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Explore Bernal: Tompkins Stairway Garden’s Fundraising Walk
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! 🚶♂️
Join the Tompkins Stairway Garden’s First Annual “Explore Bernal” Fundraising Walk
Sunday, October 5th • 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
What awaits you on this neighborhood adventure?
🌿 TWO miles of discovery
🌱 THREE inspiring greening projects
🏠 FIVE historic earthquake shacks
🪜 THREE charming stairways
🥨 TWO delicious snack stops
🗝️ ONE secret path (shh!)
🍺 ONE celebratory brewery finish!
Why You’ll Love This Walk
Meet your neighbors and fall in love with Bernal Heights all over again! If you’re not from Bernal, get a behind-the-scenes peek into one of San Francisco’s favorite neighborhoods. This isn’t just a stroll—it’s a deep dive into our community’s heart and soul. You’ll discover the fascinating stories behind our historic earthquake shacks, witness firsthand how passionate Bernalites are transforming our neighborhood with beautiful greening projects, and explore hidden gems you never knew existed.
Perfect for:
Longtime residents wanting to see their neighborhood with fresh eyes, newcomers eager to connect with the community, history buffs, urban gardening enthusiasts, San Francisco stairway fans, and anyone who loves a good neighborhood adventure.
Explore Bernal
Ticket Details
$75 per person | Kids walk FREE!
What’s Included with Every Ticket
☕ Morning fuel: Coffee and delicious treats to kickstart your adventure
🗺️ Custom printed map: Block-by-block instructions so you won’t miss a thing
📚 Expert presentations: Fascinating insights about Bernal’s history and community greening projects at special stops
🍻 Post-walk celebration: Family-friendly gathering at Barebottle Brewery with one free drink included
🎁 Prize drawing: Your chance to win gift certificates to beloved Bernal eateries and shops, original artwork from local artists, photographs, and other meaningful prizes
Supporting Our Community
Every dollar raised benefits the Tompkins Stairway Garden—Bernal’s own contribution to San Francisco’s famous network of tiled stairway gardens. Your participation directly supports this beautiful community space that brings neighbors together and adds natural beauty to our hillside home.
Ready to Explore?
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Bernal Heights through new eyes while supporting a wonderful cause. Space is limited for this intimate neighborhood experience!
Story
Welcome to the Tompkins Stairway Garden
Once a trash-covered hillside, San Francisco’s Tompkins Stairway Garden is now a safe and welcoming street park, featuring a drought-tolerant garden in year-round bloom and a colorful tiled stairway. Dedicated attention from surrounding neighbors has transformed the site into a community greenspace and pedestrian corridor serving the Alemany Farmers’ Market and nearby schools and shopping districts.
We completed our garden implementation in spring 2019 and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 8 (see our news page). The San Francisco Chronicle calls our new garden “stunning,” “gorgeous,” and a “cheerful splash of public art that will probably become a photo hot spot.”
In addition, San Francisco Beautiful honored us with the 2019 Placemaking Award for creating a sense of identity in a public space. We are grateful to Andre Rothblatt, founding member of Tompkins Stairway Garden, for our multicolored, zigzag tile design, inspired by the “Steps to Peace” painted by youth in the Syrian town of Deir Atiyah. Arterra Landscape Architects generously provided our landscape design.
The stairs link Tompkins Avenue between Nevada and Putnam Streets in the southeast area of Bernal Heights. The next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop by!