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Bernal Heights

Bernal Heights

Neighborhood in San Francisco, California

San Francisco 94110, 94112

$1,492,405 Average Value
$1,132 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Diverse San Francisco district on the hill

While Bernal Heights is primarily known for the iconic overlooking hill that gave the neighborhood its namesake, there’s much more to Bernal Heights that makes residents happy to call this unique Southeastern San Francisco home. “You’ll usually see the same people walking up and down the streets,” says Bobbi Levenson, a Realtor with Compass Real Estate who has lived in the area for 20 years. Bernal Heights’ welcoming community is widely known as being one to celebrate inclusivity, with an open and friendly nature that attracts all types of residents. “We have big ethnic diversity here with a lot of nationalities, and this makes it a really welcoming place and very inviting,” says local resident Danny Ruiz, a facilities coordinator at the neighborhood St. Mary’s Rec Center. A walker-friendly district with unique historic character, convenient commuter access and cool establishments that seem to pop up every day, Berlin Heights is the perfect blend of old meets new. “It’s changed," Leverson says, “Fifteen years ago, nobody knew about it, and now everyone wants to live there.”

Bernal Heights is a residential neighborhood 10 minutes south of downtown San Francisco.
Bernal Heights is a residential neighborhood 10 minutes south of downtown San Francisco.
Bernal Heights Park offers incredible views of SF as well as a great local hike.
Bernal Heights Park offers incredible views of SF as well as a great local hike.
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Eclectic housing styles and historic homes

Bernal Heights’ streetscapes showcase a typical San Francisco urban city setting, with wide streets, narrowly paved sidewalks and rows of attached homes without front lawns. However, neighborhood residents often put out small front entry garden pots, shrubs or succulents to add more exterior greenery. In addition to the architectural styles California is known for, like Mission and Spanish Revival, Bernal Heights also features San Francisco’s eclectic arrangement of Victorian, Edwardian and Craftsman-style homes. Homes in this neighborhood were built as early as the 1900s, but many new modern builds and contemporary condos are now mixed into the neighborhood’s diverse architectural makeup. Condo prices typically start around $800,000 for two bedrooms and can go up to $1.4 million for updated three-bedroom condos. Single-family homes range from $850,000 for smaller, two-bedroom homes and up to $4.6 million for upscale, luxury-style properties with four to five bedrooms. “Houses sell pretty fast as long as they are priced well,” Levenson says. “It’s a desirable area.”

Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center has colorful murals painted all throughout Bernal Heights.
Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center has colorful murals painted all throughout Bernal Heights.
Every home in Bernal Heights has its' own unique characteristics.
Every home in Bernal Heights has its' own unique characteristics.
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Variety of local dining and natural food stores

There are many local authentic dining and grocery spots to enjoy in Bernal Heights. Barebottle Brewing Company is a popular neighborhood hangout spot, offering local craft beer selections in a warehouse-style space with rotating food trucks. Along Cortland Avenue, residents can grab breakfast or baked goods at Black Jet Baking Co, a beloved neighborhood bakery. Cortland Avenue is home to many other eateries as well, like Shokudou for sushi and Piqueo’s for tapas. For grocery selections, there are big box chains, gourmet markets and natural food stores — all within walking distance. The Good Life Grocery is one of the go-to spots for natural foods with organic and specialty products, while the popular Epicurean Trader offers gourmet items from international chocolates to rare wines. For traditional grocery store staples, Safeway is on Mission Street.

The Epicurean Trader in Bernal Heights has gourmet, small batch foods.
The Epicurean Trader in Bernal Heights has gourmet, small batch foods.
The Good Life Grocery in Bernal Heights has fresh, organic groceries.
The Good Life Grocery in Bernal Heights has fresh, organic groceries.
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Film festivals and community Earth Day events

Bernal Heights is home to several events that connect residents with the community, like Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema, an annual film festival held in September showcasing the work of local filmmakers and artists. On Earth Day, residents gather atop the Bernal Heights Park hill for eco-conscious demonstrations, live music and fellowship. In the spring, the St. Mary’s Rec Center hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt. Neighborhood children hunt for Easter Eggs along the center’s open lawn while also enjoying photo-ops with the Easter Bunny.

Public schools with after-school clubs and identity groups

Students can attend Leonard R. Flynn Elementary, rated C by Niche, which teaches emotional management, empathy and problem-solving techniques in addition to academics. Middle schoolers can attend James Lick Middle, which receives a C-plus, while high schoolers can go to the C-plus-rated Thurgood Marshall High School. The high school has over 30 social clubs and offers advanced college prep programs.

