Your Gateway to the 94110: The Bernal Heights Business Directory

Table of Contents

Your Gateway to the 94110: The Bernal Heights Business Directory

Bernal Heights is more than a scenic San Francisco neighborhood; it is a powerhouse of local innovation. Often called a “village in the city,” our hilltop community is home to over 32,000 residents who value independence, creativity, and the “shop local” ethos.

With nearly 2,500 entrepreneurs operating within our boundaries, Bernal Heights boasts one of the highest concentrations of self-starters in California. Over 12% of our working population drives the local economy through small businesses, artisanal crafts, and professional services. Whether you are a long-time neighbor or a new founder looking to launch in a supportive ecosystem, the Bernal Business Directory is your path to success.

Discover the resources, networks, and neighborhood gems that make Bernal Heights the premier destination for living and working in San Francisco.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bernal Business FAQs

What makes Bernal Heights a good place to start a small business?

Bernal Heights is a “hotbed” for entrepreneurship, with over 12% of the workforce identified as entrepreneurs. The community is famously loyal to local independent businesses, particularly along Cortland Avenue and Mission Bernal. The neighborhood’s high density of residents provides a built-in customer base that prefers walking to local shops over driving to big-box retailers.

What are the primary business districts in the Bernal Heights area?

The commercial heart of the neighborhood is Cortland Avenue, which is home to a dense collection of cafes, bakeries, and specialty retailers. The Mission Bernal area (the northern slope bordering the Mission District) and the Alemany corridor also serve as vital hubs for professional services, auto care, and the historic Alemany Farmers’ Market.

Is there support for new entrepreneurs in the 94110 zip code?

Yes. Bernal Heights has a robust network of business owners who collaborate on community events, such as the Earth Day Stroll. Local business directories and neighborhood associations provide visibility and SEO benefits for shops located near Bernal Heights Park and the surrounding residential blocks.

How many residents live in the Bernal Heights neighborhood?

As of 2026, Bernal Heights has a population of approximately 32,054 residents. This stable, engaged population creates a “residential paradise” that consistently supports local service providers, from home contractors to wellness practitioners.

Why is the Bernal Heights area significant for the San Francisco economy?

The high concentration of 2,458 entrepreneurs in Bernal Heights makes it a significant contributor to the dynamic California economy. The blend of peaceful residential living and bustling micro-economies ensures that the neighborhood remains a resilient and appealing choice for both families and business owners.

Resources

Tools to help your small business thrive

Bernal Business and Artist Alliance – Encouraging Bernal businesses to work together on special events and projects that benefit Bernal Heights and the mutual interests of businesses and residents.
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) strives to create a thriving, resilient economy where barriers to economic and workforce opportunities are removed, and everyone shares prosperity equitably.
Community Economic Development – Provides customized support to small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to strengthen San Francisco neighborhood business corridors, public spaces, and commercial centers.
Office of Small Business – San Francisco’s central information point for small businesses.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center – transforms lives and communities through entrepreneurship. Our mission is to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse populations, strengthening our communities by creating sustainable new businesses, jobs, and financial self-sufficiency.
San Francisco Small Business Development Center – The San Francisco Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a results-oriented program that provides expert, no-cost advising and workshops in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese to help small businesses succeed.
San Francisco Venture Capital Directory – We aim to bring together startups, investors, and innovators to learn about cutting-edge innovations and foster dynamic conversations about how technology is transforming the Bay Area.
SF Business Portal – The San Francisco Business Portal offers online resources and one-on-one assistance for starting, running, and growing a business in San Francisco.
SF Green Business Program – The San Francisco Green Business Program recognizes businesses, nonprofit organizations, and City and County of San Francisco institutions that meet high environmental standards. The SF Green Business Program is a California Green Business Network member, administered by SF Environment.
Small Business Loan Programs – The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and its community partners offer technical assistance and loan products funded by various sources, including community lending circles, crowdsourcing, and community leaders, to meet the needs of entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. Loans of up to $250,000 offer flexible rates and terms to help entrepreneurs start, stabilize, and grow.
Small Business Assistance Center – The Small Business Assistance Center provides one-to-one case management assistance, including information on required licenses and permits, technical assistance, financing options, and other business resources to help businesses start, grow, and thrive. In addition, SBAC provides multi-lingual client services by phone, email, appointment, and on a drop-in basis.
Startup Life San Francisco – Whether you are a member of the gig economy with the freedom to explore or a recent transplant, we will help you explore the San Francisco Startup Ecosystem. From co-working spaces to startup programs to local regulations, we help startups do business in SF.
Startup Tools for Founders – A curated directory of tools and resources to build your startup.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Certified Access Specialist (CASp) Small Business Assessment Program – The program educates small businesses Citywide about ADA compliance, provides eligible businesses in Invest in Neighborhood corridors with an ADA assessment report and plan for compliance with ADA law, and provides access to new grant funding and loan programs. The program is free for those who meet the eligibility criteria. To be eligible, businesses must be located within the City and County of San Francisco and must not have an active lawsuit.

To report a vacant storefront through the Treasurer/Tax Collector, click this link: https://sftreasurer.org/report-vacant-commercial-property.

Loans & Grants

Franchise Fund is a multi-year commitment by the Golden State Warriors, United Airlines, and WRMSDC to provide Corporate-readiness training and MBE certification to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses.
SF Shines Construction Grant $5,000; applications are accepted as long as funds are available. Grant funds for storefront improvements, minor tenant improvements, awnings, and equipment.
SF Shines Design Services Grant Apply for free architectural drawings from a licensed architect (if your project requires multiple drawings, you may have to pay for some of the drawings)
Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant $2,000, applications accepted as long as funds are available. The City is offering up to $2,000 for businesses that experienced vandalism of their storefronts. Incidents must have occurred on or after July 1, 2020.
Office of Small Business $10K ADA Grant. The $10,000 grant can reimburse the merchant or pay for accessible furniture, fixtures, equipment, or a CASp inspection.
Nonprofit grants and funding – Find funding opportunities for arts, youth, employment, health, housing, and wellness services in San Francisco.

Arts and Culture

- Arts Commission (SFAC) – Grant opportunities for artists, groups, and organizations.
- Grants for the Arts – Grants for the Arts, a City Administrator’s Office division, provides general operating support for arts and culture organizations and funds re-granting to individual artists and groups.

Children, Youth, and their Families

- Office of Early Care and Education (OECE)– Find partnership opportunities and learn about becoming an Early Learning SF (ELS) city-funded program.
- Children, Youth, and Their Families – DCYF creates and facilitates innovative citywide policies and projects supporting children, youth, and families.
- Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF) – DCYF funds services and resources through its multi-year request-for-proposals and short-term projects.

Civic Engagement, Language Access, Immigrant Services

- OCEIA grant opportunities – Funding for work that supports immigrants, language access, civic engagement, and more.
- Status of Women – We promote equitable treatment and foster the advancement of women and girls.

Economic and Workforce Development

- Bid opportunities – Learn about bid and funding opportunities from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)
- Film SF – We champion filming in San Francisco to support a diversity of storytellers and our thriving production community.

Homelessness

- Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) – HSH regularly seeks proposals from organizations that contract to provide support services, shelter, and housing.

Housing and Community Development

- Affordable Housing – Housing-related funding opportunities for developers and professional service providers.
- Community Development – Grant opportunities from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development.

City of San Francisco

- Find contracting and grant opportunities for businesses and nonprofits at the Office of the City Administrator.
- San Francisco City Partner – San Francisco City Partner announces bidding and grant opportunities from many city agencies.
- Community Challenge Grant Program – We provide grants and technical assistance for projects that improve neighborhoods. Our grantees include community groups, merchants’ associations, CBDs, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
- Get help for your business after a fire or other disaster – Learn what resources are available to businesses and employees, including grants up to $10,000.
- SF Shines – Get help with storefront improvements.
- Legacy Business Program – Long-standing small businesses can join the Registry for recognition, marketing, business help, and grants.

State of California

California Grants Portal – Find all the grants and loans offered on a competitive or first-come basis by California state agencies.
Working Solutions: Small Business Revolving Loan Fund – Businesses located in District 9 are qualified for the Small Business Revolving Loan Fund from the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. Apply Here: https://www.workingsolutions.org/loan-program
California Rebuilding Fund Loans with a 4.25% interest rate for small businesses with 2019 revenue of less than 2.5 million experienced a decrease in business during the pandemic. Learn more: www.CALoanFund.org.
Kiva loans – Zero-percent interest loans, up to $15,000.

City Programs

Awning Amnesty Program – Creates a temporary amnesty program for existing, unpermitted awnings. All property owners (and business owners) with awnings without a building permit on file are eligible for the program, including those with active Notices of Violation for installing or having an awning without a building permit.
JobsNow Program for Employers – The San Francisco Human Service Agency JobsNOW program can help employers find employees and reimburse their wages. Apply by calling their hotline at (877) 562-1669 or by emailing HSA.JobsNOW@sfgov.org.
Office of Economic & Workforce Development COVID-19 Resources https://oewd.org/covid-19-external-resources Shared Spaces program: A permit to use the sidewalk, parking lane, or private lots for business operations, like seating, dining, or retail pickup. General liability insurance is required.
Pilot Graffiti Abatement Program – Free graffiti removal services from professional SF Public Works crews or City contractors through November 30, 2024.
SF GOV COVID-19 Information at https://sf.gov/topics/coronavirus-covid-19

Legal Services

The Berkeley Center for Law and Business has launched a small business resource page for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which includes a two-part video summary of the CARES Act stimulus. Additionally, they are launching a pilot program to match law students with small business owners to provide free support in navigating the CARES Act stimulus process. More information, including a registration form for small business owners, can be found on their new resource page.
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs (LSE): The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF) offers business owners free legal representation and services. Find the application in English and Spanish.

Federal Services

The US Small Business Administration is available to help small businesses through these difficult times and accepts applications. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options
IRS Employee Retention Credits: The Employee Retention Credit is a fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. It applies to qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The maximum credit is $5,000 per employee. PPP loan recipients are not eligible for this tax credit.

The Best Local Businesses in Bernal Heights

Author: Mike Doherty: Bernal Connect

Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas that benefit communities and the environment.