A drive down the most crooked street in the world: Lombard Street in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco has over 40 hills (43 named hills to be precise) and you can find the steepest hills in the Telegraph Hill neighbourhood which can easily be a red or even a black ski slope. The first time we drove to the highest hill I experienced a little bit of vertigo, a sense of lightness and some fear, even if I am safe inside the car. Out of defense reflex, and perhaps from watching many adventure and thrill flicks, I found myself clutching the car’s arm handle for support, well, I thought---just to make sure in the event the car (might) tumbles down the hill I am ready, haha. I know, very silly! And how could they park the cars sideways at almost 40-degree angle? Well, after a day of driving—rising and falling on the hills of San Francisco, let’s just say I am quick to acclimatize =)
One of the attractions in these steep hills of San Francisco is Lombard Street located in the Russian Hill neighbourhood just below Telegraph Hill. It holds the title as the most winding or most crooked street in the whole wide world.
Click on the video above to ride with us and experience this most crooked street and to see the undulating urban hills of San Francisco City as well.
The street is between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets and is one-way traffic only, travelling downhill from Hyde Street with an almost 30-degree grade in 8 sharp turns. Quite steep!
Because it is a very popular tourist attraction, the city maintains the area very well by paving the street with red bricks and lining the tapered curb extensions with beautiful hydrangeas, which means it is best to come here during spring or summer when the colourful flowers are in full bloom. A great opportunity for that picture-perfect photograph of Crooked Lombard Street.
If you do not have a car to come here and if its too far to walk from your hotel or wherever you are, the Hyde-Powell cable car route stops here, right on Hyde Street.
See fotos below of this fascinating street:
The 1st and 3rd fotos are taken from Leavenworth Street and the 2nd or middle foto is taken from Hyde Street looking down to Lombard Street all the way to Columbus Avenue and the pier on Embarcadero ('twas raining so a bit misty).
Check out Google Maps below:
Grotere kaart weergeven
One of the attractions in these steep hills of San Francisco is Lombard Street located in the Russian Hill neighbourhood just below Telegraph Hill. It holds the title as the most winding or most crooked street in the whole wide world.
The street is between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets and is one-way traffic only, travelling downhill from Hyde Street with an almost 30-degree grade in 8 sharp turns. Quite steep!
Because it is a very popular tourist attraction, the city maintains the area very well by paving the street with red bricks and lining the tapered curb extensions with beautiful hydrangeas, which means it is best to come here during spring or summer when the colourful flowers are in full bloom. A great opportunity for that picture-perfect photograph of Crooked Lombard Street.
If you do not have a car to come here and if its too far to walk from your hotel or wherever you are, the Hyde-Powell cable car route stops here, right on Hyde Street.
See fotos below of this fascinating street:
The 1st and 3rd fotos are taken from Leavenworth Street and the 2nd or middle foto is taken from Hyde Street looking down to Lombard Street all the way to Columbus Avenue and the pier on Embarcadero ('twas raining so a bit misty).Check out Google Maps below: