San Francisco’s dramatic topography creates some of the steepest urban streets in the world
History: Why San Francisco Was Built on Hills
San Francisco’s iconic hills weren’t just an aesthetic choice – they’re the result of powerful geological forces. The city’s beloved hills were created by tectonic activity known as subduction, where the oceanic plate slid under the continental plate, pushing earth upwards and forming the dramatic topography we see today.
During the Gold Rush of 1849, San Francisco’s population exploded from 1,000 to 25,000 in just one year. Rather than taking time to create gentle curves and gradual inclines, property owners made the fateful decision to expand rapidly over the steep terrain. This choice would forever define the city’s character and create some of the most challenging urban streets in the world.
Early construction of San Francisco’s steep streets presented enormous engineering challenges (circa 1890s)
The introduction of cable cars in 1873 allowed the city to expand further across its steepest hills. Engineer Andrew Smith Hallidie designed the system specifically to conquer San Francisco’s extreme grades after witnessing horses struggle and fall while pulling carriages up the slippery slopes.
San Francisco’s 8 Steepest Streets Revealed
While Lombard Street gets all the tourist attention, it’s actually only the 16th steepest street in San Francisco. Here are the eight streets that truly deserve recognition for their extreme gradients:
Bradford Street in Bernal Heights features San Francisco’s steepest grade at 41%
| Rank | Street Name | Location | Grade (%) | Notable Features |
| 1 | Bradford Street | Bernal Heights (north of Tompkins) | 41% | Concrete grid pattern for traction, steepest in the world |
| 2 | Filbert Street | Russian Hill (between Hyde and Leavenworth) | 31.5% | Famous for David Letterman’s watermelon stunt |
| 3 | 22nd Street | Noe Valley (between Church and Vicksburg) | 31.2% | Stunning views of downtown skyline |
| 4 | Jones Street | Russian Hill (between Filbert and Union) | 29% | Cable car route with panoramic bay views |
| 5 | Duboce Avenue | Castro (between Alpine and Buena Vista) | 27.9% | Historic Victorian homes line the street |
| 6 | Montgomery Street | Telegraph Hill (between Filbert and Union) | 27.7% | Wooden staircase for pedestrians |
| 7 | Kearny Street | Russian Hill (between Broadway and Vallejo) | 27.3% | Historic route with Chinatown views |
| 8 | Ripley Street | Bernal Heights (between Peralta and Alabama) | 27.1% | Residential street with dramatic drop |
For comparison, Lombard Street’s famous winding section has a grade of approximately 27%, which would place it just below Ripley Street on our list. The switchbacks were specifically designed to make the street more navigable despite its steep incline.
Bradford Street: San Francisco’s (and Possibly the World’s) Steepest Street
Tucked away in the Bernal Heights neighborhood, Bradford Street’s unassuming appearance belies its extreme nature. The segment just north of Tompkins Avenue features a staggering 41% grade – nearly double the steepness of a typical black diamond ski run.
Bradford Street in Bernal Heights – San Francisco’s steepest street at 41% grade
Computer scientist Stephen Von Worley confirmed Bradford Street’s extreme gradient through careful measurements, establishing it as not only San Francisco’s steepest street but potentially the steepest urban street in the world. The city installed a special concrete grid pattern on this section to provide better traction for vehicles and pedestrians alike.
“Standing at the bottom of Bradford Street and looking up is like looking at a vertical wall. Cars parked along it appear to be defying gravity.”
Engineering Challenges: How San Francisco Tackles Extreme Grades
Creating functional streets on such extreme inclines presented unique engineering challenges. San Francisco developed several innovative solutions:
Concrete Grid Patterns
Streets with grades exceeding 30% feature special concrete grid patterns that provide additional traction for vehicles and pedestrians, especially crucial during San Francisco’s foggy, damp conditions.
Stepped Sidewalks
Many of the steepest streets feature sidewalks built as staircases rather than continuous paths, allowing pedestrians to navigate the extreme inclines more safely.
Switchbacks
Lombard Street’s famous switchbacks were an engineering solution to make a 27% grade navigable. Without these turns, the street would be too steep for most vehicles.
Cable Car System
San Francisco’s iconic cable car system was specifically designed to conquer the city’s steep hills, using underground cables that grip and pull the cars up inclines too steep for traditional transportation.
Special concrete grid pattern on Bradford Street provides crucial traction on the 41% grade
Which are the steepest roads in the world.
Local Stories: Living and Driving on Extreme Inclines
San Francisco residents have developed their own techniques and folklore around navigating the city’s steepest streets:
The distinctive “San Francisco parking technique” with wheels turned perpendicular to the curb
The “San Francisco Parking Technique”
Residents park with wheels turned sharply toward the curb – a practice so important it’s part of the California driver’s test. This prevents vehicles from rolling downhill if brakes fail. Parking perpendicular to the curb is also common on the steepest streets.
The “Hill Hold” Driving Method
Local drivers have perfected the art of the “hill hold” – using the emergency brake when stopped on an incline and releasing it precisely as the clutch engages to prevent rolling backward. Many newer cars now include an automatic “hill hold” feature inspired by San Francisco’s challenges.
Delivery Driver Legends
“I’ve been delivering pizza in San Francisco for 15 years and Bradford Street is the only one where I’ve had to walk the delivery up because my car couldn’t make the climb,” says local delivery driver James Wong. “During rainy season, even walking up requires using your hands sometimes.”
Pedestrians navigate San Francisco’s extreme inclines via sidewalk stairs
Safety Tips: Navigating San Francisco’s Steepest Streets
For Drivers
- Always use your parking brake and turn wheels toward the curb when parking
- Maintain lower gears when descending steep hills to prevent brake overheating
- Avoid the steepest streets during wet or foggy conditions
- Never stop midway up Bradford Street – momentum is essential
- Consider parking at the bottom and walking up for photography
For Pedestrians
- Wear appropriate footwear with good traction
- Use the stairs built into sidewalks rather than the street itself
- Take breaks when climbing – the inclines are more strenuous than they appear
- Be cautious of cars that may roll backward or have limited visibility
- Consider ascending zigzag patterns on the steepest sections
Important Safety Note: The steepest streets can be dangerous during wet weather. Bradford Street in particular becomes extremely slippery when damp. Consider visiting on dry days and always use extreme caution.
Warning sign at the top of Bradford Street advising drivers of the extreme 41% grade
Laugh at these San Francisco puns.
Best Photography Spots: Capturing San Francisco’s Dramatic Inclines
San Francisco’s steep streets create dramatic perspectives that photographers love. Here are the best spots to capture these unique urban landscapes:
Filbert Street Perspective
Stand at the top of Filbert between Hyde and Leavenworth for a dramatic shot down the 31.5% grade with the bay visible in the distance.
22nd Street Skyline View
The 31.2% grade on 22nd Street frames the downtown skyline perfectly, especially during sunset golden hour.
Bradford Street Challenge
For the most dramatic shot, stand at the bottom of Bradford Street and look up – the 41% grade creates an almost vertical perspective.
Photography Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to emphasize the dramatic perspective of these steep streets. Early morning or late afternoon light creates the most dramatic shadows that highlight the extreme grades.
Visitor’s Guide: Planning Your Tour of San Francisco’s Steepest Streets
Exploring San Francisco’s extreme gradients requires some planning
Best Time to Visit
September and October offer the clearest weather for spectacular views from these steep vantage points. Early mornings provide the best light for photography and fewer crowds.
Transportation Options
Consider renting a bike for the adventurous (electric bikes recommended), using rideshare for drop-offs at the tops of hills or joining a specialized “Steep Streets” walking tour.
Suggested Route
Start with the moderate slopes of Russian Hill, work your way to Filbert Street, then finish with the extreme challenge of Bradford Street. This progression lets you experience increasingly dramatic grades.
Local Refreshments
Several cafes near these steep streets offer “Hill Climber” specials – look for Pamplemousse Cafe near Filbert Street and Progressive Grounds near Bradford Street.
Explore San Francisco’s Steepest Streets
Download our free guide with a detailed map of all San Francisco’s steepest streets, complete with gradients, parking tips and the best photography spots.
Beyond the Slopes: Why San Francisco’s Hills Matter
San Francisco’s extreme topography has shaped not just its streets but its entire culture and character. The hills define neighborhoods, create microclimates and provide the iconic views that make the city instantly recognizable worldwide.
As Pulitzer Prize-winning San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen once wrote, “Take anything from us — our cable cars, our bridges, even our Bay — but leave us our hills.” These dramatic inclines, especially the record-breaking Bradford Street, remain a testament to human ingenuity and adaptation to challenging terrain.
Whether you’re a photographer seeking dramatic urban landscapes, an engineering enthusiast or simply a curious traveler, San Francisco’s steepest streets offer an unforgettable experience that goes far beyond the tourist-filled curves of Lombard Street.
San Francisco’s hills have defined the city’s character for generations
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