Lombard Street (Crooked Street)

Lombard Street, famously known as the “Crookedest Street in the World,” is a beloved San Francisco landmark located in the Russian Hill neighborhood. The iconic one-block section between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets features eight steep hairpin turns and is paved with red brick, surrounded by manicured hydrangea gardens. It is a free, publicly accessible street open 24 hours a day. Visitors can experience the street by driving down the one-way crooked block or by walking the staircase sidewalks on either side. Because it is a public street with no admission gate or ticketing, it is free for all visitors, including people with disabilities.

The crooked block sits on a 27% grade, and the pedestrian access on either side consists of staircase sidewalks — not ramps — making the crooked block itself challenging for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. The surrounding streets in Russian Hill are also notably steep. Accessible public transportation options are available nearby: San Francisco Muni buses (including the 30 Stockton) serve the area, and the Powell-Hyde cable car stops at the top of the block at Hyde and Lombard Streets, though the cable cars themselves are not wheelchair accessible. Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood, though it is extremely limited; the nearest parking garages are several blocks away near Fisherman’s Wharf.

Visitors note that the pedestrian staircases alongside the crooked section are narrow and steep, and that the surrounding streets require significant uphill walking to reach the landmark. Some visitors find the bottom of the hill — at Leavenworth Street — more accessible for viewing and photography, as it avoids the steepest approach. Early morning on weekdays is widely recommended as the least crowded time to visit.