The Crookedest Street in the World?

Lombard Street in San Francisco, California is hailed as the crookedest street in the world. But, in real life, that title belongs to Vermont Street (on 20 and 22 streets). There are even other streets in the city that are steepier than the famed, touristy street. Having climbed up and down the block, I’m guessing that Lombard Street is the most beautiful and most famous crooked street of them all.

From afar, one could see the steepy, hilly, zig-zaggy one-block street.

It is a one-way downhill lane from Hyde Street.

It is one of the most stunning streets I’ve been to and seen in my travels.

Surrounded with flowered plants and green, what could be more beautiful than that?

On both sides of the crooked street are well-manicured yard and well-painted, colourful houses.

Everyday, hundreds of tourists walk up and down the side steps, pausing and grasping for breath.

If you are standing from the bottom, you’d be in awe at its winding form, like a giant snake slithering through the hill.

Cars go down so slow—a thrill to drive down the curve.

From the top of the hill, you can see a panoramic vista of the city with the Coit Tower standing so tall yet so alone in its magnificence.

Like me, you might be asking the same question: Why crooked? Why didn’t they just make it straight?

Well, according to my [easyazon_link asin=”1742207340″ locale=”US” new_window=”yes” nofollow=”yes” tag=”pridecostume-20″ add_to_cart=”yes” cloaking=”yes” localization=”yes” popups=”yes”]Travel Guide[/easyazon_link], it’s for safety.

The road is so steep, and it could be dangerous to drive down, especially on wet weather.

So, to avoid accidents, they created sharp, winding curves — to save lives.

And maybe, to test our vertigo when driving down.

Directions: 

Lombard Street can be reached via a cable car (another must-do thing to do in San Francisco). Hop on and tell the driver to drop you off at Lombard Street.

Save a lot of money by buying a City Pass to see major attractions in San Francisco!