Mari checks out Lombard St again! Created in the 1920's as a way to deal with the extreme forty-degree slope of Russian Hill, the block of Lombard Street from Hyde to Leavenworth has long been known as "the crookedest street in the world." Much of the pleasure of Lombard Street is due to the beautiful flowers and shrubs that border the eight switchbacks and the smashing views of the city and the Bay available from any point along the block. There are stairs (without curves) on either side of the street for pedestrian access.