Bernal's Name
Unfinished History
Original Bernal Land Grant map, 1856.
A Mexican land grant, Potrero Viejo (covering Islais Creek Basin and Hunters Point) was owned by José Cornelio Bernal, whose name ultimately came to grace the large hill directly south of today's Mission District.
Holladay Avenue, northeast corner of Bernal Heights, August 9, 1928
photo: Private Collection
A view of Bernal Heights from Potrero Hill, with San Bruno Mountain and its radio towers in the distance at left. In the foreground is the Mission District, St. Peter's Church is the large building just above the post.
photo: Chris Carlsson
The ring road around Bernal Heights was once home to Soapbox Derby racing every 3rd Sunday, and was once the training mountain for Sandinista militants who later went to Nicaragua and helped start the 1979 revolution.