São Bernardo do Campo

São Bernardo do Campo is a municipality in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. Similarly to Santo André, it is divided into two districts:

• The main district, or "the city of São Bernardo do Campo", an urban area with an economy based on industry, and regarded as the birthplace of Brazil's modern labour movement. That is where the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), which is the largest trade union of Latin America, was founded.
• The Riacho Grande district, predominantly covered by the Billings water reservoir and Parque Estaudal Serra do Mar (a preserved rainforest area). The district is the starting point of the Caminhos do Mar walking tour, that descends along the rainforest until the coast, offering breathtaking views and containing historical constructions from Brazil's Imperial era.

• Caminhos do Mar route, Rodovia Caminho do Mar, Riacho Grande, ☏ +55 11 2997-5000. A 8-km walking route that goes from the south of Riacho Grande to the city of Cubatão, close to the coast. The route goes down in a deactivated motorway, passing across Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, the largest patch of preserved Atlantic rainforest remaining in Brazil. The route offers amazing views of the mountain range of Baixada Santista, of the industrial complex of Cubatão, and it is possible to spot the sea on sunny days. It also includes 8 monuments constructed in 1922 to celebrate the Independence of Brazil, plus Calçada de Lorena, a road constructed in the country's Imperial era (1792). After reaching Cubatão, if you wish to go back by the same route, be prepared for a serious uphill. free. 
• Prainha de Riacho Grande (Praia de Paulista), Riacho Grande district center (from São Bernardo main district, take right on Rod. Anchieta after crossing the Billings reservoir). A freshwater beach by the Billings reservoir, located at the central village of Riacho Grande. 
• Parque Municipal Estoril, Rua Portugal 1100, Estoril (Close to Riacho Grande district center), ☏ +55 11 4354-9318. W-Su 09:00-17:00. The park and zoo has 373,000 m², mostly covered by Atlantic rainforest, and it is on the shore of the Billings reservoir. The park contains a zoo with 250 animals and various activities such as paddle boats and cable cars. Boat rides over the Billings reservoir are also offered. Another attraction is the sunset from the west side of the park. Also being revitalized. R$ 5 (free for residents of São Bernardo), +R$ 11 parking. 
• Cacilda Becker Theater (Teatro Cacilda Becker). 
• Cidade das Crianças (Children's City), Tasman, 301, km 18.5 on Via Anchieta - Jardim do Mar, ☏ +55 11 4125-4056. 
• Elis Regina Theater (Teatro Elis Regina). 
• Lauro Gomes Theater (Teatro Lauro Gomes), Rua Helena Jacquey, 171 - Rudge Ramos, ☏ +55 11 4368-3483. (updated Sep 2024)
• Rafael Lazzuri Park (Parque Rafael Lazzuri). 
• Serra do Mar State Park. 

• Do fishing or nautical sports at the Billings reservoir
• Ride a paddle boat or watch the sunset at Parque Municipal Estoril
• Go trekking at Parque Estadual Serra do Mar - Núcleo Itutinga-Pilões

• Rua Marechal Deodoro (in the center of São Bernardo). It is the main shopping area of the city. Unlike other central commercial streets in the metropolitan area, Marechal Deodoro is not pedestrianized. 
• 🌍 Shopping Metrópole, Praça Samuel Sabatini, 200. 
• 🌍 Golden Square Shopping, Av. Kennedy, 700, ☏ +55 11 3135-4000. 10:00-22:00. (updated May 2024)

• Calango Bar, Avenida Caminho do Mar, 2913, ☏ +55 11 4368-8118. Rudge Ramos 
• Bloco 7, Avenida Pereira Barreto, 1000. Baeta Neves 

São Bernardo do Campo is in a pleasant location, being the city of the metropolitan area of São Paulo closest to the beach. In good traffic conditions, the coastal cities Santos, Praia Grande, Guarujá, Bertioga and São Vicente can all be reached in 45-50 min from the city center of São Bernardo by taking Rodovia Anchieta.

However, only Santos is reachable by the local intercity bus service, provided by Viação Cometa. To get to other coastal cities by bus it is necessary to go first to the Jabaquara intercity bus terminal, in São Paulo, or take another intercity bus in Santos.