Bernal Heights Trails Improvement Project

Opened to the public September 21, 2020!

Background

Bernal Heights provides visitors with stunning 360-degree views of the city and surrounding Bay Area. A network of trails winds around the hill through the native grasslands and provides access to the top. For a more extensive description, visit the Natural Areas section of our webpage.

The Bernal Heights Trail was in poor condition with poorly defined entries, eroded stairways, redundant social trails that contributed to erosion and loss of sensitive habitat, and the trail system lacked trail identification and wayfinding signage.

Scope of Work

The Bernal Heights Trail Restoration project improved and repaired existing trails and steps, eliminated social trails, provided erosion control measures, restored native plants and provided trail identification and wayfinding.

Funding Source

The Bernal Heights Park Trails Improvement Project was funded by the 2008 Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond. The construction contract award for this project was approved by Recreation and Parks Commission on June 5, 2019 ( PDF ). This construction contract award obtained and complies with all city, state, and federal regulatory approvals, including any that are specific to this project’s funding sources.

Get Out and Play!

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You can also explore Rec and Park volunteer opportunities – We have park needs in every corner of the city and volunteer opportunities that are as diverse as your interests, skills, and abilities. Have fun in your parks, and get out and play!

Project Updates

Bernal Trails Construction Update 4/17

Construction work activities at Bernal Heights have been suspended through the duration of the Shelter in Place order. Fortunately, all trails are now open and while there is still some finishing work to do, we expect it to be wrapped up within Read on…

Bernal Heights Trail Construction Nearing Completion!

Construction work on the Bernal Trails Project is ongoing and nearing completion. Read on…

Bernal Heights - CONSTRUCTION ONGOING

Trail improvements southern trail (across from Ellsworth Street) have been completed with new box steps and seeding Read on…

Bernal Heights - SECTION OF TRAIL CLOSED DURING SEPTEMBER

Restoration and construction work will occur in segments throughout Bernal Heights Park from September 2019 through early 2020. Read on…

BERNAL HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Construction crews have removed loose debris from the park road from Bernal Heights Boulevard to the Folsom Street entrance Read on…

Project Inquiries

Urban Trails

Urban trails allow residents to escape the city’s hectic pace and explore nature in their own neighborhoods. One of the things San Franciscans value most about our parks and open spaces is the opportunity they provide for hiking and enjoying the beauty of our natural landscapes. The Recreation and Park Department’s Urban Trails Program is a two-part initiative to restore key trails and expand the current volunteer trail corps to help create and maintain a trail network in the city’s natural areas.

Natural Areas

San Francisco’s natural areas contain almost 30 miles of trails, but many are in poor shape-difficult to access, uneven, steep, and prone to erosion. The Urban Trails Program will restore and enhance miles of trails for hikers and recreational enthusiasts of all ages to enjoy, thanks to the Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond, approved by voters in 2008. This bond dedicated $5 million to improving trails and trail safety in our natural areas, restoring and protecting the natural landscapes around trails, and creating new and improved trail connections between neighboring parks.

Renovated Trails

Renovated trails will improve access to a variety of urban nature outings, from streamside rambles to breathtaking climbs to panoramic viewpoints. New and improved trail connections will help establish regional trails, enabling residents and visitors to experience miles of uninterrupted natural beauty in the middle of the city.

Funding

Because funding for trail improvements is limited, the Department has worked with community groups and stakeholders to focus on spending on parks and open spaces that have the greatest needs and would provide the greatest benefits if improved.

Documents & Materials