The famous part of Lombard Street is a single block on Russian Hill, between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. Its natural slope was too steep for cars, so in 1922 the city added eight switchbacks. The planting along the curves is looked after by the people who live there, which is worth remembering when you are standing on their steps.
How to see it
- On foot: the best way. Stairways run down both sides of the block. Start at the top for the view over the bends to Coit Tower and the bay.
- From the bottom: at Leavenworth you get the classic photo looking up the curves, with the houses stacked above.
- By car: driving down is slow and only one way, downhill, at a crawl. On busy days the queue stretches back along Hyde Street. Some summers the city has trialled reservations or closures, so check before you plan to drive it.
Getting there
The Powell-Hyde cable car stops at the top of the block, which makes it an easy hop-off on the way to the waterfront. From the bottom, it is a downhill walk to North Beach.
When to go
Early morning is quiet and the light is good on the flowers. Midday on summer weekends is the busiest time. If you want a view without the crowds, the stairs at nearby Russian Hill parks offer similar outlooks; see the best views in San Francisco.
Respect the residents: keep off private steps and gardens, and do not block driveways for photos.
Why the street bends
Russian Hill's slope here is about 27 percent: too steep for the cars and horses of the early twentieth century. A property owner on the block proposed the switchbacks, and the city built them in 1922. The brick-paved roadway, the hydrangeas and the terraced gardens arrived over the following decades, and by mid-century the block was already a photographer's favorite.
The block is often called the crookedest street in the world. It is not quite: other streets, including one in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood, have more curves. But none has Lombard's views, gardens and postcard fame.
More of Russian Hill
The hill around Lombard Street is one of the city's most charming neighborhoods, with quiet lanes, stairways and gardens. Worth a detour:
- Macondray Lane, a wooded pedestrian lane with cottages and stairs, said to have inspired the fictional Barbary Lane in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City.
- Ina Coolbrith Park, a terraced garden with views over North Beach to the Bay Bridge.
- The Vallejo Street steps, which climb to a quiet summit with views in every direction.
- Hyde Street, with cafés and small shops along the cable car line.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive down Lombard Street?
Usually yes, downhill only, at walking pace. Traffic controls and summer reservation schemes have been tried at busy times, so check before you drive.
When are the flowers best?
Spring and early summer, when the hydrangeas are in bloom.
How do I get there by public transit?
The Powell-Hyde cable car stops at Hyde and Lombard, at the top of the block. Several bus routes run nearby.
Is it worth the crowds?
For a quick stop on the way to the waterfront, yes. Combine it with a walk across Russian Hill rather than making a special trip.