Lombard Street (Crookedest Street)
add photosThe "crookedest street" is one of the icons you think of when you think of San Francisco. This one block long one-way section of Lombard street between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets has 8 switchbacks that take you down this steep street with close to a 27 degree incline. The switchbacks were first suggested by Carl Henry in 1922 out of necessity to reduce the hill's natural grade which was too steep for most vehicles to climb and a serious hazard to pedestrians.
Between each switch back are flower beds filled with colorful blooms during the spring, summer, and fall. You can either walk down the hill and admire this unusual San Francisco landmark, or you can drive down it at a slow 8 miles/hr.
The Powell and Hyde Cable Car line stops right at the corner of Hyde and Lombard and makes a great 20 minute stop on your way between union square and Ghirderdelli Square.
Kids 4 and up will find this street amusing. Children young than that will probably find the include a little difficult to climb. But it's a short activity, so don't be deterred even if you have young kids.
18 Reviews for Lombard Street (Crookedest Street)
26
50 families found this helpful
"Everyone enjoys it"
We have been here many times. We have driven it, walked down it, walked up it, and no matter how you decide to see it it is fun. The flowers are beautiful in spring and summer. The views are fantastic from the top. The kids like driving it and walking it. We found out if you go very early you can find parking right at the top. Then you have time to walk up and down before you finally leave driving down it.
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1 family found this helpful
"Crazy Crooked!"
Wow! I would never drive this street on my own. I have to have my husband drive it. It's soooo crooked! It takes a while to get down the street because you have to go literally 5 miles an hour or you will crash. Looking at it from the opposite end, the street is beautiful. It is a great photo opportunity. I just don't know how those people live on that street and drive it everyday. How can they park in their driveways? My husband likes to point out that one of the houses was the basis for the MTV reality show The Real World. It was a cool experience and one that we take all our out-of-town visitors to.
0 families found this helpful
"Lombard Street"
This street is a trip. My stepson thought it was hilarious and couldn't quite grasp why you would go back and forth when you can just go straight. The flower beds make the street beautiful and we had a great time taking our pictures at the bottom of the street. We weren't brave enough to trek to the top and work our way back down.
1 family found this helpful
"a beautiful street"
It's "the crookedest street in the world". Many beautiful flowers are planted along the street. If you come in the spring, all your family will be excited, especially the children. You can take photos at the top or the bottom of the street. Your kids will be impressed by what they see, and the street and flowers will be their good memories.
0 families found this helpful
"MUST DO IN SF!!!"
Riding up and down the CROOKEDEST STREET in San Francisco was quite a TRIP! The kids LOVED IT! For people not used to slopes and inclines this might be a bit of a challenge, but EASY DOES IT. For Non-Californians this street epitomizes the hilly terrain that is such a vital part of California's make up. Bet you kids will enjoy this one!
0 families found this helpful
"Fun Drive"
Taking a drive down Lombard Street is a fun family activity if you're in San Francisco. It's hard to imagine just how steep and crooked it is until you get there! The sides of the street are surrounded by flower and bushes--it's beautiful! It can be pretty crowded, though, so try to go during the week and prepare for the possibility of a long wait.
0 families found this helpful
"worm road"
"cool it is a worm road" i quote my niece. It is fabulous to ride the cable car from powell to here. Take a picture is a must. The only one in the world. I heard danielle steel has or had one of the house there. other than that you can see the art of hilly parking. trust me it is scary to park in the parking spots at the road next to lombard. you gotta walk in pedestrian, then tell everyone, hey i've been here!! once you get to the top, look to the right then you'll see the alcatraz island. wonderful scenery, especially in spring when the flowers blooming. bee-e-a-u-tiful.
0 families found this helpful
"awesome!!!!"
My kiddos insisted in driving down this street when we visited san fran, and they loved it. As the rating suggests, this street was fantabulous!!!!!!!!!! It isnt very time consuming to do this, so if you do, plan something to do as well as this. Even so i would definetly recommend this to do if your in San Francisco
0 families found this helpful
"Great for pictures"
Want to snap adorable pictures of your children with some unique background? Then go to the crookedest street and get your camera ready! You may elbow couple of tourists, but what parent wouldn't do that? The best idea is visit this place by foot or take a cable car. Car ride can be little stressful, because the street is REALLY crook and no one will let you stand in a place for a longer time.
0 families found this helpful
"must do"
my daughter is only 1 year old but what kid doesnt love a rid in the car. i know my husband and enjoyed the experience more than she did but thats no reason not to take the whole family. my parents still take me down the street when ever we go to frisco. it makes a great familt go to spot.
0 families found this helpful
"Good, Silly Fun"
We always drive down this street when we're in the neighborhood. Why? So we can roll down the windows, the sunroof, put our hands up and squeal and scream roller-coaster style, as we drive down the street. Plus, we give all of the tourists taking pictures along the street some added entertainment.
0 families found this helpful
"Do not miss it"
After you go down Lombard street with the car, park it and then enjoy going up/down the street via the stairs. Best time to see it is when the flowers on the street are blooming, it is a spectacular view. Children can spend a long time just looking at the cars driving down the street.
0 families found this helpful
"Something you gotta try once"
Who doesn't love Lombard Street? Heck, I've lived here all my life and STILL love to travel down Lombard whenever I get a chance. Its a hard street to drive, but loads of fun. Besides, there is so much history on the street. First, its made all of bricks, harkening back to the days before the 1906 earthquake when every street was either cobblestone or brick. Second, there is the MTV Real World house.
Its like not going to Abbey Road if you're a Beatles Fan.
Go, enjoy!
0 families found this helpful
"You just have to!"
It's a lovely street and you should both walk AND drive it. Be sure you take photos doing both. The kids will squeal with delight as you go thru the curves, plus there are beautiful views as you go down the street. There will be plenty of tourists to take photos of the whole family. It's an easy tourist site to fit in as you travel to another fun thing to do in San Fran!
1 family found this helpful
"Fun for a few minutes!"
Lombard Steet IS the crookedest street in the world! It is really fun to drive down and for the kiddos to marvel at, but because you're not allowed to play on it (it wouldn't be safe to do that) it doesn't make it very fun for a long period of time. :)
0 families found this helpful
"Fun free attraction"
Walk it, run it, skip it, drive it. Just don't miss it. It claims to be the crookedest street in San Francisco. It's definitely the crookedest street that's lined with beautiful houses and a great view.
But, you want to know a secret? The crookedest street in San Francisco is actually at Vermont Street and 20th.
Best for kids 4 and up. It's not only windy, but it's also steep.
1 family found this helpful
"Walk, don't drive!"
To best appreciate the scenic beauty of this street, please walk, don't drive. Then you can really take in the view, appreciate the beautiful flowers and admire the well-cared for homes. Stop off at Michelangelo playground (Greenwich bet Leavenworth/ Jones) for a picnic lunch with the kids or grab a snack at Caffe Sappore on the way down (Lombard/ Taylor).
1 family found this helpful
"Very Crooked Street"
The kids will love this! It takes about ten minutes to drive down this street. You will see beautiful flowers and cute little houses as you drive down, along with tourists trying to take pictures. You must drive down this street just to say you have done it!
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