Lombard Street in San Francisco, California, is famous for its steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns. Let’s explore more about this iconic street:
- Location: Lombard Street stretches from The Presidio (on the west) to The Embarcadero (with a gap on Telegraph Hill).
- Western Segment: Most of Lombard Street’s western segment is a major thoroughfare designated as part of U.S. Route 101.
- Eastern Segment: The famous one-block section, often claimed to be “the crookedest street in the world,” is located along the eastern segment in the Russian Hill neighborhood.
- Design and Purpose: The crooked block was designed in 1922 to reduce the hill’s natural 27 percent grade, which was too steep for most vehicles. It spans about 600 feet (180 meters) and consists of eight sharp turns. The street is paved with red bricks, and a sign at the top recommends a speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).
- Tourist Attraction: Lombard Street attracts approximately two million visitors per year and up to 17,000 per day on busy summer weekends. The segment normally sees around 250 vehicles per hour, with average daily traffic reaching 2,630 vehicles in 2013.
- Peak Times: During peak times, vehicles may have to wait up to 20 minutes to enter the crooked street segment, forming a queue that can reach Van Ness Avenue.
- Future Changes: To reduce congestion and delays, future visitors may be required to reserve a time and pay a fee to drive down the crooked street.
- Trivia: San Francisco surveyor Jasper O’Farrell named the road after Lombard Street in Philadelphia.
So, if you ever visit San Francisco, don’t miss the chance to experience the thrill of navigating this unique and picturesque street! 🌉🚗🔄
