sanpancha

Look, when I first moved to Bernal more than 4 years ago, I was a little skeptical: the main thoroughfare seemed kinda sleepy next to the action of 24th Street in the Mission and Noe Valley (I'd lived for four years in between those two neighborhoods.) But the the close-knit community and warmth of the neighborhood has completely won me over--Bernal Heights is a *great* place to live. Cortland is its own cozy little retail district, with a major grocery store (The Good Life), a wonderful yoga studio (Bernal Yoga), a legendary bar (Wild Side West), super cute boutiques (yay, Hearfelt), upscale restaurants (Piqueo's, Little Nepal), two great coffee shops (Marth & Bros. and Progressive Grounds), a bookstore (Red Hill Books), and most recently, a fitness center and a posh little bakery. Plus, our branch library just re-opened after an extensive remodel, and it's beautiful! The western half of Cortland connects with Mission Street, so you're close to a lot more action if you want it (along with major bus lines); the eastern portion is quieter--and, honestly, a little more run down (that's where I live)--and feels more like a nondescript thoroughfare. Spend a quiet Saturday morning walking up to Bernal Heights park or Holly Park, play with your dog or kid, and then enjoy all that Cortland Ave. has to offer.

Okay so I love Market Street *in theory*: urban bustle, tons of shopping, the heart of San Francisco where folks from all walks of life meet and mingle. But in reality, the stretch from Van Ness down through 5th Street (by the Westfield Shopping Center) is almost always an unpleasant walking experience: really really dirty (like, you don't even want to think about what some of that litter really is...), really really smelly, and filled with people who seem like they're crazy, or high, or both, always asking for change and always thisclose to invading your personal space. And this is during the DAY; at night, you've got the lovely added factor of darkness to make everything seem DANGEROUS to boot. I wish I was tough enough to not be fazed by any of this, but oh well. Luckily, I don't have to be downtown at night much.

One of the best places in SF for a flat, fast run, a leisurely stroll, a picnic, or sunbathing on the beach! (Take that, Ocean Beach!) The beauty surrounding you is amazing: on one side, you've got Crissy Field and views of the Presidio; on the other, the beach and the bay. On warm days, the entire area is *packed* with runners and walkers, cyclists, kitesurfers, windsurfers, families, and dogs. (One time, I even saw some poor, misguided woman walking her *cat* here. Wow. That image is seared in my mind.) As for facilities, there are places to picnic--although I think you'll need reservations if you want an actual picnic table and grill--relatively clean bathrooms, and a water fountain; the last two items are particularly appreciated right before or right after a long run... You can grab food at the Warming Hut or at the Crissy Field Center. One of the incredible public spaces that truly makes SF the awesome city that it is.

Church Street runs from 30th in Noe Valley to Market in the Castro, and has a different character in each neighborhood. In Noe it's quaint and even a little bit sleepy, though spots like Toast and Pomelo are always packed (with a crowd waiting outside) for weekend brunch. There's a Martha & Bros. coffeeshop too, which features a small but loyal band of regulars hanging out. As you progress north, it's a nice mix of low-key businesses (lots of holistic health and acupuncture) and residential blocks (with many beautiful Victorians and bungalows). It's a great street to walk, but you can also catch the J very easily and head downtown.

... like I did one fateful night: front passenger window got bashed in, glove compartment yanked open and contents strewn about, iPod stolen. But I should've known better, that was a rookie mistake. If you *must* park on Shotwell--not known for being the safest, cleanest, or sweet-smellingest street in the City--remove ALL items and put them in your trunk. Yes, yes, SOP for parking at night in any major urban area, but Shotwell's one of those areas where this it's particularly important to remember to do this. Then take care not to step on or trip over anyone sleeping on the sidewalk, avoid the (animal? human) feces, and make a beeline for your destination.

I don't know much about Diamond as it winds through Glen Park, but the portion that runs through the Castro and Noe Valley is quiet, leafy, and super hilly. A nice place to walk if you want a workout, as it has much less traffic than Castro, one street to the east--but I've never seen *too* many other folks out there braving the inclines! :) Diamond is the uppermost border of the 24th st. Noe Valley corridor, and in that area there are some nice upscale cafes, restaurants, and Italian delis.

This is one the major thoroughfares in Golden Gate Park, and as such, it can be very heavily trafficked during the week. But on the weekends, it's closed to autos (well, at least to all except those that mistakenly end up there), so it's an excellent place to stroll, rollerblade, bike, or run. Begin at JFK and Great Highway (next to the Beach Chalet), go up to the De Young and back again, and you got yourself a solid 5 miles in one of the most scenic areas SF has to offer.

This is the stretch of 24th forms a major artery of the Mission. It's *awesome*: seemingly countless taquerías and pupuserías and panaderías (hey, all the -ías you could ever wish for, really) to fill you up with ridiculously yummy goodness, amazing public art (the murals of balmy alley) and arts organizations (galeria de la raza, precita eyes, mission cultural center, the brava theater), quirky hipster hangouts (sugarlump coffeehouse, st. francis fountain, dynamo donuts), retail galore. i used to walk down here on a saturday late morning/early afternoon and just spend a couple of hours strolling this particular stretch, loving the vibrant cultural life that SF has to offer.

the street itself isn't particularly noteworthy. there are lots of single family residences; the part of the block that leads up to mission street starts to see more traffic, both foot and car, so it's noisier and less kept-up, but the whole mission terrace area is pretty safe. nice neighbors. my biggest complaint was the fog! augh, you could *see* the stark fog line cutting across san jose ave. driving north, you're surrounded by gray chilliness, then you go into the tunnel and come out the other side... into bright sunshine and warmth! seriously, there was like a quarter mile difference between living in a sunbelt and living with terminal Seasonal Affective Disorder.

a lovely, short (5-block) street nestled between the mission and noe valley, and walkable to so much! go up the hill towards noe and you can catch the J to dolores park, or up to castro/24th street to catch the 24 to the castro or the western addition. walk in an easterly direction and in five minutes you're in the heart of the mission, with the cozy liberty hill retail area (grab a latte at que tal cafe!) on your way there. i lived here for four years and loved being able to hoof it everywhere. plus, i often walked home at all hours, and always felt very safe in this residential area--there's an elementary school on the block between 24th/25th, and several churches nearby, so lots of kids and families everywhere.