The Heights of Bernal

Spectacular views and birds galore await the Bernal Heights explorer. Named after Don Jose Cornelio Bernal, the area was part of his rancho, Rincon de las Salinas y Potrero Viejo in the 19th Century. Now well into gentrification, the area's main drag, Cortland Avenue, has a wonderful small town feel and is easily accessible by public transport. It has everything you'd want or need, save a movie house, in a neighborhood.

Little Houses

Here's a wonderful little house on the north slope of Bernal Heights. I wonder what it would be like to live in a house that's not even as wide as a car is long. This neighborhood has a wonderful, eclectic variety of houses. Too bad about the very unfortunate remodel of the house to the left of the tiny one. I don't think they were attempting to make it look like a dentist's office, but that's the result. Unintentional vandalism is always fascinating and a bit sad.