by Hoyt Nelson
This hike, like many others in my popular series, was adapted from the book “Stairway Walks in San Francisco” by Adah Bakalinsky, now in its 7th edition. As usual, it has lots of stairs, interesting neighborhoods, fine views and flower gardens. It will take about 3.5 hours with stops for views, snacks and/or lunch.
DIRECTIONS: From north or south on Hwy 101 in San Francisco, exit at Cesar Chavez (Army) and take it going W. After about 0.5 mi. W on Chavez, go L (south) onto Folsom, which turns into Bernal Heights Blvd. somewhere after it veers left. Stay straight at the next junction after that (at a small parking lot on the right) and follow Bernal Heights, staying right at the next 3 junctions (the last being Ellsworth – see map). About 0.5 mi. past the small parking lot (a bit past Ellsworth and Anderson) Bernal Heights takes a hairpin turn R at a dry open staging area on the L with a drinking fountain and 2 stone benches. We will meet there at 10:00. Select the link and Ctrl-click it to see the map. If you have trouble, just go to Googlemaps, enter “Bernal Heights San Francisco” and zoom in. The staging area is a “bump” on the lower left side of the wide, brown area that is Bernal Heights. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Bernal+Heights,+San+Francisco,+CA&hl=en&ll=37.74498,-122.410698&spn=0.006863,0.016479&sll=37.768086,-122.405441&sspn=0.006446,0.013175&oq=Bernal+Heights&t=h&hnear=Bernal+Heights,+San+Francisco,+California&z=17
Bring liquids, snacks/lunch, layered clothing, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection and camera. Also bring a piece of cardboard or carpet “sled” for a slide along the hike. Later, we can lunch in one of the many interesting places on/near Valencia St. (or elsewhere). To sign up or for questions, contact Hoyt at Bernal@niseiskiclub.org.
