Lombard Street
This famously crooked block of Lombard Street winds down a steep Russian Hill slope through eight tight hairpin turns framed by manicured hedges and seasonal flower beds, with views of the city and Coit Tower visible in the distance. For the classic shot, position yourself at the top of the block and shoot down the curves using a wide angle or standard zoom to compress the bends and include the surrounding neighborhood. Alternatively, walk down to the bottom and shoot upward to show the full sweep of the switchbacks against the hill. Early morning on weekdays gives you the best light and far fewer cars and pedestrians cluttering the scene; midday crowds can make clean shots difficult. A 24-70mm lens handles most compositions well here. Street parking is tight, so consider arriving on foot from the Powell-Hyde cable car stop just a short walk away. (San Francisco, California, United States)
