Was this page helpful?
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Lombard Street Summary
| Opening hours: |
|
|---|
United States – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary. |
| Etiquette: | Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated. |
| Thanksgiving (November) |
A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges. |
|---|---|
| Independence Day (July) |
Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide. |
| Christmas (December) |
Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Lyft, Bolt |
| Helpful links: |
Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine |
| Other: | The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Lombard Street, United States
Long car queues at weekends and in summer, walking the side stairs avoids the wait
Don't miss
- 🛻 Drive or walk down Lombard’s famous eight tight switchbacks
- 📸 Take photos from the base capturing the colorful flowers
- 🌉 Enjoy panoramic views of the Bay and Coit Tower
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Lombard Street is a short stretch of roadway famous for its dramatic switchbacks that gracefully navigate the steep Russian Hill in San Francisco. Constructed in 1922, the crooked section was designed to reduce the natural 27% slope to a safer incline for cars and pedestrians. This creative engineering is now a beloved tourist landmark.
Visitors flock to Lombard Street not only for the iconic zigzag road layout but for the incredible views overlooking the San Francisco Bay, including sights of the Bay Bridge, Coit Tower and Alcatraz Island. The street is beautifully lined with vibrant flower beds, lush greenery and some of the city's most elegant houses, creating a postcard-perfect scene.
Despite its charm, Lombard Street can get very crowded especially on weekends and summer afternoons. Traffic congestion is common as visitors line up to drive down the narrow, one-way block. Pedestrians should exercise caution since cars share the small space and sometimes drivers may misjudge distances. Also, residents live here, so it’s important to respect private property and avoid obstructing driveways.
Exploring on foot allows a more relaxed appreciation of the architecture and landscaping, with nearby stairways offering access to different street levels. The best time to visit is early morning or evening to avoid the heaviest crowds and enjoy softer light for photography.
Knowledge before you go
- Walk down the stairs. Stay off the street for safety.
- Visit early morning to avoid crowds and get best lighting for photos from the bottom.
- Take Powell-Hyde cable car to top; enjoy views of bay, bridge and Russian Hill mansions.
- Drive down only if experienced; 5 mph limit, tight hairpins require full focus amid tourist onlookers.
How to travel to Lombard Street
Lombard Street is located in the Russian Hill neighborhood of San Francisco and is easily accessible by public transit. From outside the U.S., most visitors fly into San Francisco International Airport. From the airport, public transit options or taxis can bring you into downtown San Francisco. Once in the city, Muni buses and cable cars serve stops near Lombard Street. It’s also walkable from nearby popular neighborhoods like Fisherman’s Wharf.
Access summary
- From SFO: BART to Powell, then cable car to Lombard (about 50–60 min).
- From central San Francisco: Cable car, bus or rideshare, typically 15–30 min.
- From Oakland: BART to downtown San Francisco, then bus or cable car (40–60 min).
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Lombard Street
San Francisco provides a wide array of accommodations ranging from boutique hotels in Fisherman’s Wharf to luxury downtown properties, all providing good access to Lombard Street and nearby attractions.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Packing recommendations for Lombard Street
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
🚰
Reusable water bottle
🧥
Light jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small rucksack
🔋
Power bank
👒
Sun hat
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in the region are around 23% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
Lombard Street in San Francisco is generally safe, with frequent police patrols and a high tourist presence. Pickpocketing is rare; however, keep valuables secure, avoid isolated corners after dark and stay on marked walkways to ensure personal safety.
Accessibility
Lombard Street in San Francisco offers limited accessibility: curb cuts and ramps exist at some entrances, but the steep, winding lanes are challenging for wheelchairs or strollers. Pedestrian pathways are narrow and many steps remain unmodified – plan ahead and use nearby accessible routes.
Related articles & guides for Lombard Street
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Best historical destinations in North America
North America's historical record is shorter than other regions by conventional measure, but the depth and variety of what exists is frequently underestimated. The continent holds…
Read more
Discover
Top historical destinations and historic sites
The most compelling history destinations are places where the past is still physically present and legible in the landscape, the architecture and the daily life of the people who…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
