A Sweet Throwback to August 2009: Lombard Street Transformed into Candy Land

In August 2009, Lombard Street was transformed into the world's largest Candy Land board game to celebrate the game's 60th anniversary. The street was filled with characters like King Kandy, Princess Lolly, and Queen Frostine, set against the iconic blue, yellow, orange, red, green, and purple path that we all know and love.

Lombard Street, known for its famous winding brick road and beautiful gardens, already looks like a storybook setting, making it the perfect location for this magical event. The team used interlocking mats to cover the street in vibrant Candy Land colors, overcoming the challenge of the street's pitch and curve.

Adults dressed as beloved board game characters, while kids from UCSF Children's Hospital and other local groups acted as the game pieces. This event marked the first time in history that Lombard Street was closed to all vehicular traffic.

The children were split into four teams of six, taking turns as designated card drawers revealed their next move. They ran, cartwheeled, somersaulted, and slid to the next color, adding to the fun and excitement. The event concluded with a sweet celebration where everyone enjoyed a piece of Candy Castle Cake.

The entire event, including setup and breakdown, lasted 11 hours. The famous aerial view photo, which was widely circulated globally, was taken on a semi-overcast day from a helicopter.