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Honda | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> 9-3rd Street in Laguna Beach 2001 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

9-3rd Street in Laguna Beach 2001

3rd Street in Laguna Beach is said by some to be the steepest road in California, but there must be something steeper in Frisco. Anybody know? Anyway, I rode my Gold Wing thru the town in the Summer of 2001 and took these photos. Click on thumbnails.
The bottom part is at Third Str. and Mermaid Str.
The bottom part is at Third Str. and Mermaid Str.		 It doesn't look as steep as it really is.
It doesn't look as steep as it really is.		 That's me at the top of the road waiting to take the Gold Wing...
That's me at the top of the road waiting to take the Gold Wing...
...down Third Str.
...down Third Str.		 This is the view from the top.
This is the view from the top.		 Many folks come here just to take the steep road.
Many folks come here just to take the steep road.
Bikers and skaters love this road as well.
Bikers and skaters love this road as well.		 Take Third Street all the way down and you will run into Downtown Laguna Beach.
Take Third Street all the way down and you will run into Downtown Laguna Beach.		 This will help you find the way. Just go towards the red STAR.
This will help you find the way. Just go towards the red STAR.
This is me at the bottom of the hill.
This is me at the bottom of the hill.

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Fritz 17-Oct-2013 00:25
Torrance Street, between Pringle (at the top) and Keating (at the bottom) in a rather obscure corner of Mission Hills in San Diego also has a one-block section which is just about as steep as Third in Laguna Beach. How does the average layman go about determining the exact gradient of a street, assuming he doesn't have a sextant and surveyor's equipment?
Jay 10-Mar-2013 10:26
Third street was actually a staircase and it was paved over in the 1930's.
Guest 25-Jan-2012 04:56
Back in the day, '70's, they used to have a competition called the "Third Street Hill Climb. It was also to see who could stand up on a skateboard all the way down. Too much liabilty these days.
SteepStreets 20-Dec-2003 03:05
I've actually always wondered if this street, also in Laguna, is just as steep or steeper than 3rd Street.
The top of the hill is actually the intersection of Linden St & Acacia St on the left side of the marked route. It's not far from 3rd Street, but there's hardly ever any traffic on it. I tried to ride a bicycle up it, but if I remember correctly, I stopped when I felt myself pulling on the handle bars so much that I was afraid I would lift the front of the bike off the road surface and flip backwards.
I hope this map link works.

http://mappoint.msn.com/directions.aspx?&StartName=Acacia+St+%26+High+Dr%2c+Laguna+Beach%2c+CA+92651&StartLocation=33.54559%2c-117.78331&EndName=3rd+St%2c+Laguna+Beach%2c+CA+92651&EndLocation=33.54203%2c-117.77997&DataSetLangID=USA%2c409&RouteType=Quickest&RouteUnit=Miles
Virgil 12-Dec-2003 19:22
You may already have your answer but yes, there are a couple of drivable streets in san Francisco (31.5% grade) steeper than 3rd in Laguna (30% grade)however the place to ride the steepest streets in California is L.A. There are at least six blocks I've ridden in the 33%-32% neighborhood, mainly one way but Baxter street (32%)which starts in Silver Lake, crests at that gradient and drops with nice blind tops, keep east and on Echo Park Baxter does it again with 32% on both sides, cool area.
click on thumbnails for full image