Vermont Street is the curviest street of San Francisco
Located in the Potrero Hill district of San Francisco, in the US state of California, Vermont Street is said to be the crookedest street in the United States. Hold on to the steering wheel and get ready for a series of hairpin turns on a stretch of roadway that few travelers and locals know about.
Where is Vermont Street?
Located near McKinley Square, the one-way (downhill) street runs north-south from Division Street to Cesar Chavez Street. It is paved with concrete. Originally, it was a two-way street, but in 1939 it became one-way going down. The most famous section of the street is located in the Potrero Hill neighborhood between 20th and 22nd Streets.
Is Vermont Street the crookedest street in San Francisco?
It is dubbed as the crookedest street in the city in competition with the better-known Lombard Street because of its steeper grade and tighter turning radius between each switchback. While Lombard Street is often mistakenly cited as the crookedest street in San Francisco, Vermont Street actually holds that distinction. It features several sharp turns in a short span, creating a zigzag pattern that attracts tourists and photographers from around the world. Unlike Lombard Street, which has a series of eight hairpin turns, Vermont Street has seven turns in a single block, making it technically more crooked than Lombard Street. However, Lombard Street's section between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets is more widely recognized due to its scenic landscaping and flower beds.
Is Vermont Street challenging?
The street has seven sharp turns. Parking is available at the top of the street. The street has a 14.3 percent grade and has five full turns and two half-turns. The paving bricks are a little slippery, and the turns are tight. The only warning you’ll get before you go over the crest of the hill is a yellow sign with the squiggly arrow on it. After that, you’re on your own as you rumble down uneven cement, broken pavement, and if you’re driving a large-sized vehicle, avoiding nicking your bumper on the sides of the concrete walls.
How busy is Vermont Street?
Vermont Street offers a unique driving experience, but it's also a popular spot for pedestrians to walk and take in the views of the city. While it may not receive as much attention as Lombard Street, Vermont Street remains an iconic landmark in San Francisco's urban landscape. Around one million cars drive down it every year.
Where was Bullitt filmed?
Located in the northern part of California, the street has been featured in countless movies such as 1973’s Magnum Force where Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry maneuvers around its hairpin turns and in the 1968 film, Bullitt, where Steve McQueen pilots his Mustang.