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All the United States California San Francisco Bernal Hill Rock
AO Edited

Bernal Hill Rock

This colorful boulder serves as a canvas for political statements and artistic expression.

San Francisco, California

Added By
tattarattat
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Bernal Heights goes hard for Pride.   Wikimedia Commons
Bernal Heights goes hard for Pride.   Wikimedia Commons
The rock’s political messages often respond to recent events in the news.   Steve Rhodes
The Bernal Rock also has a festive side.   Bernal Hill Rock
The Bernal Rock has an impressive view of the city.   Todd Lappin
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About

A boulder on the side of Bernal Hill in San Francisco serves as a public forum for the local community. Ever-changing, the Bernal Rock is frequently painted to communicate cheeky ideas, political messages, current events and other sentiments important to the local community. 

The rock's infamy is due to the city designation of the paint jobs as graffiti. In the summer of August 2020, a battle ensued over the rock after a "Black Lives Matter" message was painted over a whopping six times within a week. The rock fluctuates between homages to dead celebrities, seasonal homages, political statements, and world events.

Locals don't know when the rock was first painted, but it is a beloved symbol of Bernal Heights. A local resident set up an instagram account, @bernalhillrock, to document its many changing faces.

 

 

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Protest Politics Art Rocks

Know Before You Go

Walk along Bernal Heights Boulevard at the base of Bernal Hill. The rock is located on the left side of the boulevard. 

Community Contributors

Added By

tattarattat

Published

January 22, 2024

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Sources
  • https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/heatherknight/article/Bernal-Heights-boulder-battle-escalates-after-15328248.php
  • https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/2021-05-bernal-heights-summit-rock-prince-tribute-16151538.php
Bernal Hill Rock
27 Bernal Heights Blvd
San Francisco, California, 94110
United States
37.742879, -122.409868
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