Lombard is an east-to-west street in San Francisco, California, famous for its hairpin turns, often called ‘the most crooked street in the world.’
San Francisco is known for many things- killer sunsets, the Golden Gate Bridge, eclectic neighborhoods, the sourest sourdough, Chinatown, California’s oldest brewery, free-thinking bookstores, giant Redwoods, and, of course, the notoriously steep streets that inspired the invention of the cable car.
Lombard is an icon, a core piece of San Francisco.
Here is everything to know about Lombard Street in San Francisco.
Where is San Francisco’s Lombard Street?
Just one block south of Russian Hill Park,’ the most crooked street’ is only a small slice of the much larger Lombard Street.
The intersection of Lombard and Hyde is the specific part of the road you’re looking for.
A Brief History of Lombard Street
Built in 1853 and named after Lombard Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this (originally straight) street connected the Russian Hill neighborhood with downtown San Francisco.
A combination of earthquake damage in 1906 and the steep grade of the street being difficult for wagons to ascend meant that Lombard was not everyone’s favorite route home.
Tip: Check out this book by Tom Cole, which explains the entire history of San Francisco, from gold mines, missions, earthquakes, fires, two world wars, and more!
How Lombard Street became the Most Crooked Street in San Francisco
As the world moved away from horse-drawn carriages towards automobiles, change was needed to keep Lombard modern.
The crooked part of the street was designed in 1922 when switchbacks were added to combat the steep 27% grade, making it safe for vehicles.
Note: Lombard is the most crooked street in San Francisco by title only; Vermont Street is much curvier!
How to Get to Lombard Street
- Cable Car. The Powell-Hyde cable car will drop you off at the top of Lombard, where Hyde and Lombard intersect, or the Powell-Mason line will drop you 3 blocks away at Lombard and Columbus.
- Driving. Approach the block from Van Ness Avenue to the west, turning east onto Lombard, and be prepared to wait in line. Tourists will step out in the middle of the road, so stay vigilant and leave the photo-taking to your co-pilot. Without significant traffic, the entire drive takes about 2 minutes.
- Walking. This is by far my favorite way to experience the street. The walk down is much faster than the walk up, but both offer different perspectives.
- Tours. If you want the full driving experience without the responsibility of actually driving, consider a guided tour in a vintage Volkswagen.
- Biking. Biking to Lombard Street is fun. Make sure to look out for cars and go slow around tight turns. Check out Bike Booking, where you can find and book the closest rentals near Lombard.
What to See on Lombard Street
- Snap a Pic. Make sure to get views from both the top and bottom of the street.
- Flowers. Lombard is known for its massive hydrangeas dangling from windows and bursting out of heavy cement planters. Spring is my fav time to visit! Flowy, white dresses were made for spring on Lombard Street.
- The Haunted Montandon House at 1000 Lombard. One of SF’s most famous haunted houses, the apartment building belonged to 1960s socialite Pat Montandon. Miss Montadanon, who had a TV talk show and threw big parties, was cursed inside her home by a tarot card reader. After, a series of tragic deaths, and also the appearance of a ghost woman in photos taken at the apartment, contributed to rumors of hauntings.
Pat Montandon wrote about her experience in the house in a book called The Intruders.
To get the best view of the Montandon House, stand at the bottom of Leavenworth Street and look to the right.
- The House in Hitchcock’s Vertigo. 900 Lombard Street is the house Alfred Hitchcock used as Scottie’s home in the film Vertigo.
Where to Get the Best Photos of Lombard Street
Snap some photos with your phone above Lombard Street at the Hyde intersection and then below at Leavenworth Street.
If you don’t have a car, ride the Powell-Hyde Cable Car to the top of Lombard Street. Bring your portable tripod with monoculars for easily taking photos through the traffic.
For panoramic views of the street, check out Coit Tower.
Note: Sunset is phenomenal here, and I highly recommend that you visit during the golden hour.
Best Places to Eat on Lombard Street
- Mel’s Drive-In. This 1950s-style diner serves American comfort food and is part of a chain local to San Francisco.
- Alegrias. Enjoy Spanish small plates, paellas, and housemade sherry in a cozy, candlelit space.
- Roma Antica. Classy neighborhood Italian joint serving modern food and wine.
Best Places to Stay on Lombard Street
San Francisco has a ton of choice hotels, ranging from inexpensive to utterly unaffordable for the average person. There aren’t any hotels directly on Lombard Street itself, but there are some choice options nearby.
- Luxury: Kimpton Alton Hotel Fisherman’s Wharf
- Quirky: Argonaut Hotel
- Best Value: Hotel Caza
Frequently asked questions
What’s the steepest street in San Francisco?
Bradford Street above Tompkins Avenue has a grade of 41%, making it the steepest street in San Francisco.
What is the most famous street in San Francisco?
The most famous street in San Francisco is Lombard Street.
Why is Lombard Street so famous?
Why is Lombard Street famous? Two reasons:
The first reason is that the tight hairpin turns are not how most roads are built, making for a unique driving experience.
Secondly, Lombard Street is plain beautiful. Paved with red brick and surrounded by oversized pots of colorful plants and flowers, Lombard Street makes for a uniquely San Francisco look.
Was Lombard ever two-way?
Lombard started as a two-way street, but in 1939, it became one-way.
Can you still drive on Lombard Street?
Yes, you can still drive down Lombard Street, and usually pretty quickly unless traffic is ridiculous.
Is there a fee to drive down Lombard Street?
It is free to drive down Lombard Street, although the city has considered adding a fee in the past.
Was Lombard Street ever straight?
Yes! Actually, before 1922, the Lombard Street was straight and paved with cobblestones.
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