Bernal Desire

Sunset Hike at Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco

Bernal Heights Park in San Francisco sunset

It's one of the best views in San Francisco. Bernal Heights Park is an underrated hilltop park that beams at sunset.

Scenes from the summit are sweeping panoramas of downtown San Francisco with both the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge on display (albeit just the top of the Golden Gate Bridge towers pop into view). And San Francisco’s most underrated (best?) landmark—Sutro Tower—looks just dashing during the magic hour.

Bernal Height Park San Francisco sunset

You can wend your way up to the top of Bernal Heights Park on a variety of dirt paths from all sides. Or if you prefer a paved path, you can walk up a road (closed to traffic) on the southern side of the park. Here you’ll also find a stone labyrinth, just to add a few more twists to 2020 (did we say that?). With red-tailed hawks swooping overhead, it’s hard to believe that this island of nature in the middle of the city used to be a rock quarry.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: In the episode "Post-apocalyptic Pandemic Edition" Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss their sunset visit to Bernal Heights Park and why it's the best park in the city for magic hour.

BONUS: See if you can find the “painted rock.” The art theme on this rock right now is Black Trans Lives Matter.

Dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Hiker overlooking Bear Gulch Reservoir at Pinnacles National Park near Monterey

    Pinnacles of Spring

    Why hike at Pinnacles National Park? Spring's a beautiful time of year here. And you might spy the magnificent California condor soaring while you gain soaring views from the High Peaks Trail.

    View
  2. Swing into Spring

    Swing into this 7.1-mile hike in the hills of Half Moon Bay! It’s got gorgeous views, fields of spring wildflowers, and a hidden rustic tree swing.

    View
  3. Talk of the Town

    We're spilling the tea on this bountiful 5.5-mile loop to Gossip Rock in Hayward’s Garin Regional Park (currently whispering all the right springtime notes).

    View
  4. woman hiking the Mendocino Headlands State Park

    Heads Up, Headlands!

    There’s one thing that’s pretty much mandatory when you visit Mendocino and that’s a hike along the famous bluffs. The trail system at Mendocino Headlands State Park is vast, surrounding the village and meandering for miles, with sweeping sea panoramas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

    You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

    View
  2. Caves in Mojave

    No one expects to see caves when they visit the desert, and that’s part of what makes Mitchell Caverns in the Mojave Desert such an interesting place. Go on a two-hour guided adventure tour through Mitchell Caverns in Providence Mountains State Recreation Area.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Spring Up to These Amazing Events

    Shake it up, shake it all the way up to this sunniest city in the state for the most unique and fun-fueled events. Redding is true Northern California, surrounded by famous mountains, nearby national parks and recreation areas, and the sparkling Sacramento River.

    View
  4. Dume in Bloom

    During wildflower season, nature puts on a spectacular show, and one the best places to see it is at Point Dume Natural Preserve in Malibu. 

    View