Lombard Street

The Basics

Some San Francisco tours include a Lombard Street stop or drive-by, but most tour vehicles are prohibited. Opt for a more niche experience like an urban hiking tour or a Segway tour if you want to visit Lombard Street with a guide. From the top of the street, look toward North Beach for a view of Coit Tower and San Francisco Bay.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Lombard Street is a must-see for first-time visitors and families.

• This is a residential area, so be respectful of the private homes on both sides of the street.

• Wear shoes appropriate for walking down a steep grade.

• Hyde and Leavenworth streets at either end of Lombard’s switchbacks are busy San Francisco roads; blocking traffic while trying to take pictures is not recommended.

How to Get There

For the most quintessentially San Francisco experience, take the Powell–Hyde cable car line, which runs north from Union Square, to the top of Lombard Street. Alternatively, Muni bus 45 stops at Leavenworth and Union streets, a few blocks away. If you want to drive down the one-way street in your own car, you must go west to east from Hyde to Leavenworth; take the switchbacks slowly.

When to Get There

Lombard is a public street and has no opening or closing hours. If you want to avoid catching too many other visitors in your photos, go as early in the day as you can. On busy summer days and weekends, the line of cars waiting to drive down can stretch for blocks, so try to be flexible if you’re visiting during this time.

Fisherman’s Wharf

The crooked portion of Lombard Street is about eight blocks from Fisherman’s Wharf, so it’s easy to explore both in the same day. If you visit Lombard Street first, it’s a downhill walk to the wharf. Enjoy views of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island along the way.

Ways to explore

Many San Francisco tours include a Lombard Street stop or drive-by. As it’s difficult for larger tour vehicles to access, many travelers opt for a more niche experience, such as traveling by GoCar, tuk-tuk, or an open-air vehicle. It’s also possible to go on a self-guided audio drive, or to discover this area during a self-guided game, such as a smartphone scavenger hunt. If exploring independently, from the top of the street, look toward North Beach for a view of Coit Tower and San Francisco Bay.

Accessibility

Visitors with limited mobility will likely want to drive down Lombard Street, as it's very steep and there are staircases if you're walking it. Alternatively, you can see it from the paved sidewalks on Hyde Street or Leavenworth Street.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, bottled water, snacks

What to wear

Flat and comfortable shoes, layered clothing

Not allowed

Blocking staircases or traffic, flying drones

Amenities

There are cafés and shops close by, as well as public transit stops.

Address 

Lombard Street’s famous crooked block is in Russian Hill, a few blocks southwest of Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s accessible by car, cable car, or city buses, though congestion makes public transportation or walking the easier option.

Driving

While you can drive down Lombard Street, traffic is slow and parking is extremely limited. From downtown San Francisco, follow signs toward Russian Hill, but expect delays and consider stopping nearby rather than driving the crooked section.

Public transportation

Ride the Powell/Hyde Cable Car line and disembark near the top of Lombard Street, or take city buses that serve Russian Hill. Public transportation is strongly recommended to avoid congestion and parking frustration.

Best times to visit

An early morning visit is a good idea to escape the afternoon crowds and have the best chance of a clear photo opportunity.

Best days to visit

Mondays through Thursdays are the best times to visit to avoid crowds, as weekends are extremely busy.

Best months to visit

It’s great to visit the city in the spring months of April and May or the fall months of September and October.

Special events

There aren’t events on the street itself, but it can be a great vantage point for city-wide events such as Fleet Week in October.