Can you walk Lombard Street?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 09, 2026
Yes, you can walk up and down Lombard Street. Internationally known as “the crookedest street in the world” for its notorious curves, Lombard Street annually attracts two million visitors who often wait in lines for hours for the thrill of walking or driving its twisting turns.
Is Lombard Street open to the public?
Details for Visiting Lombard Street
You can go to Lombard Street anytime, but please respect the residents and be quiet at night. It's a few blocks up the hill from Ghirardelli Square. Allow a half hour at most to watch the people and take a few photos, longer if you want to drive down on a busy day.
How long does it take to go down Lombard Street?
The speed limit is only 5 miles per hour and it's tough to go any faster. Once you enter this crooked section of the street, it will only take you a couple of minutes to get to the bottom. You are not allowed to stop or get out of your car at the bottom if you drive down.
How many steps are there in Lombard Street?
The wait to drive down Lombard Street during tourist season can range from 30-45 minutes on an average day, making a walk down the street's 250 steps more appealing for those with time constraints.
Does it cost to go down Lombard Street?
There is no charge to drive down Lombard Street.
41 related questions foundWhy is Lombard Street so crooked?
Why is it Crooked? It may look treacherous, but Lombard Street's switchbacks were actually built to increase the safety of the street. The natural steep grade was thought to be too dangerous.
Can cars drive down Lombard Street?
It is located in San Francisco, California,USA Lombard Street is billed as the crookedest street in the world, it is not even the most crooked or steepest street in Cars can only drive downhill, east-bound towards Leavenworth Street.
What part of Lombard Street is crooked?
The crooked part of Lombard Street is between Hyde (at the top) and Leavenworth.
Where is the crooked part of Lombard Street?
The crooked famous portion of Lombard Street is located between Jones St. and Hyde St. An exact address to reach the crooked street from your GPS or phone is 1070 Lombard Street, San Francisco, California 94109.
Who built Lombard Street?
The design, first suggested by property owner Carl Henry and built in 1922, was intended to reduce the hill's natural 27 percent grade, which was too steep for most vehicles. The crooked block is about 600 feet (180 m) long (412.5 feet (125.7 m) straightline), is one-way (downhill) and is paved with red bricks.
What is the steepest street in San Francisco?
According to the city's bureau of engineering, the steepest is Filbert between Leavenworth and Hyde. The road has a grade of 31.5 percent. Number three on the list is jones, between union and filbert.
Why is San Francisco so hilly?
The rolling hills of San Francisco are part of the foothills of Montara Mountain. The city and the mountain both come from the same basic geological activities. Thousands of years ago, the Pacific Plate and the North American plates collided and ground together.
How old is Lombard Street in San Francisco?
The road was built in the 1920s, when cars — which had just become popular, keep in mind — couldn't make it up and down the steep hills.
Do you have to pay to drive on Lombard Street?
Tourists Won't Have to Pay to Drive San Francisco's Lombard Street After All. On October 12, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that granted San Francisco the power to establish a toll and reservation system for Lombard Street.
Do you need reservations for Lombard Street?
Much like the system that has been in place for the past year at Muir Woods, anyone wanting to drive the crooked portion of Lombard Street will need to make a reservation and pay a fee. Pedestrians will still be able to take on the hill one foot at a time.
Are bikes allowed on Lombard Street?
Yes you will need to push the bike in may locations but the highlight is definitely Lombard street. be aware that if wanting to drive down Lombard street, you may be in lines of traffic for hours waiting to drive down depending on time of day. Has to be done and for the extra thrill ride down...
Is Lombard Street the most crooked street in the world?
Comprising a total of eight tight hairpin turns as it meanders down a hill in San Francisco, Lombard Street is the world's most crooked road.
What is the grade of Lombard Street?
The natural 27-percent grade of this street was actually leveled slightly to 16 percent in 1922 when the city used cobblestones while paving the street. Today, nearly one million vehicles traverse the hairpin curves on this street each and every year.
Where is Lombard Street in California?
Location and Directions
Lombard Street is almost 3 miles long and extends from Pioneer Park to Lincoln Blvd in the Presidio of San Francisco. The part that we want to focus on is between Hyde St and Leavenworth St and it is easily accessible by both public and private transportation.
Where can I take pictures of Lombard Street?
You can photograph Lombard Street from above at Hyde Street or below at Leavenworth Street. To capture cars attempting to navigate Lombard Street, visit during the day. But for a quiet sight, head here first thing in the morning.
Does anyone live in Painted Ladies?
George is the only living person who has been inside all six of the Painted Ladies. Over the years, movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers have been filmed inside them, and various famous people have been owners.
What is the speed limit on Lombard Street?
“The Crookedest Street In The World” is the name given to this famous winding slope that goes around beautiful mansions. Due to its 5 mph speed limit, some have also dubbed it the world's slowest joyride.
What is the story of Lombard Street?
Sitting right at 1000 Lombard Street is the Haunted Montandon House. Once the residence of well-known 60s socialite Pat Montandon, it supposedly became haunted after a curse was placed on Montandon by a tarot card reader at one of her parties.
What is the longest street in San Francisco?
Longest streets in San Francisco
- Mission Street: 7.3 miles.
- Geary Boulevard: 5.7 miles.
- Third Street: 5.5 miles.
- California Street: 5.4 miles.
- Alemany Boulevard: 5.1 miles.
- Fulton Street: 5 miles.
- 19th Avenue: 4.7 miles.
- Market Street: 4.6 miles.