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Friday, 9/11/2026
1:30 - 4:00
Suitable for:
  • Adults
Bernal Heights Meeting Room
Bernal Heights
Address

500 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110
United States

Contact Telephone

Take a guided history tour of Bernal Heights with Richard Preston. 

Bernal Heights has a rich history intertwined with the growth of San Francisco and the post‑earthquake redevelopment. Learn about earthquake shacks and how to identify them. Hear about historical figures who played significant roles in the area’s development, including Carmen Bernal, William Tecumseh Sherman, and John Hays McLaren. This tour illustrates the transformation of the Bernal Heights area from a cattle ranch into a bustling working‑class neighborhood. If you would like to participate and have old photographs of Bernal Heights that you believe have historical merit, please bring one or two to share in the discussion after the tour.

Space limited. Reservations required: (415) 355-2810, email bhemgr@sfpl.org or sign-up at the reference desk.