San Francisco Lombard Street
In San Francisco, the block of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth in Russian Hill has become famous for being the "crookedest street in America." This one-block stretch of brick-paved road was converted to eight switchbacks (or sharp turns) in 1923 to lessen the grade for automobiles. The brick paving, beautiful gardens and the Victorian homes that line Lombard Street add to its charm and draws in the tourists.
Though Lombard Street is famous for being crooked and for being steep, it is neither the crookedest street in San Francisco, nor is it the steepest. The crookedest street in San Francisco is actually Vermont Street between 20th and 22nd streets. Vermont Street only contains six curves, but these are in three-quarters of the distance of Lombard Street. Vermont Street is not nearly as pretty as Lombard Street as it is not paved with bricks and there are no gardens, but it can still be a fun drive. The steepest street in San Francisco is Filbert street between Hyde and Leavenworth with a grade of 31.5 degrees. If you visit the crooked section of Lombard Street, you should also visit the steep block of Filbert street, which is only two blocks south.
During the day, Lombard Street has a seemingly endless line of cars and scooters, waiting to drive down it. If you plan on driving down Lombard Street, you must access it from the Hyde Street side as this block of Lombard is a one-way street traveling east. If you are headed southbound on Hyde Street, you cannot make a left turn into Lombard Street. Instead approach Lombard northbound on Hyde Street or drive straight up Lombard from Van Ness. Public parking in the vicinity of Lombard Street is not allowed to improve the traffic flow in the tight streets of the neighborhood.
To get to Lombard Street via public transit, take the Hyde Street Cable Car line, which stops on the crest. The best place to take pictures is from the bottom of the street looking up.
