IWNA Issue 1, 2019

INTERVAL WORLD

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Issue 1, 2019

IN FOCUS

AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT SAN FRANCISCO’S

LOMBARD STREET

ts eight hairpin turns have earned San Francisco’s

Lombard Street the nickname “the crookedest street

in the world.” And while today’s visitors delight in the

downhill-only slalom, the block-long twisted portion of

turns was constructed in 1922 for safety reasons — with a 27 per-

cent incline, residents feared the street was too dangerous for the

vehicles at the time.

To truly get the full experience of snaking—and braking—down

this zigzag of curves, you’ll want to go by car. A sign suggests taking

the drive at a cautious 5 mph. You can also ride a cable car up the

hill and traverse down by foot. At the top, discover views of San

Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and Coit Tower. Stroll down the steep

redbrick path lined with stately Victorian homes and manicured

lawns where, at the bottom, postcard-worthy shots of cars winding

down past colorful blooms of hydrangeas and roses await.

SIME/eStockPhoto