Connect with us

Finance

Go inside Bernal Heights, the hottest neighborhood in San Francisco

Published

6 years ago

on

August 25, 2018

By

bernal heights neighborhood tour 5167 Everything the light touches is Bernal Heights.Melia Robinson/Business Insider

For a long time, Bernal Heights was the best kept secret in San Francisco real estate.

Short commutes into downtown, relatively affordable homes, and panoramic hilltop views made it a desirable place for artists, musicians, and tech workers to settle down.

But the residential enclave located south of the city’s Mission District and Noe Valley has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, causing home prices to appreciate 111% over the past six years. The median sales price for a two-bedroom abode is $1.58 million.

In 2014, real-estate site Redfin named the north slope of Bernal Heights, an area that’s densely packed with million-dollar homes, the hottest neighborhood in America based on increases in search traffic to local listings.

I spent an afternoon in Bernal Height’s northern end to see what the buzz is about.

Bernal Heights has a small town feel while still being in a central part of San Francisco.

Bernal Heights has a small town feel while still being in a central part of San Francisco.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

It sits south of the city’s downtown and is bisected by Cortland Avenue, a main shopping strip populated by small markets, cafes, restaurants, and hair and nail salons.

It sits south of the city's downtown and is bisected by Cortland Avenue, a main shopping strip populated by small markets, cafes, restaurants, and hair and nail salons.

Google Maps

I started my day north of Cortland at Café St. Jorge, a Portuguese-inspired coffee shop and restaurant where I found young people catching up with friends and working on laptops.

I started my day north of Cortland at Café St. Jorge, a Portuguese-inspired coffee shop and restaurant where I found young people catching up with friends and working on laptops.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Critics say Cafe St. Jorge makes one of the best toasts in San Francisco. My colossal slice of wheat toast was topped with smashed avocado, lemon juice, chili flakes, and sea salt.

Critics say Cafe St. Jorge makes one of the best toasts in San Francisco. My colossal slice of wheat toast was topped with smashed avocado, lemon juice, chili flakes, and sea salt.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

It cost $6 and was very Instagram-worthy, in addition to tasting great.

Source: SF Eater

The area where Café St. Jorge sits has gentrified over the past few decades. In the 1980s at the height of the crack epidemic, drug dealers and bike gangs ruled these streets.

The area where Café St. Jorge sits has gentrified over the past few decades. In the 1980s at the height of the crack epidemic, drug dealers and bike gangs ruled these streets.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Crime has fallen significantly, though Bernal Heights experiences more incidents of assault along Mission Street (the border between Bernal Heights’s north slope and the Mission District) than the San Francisco average, according to real-estate site Walkscore.

During my visit, the most expensive home for sale was a remodeled four-bedroom built in 1903. The owners were asking $2.35 million.

During my visit, the most expensive home for sale was a remodeled four-bedroom built in 1903. The owners were asking $2.35 million.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Source: Redfin

I stumbled into an open house and met Michael Minson, a real estate agent who has lived and work in Bernal Heights for years.

I stumbled into an open house and met Michael Minson, a real estate agent who has lived and work in Bernal Heights for years.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

He said he sells primarily to people working in tech and financial services, who come for the charming small-town feel and spectacular views.

The house that Minson was showing, listed at $1.3 million, belonged to a “tech family” who upgraded to a bigger property near Precita Park, also located in Bernal Heights.

Bernal Heights is becoming a destination on its own, especially the stretch closest to the Mission. One of its gems, Precita Park, spans three blocks and offers locals a place to picnic, toss a Frisbee, or catch an outdoor movie.

Bernal Heights is becoming a destination on its own, especially the stretch closest to the Mission. One of its gems, Precita Park, spans three blocks and offers locals a place to picnic, toss a Frisbee, or catch an outdoor movie.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Source: Bernal Height Outdoor Cinema

Across from the park is what one local calls “the best corner store ever.” Harvest Hills Market feels like a pint-sized Whole Foods. It specializes in natural and organic foods.

Across from the park is what one local calls "the best corner store ever." Harvest Hills Market feels like a pint-sized Whole Foods. It specializes in natural and organic foods.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

While many corner stores put sugary gum and candy by the cash register, Harvest Hills places fresh oranges, nectarines, and bushels of basil, lettuce, and kale at the check-out.

