Lombard Street

Lombard Street is an east-west street in San Francisco begins at Lincoln Boulevard in the Presidio and travels east east through Cow Hollow, Russian Hill, North Beach, and Telegraph Hill. Between Richardson Avenue/Broderick Street and Van Ness Avenue, Lombard Street is part of U.S. 101. East of Van Ness Avenue, Lombard Street travels over Russian Hill (the descent from Russian Hill is the crookedest street in America), then passes Columbus Avenue in North Beach, and then heads up Telegraph Hill, ending just short of Coit Tower. A second segment of Lombard Street begins near Montgomery Street and continues east to the Embarcadero, but it is not continuous with the segment west of Coit Tower.

Lombard Street west
Traveling west on Lombard Street, this view shows the intersection with Mason Street, just prior to the Columbus Avenue intersection. Photo taken 07/06/07.
The 49-Mile Drive is a scenic route that passes through much of the peninsula. At Mason Street, the 49-Mile Drive joins westbound Lombard Street for the journey to the crookedest street in America. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Shortly thereafter, westbound Lombard Street meets Columbus Avenue. Photo taken 07/06/07.
The next intersection is with Taylor Street. From here, Lombard Street begins its ascent up Russian Hill. The entire grade is 27%, and vehicles may travel westbound until reaching Leavenworth Street. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Westbound Lombard Street meets Leavenworth Street next. All westbound traffic must turn onto Leavenworth Street, because the remaining ascent up Russian Hill is one-way for eastbound (downhill) traffic only. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Looking up Russian Hill from the Leavenworth Street intersection, Lombard Street travels up the crookedest street. Built in 1923, this stretch has a 27% grade and eight sharp turns. Driveways line the street, so residents use this street as well as visitors who want to see the "crookedest street in America." Photo taken 07/06/07.
The stretch of Lombard Street between Leavenworth Street and Hyde Street is paved in brick and features multiple driveway entry points for residences along the route. Photos taken 07/06/07.
A set of stairs allows pedestrians to climb Russian Hill on westbound Lombard Street between Leavenworth Street and Hyde Street. However, the pathway is not accessible for disabled or for bicyclists. Everything along this route is planted beautifully, with trees, shrubs, and flowers adorning the street and pathways/stairs. Photo taken 07/06/07.
An unidentified driver takes the plunge down Russian Hill on the crookedest street in America, Lombard Street. The Hyde Street intersection is visible in the background. Photo taken 07/06/07.
At the top of Russian Hill, westbound Lombard Street again assumes a typical city street configuration. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Lombard Street east
From the top of Russian Hill, one can see Coit Tower, the downtown financial district, and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (Interstate 80). The winding street begins its descent from Hyde Street toward Leavenworth Street. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Traveling down the crookedest street segment on Russian Hill, eastbound Lombard Street is paved in brick and features multiple driveway entry points for residences along the route. Photos taken 07/06/07.
View of Lombard Street east as seen from the Leavenworth Street intersection at the base of the crookedest street portion. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Eastbound Lombard Street meets Jones Street at this intersection. Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower can be seen in the distance. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Using a zoom lens from the Jones Street intersection, we can see the intersection between Lombard Street and Columbus Avenue as well as Coit Tower. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Lombard Street ends at the point where the roadway turns toward Pioneer Park and Coit Tower via Telegraph Hill Boulevard. Photo taken 07/06/07.
A steep drop-off disconnects the majority of Lombard Street with the short section near the Embarcadero. Turn right here to get to Coit Tower. Photo taken 07/06/07.
San Francisco uses "000" and "end" banners to signify the end of a city street. In this case, Telegraph Hill Boulevard ends at the point where it meets Lombard Street. Lombard Street does not end, but one cannot traverse it between this point and the continuation east of here on the street grid below. Photo taken 07/06/07.
Coit Tower
This view of downtown San Francisco can be seen from the grounds near Coit Tower on top of Telegraph Hill. Photo taken 07/06/07.
The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge can be seen from Telegraph Hill. Note the large anchorage between the two suspension spans, which can be clearly seen from the area near Lombard Street and Telegraph Hill Boulevard. Photos taken 07/06/07.
Built in 1933 on top of Telegraph Hill, 210-foot Coit Tower is named after the citizen (Lillie Hitchcock Coit) who commissioned and paid for the construction of the tower to beautify San Francisco. The tower is now operated as a museum, and an admission fee is charged to view the surrounding city from the top. Photos taken 07/06/07.

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Page Updated September 2, 2007.

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