Place to see: Bernal Hill, San Francisco, California, United States

About this place:

An island of nature in the center of San Francisco's urban hungle, Bernal Hill is a small mountain that rises 99 meters above sea level just south of the Mission District neighborhood.

The top of the hill is a wild grassland park that affords stunning views of the city, including the East Bay, the downtown skyline, the top of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Noe Valley neighborhood. Bernal Hill is also home to wildlife, including hawks, owls, and (at times) even a coyote.

Each year, Bernal Hill is also home to the anarchic Illegal Soap Box Derby, which takes place during the last sunday in October.

To access Bernal Hill from the Mission District via public transportation, take BART to 24th Street Station in the Mission District, then walk east to Folsom Street. Turn right on Folsom, and follow Folsom to the base of Bernal Hill Park. Walking time from 24th Street BART is about 15 minutes.