Meaningful work at James Lick Middle School engages students in learning.
Meaningful work at James Lick Middle School engages students in learning.
Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School mural and play area
Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School mural and play area
Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco, California.
Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco, California.
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Hilltop parks and butterfly gardens

Bernal Heights’ most prominent recreational feature is Bernal Heights Park. Rising above the homes surrounding it, this park is crisscrossed by pet-friendly walking trails. Trees are sparse at the hill’s summit, so residents can enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the city and bay. Nearby, Precita Park offers a playground and butterfly garden, as well as an open grass lawn that runs across two blocks. From the middle of the park, visitors have a view of the Precita Eyes Muralists Studio, a painted building on Precita Avenue. One of the most amenity-packed sites for athletics is the popular St. Mary’s Rec Center. Located on Justin Drive, the center features a soccer field, two baseball diamonds and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Less than a mile north of the neighborhood is Garfield Square, a recreational site with playgrounds, a popular artificial turf soccer field that hosts community league games and an indoor public swimming pool.

Bernal Heights Park offers 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding San Francisco area.
Bernal Heights Park offers 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding San Francisco area.
Precita Park Playground in Bernal Heights is a great place for kids to play.
Precita Park Playground in Bernal Heights is a great place for kids to play.
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Glen Park BART Station is a transit hub for Bernal Heights and other surrounding neighborhoods.
Glen Park BART Station is a transit hub for Bernal Heights and other surrounding neighborhoods.

Access to highway intersections and commuter rail

Although the neighborhood is both walkable and bikeable, residents have quick access to main highways and public transportation. Bernal Heights sits right at the intersection of Interstate 280 and Highway 101 and has a multitude of public bus stop locations throughout the neighborhood. These bus routes can take residents to the nearest BART station, which is two miles west in Glen Park. The San Francisco International Airport is about 10 miles south of the neighborhood, while the prominent St. Luke’s Hospital is less than two miles away on Cesar Chavez Street.

Britni Petersen
Written By
Britni Petersen
Clinton Perry
Photography Contributed By
Clinton Perry
Tyler Hall
Video By
Tyler Hall

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Eddie O'Sullivan, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

San Francisco International

19 min drive

Subway

Glen Park Station

Subway

San Jose Ave & Randall St

Bus

Mission St & Highland Ave

Bus

Folsom St & Stoneman St

Bus

Cortland Ave & Folsom St

Bus

Ripley St & Folsom St

Bus

Mission St & Appleton Ave

Bus

Mission St & Murray St

Bus

Bosworth St & Rotteck St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Bernal Heights US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,508,750
Median Single Family Price
$1,512,500
Median Townhouse Price
$1,950,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$1,092,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$455,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,132
Number of Homes for Sale
18
Last 12 months Home Sales
182
Months of Supply
1.20
Median List Price
$1,496,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
5,196
Median Year Built
1926
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,413
Significantly below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,134
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,096
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
751
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
573
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 4pm

    1516 Alabama St, San Francisco, CA 94110

    $1,249,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,222 Sq Ft
    • 1516 Alabama St
    • New 12 hours ago

    Enjoy neighborhood charm and original architectural details--coved ceilings, wainscoting, picture rails, built-ins, and a brick fireplace--paired seamlessly with modern comforts in this gem of a single family home with a sunny garden and garage just a block from Precita Park. Recent upgrades include refinished hardwood floors throughout, fresh exterior paint and updated windows. The spacious

    Danielle Lazier Vivre Real Estate

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  • Thursday, Apr 24
    5 - 6:30pm

    18 Montezuma St, San Francisco, CA 94110

    $2,795,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 2,551 Sq Ft
    • 18 Montezuma St
    • New 7 days ago

    Step into timeless San Francisco charm reimagined for modern living. This beautifully renovated four bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom Victorian residence (renovated entirely in 2016) is set over three levels of thoughtfully designed living space. Nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street in the coveted Bernal Heights neighborhood, this sun-drenched home blends soaring ceilings, bay windows, and a

    Andrew Warren Vanguard Properties

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  • Sunday, Apr 27
    12 - 2pm

    363 Mullen Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110

    $1,299,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,761 Sq Ft
    • 363 Mullen Ave
    • New 13 days ago

    Nestled on the coveted northeast slope of Bernal Heights. One of San Francisco's premier neighborhoods, often called "The Neighborhood in the Sky". Building Code R-3! What would you do? This fully detached property offers a unique opportunity. The main home and guest cottage are situated on an extra-large parcel, which is an entire tract fronting 75 feet with a uniform depth of 70 feet, providing

    Jose Cabrera Cardona Vanguard Properties

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Eddie O'Sullivan, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
21,179
Median Age
43
Population Density
30 ppl/acre
Population under 18
19.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$161,459
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$181,459

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90.5%
College Graduates
58.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
22''
Average Winter Low Temperature
46°F
Average Summer High Temperature
68°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

74 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

95 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

79 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Bernal Heights
Eddie O'Sullivan
Elevation Real Estate
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