SF streets that will absolutely wreck your parallel parking game

Marcus Feldman

@marcusf_sf

9Items

Born here, raised in Bernal, still cannot parallel park to save my life, so obviously I'm qualified to rank the streets that make grown adults cry behind the wheel. These hills separate the tourists from the locals, and honestly some of us locals are still failing the test after 30 years. Bring patience, bring an emergency brake you trust with your life, and maybe bring a burrito for the drive home because you'll have earned it.

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The list

Showing 1–9 of 9

SF streets that will absolutely wreck your parallel parking game — 9 items
Name	Comment	Neighborhood	Steepness
122nd Street	Same brutal grade as Filbert but with a better view of the Mission, so at least you can see your taco destiny while your car threatens to become a rollercoaster.	Dolores Heights	31.5% grade, tied for steepest in SF
3Lombard Street	Yes it's a tourist trap, yes the line of cars is longer than the line at Bi-Rite, and yes I still drive it every time out-of-town friends visit because watching them panic never gets old.	Russian Hill	Eight tight switchbacks, moderate grade
4Vermont Street	The locals' answer to Lombard, less crowded, still curvy enough to make you question your life choices and your steering wheel grip strength.	Potrero Hill	Seven curves, gentler grade than Lombard
6Hyde Street	Sharing a lane with a cable car while trying to parallel park is a very specific San Francisco flavor of stress. I have never once nailed it on the first try.	Russian Hill	Steep, shared with cable car tracks
7California Street	Gorgeous at the top, terrifying in the middle. Rolling backward here in traffic is a rite of passage nobody asked for.	Nob Hill	Steep climb through Nob Hill
8Union Street	Cute boutiques, brunch lines, and a hill just steep enough to make you doubt your parking brake while you're double parked grabbing a coffee.	Cow Hollow	Moderate rolling hill
9Fillmore Street	The hill by the old Bank of America building will make your car groan like it's asking for a raise, honestly relatable given SF rent.	Pacific Heights	Steep climb near the top of the ridge
10Church Street	Cute little neighborhood, brutal little hill. I've seen more than one Muni bus struggle up this thing and honestly same energy as my Monday mornings.	Noe Valley	Steep grade near the Liberty Street rise
1120th Street	Great views of downtown, terrible angle for finding street parking. I parked so badly here once a neighbor left a note, deserved honestly.	Potrero Hill	Steep incline near the crest of Potrero Hill