While many corner stores put sugary gum and candy by the cash register, Harvest Hills places fresh oranges, nectarines, and bushels of basil, lettuce, and kale at the check-out.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Bernal Heights Park, located in the north end, draws visitors from around the city and beyond. A closed-off road winds up a large rocky hill. It’s a strenuous walk.

Bernal Heights Park, located in the north end, draws visitors from around the city and beyond. A closed-off road winds up a large rocky hill. It's a strenuous walk.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

But the views from the top are unmatched. On a clear day, visitors can see the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, and the hills of the East Bay.

But the views from the top are unmatched. On a clear day, visitors can see the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown, and the hills of the East Bay.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Hjelm said she finds comfort in the neighborhood’s “homey” feel, and escapes the daily grind in Bernal Heights’ historic — but shrinking — community of artists and musicians.

Hjelm said she finds comfort in the neighborhood's "homey" feel, and escapes the daily grind in Bernal Heights' historic — but shrinking — community of artists and musicians.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

In April 2017, the city evicted eight artists living in a commercially zoned warehouse in Bernal Heights. The cost of living has become prohibitive for some longtime residents.

Minson, the real estate agent, described Bernal Hill’s housing boom as a pair of “golden handcuffs” for some residents.

Minson, the real estate agent, described Bernal Hill's housing boom as a pair of "golden handcuffs" for some residents.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

People who have been here long before the tech industry arrived like seeing their property values rise, but few can afford to buy new homes, according to Minson.

I left the hill via one of the staircases found on all sides of Bernal Hill. They wind through people’s backyards and are surrounded by tall grasses and wildflowers.

I left the hill via one of the staircases found on all sides of Bernal Hill. They wind through people's backyards and are surrounded by tall grasses and wildflowers.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

After climbing hills all afternoon, I was in need of a drink.

After climbing hills all afternoon, I was in need of a drink.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

I spotted a sign for $5 margaritas at El Rio, a queer bar on the border of Bernal Heights and the Mission District. An eclectic bunch of old-timers and millennials mingled inside.

I spotted a sign for $5 margaritas at El Rio, a queer bar on the border of Bernal Heights and the Mission District. An eclectic bunch of old-timers and millennials mingled inside.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Bernie Hirschbein, a retired chemist, started renting in Bernal Heights in the late ’80s. Seeing how the real estate prices were rising in ritzy neighborhoods to the north, he bought a home before it was too late.

Bernie Hirschbein, a retired chemist, started renting in Bernal Heights in the late '80s. Seeing how the real estate prices were rising in ritzy neighborhoods to the north, he bought a home before it was too late.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

“It didn’t seem affordable then,” Hirschbein said with a chuckle.

Hirschbein said he comes everyday to El Rio, founded in 1978, to join a regular game of pool. The bar also hosts karaoke nights, community benefits, and afternoon parties on the patio.

Hirschbein said he comes everyday to El Rio, founded in 1978, to join a regular game of pool. The bar also hosts karaoke nights, community benefits, and afternoon parties on the patio.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

B. Mea, 86, is another fixture of El Rio. She said she has come to shoot pool and drink soda water every day since the ’80s. She lives in rent-controlled, low-income housing nearby.

B. Mea, 86, is another fixture of El Rio. She said she has come to shoot pool and drink soda water every day since the '80s. She lives in rent-controlled, low-income housing nearby.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

She doesn’t know how so many tourists wind up at El Rio — or in Bernal Heights, for that matter. “I’m sure they get it on the internet,” Mea said.

She doesn't know how so many tourists wind up at El Rio — or in Bernal Heights, for that matter. "I'm sure they get it on the internet," Mea said.

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Related Topics:

Next stock market crash: Low unemployment signaling Wall Street pain

How Jeff Bezos makes and spends his billions

Continue Reading

Business7 days ago

Langdock raises $3M with General Catalyst to help businesses avoid vendor lock-in with LLMs

Entertainment6 days ago

What Robert Durst did: Everything to know ahead of ‘The Jinx: Part 2’

Entertainment6 days ago

This nova is on the verge of exploding. You could see it any day now.

Business6 days ago

India’s election overshadowed by the rise of online misinformation

Business5 days ago

This camera trades pictures for AI poetry

Business6 days ago

CesiumAstro claims former exec spilled trade secrets to upstart competitor AnySignal

Business4 days ago

TikTok Shop expands its secondhand luxury fashion offering to the UK

Business5 days ago

Boston Dynamics unveils a new robot, controversy over MKBHD, and layoffs at Tesla