The most expensive street in the world is Fifth Avenue in New York, the widest street in the world is 9 de Julio Avenue in Buenos Aires, and the longest street was until recently considered to be Canada’s Yonge Street with 1,178 mi. San Francisco has two specific streets called Lombard Street and Vermont Street. One of the most twisted streets in the world, along with Alcatraz or the Golden Gate Bridge, they have become a famous attraction of the city.
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Lombard Street in San Francisco – 8 Turns and 40° of Climbing
📍 Where Is Lombard Street
Lombard Street is located in the northeastern part of the city, where it forms one of its main thoroughfares. The most famous section, with up to a 40-degree grade and a total of eight turns, is located between Leavenworth Street and Hyde Street in the Russian Hill neighborhood.
🚗 How to Visit It
You can reach Lombard Street by tram, get off at the Hyde St & Lombard St stop.
If you want to explore the street by car, it’s best to drive straight down Lombard Street and continue straight ahead. The speed limit is 5 mph. You cannot turn right from Hyde Street during the day due to passing cable cars. You may have to wait in a queue. I have no doubt at all that a car rental business would make a living at the top.
📷 Best Place to Take Pictures of Lombard Street
You’ll get the best photos from the top of the winding part of Lombard Street (you’ll have Coit Tower in the background) or from the lower end (passing cars are photographed through the foliage). From the afternoon onwards the whole street is in shadow, I recommend going out to take photos in the morning or early afternoon.
From an overhead view, Lombard Street is nicely visible from Coit Tower in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood. On foot, it’s about 4,265 ft, and you’ll get to experience the steepness of San Francisco’s streets for yourself as part of the walk.
💡 Fun Facts About Lombard Street
Lombard Street has starred in several films, the most famous of which is 1958’s Vertigo. The main character of Alfred Hitchcock’s film lived in a house with the number 900. Street has also appeared in The Simpsons (in the 4th episode of the 12th season of Lisa on the Branch), and in the TV series Monk, American Dad and the reality show The Real World: San Francisco. Lombard Street was also featured in the computer game GTA: San Andreas.
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Vermont Street – Fewer Curves, but Sharper
You will encounter fewer people on Vermont Street compared to Lombard Street, although the curves are significantly sharper. As a result, Vermont Street is considered to be the most slickest street in the world.
📍 Where is Vermont Street
Vermont Street is located in the Potrero Hill neighborhood between 20th and 22nd Streets next to McKinley Square. It is 3 mi from Lombard Street and about a 20-minute drive.
🚗 How to Visit It
The twisted section measures 492 ft, and is lined with trees along its entire length. Compared to Lombard Street, it is significantly less photogenic and therefore less popular. Vermont Street is a one-way street; you can drive down it from top to bottom.
📷 Best Place to Take Pictures of Vermont Street
Vermont Street is harder to photograph as the view of the entire stretch is obstructed by trees and bushes. You can get the best photos by walking down the street along the sidewalk along the houses.
💡 Fun Facts About Vermont Street
Vermont Street doesn’t have many film and television appearances to its credit. The most famous is the chase in the 1973 film Magnum Force, starring Clint Eastwood.
An interesting event takes place on Vermont Street at Easter when racers ride down it on tricycles. If you are brave enough, you can sign up for BYOBW (Bring Your Own Big Wheel).
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