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Lombard Street

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Sergey
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Editor Pick

The Crookedest Road in the World

  • September 16, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by garymarsh6 from Gravesend, United Kingdom
Lombard Street. San Francisco.


Lombard Street is the most crookedest road in the world and can be found in San Francisco. It is only part of the long Lombard Street and the crooked part can be found on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth streets. It only measures a quarter or a mile long between these points and the speed limit is only five mph and you can only drive one way in the downward direction. On either side of the street are San Francisco’s most expensive houses mansions, town houses and condominiums which are very much sought after.

What makes it so interesting?

It was built originally because vehicles could not cope with the 27% gradient so it was suggested that switchbacks of hair pin bends were built thereby making the ascent or descent more manageable. It was also quite difficult for pedestrians to climb as 16% gradient was more manageable.

Work was begun in 1922 to put in the road which resulted in 8 bends in the road making it more manageable to walk up and down. In between the bends are flower beds containing bright displays of chrysanthemums and other very colourful flowers. Ornamental trees line either side of the road. The bricks used in the road are actually red in colour and the traffic sign at the top warns that it is slippery when wet! Either side of the road beside the houses are a flight of steps that can be walked up or down. This is definitely very stressful on the knees even if you are fit you will still have a racing heart and be puffing quite a bit if you are mad enough to walk up the road.

There is a board game called candy land and Lombard Street was covered in different colours for a film shoot creating a giant game imitating the game and filmed from the air. You can see the mini video at:-
http://laughingsquid.com/video-lombard-street-in-san-francisco-turned-into-life-size-version-of-candyland-game/

You can also see a small clip on you tube which gives you a good idea of how steep the hill is. A video of a crazy guy doing wheelie ride up and down Lombard Street on a motorbike:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNa360R75aw

Or another one is on Google video: - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1382509830241306782#docid=3082347063934108832


The road has also featured in a number of films including what’s up Doc? Starring Ryan O’Neal & Barbara Streisand and the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo Scottie’s apartment is at 900, Lombard Street, although this is not in the crooked road part.

The Powel-Hyde cable car stops at the top of the hill and I would suggest if you want to see this street then get off here and walk down. You need to be quite energetic to walk up it. Saying that, when you reach the bottom of the road you can take some brilliant photographs of the road looking up at the different levels of the road.


It is very touristy and there are sometimes queues of traffic lining up to experience the drive down and it’s quite pleasing to see the horror and laughter of the people inside the cars. The driver concentrating like hell while the passengers are either terrified or in hysterics it is quite amusing to watch.

It is worth making the trip to see Lombard Street and I would recommend stopping off here on your tram trip for half an hour just to experience if for yourself.
Editor Pick

Lombard Street

  • April 3, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by lilangel from Ocala, Florida
Lombard Street

Located on Russian Hill, Lombard Street is well known as the "Crookedest Street in the World". The truth of this statement is sometimes questioned around the San Francisco area, but what is not questioned is that it is an experience not to be missed during your visit to the area. As the story goes (at least according to our tour guide), the hill was so steep that the safest (and quickest) way down it was to build a series of "hairpin" turns coming down this section.

The street is basically a one-block residential area descending Russian Hill in which the one-way street has been created with a series of seven "hair-pin" turns. In addition to the turns, the neighbors on this block have beautifully manicured flowers that bloom and are visible from multiple vantage points around the city. In your excitement to descend the hill, don't forget to look out at the city and the surrounding bay from the top. The view is breathtaking.

The best way to experience this attraction is actually to handle it twice. First, I would suggest taking the cable car line that originates at Ghiardelli Square to the top of the hill. This is a beautiful experience in and of itself and it can drop you directly at the top of Lombard Street. You can then look around at the top of the hill before meandering your way down the steps to the bottom. Be sure to take pictures all the way. Once at the bottom there will likely be a crowd of tourists taking pictures and posing. Be careful not to step out in front of traffic while taking your "perfect" shot, however. The road at the bottom is relatively well traveled by both onlookers and locals. It is tempting to stand in the middle of the road to take your pictures, but it is definitely not advised.

After walking down the steps and taking all the pictures you desire, I would suggest hailing a taxi and having them drive you down the hill. This way you can actually experience what it is like to go down the hill in a vehicle. It will also give you your transportation to the next stop on your agenda. Also, and perhaps most importantly, it will keep you from having to walk back up the steps (as I did). The steep incline is not something most tourists are eager to tackle!

From journal Are you Going to San Francisco?

Lombard Street

  • January 5, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by aussieinva from Chesapeake, Virginia
Lombard Street

Introduction
Known as the "crookest street in San Francisco", it is one of the most popular attraction in the city. The hill is paved and lined with a spectacular arrangement of shrubs and flowers make this one of the most photogenic stops on your trip.

Location/Getting Here
Cable Car. The easiest way to get here is taking the Powell-Hyde cable car line and getting off at the Lombard street stop. The gripmen on the cable cars will let you know where the stop is as it is one of the most popular stops on the line. 

Car. You can only drive one way on this section of Lombard Street. Going Down... To get here get on Hyde St and then turn onto Lombard street to start the slow trek down the street at 5 mph whilst negotiating the many switchbacks.

Walking. You can always walk to Lombard street but depending on where you are coming from it might be a long steep climb to get there.

Highlights
With the 27 degree drop on the hill it can feel like you can make one slip and you would roll all the way to the bottom. However the views and landscaping make it more than worthwhile.

For those not driving down the street there are two wide sidewalks with steps cut into them. The steps are shallow make it easy for everyone to experience the sights. To fully appreciate the area it is best to walk to the bottom of the hill as the views from the bottom are even more spectacular than from the top.

The landscaping on the hill is fantastic. There is an abundance of manicured bushes shrubs and explosion of colors with the thousands of flowers in the flowerbeds that line the street.

Recommendations
If you have the time to visit this attraction I would highly recommend it. It's easy to get off the cable car, spend some time exploring then hop right back on the next cable car.

From journal San Francisco in June

Editor Pick

Lombard Street

  • July 18, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by airynfaerie from St. Augustine, Florida
Lombard Street

After hiking up the steep, steep Hyde Street from the bay, we arrived at the top of the famous Lombard Street: "the crookedest street in the world." The intersection was a hubbub of excitement, where cars from all directions merged awaiting their turn to slowly maneuver down the windy road. This is also a popular cable car stop on the Powell-Hyde route, so the distinct bells are heard down the street signaling the upcoming stop for the lines and lines of hopeful passengers waiting to hop on.

We took on Lombard Street by foot the first time and, of course, stopped at the bottom to take a photo looking up at the confusion. The view from the top is worth a trip to look over the city toward the Coit Tower. Our second trip down Lombard was in a car, and was interesting, although not as much of a view unless you have a convertible. Lombard is great to say you've seen it - and a good photo-op...but bring your good shoes!

From journal Long (Full) Weekend in San Francisco

Lombard St. - The Crookidest Street in the World!

  • April 3, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by GilraenEstel from Birmingham, United Kingdom
A little detour on our way home from Port Reyes, this very steep street involves five or six hairpin turns. It is a bit of a novelty for tourists (the residents must hate us!) but the views from the top are stunning. A 5 minute bit of fun!

From journal Beautiful San Francisco in 2 Days

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