Where is Vermont Street?

Where is Vermont Street?

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Ever heard of Vermont Street in San Francisco's Potrero Hill? Forget Lombard Street, this unassuming little stretch between Division and Cesar Chavez is the real deal when it comes to crookedness! This one-way (downhill, thankfully!) concrete-paved road is a hidden gem of tight turns that most tourists – and even some locals – miss.

Located near McKinley Square, the most famous part sits between 20th and 22nd Streets. Vermont Street boasts seven seriously sharp turns in just one block, making it technically "more crooked" than its flowery cousin.

Don’t expect a leisurely cruise. Parking's at the top, and from there, you're in for a 14.3% grade drop, with five full turns and two half-turns. The paving can be a bit slick, and the turns are tight enough that you might be praying you don’t scrape your bumper, especially in a larger vehicle! You’ll get a yellow squiggly arrow sign before you start, but after that, you’re on your own to navigate uneven pavement and avoid those unforgiving concrete walls.

Despite the challenge, Vermont Street is a popular spot. Pedestrians love strolling and soaking in the city views. Around a million cars make the trip down this iconic San Francisco landmark every year.

Keep an eye out for movie magic, too! Vermont Street's appeared in films like "Magnum Force" (Dirty Harry!) and "Bullitt" (Steve McQueen!), so you might just feel like you're in an action flick as you tackle those turns.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Aiken Mine Road?moderate

Where is Aiken Mine Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a taste of the wild west, Aiken Mine Road in California's Mojave Desert is calling your name. Located in San Bernardino County, inside the Mojave National Preserve, this isn't your average Sunday drive. This completely unpaved trail stretches for 20.2 miles (32.50 km) from Cima Road to Kelbaker Road, climbing to a breezy 5,045 feet (1,538 m) above sea level. Think desert flats, other-worldly basalt lava flows, and enough cinder cones to make you feel like you're on another planet. Now, let's be real – this road's got character. Most of it is a decent width and well-maintained, but you'll hit sandy patches and some rough, rocky sections. The lower part, especially the bit to the lava tube, can get washboarded, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Good tires are a MUST – those lava rocks are no joke! The views? Epic. You'll be winding through the Mojave National Preserve's famous cinder cone field, heading towards the abandoned Aiken Cinder Mine. This place was a full-on mining operation before it was abruptly abandoned in 1990, leaving all its equipment behind. It's a fascinating, slightly eerie, glimpse into the past. So, if you're ready for a rugged, scenic adventure, Aiken Mine Road is waiting! 4x4 highly recommended!

Travel guide to Corkscrew Pass in Coloradomoderate

Travel guide to Corkscrew Pass in Colorado

🇺🇸 Usa

Alright adventure-seekers, buckle up for Corkscrew Pass! This wild ride is perched way up high in Colorado's San Juan County, clocking in at a breathtaking 12,244 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude! You'll find this gem tucked within the Uncompahgre National Forest in southwestern Colorado. This route began as a rough-and-tumble trail back in the 1880s, designed to connect Silverton with the bustling mining towns around Red Mountain. The 5-mile Corkscrew Gulch Trail (aka County Road 20A and 11) is a proper off-road experience. Expect steep climbs, unpaved surfaces, and hairpin switchbacks that'll test your nerve. When it's dry, it's a fun challenge, but watch out when it's wet! The clay soil turns super slippery. While most of the road is wide and well-graded, those upper switchbacks can be a bit tight. And heads up: a wrong move could send you tumbling down a 500-foot cliff! Trust me, you'll want a short-wheelbase 4x4 with high clearance for this one. Keep in mind, this beauty is usually snowed in from November to June. Running west-southeast from the Million Dollar Highway to County Road 10, this trail carves right through the heart of historic mining country. The awesome thing about Corkscrew is that you can usually see the road ahead, which is great for anticipating oncoming traffic. Watch out for logging trucks at the lower end of the trail. The views from the top are absolutely unreal! You get an incredible bird's-eye view of Como Lake. This route is known for its amazing scenery and photo ops, plus you'll see tons of flora and fauna. Definitely bring a camera and extra batteries because you will want to document EVERYTHING. Fall is particularly gorgeous, overlooking the aspen trees in the Ironton valley. It's a popular spot, so expect to share the road with other adventurers!

How long is Pleasant Canyon Road?extreme

How long is Pleasant Canyon Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for the Pleasant Canyon/South Park 4x4 Loop in Death Valley National Park! This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. We're talking a 23-30 mile, exclusively 4x4 adventure that kicks off near Ballarat, climbing from 1200 feet to a whopping 7100 feet at Roger's Pass. Now, most of the loop is pretty chill, but Pleasant and South Park Canyons can get gnarly. Think water damage, shifting rocks, and super steep sections. If you're in a stock SUV, you might be sweating bullets, especially heading east in South Park Canyon. It's rocky, it's rough, but it's a loop that'll bring you back down into Panamint Valley. This isn't just some random trail, though. It's got history! The guys who built the Thorndike Mine carved this road out for mules hauling ore. Speaking of mines, you'll see a ton along the way. They look cool, but stay out – they can be super unstable. Of course, Death Valley is, well, Death Valley. It gets HOT. Like, record-breaking hot. Hydrate like your life depends on it (because it kinda does), avoid hiking midday, and prep for anything. If the car goes kaput, stick with it. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, and spiders are also out there. And seriously, avoid canyons if it's raining – flash floods are no joke. Cell service is spotty, so be prepared.

Big Ridgehard

Big Ridge

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, Utah road trippers, listen up! Big Ridge. We're talking a whopping 11,099 feet high in Duchesne County! This isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. Forest Road 199 is a rugged climb, seriously rocky and steep. Winter? Forget about it, totally impassable. If you're not comfy on unpaved, challenging mountain roads, maybe skip this one. Definitely bring your 4x4 and a good dose of courage, because heights are a major player here. Prepare for some seriously steep sections, but the views? Totally worth the white knuckles.