Quick Summary:
- Approach Lombard from Van Ness, then follow signs to Hyde.
- Circle once, avoid stopping, and keep wheels straight on slopes.
- Wait on Chestnut Street blocks, never in the Lombard queue.
- Park in paid garages near Fisherman’s Wharf, then walk uphill.
Lombard Street’s famous “crooked” block between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street is a real, working residential street, not a theme-park ride. If you are using a car hire in San Francisco, the key is to treat it like any other steep city street with heavy visitor traffic: approach with a plan, do not stop in the lane, and choose parking that is both legal and sensible for theft prevention. This guide gives a step-by-step driving route, practical places to wait without blocking traffic, and nearby parking choices that reduce break-in risk.
If you are arriving via the airport, it helps to collect your vehicle with enough time to avoid the busiest Lombard window. Many visitors collect from San Francisco SFO car hire locations, then head into the city after the morning commute. Some travellers compare suppliers such as Dollar car hire at SFO or Payless car hire at SFO to get a compact car that is easier to handle on tight streets. If you are moving a family group, a larger vehicle like minivan hire at SFO can work, but you will need extra patience and more space for turning and kerbside manoeuvres.
Before you go: understand what “driving Lombard” really means
When people say “drive Lombard Street”, they usually mean driving downhill through the one-block switchbacks on Lombard between Hyde and Leavenworth. Traffic is one-way downhill on the crooked block. You typically queue at the top, then roll down at very low speed while pedestrians cross at designated points.
Important realities for car hire drivers in San Francisco:
You cannot legally stop in the travel lane to take photos, wait for passengers, or “pause” mid-block. Stopping in the lane blocks traffic and can create unsafe situations on a steep grade.
There is no dedicated loading bay at the top for the attraction. Any kerbside stopping must follow posted signs, and signage changes by block.
Break-ins are a city-wide risk, especially for vehicles that look like rentals. Your best defence is to leave nothing visible, limit the time you are parked on the street, and prefer attended or controlled-access parking where possible.
Step-by-step: a legal, low-stress approach to the top of Lombard
This approach aims to avoid awkward turns and reduces the chance you end up blocking the road while trying to merge.
Step 1: Aim for Van Ness Avenue first
From many parts of the city, Van Ness Avenue is a straightforward north-south arterial. Set navigation for “Lombard St & Hyde St” rather than “Lombard Street” generally, so you reach the correct end.
Step 2: Travel eastbound on Lombard Street (the wider section)
From Van Ness Avenue, take Lombard Street eastbound towards Russian Hill. This keeps you on a broader multi-lane road for most of the approach. Stay calm and keep a safe following distance, drivers may brake suddenly to look around.
Step 3: Turn left onto Hyde Street and climb to the entry point
The common route is to turn left onto Hyde Street and drive uphill to the top of the crooked block at Lombard and Hyde. Hyde is steep. In an automatic car hire, keep steady throttle and avoid riding the brakes. In a hybrid, expect regenerative braking when you lift off.
Step 4: Join the queue without blocking junctions
At the top, you may see a line of cars waiting to enter the block. Join the queue only if there is space for your car to fully fit in the lane without sticking into the intersection. If you cannot clear the junction, keep driving and loop back later. Blocking intersections is closely policed in busy areas and also earns you a lot of local frustration.
Step 5: Drive the switchbacks slowly, smoothly, and predictably
Once you enter, you are committed. Keep speed walking-pace, keep both hands on the wheel, and follow the curve. Do not swing wide into the oncoming side, and do not stop for photos. Expect pedestrians, including people stepping out unexpectedly.
Step 6: Exit at Leavenworth and continue downhill
At the bottom, you typically continue to Leavenworth. Do not stop immediately after exiting, there is still heavy pedestrian flow and drivers behind you need room to clear the block.
Where to wait without blocking traffic (and without annoying everyone)
There is no perfect “waiting area” right at the top, so the best strategy is to wait off the hill, then approach when your passengers are ready and traffic is manageable. These options are generally more workable than hovering near Hyde and Lombard.
Option A: Chestnut Street, then approach when ready
Chestnut Street in the Marina District has multiple blocks with more space to circulate, plus shops where passengers can pop out briefly. The key is to use legal kerbside parking if you stop, and if you are simply waiting in the car, do it in a spot that is not a travel lane and not a bus stop. If you cannot find a legal place to stop, keep moving and loop the block.
Option B: Polk Street area, then a timed approach
Polk Street has more conventional city blocks. Your passenger can be ready with directions and camera before you climb Hyde. The goal is to reduce the temptation to pause at the top when the queue looks intimidating.
Option C: Approach from Van Ness and loop if the top is congested
If the queue is long or the junction is blocked, continue past the Hyde turn, take a safe route to loop back rather than forcing a merge. A calm loop beats a stressful standoff on a steep street.
