Lombard Street
San Francisco's iconic 'most crooked street,' featuring eight hairpin turns, vibrant gardens, and stunning city views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Lombard Street
Best Time
Fewer crowds, better photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
San Francisco's iconic 'most crooked street,' featuring eight hairpin turns, vibrant gardens, and stunning city views.
"A must-see attraction with beautiful flowers and great views, though often very busy."
🎯 Ride the Cable Car
Take the Powell-Hyde cable car for a direct drop-off at the top of the crooked section. :cable_car:
🚶 Walk Down the Curves
Experience the street's charm up close by walking down the stairs alongside the road. :athletic_shoe:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Famous Crooked Section
Between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets
Experience the iconic eight hairpin turns of the 'most crooked street in the world,' lined with vibrant flowers.
Panoramic City Views
Top of Lombard Street
Enjoy breathtaking vistas of the San Francisco skyline, Coit Tower, and the bay from the top of Russian Hill.
Beautifully Landscaped Gardens
Along the crooked section
Admire the meticulously maintained gardens and hydrangeas that add color and charm to the winding street.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds
Getting There & Parking
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Ride the Cable Car
Take the Powell-Hyde cable car for a direct drop-off at the top of the crooked section. :cable_car:
🚶 Walk Down the Curves
Experience the street's charm up close by walking down the stairs alongside the road. :athletic_shoe:
🚗 Driving Requires Patience
If driving, be prepared for lines and potential delays. You might let passengers out at the top. :car:
📸 Capture Unique Angles
Experiment with different viewpoints, including from the bottom looking up, for striking photos. :camerawithflash:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Ride the Cable Car
Take the Powell-Hyde cable car for a direct drop-off at the top of the crooked section. :cable_car:
🚶 Walk Down the Curves
Experience the street's charm up close by walking down the stairs alongside the road. :athletic_shoe:
🚗 Driving Requires Patience
If driving, be prepared for lines and potential delays. You might let passengers out at the top. :car:
📸 Capture Unique Angles
Experiment with different viewpoints, including from the bottom looking up, for striking photos. :camerawithflash:
🔒 Secure Your Vehicle
If parking, never leave anything visible in your car due to high break-in rates. :lock:
🌸 Admire the Flowers
The vibrant flowers are a major draw, especially in bloom. Enjoy their beauty as you explore. 
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Lombard Street is a visually striking and iconic San Francisco attraction, praised for its unique curves and beautiful floral displays, offering great photo opportunities and city views. However, many visitors find it can be overly crowded with tourists and cars, diminishing the experience. [^Review]
"Beautiful street but not worth the hype. It was so busy with tourists and cars. Worth going for the view on top of the steps"
H M
"This is a must-see attraction in SF. Everyone loves to see or drive down this path. The view was gorgeous from the top, and the flowers were in bloom. Great pics to take, and I preferred to walk to really take it all in."
I C
"This is a must see. Everyone should experience this beautiful street. We walked down and back up and also drove down this street. Highly recommend doing all three. The flowers we so amazingly beautiful."
David Cox
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most recommended way is to take the Powell-Hyde cable car, which stops directly at the top of the crooked section. If driving, be prepared for traffic and potential queues to go down the curves.
Parking nearby can be difficult and risky due to car break-ins, so consider public transport or ride-sharing.
Yes, you can drive down the famous crooked part of Lombard Street, but you'll need to join a queue. Some visitors opt to let passengers out at the top and meet them at the bottom if the line is too long. It's not a practical route for daily commutes due to congestion.
Absolutely! Walking down the stairs alongside the crooked section is a popular way to experience it and take photos. The surrounding Russian Hill neighborhood is also very walkable, with charming streets and local shops.
You can walk down from the top, or if you drive down, you'll naturally end up at the bottom. From the bottom, you can explore the nearby Marina district or head towards Fisherman's Wharf.
While the cable car is the most direct public transport option to the top, several Muni bus lines run in the vicinity of Lombard Street, including routes that can take you to nearby areas like North Beach or Fisherman's Wharf.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Lombard Street is a public street and there is no fee to visit or walk down the crooked section.
Lombard Street is a public street and is accessible 24/7. However, the best experience is during daylight hours to appreciate the views and gardens.
No reservations or time slots are required to visit Lombard Street, as it's a public thoroughfare. However, be prepared for crowds, especially during peak tourist seasons.
The most famous section of Lombard Street is located between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets. You can access the top of this section from Hyde Street.
Yes, many San Francisco city tours, including hop-on-hop-off bus tours and private guided tours, often include a stop at Lombard Street.
📸 📸 Photography
Early mornings offer fewer crowds and softer light for photography. Late afternoons can provide beautiful golden hour light, but expect more people.
The classic shot is from the bottom looking up at the winding road and gardens. You can also get great panoramic views from the top.
The tall bushes and landscaping can sometimes obscure a full, unobstructed view from certain angles. Experimenting with different vantage points is key. [^Review]
There are no specific restrictions on photography for personal use. However, be mindful of residents and other visitors.
For the winding road, a wider-angle lens can help capture the curves. For the city views, a telephoto lens might be useful. Consider shooting in RAW for better editing flexibility.
🎫 🚶 Onsite Experience
You can walk down the famous crooked section, admire the gardens, take photos, and enjoy the panoramic views from the top. Nearby attractions include Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach.
Lombard Street and its surrounding areas are generally safe for tourists, but it's always wise to exercise normal city street smarts and be aware of your surroundings.
From Lombard Street, you can easily access Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, North Beach (for Italian food), and Chinatown.
Public restrooms are not directly available on the crooked section of Lombard Street itself. You'll find facilities at nearby attractions like Fisherman's Wharf or in local cafes and restaurants.
The steepest grade on Lombard Street is approximately 27%, which was too steep for vehicles before the curves were added. +1
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Be aware that the dense landscaping can sometimes make it challenging to get a completely unobstructed view of the entire street. [^Review] Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to fit more of the street into your frame. 🚶 Walkers & Explorers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Engineering Marvel of Lombard Street
The red bricks that pave the curves were not just for looks; they were added to provide crucial grip for vehicles navigating the sharp turns, especially important given San Francisco's frequent fog and potential for slippery conditions.
While locals rarely use this section for commuting due to its constant congestion,
Navigating Lombard Street: Driving vs. Public Transport
For a more relaxed and often more efficient experience, public transport is highly recommended. The Powell-Hyde cable car line is a classic San Francisco experience that stops directly at the top of the crooked part of Lombard Street.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit