Neighborhood he Lombard Motor Inn is located on Lombard street in the Marina District, an area noted for its Victorian architecture and neighborhood charm, with many points of interest nearby. Located in the Russian Hill district, Lombard Street is known as "the crookedest street in the world" because of its eight sharp turns on a 40-degree slope. The turns, known as switchbacks, were built in the 1920s to allow traffic to descend the steep incline. The street zigzags around beautiful flowers and shrubs and offers a nice view of the bay. There are stairways (without curves) on either side of the street for pedestrians. Just a short walk from the Lombard is Union Street, a charming shopping district with converted Victorian houses, fine restaurants, galleries, cafes and saloons. Take an extraordinary views of the Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge and surrounding bay while strolling through nearby Marina Green and Yacht harbor. Within walking distance of the Lombard Motor Inn is the Palace of Fine Arts, created for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition housing the world famous Exploratorium, a hands-on art and science museum. Make getting there half the fun. Hop on an antique cable car at nearby Fisherman's wharf and let it carry you over impressive hills to such popular destinations as Chinatown or Union Square.