and Julia preserve their grandma's treasured recipes, infused with flavors from their own life adventures. Nute's Northern Thai-style noodles are some of the best in the city!
8. Inclusions Gallery showcases contemporary works by established and emerging artists working in diverse media, including representational and abstract painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and handmade jewelry. Todd Hanson curates the Four Chicken Gallery where local artists can show their work for free, with new exhibits every few days.
9. Stacie Pierce, longtime pastry chef at Chez Panisse, opened Little Bee Baking in 2013 with the desire to combine her love of baking with her love for her neighborhood and local community. Gillian Shaw Lundgren started Black Jet Baking Co. in 2010 as a wholesale operation, delivering cookies and handmade Pop Tarts to coffee shops and offices all around the city of San Francisco.
10. Pinhole Coffee is a cafe in the "Neighborhood in the Sky," stimulating senses with coffee, art and community. In addition to coffee, Progressive Grounds features breakfast, lavash wraps, sandwiches, soups and ice cream, with a newly renovated patio. Martha & Brothers Coffee Company, is devoted to the art of coffee roasting, with years of experience roasting beans since 1987.
11. 3rd Cousin was created in late 2015 with the support of the loyal community and built through Kinfolk pop-up series. Chef Greg Lutes presents a globally inspired and elegant take on California cuisine from the open kitchen of his cozy restaurant. Chef Altamirano of Piqueo's has established himself as the Bay Area authority on extraordinary Peruvian cuisine in multiple restaurant locations.
12. Barebottle brews innovative beers using local ingredients wherever possible, and partners with homebrewing groups to develop San Francisco inspired beers. The Wild Side West is a truly San Franciscan establishment opened in 1962 proudly serving the LBGTQ community in their cozy bar or outside patio. The Lucky Horseshoe is fun for drinks, sports watching, a game of pool and live music!
A bit of country in the city, Bernal Heights offers great views with a walk to the top of the hill, and wonderful restaurants and shops to enjoy on your stroll back down. The 24 SF Muni bus drops you right near the library where you can begin your perfect day in Bernal Heights.
Bernal Heights is a neighborhood centered around Bernal Hill, providing visitors with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama and clear views of San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, San Bruno Mountain, and the hills of the East Bay. These windswept slopes are one of the few remaining natural refuges in San Francisco. Bernal Heights, and its hill, is a special place for the city’s human and wildlife inhabitants.
A Perfect Day in Bernal Heights was curated by the The Bernal Business and Arts Alliance, a neighborhood organization dedicated to promoting communication and collaboration among local businesses, artists, and residents, to support the well-being and vibrancy of the Bernal Heights community.
Shop Dine SF is an initiative of the Office of Small Business, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Its aim is to bring attention to the local businesses and neighborhood corridors.
Spending money at local small businesses helps merchants, creates jobs, and is critical to San Francisco's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shop local. Even a small increase can have a big impact.
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