Lombard Street History & Facts

What's your impression about San Francisco? From all the romantic images portrayed in movies and television shows, it's not hard for us to get obsessed with such an enchanting city blessed with Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, the Embarcadero, Lombard Street, Chinatown and more. Lombard Street has earned an endearing reputation for its steeps and twists, and frequently billed as the "Crookedest Street" of San Francisco.

Before hitting the winding street, you might want to know the history of Lombard Street. Lombard Street was laid out in 1922, originally as part of Hwy 101. In early years, it was indeed a hard job for most automobiles to deal with such a steep grade. To reduce the hill's natural 27% grade, the switchback was installed. And to avoid traffic accidents, driving speed was limited to 5 mph on this street. Thus Lombard Street was considered as the crookedest street in the world. Since then, tourists from all corners of the world have been flocking to Lombard Street. Overwhelming tourists led to serious traffic jam on this one-way street. In 1999, the Crooked Street Task Force was formed to ease the problem. As a result, a summer parking ban on the street was issued that year.

To know more about Lombard Street and its interesting history, please visit:

Lombard Street History

http://www.helium.com/items/1217656-lombard-street-san-francisco

About Lombard Street

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_Street_%28San_Francisco%29

Why do tourists and photographers flock to this crooked street?

Lombard Street is most famous for a small one-way section between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, near the top of Russian Hill. This steep switchback boasts eight sharp turns. It's really interesting to watch cars maneuvering down the twists and turns. Brave enough to test your brakes? You can drive down the street by yourself. Bear in mind that the speed limit there is just 5 mph. Or you can hop on the Powell-Hyde line to get to the top.

Lombard Street serves tourists more than challenging driving but beautiful landscaping as well. You can appreciate the red-bricked stones, colorful flowers on chocolate-dark flowerbeds and perfectly-trimmed shrubs alongside the windy curves. All of these look so photogenic in front of cameras. Thus many photographers from around of the world adore this famous serpentine in the heart of San Francisco.

Yet the best place for photographing is the top of Russian Hill. It offers an incredible sight of daring cars maneuvering down, careful pedestrians walking along the sides and dazzling flowers in bright color. If look farther, you will gain magnificent panoramic views of Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Alcatraz as well as the rest of the bay.

Take a glimpse of Lombard Street by browsing through the photos below:

Lombard Street Photos

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/California/San_Francisco-755471/Things_To_Do-San_Francisco-Lombard_Street-BR-1.html

To enhance your tour to Lombard Street, we'd like to share with you some quick facts about the street:

- Lombard Street is a one-way street. So you should approach it from Hyde Street if driving. Don't drive up from Leavenworth!

- The best time to visit Lombard Street is spring since flowers are all in full blossom and the street is alive with color. Lombard Street in morning looks most photogenic.

- Lombard Street houses some most expensive and classiest properties of San Francisco such as stately mansions, townhouses, endless array of condos and many other real estates.

- Lombard Street is stretching in the east-west direction. You'll make it to Coit Tower by heading west and Golden Gate Bridge by heading east. Both directions are perfect for a pleasant hiking experience.