Bet you didn’t know that Bernal Hill had a mini gold rush in 1876. Today, we’re standing atop Bernal Hill. It is a special place for San Francisco. It gives both humans and wildlife a natural refuge.
Bernal Hill offers breathtaking 360-degree views. You can see the San Francisco Bay. Look toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Downtown San Francisco is visible. And, if you turn, you will see San Bruno Mountain. The East Bay hills complete the panorama.
Even when Twin Peaks is foggy, Bernal Hill stays sunny. Red-tailed hawks circle above. The breeze creates waves in the grassland. People come here to escape city life.
Bernal Hill’s story begins long ago. It was part of a 4446-acre land grant. This grant was awarded to José Cornelio de Bernal. He was a soldier in Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1776 expedition. The grant stretched from Cesar Chavez Street to Daly City.
The area became a squatter’s paradise. This lasted until 1855. The Van Ness Ordinance then gave the land to the tenants. Bernal Heights emerged as San Francisco grew. Streets were laid out. Small homes were constructed. Many Irish, Scots, and Scandinavians settled here. They used the hill for cattle and dairy ranching.
Now, about that gold rush. Frenchman Victor Resayre said he found gold on Bernal Hill. He claimed it was worth $1 million per ton. People rushed to mine the hill. But it turned out to be quartz which is much less valuable.
During the 1906 earthquake, Bernal Heights was lucky. The hill’s stable rock helped homes survive. There was less damage here than in areas built on landfill.
Bernal Hill’s slopes host a thriving grassland. It shows how San Francisco might have looked long ago. In summer, the grasslands are dry. The hill looks like a tawny monolith. But in early February, wildflowers bloom turning the hill into a palette of colors. You might see footsteps of spring. Sun cups and blue-eyed grass also bloom.
More than 40 bird species use Bernal Hill. Anna’s hummingbirds live here. Dark-eyed juncos and American kestrels can also be seen. These birds hunt for seeds and berries. The American kestrel hovers looking for prey.
Kestrels have hooked beaks and sharp eyesight. They can see ultraviolet light. This helps them track rodents. Rodents mark trails with urine. Kestrels follow these trails to find food.
Lizards and gopher snakes bask on Bernal Hill’s rocks. Pocket gophers and raccoons also live here. Coyotes have returned to Bernal Hill. Please don’t feed them. Fed coyotes can become aggressive. Keep dogs on leashes for their safety.
In 1973, residents began volunteer projects on Bernal Hill. They removed trash and invasive plants. In 1980, they started grassland restoration. Today, groups work to preserve Bernal Hill’s natural history. They remove invasive plants. They replant native species.
Bernal Hill formed 150 million years ago. The Pacific Plate subducted under the North American Plate. This caused a wrinkling effect. Near the summit, you can find radiolarian chert. This rock absorbs earthquake energy. That is why Bernal Heights survived the 1906 earthquake so well.
Bernal Hill offers a unique blend of history and nature. It’s a place to escape. It’s a place to connect with the past. It’s a place to appreciate San Francisco’s beauty. Take a moment to enjoy the view. Think about the stories this hill holds.