Bernal Heights Dog Park
Bernal Heights
Photo: 2007
2007
2007Photos taken in 2007 on our original visits. Tap a photo to see it full size.
Once a rock quarry, the top of Bernal Hill now sports an antenna tower that appears to radio all the dogs in the southern neighborhoods of the city to form a pack and roam free on the acres of grass and trails that blanket the hill. If you live around Bernal and own a dog, you know about this park. If you don't live nearby, it's well worth a trip across town for the spectacular views and the sheer amount of off-leash space.
Set up camp on top of the hill and you can watch the dogs file through all day: early-morning power walkers with owners in tow, midday motley packs with their professional dog walkers, and evening strollers chasing balls and working the crowd. The park is so friendly to descendants of the wolf that coyotes have been known to make the hill their home. The fact that you'll rarely see one is a testament to how big the park is.
What Bernal Hill lacks in vegetation (it's mostly grass with a few scattered trees and scrub) it makes up for with incredible panoramic views. From the north side you can see everything from the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge to the downtown skyline, the Bay Bridge and the East Bay hills. Strategically placed benches offer welcome spots to rest and take in the view while your dog runs free.
Two main entrances are connected by a large paved path, a closed utility road, and a network of dirt trails crisscrosses the hill. This is definitely a park where both you and your dog can get some exercise hiking up and down.
- Where
- Bernal Heights Blvd loop
- Neighborhood
- Bernal Heights
- Fenced
- No, open area
- Hours
- Most SF parks are open 5 a.m. to midnight; confirm on the official page
- Managed by
- SF Recreation & Park Department
- Official page
- sfrecpark.org
Getting there
Bernal Heights Boulevard circles the hill, and you can reach it by heading up Folsom Street from the Mission side. There are several entrances along the boulevard. Street parking along it fills up on weekends, so come early or walk up from the neighborhood.
Bring your own bags. As with all public dog parks in the city, it's up to dog owners to be responsible, respect the rules, and help keep off-leash areas open.
Rules here
- Off-leash only inside the marked dog play area; leash everywhere else in the park.
- No dogs on athletic fields, courts or children's play areas.
- Pick up and remove waste, and don't leave your dog unattended.
- Control excessive barking and digging; keep vaccinations and license current.
- Dog walkers: no more than eight dogs per person.
Closures for turf recovery, repairs and wildlife happen often. Check the official page or posted signs before you go.
What to bring
- Long training leash (15 to 30 ft): Practice recall before you trust a big open space.
- Collapsible water bowl: Fountains aren't always working. Clips to a leash.
- Poop bag dispenser: Park dispensers are often empty. Bring your own.
- LED collar light: Fog and early sunsets make dogs hard to spot.
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Nearby dog parks
- Glen Canyon Park (Glen Park)
- Balboa Park (Outer Mission / Ingleside)
- Crocker Amazon (Crocker-Amazon / Excelsior)
- McLaren Park (Shelley & Geneva) (Excelsior / Visitacion Valley)