Things to Do in Bernal Heights San Francisco (with Interactive Map)

The Bernal Heights neighborhood is full of hidden gems and some of the best views in San Francisco. Here are my favorite restaurants, shops and things to do!

Bernal Heights might be my favorite San Francisco neighborhood. It’s tucked out of the way in the southeast part of the city, leaving it off the tour bus beat and even off the radar of many San Francisco residents. Bernal Heights has everything – amazing views, cute houses, pretty parks, incredible food and cute boutiques. There is one gem after another, just waiting to be discovered.

Warning, this post is absolutely massive. It was a true labor of love and I hope it inspires you to check out the Bernal Heights neighborhood. If you’re not in San Francisco, bookmark or pin it for your next vacation!

Interactive Map with Things to Do in Bernal Heights

Bernal Heights Park – Best Views in San Francisco

A Bernal Heights adventure should always start or end with the short hike up Bernal Heights hill. This massive park is the centerpiece of the neighborhood.  Thanks to a hidden stairs on the southern portion, it only takes a few minutes to get to the top. Your reward is 360° views of San Francisco, views of both bridges and one of the best places in San Francisco to see sunrise or sunset. It’s off-leash dog friendly and a great place for a picnic. That’s just what Ally and I did.

To get ready for our Bernal Heights adventure, I stopped at Target for coffee and breakfast snacks. I always pick up Starbucks coffee while doing errands at Target. It’s so convenient, and Target always has a great selection of affordable coffee mugs and coffee accessories. I immediately fell in love with the chic french press you see in the photos. French press is my favorite way to prepare coffee and this metal and wood version is absolutely gorgeous! A french press of Starbuck’s Fall Blend coffee was the perfect way to start the day, and we were grateful to have something warm (and caffeinated!) to drink.

I also couldn’t resist picking up a few cute accessories. I knew it would be chilly at sunrise, and it’s always best to have a few extra layers. Target is a great place to find chic seasonal pieces that won’t break the bank. A fluffy plaid blanket made the perfect picnic blanket, and an oversized wrap kept me warm. And no blogger adventure is complete without a few fedoras! 🙂

This is what I picke up at Target! #FallForStarbucks

 Best Views in San Francisco

Bernal Heights Park
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://sfrecpark.org/destination/bernal-heights-park/

Best Brunch Spot in Bernal Heights

Bernal Star might be one of the best brunch spots in San Francisco. It’s sunny and charming, has amazing food, friendly service, and shorter lines than most other trendy brunch spots in the city. They also have outdoor patio seating that is dog friendly.

Their menu has all of the classics you’d expect, like waffles and huevos rancheros, all beautifully-prepared and absolutely delicious! If you want to make it a boozy brunch, they have everything from mimosas to sangria. Even though this is my new go-to brunch spot, they are also a great lunch or dinner option in Bernal Heights.

Our favorite dishes: Waffles with plantains, huevos rancheros, and one of their mimosas. For lunch or dinner – seared ahi tuna, angus beef burger, and truffle fries.

Bernal Star Restaurant
410 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://bernalstar.com

Best First Date Spot in Bernal Heights

Blue Plate restaurant features California cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Every dish tastes better than the last, and their focus on using seasonal, local produce is something I really appreciate. There’s something on the menu that is sure to please everyone! Blue Plate has been open for 17 years (!), and it’s clear they have the incredible food in a casual setting thing on lock. Combine that with some of the friendliest staff I’ve ever encountered, and you have a true dining gem. Their open kitchen is a great distraction if your first date conversation starts to stall.

Our favorite dishes: toasted farro and slow egg, house-made focaccia, pan-roasted salmon with corn pudding, and the macaroni and (drunken spanish goat) cheese.

Blue Plate Restaurant
3128 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://blueplatesf.com/

Most Unique Dining Experience in Bernal Heights

Whoa. That’s probably what most people think when they walk into Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack for the first time. The graffiti facade foreshadows a truly unique dining experience. Think large airbrushed murals, leopard print tabletops and purple curtains.

Despite the visual overload, their food is the star, not an afterthought. They have a full menu of delicious pastas, great salads and seasonal offerings. They are also family-friendly (kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays). Don’t forget to check out their pinball machine and the photo booth!

Our favorite dishes: Spaghetti and meatballs (duh), green goddess salad, and pappardelle with pulled pork ragu.

Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack
3230 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://emmysspaghettishack.com

Best Place for a Fancy Dinner that Won’t Break the Bank (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)

Hillside Supper Club’s motto is ‘comfortable food, no pressure’ and they definitely succeed. Our meal was one of the best I’ve had in San Francisco, and surprisingly low-key.

You haven’t had a meatball until you’ve had Chef Tony’s grandmother’s meatballs. They are seriously mind-blowing. I’d put them on my list of top 10 dishes you have to try in San Francisco. Add to the experience a great wine menu and awesome service and you have a spot that I recommend to friends over and over again. You can’t go wrong with any of their desserts either, so if you’re looking for a place to just grab dessert in San Francisco, this is the perfect option!

Our favorite dishes: Nonna’s meatballs, steak tartare, chicken pot pie, grilled port chop, and any of their amazing desserts.

