Bernal Heights History and Stairways Hiking Tour
Dates: December 13 and 14, 2025. (More will be scheduled in the future)
Time: 2 hours
Depart: 10:00 a.m. from the Bernal Heights Library corner of Cortland and Moultrie
Distance: Approximately 2.5 miles
Terrain: Mostly flat but plenty of steps and a final hike to the top of Bernal. Proper footwear recommended. We will have plenty of places to rest with spectacular views.
Our guided hike is free, but we are suggesting voluntary donations that will be put toward the Prospect Steps mosaic art project and other stairway garden projects. You will be given the opportunity when you register to make a suggested donation online.
We will gather at the corner of Cortland and Moultrie just outside the Bernal Heights Library. There is a small semi-circular set of steps on the east side where we can meet. Look for your guide who will likely be Richard Preston.
We will discuss Bernal history, art, architecture, stairways, gardens, people and wildlife.
If you missed the opportunity to donate when registering, he will pass around an envelope requesting donations that will be distributed to stairway projects in Bernal. He is a volunteer and is not paid and will not accept tips—just donations.
If you didn’t register, please relax as there is always room for those who show up on a lark and any donation is welcome!
(Note: Bathrooms are downstairs in the library which opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Bathrooms are also available in Holly Park which we will visit at the one mile mark.)
Summary:
The Bernal Heights neighborhood is full of hidden steps, gardens and some of the best views in San Francisco. It's famously diverse, progressive, lesbian friendly, family friendly, art friendly, dog friendly, wildlife friendly (coyotes, owls, mountain lion!), great open spaces, easy parking, good restaurants, village-like feel akin to Montmartre with the steps and the bohemian charm. A small neighborhood surrounded by a magnificent city. At first, Bernal was a ranch then a farming/dairy community. After the earthquake, it became a diverse, fast growing working class area. Bernal is multicultural with Irish, Italian, Mexican, Central American, Filipino, and Chinese immigrants. Plenty of hidden gardens and artists. The tour will take you along the commercial area as well as by earthquake shacks, Holly Park, historical homes, community gardens, and hidden stairways. The hike ends with a vista from the top of Bernal Heights, a must-do activity for anyone who can hike.