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Billed as the 'crookedest street in the World' - which may or may not be true, Lombard Street is yet another of those distinctly San Franciscan sights! There seems to be some disagreement out there about the actual angle of the street - some say 27°, others as much as 40° - but suffice to say that in the 1920's Lombard Street was deemed simply too steep for vehicles and so eight switchbacks were installed, thus making it passable for cars. Nowadays of course it's one of San Francisco's favourite tourist attractions, and you're going to have to visit twice - once to drive down in a car, and the other time to walk the stairs that run either side of the twists and turns of the roadway.
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Along with the twists and turns that were installed in the 1920's were the flower beds that really dominate Lombard Street. Setting the novelty value of driving down such an unusual road aside, Lombard Street really is an incredibly attractive place to come and visit. For most of the year the street is going to be a blast of colour with flower-beds embedded amongst immaculately kept hedges. Even the houses that line the street do their bit, with creeping plants and delicately pruned trees.
Getting to Lombard Street is pretty straightforward. If you're on foot you can combine Lombard with a trip on the Powell/Hyde Cable Car and jump off right at the top of the hill. If you want to drive the street, you're probably going to have to wait in line for a while - remember that this can be one of the busiest streets in the city, and you can only drive at 10 miles an hour! Most people seem to get to Lombard Street from Van Ness Avenue - which is 3 blocks West of the crooked bit of the street. An alternative (that I think lets you 'jump' the queue somewhat) is to drive up Hyde Street from Fisherman's Wharf (Hyde runs one-way from North to South) and then make a left onto Lombard Street.
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The views from Lombard street are pretty impressive too. Looking East from the top you get a great view across to Coit Tower (see above) and beyond to the Oakland Bay Bridge. Looking North from the top of the street you get a shot all the way down Hyde Street to Fishermans Wharf and the Bay. You'll also get a great shot of one of the Powell/Hyde Cable Cars as it runs up the hill.
As an interesting aside, with the incline of Lombard Street significantly reduced by the twists and turns, it is of course no longer the steepest street in the city. If you really want to drive at a ridiculous angle head two blocks south on Hyde street and turn down Filbert Street heading East towards Leavenworth Street. The angle here is supposed to be more than 30° and boy you'll know about it! Just make sure you've got decent brakes and the car is in a really low gear!!!
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