Drive Down Lombard Street, the Crookedest Street in the World
For one block, San Francisco’s Lombard Street is the crookedest street in the world.
You may have seen that one block in photographs, movies, or on television, but the east-west street actually starts at The Presidio, run through Cow Hollow, Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill, and finally ends at The Embarcadero. For much of that distance, it’s a pleasant, but relatively boring street. But for one block between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets (on Russian Hill), Lombard Street (map it) has become famous.
This block is paved in brick, and has eight S-turns, in a switchback design, and was originally designed to ease the natural grade of the street. Houses and townhouses line both sides of the street, and this is some pretty pricey real estate!
Through the “crookedest” section of the street, which is one-way going downhill, the speed limit is only 5 MPH. Driving down the hill through the switchbacks is always a fun thing to do, no matter that you may have done it tons of times. During the day, the block is lined with beautiful flower boxes, filled flowers appropriate for the season. But it’s a real treat to drive down the street at night — especially if you might be driving a little faster than that speed limit. (Not that I’m encouraging speeding!)
If you’re on foot, you can get to Lombard via the Powell-Hyde cable car line, and then take the stairs along the street. If you’re looking for a good workout, a couple trips up and down the 40-grade slope should provide it. Lombard Street is also on most city tours, although large buses cannot make it driving down the street.
Whether your on foot or in a car, allow a little extra time at the bottom of the hill to take a few photos.
Photo credits: wikimedia
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POSTED IN: Car Trips, Getting Around, Things to See & Do
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