Hotels near Lombard Street

The block of Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth on Russian Hill is famous as the 'crookedest street in the world', a steep slope tamed by eight tight hairpin bends lined with flowerbeds and brick paving. The switchbacks were added in the 1920s to make the one-in-four gradient drivable, and the result is one of the city's most photographed spots.

You can drive down the curves at a crawl, or walk the stairs alongside for a closer look at the gardens and the view down toward Coit Tower and the bay. It pairs naturally with a Powell-Hyde cable-car ride, which stops right at the top of the hill.

Pro Tip: Come early morning to photograph the curves without the queue of cars and crowds, and walk the pedestrian steps on either side rather than driving. The view from the top, framing Coit Tower and the bay, is the real reward.