Hillside Supper Club (PERMANENTLY CLOSED)
300 Precita Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110

Cutest Cafe in Bernal Heights

Cafe St. Jorge is seriously one of the cutest cafes in San Francisco. It has chill vibes, lots of seating, and a full menu of delicious dishes. The owner is Portuguese, so many of them have an awesome Portuguese-twist to them.

Avocado toast is practically San Francisco’s official dish, but the Cafe St. Jorge version has an awesome avocado to toast ratio (essential) and the chili flakes add a great kick. They always have a fresh baked good just out of the oven, and have great vegan and gluten free options.

Our favorite dishes: Avocado chili toast, chia seed pudding, and Portuguese pasteis de nata.

Cafe St. Jorge
3438 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://www.cafestjorge.com

Best Ice Cream in Bernal Heights (and San Francisco!)

Mitchell’s Ice Cream is a San Francisco institution. They’ve been serving San Francisco’s best ice cream (a bold statement, I know) for sixty years and counting. They take great pride in the quality of the ingredients they use, from real Oreos in their oreo ice cream, to the hormone-free milk from pasture-raised cows. Amazingly, the ice cream shop is still owned by the Mitchell’s! We had the privilege of meeting Brian Mitchell (pictured above), who runs Mitchell’s with his sister Linda.

Our favorite flavors: ube (purple yam), oreo cookie, strawberry swirl, and buko (young coconut). Make sure you spring for the waffle cone covered with sprinkles.

Mitchell’s Ice Cream
688 San Jose Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://mitchellsicecream.com/

Best Pizza in Bernal Heights

PizzaHacker got its humble beginnings as a simple outdoor table with a ‘hacked’ weber grill turned into a pizza oven. It’s since been on every San Francisco must-eat list, and it’s definitely on my list! For the past two years, Pizza Hacker has had a brick-and-mortar home in Bernal Heights.

PizzaHacker absolutely lives up to the hype. The pizza has a perfectly-crisp thin crust topped with fresh ingredients and a great tomato sauce. It’s heavenly!

PizzaHacker
3299 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://thepizzahacker.com/

Best Place to Find a Hostess Gift in San Francisco

Heartfelt has been a Bernal Heights establishment for almost 20 years. Stuffed floor-to-ceiling with nicknacks, paper products, and kitchen wares, Heartfelt is a quirky boutique where you can browse for hours. They also have an online store, so check that out if you’re not in the city! I hope you get the chance to meet the shop’s friendly owner, Darcy, who is pictured above.

Heartfelt
436 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
https://heartfeltsf.com/

Best Plant Shop in San Francisco

Succulence is such a fun place to visit! This cute boutique has everything from a planting bar, to a huge array of succulents, cacti and air plants, to pre-made terrariums. Their friendly staff is always available to answer questions and help you plan your own succulent project.

Succulence
402 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://thesucculence.com

Best Fitness Studio in Bernal Heights

Moxie yoga is an incredible and challenging workout. It’s fast-paced, intense, and pushes both your flexibility and strength. Think small class size, individualized attention, and great music. Their Bernal Heights studio is brand new, and they also have locations in Nob Hill and the Mission.

Just a note, the focus is on fitness, so if you’re looking for a relaxing, spiritual practice, Moxie isn’t for you. If you’re looking to be hella sore the next day and to push your yoga practice to the next level – I’ll see you in class!

Moxie Yoga
3232 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://moxie.yoga

Best Southern Food in San Francisco

If you’re looking for amazing southern food in San Francisco, look no more than The Front Porch restaurant in Bernal Heights! They serve all the classics from fried chicken to collared greens. You may remember them if you watch Guy Fieri’s Diner’s, Drive Ins and Dives from the Food Network. He went crazy for the Dr. Pepper short ribs and the shrimp and grits.

The Front Porch
65 29th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://thefrontporch.com

Best Place to Find a Deal in San Francisco

The Alemany flea market is teeny compared to its cousin the Alameda flea market, but it’s still my favorite. There’s no entry fee, it’s wayyy cheaper, happens weekly, and you don’t have to leave the city. Be prepared to do a little digging, but I assure you there are many diamonds in the rough. My most recent find? A beautiful 15 piece tea set, complete with tea pot and serving platter, for only $30!

Tip: Make sure you don’t go on the first Sunday of the month, as many of the vendors will be at Alameda instead.

Alemany Sunday Flea Market
7 AM to 3 PM
100 Alemany Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://sfgov.org/realestate/alemany-flea-market

Best Place to Spend a Sunny Day in San Francisco

Dolores Park is by far the most famous sunny day spot in San Francisco, but Precita Park is my personal favorite. It’s dog-friendly and wayyy less crowded than Dolores Park. It’s the perfect spot to spread out a blanket and enjoy a lazy weekend afternoon. It’s also a great place for an outdoor party – there’s usually at least one happening complete with a food table and lawn games.

Precita Park
3200 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://sfrecpark.org/destination/precita-park

Thanks to the amazingly talented Daniel Fabia for helping out with photography!

This blog post was sponsored by Starbucks but the opinions are completely my own, based on my experience. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to bring you beautiful content! Wondering why I do sponsored posts? Read here.