[Part 8/10] "The Steepest Street in San Francisco" - Spinnin' Wheel

[SittingMooseShaman]

@abbeykroeter...I know it's slim-to-nil that I'll ever get to San Francisco...if however, I did- That corner house at 1:27+ would be 'MY' home! What a view!!

Perfecto! Be that as it may...drivin' hills in a car w/a standard tranny is fun...and yes, it does indeed, become a cool skill...

[abbeykroeter]

That was well done considering how tough it is to capture the steepness of a grade on video. It looks steeper when you are really there, that's all there is to it. And there are other streets that are nearly just as steep, I can't remember the names, but they HAVE to be of similar percentage. I drove those streets for the challenge in an '88 manual transmission honda accord. Tried not to burn the clutch but when someone stopped in front of me going UP, but well, it got "fun".

[StuUngar]

First time in SF, I ended up on Filbert Street and was TOTALLY unexpected for this. When you're not from SF, the steepness of the streets will scare the hell out of you! The women in the car screamed LOL

Later that evening, we were driving about 3-6 blocks east of Powell and ended up driving UP one of these steep roads. Has a similar incline to a roller coaster and you can feel gravity pushing the car in the opposite direction. It feels like there are only a few degrees of incline protecting u.

[SittingMooseShaman]

...nice view, livin' along that ridge... I could get used to that... and drivin' standard- with a hand-brake...for startin' out in 1st gear on a nose-up incline... Worked for me while in Pittsburgh...

[abbeykroeter]

@SittingMooseShaman It does work to use that handbrake and I STILL had to be quick and smooth with that clutch in San Francisco lol. It becomes a skill doesn't it? Hey I've been to PA. and they have some killer hills too don't they? Some pretty country there...

[MrBazzzzinga]

how sf ppl do parllel parking on these steep streets

[65Seasons]

@MrBazzzzinga -- It's not that difficult when you do it quite often. Just make sure that your wheels/tires are turned towards the curb just in case the brakes fail (it's also in the California Driver's Handbook).

[MrBazzzzinga]

@65Seasons good idea pointing wheels toward curb or pavement will do some protection

[Silversteinfan2010]

OMG!! It must be very difficult to parallel park on that damn steep hill huh?

[discgolfinrude]

I hope you had it in 1st gear......wrecking your breaks more than you need to

[65Seasons]

@discgolfinrude - It could be tough on some cars but generally you don't have to shift to first gear to drive on any street in San Francisco. There's one place, "The Old Priest Grade" in Moccasin, Tuolumne County, California near Yosemite National Park, that I know would require lower gears either uphill or downhill or one could burn the brakes. There some videos posted on YT regarding that place. That sector is long and steep... :)

[insanentity]

@65Seasons Lol, I have indeed driven that street up and down when visiting Yosemite a few times. Even in first, it still did a serious number on my new Civic's breaks. But it was a fun experience that I wanted to try just once.

[1brazilnut]

try living on 22nd (my house is actually in this video) and pushing your bike up the hill. TORTURE!!!!

[92AKKORD]

kewwll.....im gettin maa license bakk in 9 monthzz soo im cumin over derr too go down da slopess

[92AKKORD]

kewll...im cummin to visit san franciso soon

dats ard coree slopess

[AMDGamer101]

wat would happen if it snowed there and u had to go up and u cant take any other road HAHA more youtube vids would be posted lol

[65Seasons]

@AMDGamer101 -- that's indeed funny (LOL) to think and some worry for residents. however, just two things:

first, this section of the street is one-way down because it is too steep to allow 2-way traffic. secondly, snow is seldom in San Francisco and if at all, the snowflakes would usually melt very quickly. hail likely, but even that it melts in a few hours. :)

[Lucassandro25]

everyone living in SF is soooo lucky....

it's my dream to visit that place :D and i would do anything to go there

[Gromitdog1]

the 49 mile scenic drive is worthwhile if they still have it marked out.

[65Seasons]

@Gromitdog1, the streets consisting the 49-mile-drive in San Francisco are still marked... and indeed this drive is worth doing.... highly recommended.

[JoMySpace]

i did the same today :-)  31,5 % !!!

[65Seasons]

@JoMySpace, and perhaps while you were driving downhill in San Francisco, I was enjoying my time in Hauptwache, Frankfurt (Nov 26, 2010). I will post some videos in a couple of days. ... :)

[boGGbeatDown]

yea dont think cars can go up that portion huh

[KasiaStalmach]

In the mountains it's usually worse because of the snow

[jbiebergyrl]

i thought i was gona die

[jbiebergyrl]

ohh shit! i fucking cried!

[thebolam85]

Damn those hills were impressively steep. Must be tough if your cyling to wrk with hills like that all around you.

[IoRoberto]

Very nice video and coll suggestions as well.

[9804088248]

i have been there too..

[johnhenrik]

Riding my bicycle on this street? I must try it soon. What I did try was Stanyan St. up to Belgrave Ave. I couldn't do it on my old bike. I'll try it again on my lighter new bike. I read that for a short section (I believe towards the top) it gets to 33%.