What not to do
Do not stop on Hyde Street to “wait for a gap”. Do not park in red kerb zones, at hydrants, or in signed no-stopping areas. Do not double-park, even briefly, because it creates dangerous squeezing on steep grades and can prompt aggressive reactions from other drivers.
Nearest legal parking that reduces break-in risk
If your priority is a stress-free visit and lower break-in exposure, the best plan is often to park first, then walk to the viewpoints. You will still see the street, you will avoid the queue, and you will reduce the time your car is sitting on a tourist-heavy kerbside with luggage inside.
Best practice for break-in reduction, wherever you park
Leave the cabin empty. Put nothing in the boot at the kerb, do it before you arrive or not at all. Take documents and valuables with you. If your car hire has a parcel shelf, remove it or keep it open so there is no suggestion of hidden items. Lock the car and close windows fully, even for short stops.
Parking option 1: Fisherman’s Wharf paid garages
The Wharf area has multiple paid parking facilities. While no parking is risk-free, controlled-access garages typically reduce opportunistic smash-and-grabs compared with random street parking near busy visitor corridors. From there, it is a straightforward uphill walk or short rideshare to the top if you prefer not to climb.
Parking option 2: North Beach paid parking, then walk
North Beach is close enough to reach Lombard on foot, and you can combine the visit with cafés and Washington Square. Look for paid facilities and obey time limits. Do not leave shopping bags visible while you explore.
Parking option 3: Street parking in the Marina, then a scenic walk
If you can find a legal kerbside space in the Marina (with clear signage, metres if required, and within time limits), you can walk across to the Lombard area. This can be calmer than hunting for a space directly adjacent to the attraction. The trade-off is distance and the hill.
Where street parking becomes higher risk
Any place with constant tourist turnover and visible luggage is higher risk. If you are coming straight from the airport with suitcases, prioritise dropping bags at your accommodation first, then do Lombard later. That single change reduces break-in risk more than any single parking trick.
A simple, legal “drive it and leave” loop (minimises time stopped)
If your goal is specifically to drive the crooked block, use this plan to minimise waiting:
1) Choose a quieter time
Early morning is often calmer than midday. Weekdays can be easier than weekends. Foggy or drizzly conditions can also reduce crowds, but drive cautiously on damp paint markings and brickwork.
2) Pre-set navigation
Set your destination to the top intersection at Hyde and Lombard, then set a second destination for where you will go afterwards, for example a garage in the Wharf area. This avoids last-second phone handling and hesitation.
3) If the queue is long, do one loop and reassess
If you cannot join without blocking a junction, keep moving. Loop back via wider roads rather than trying to turn around on narrow hills.
4) Do not stop at the bottom
Continue to your next destination before taking photos on foot. The safest photo spots are pedestrian areas where you are not tempted to step into traffic.
Driving safety notes for steep San Francisco streets
Use low speed and controlled braking on descents. Avoid “riding” the brakes for long periods, and keep extra distance because other cars may stop unexpectedly.
Mind the turning radius of your vehicle. SUVs and minivans are fine, but they need earlier steering input and more patience when pedestrians are close.
Do not rely on kerbside gaps to pull over on steep streets. What looks like a quick stop can become a blocked lane once you realise you cannot merge back easily.
Keep your focus on pedestrians. Lombard is a pedestrian magnet. People will step into the roadway to frame shots.
How this fits into a sensible day with car hire in San Francisco
A practical schedule is: drop bags first, drive Lombard in the morning, then park in a garage and explore on foot. If you are building an itinerary that includes driving outside the city, you can keep the rest of the day for places better suited to a car, and limit inner-city parking time.
If your trip includes a pick-up or drop-off outside San Francisco, note that some travellers use South Bay locations such as car hire at San Jose Airport (SJC) to match flight plans, then drive into the city at off-peak times. Wherever you collect your car, the same rules apply at Lombard: no stopping in the lane, no blocking junctions, and no visible items left inside.
FAQ
Do I need a permit to drive the crooked part of Lombard Street? No, it is a public street. You must follow normal road rules, signage, and any temporary traffic controls.
Is it legal to stop at the top to take photos from my car? Not if you are stopping in the travel lane or in a signed no-stopping area. Take photos from the pavements or nearby viewpoints instead.
What is the easiest legal way to see Lombard if I do not want to drive it? Park in a paid garage around Fisherman’s Wharf or North Beach and walk up. You will get better views and avoid the queue.
How can I reduce break-in risk when parking near Lombard? Leave nothing visible, avoid handling luggage at the kerb, prefer controlled-access garages, and keep stops short and purposeful.
Are larger vehicles a bad idea on Lombard Street? They are manageable, but tighter. Drive slowly, keep to your lane, and avoid peak crowd times for an easier experience.
