Walk, Hike, Run Bernal

I don't think I could love Bernal Hill more than I already do. Maybe it's the houses cozily nestled into the hillside, maybe it's the contrast of the light-colored land with the dark trees up top, or maybe it's the fact that it's close to my home. Whatever it is, the hill always draws me in.

Photo courtesy of: http://aios-staging.agentimage.com/tmontgomery_pending.com/htdocs/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/bernal-1.jpg

And I'm not the only fan of the hill. Bernal has a great vantage point over the city, so it's a popular neighborhood spot to bring your dog for a walk, to have a picnic, or to read a book.

For runners, the hill has yet another layer of appeal. The roughly circular path around the base of the hill is exactly one mile long, so you can measure your runs in loops around the park.

The microwave tower at the top of the hill is affectionately nicknamed "Sutrito Tower" after its larger to the northwest. The tower even has its own twitter account.

If you want to visit the park and are coming from points north, take Folsom Street south, cross Cesar Chavez past Precita Park, and head all the way up the hill (it's steep, but just for a few blocks). When you see this house, you've almost made it. The park begins where Folsom Street ends.

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