A computer-implemented method, comprising: presenting a map containing a specified location on a display with a field of view that is pointed downward toward a street surface; while presenting the map with the field of view that is pointed downward toward the street surface receiving user input requesting a panorama view of the specified location; in response to the user input requesting the panorama view of the specified location, presenting on the display an animated sequence transitioning from the map to the panorama view of the specified location; and presenting an orientation overlay overlapping the panorama view, wherein: the map comprises a two-dimensional map; the panorama view comprises a three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location, the three-dimensional panorama view providing a three-dimensional street view; the animated sequence comprises: zooming into the specified location on the two-dimensional street map; transitioning from the zoomed two-dimensional map to the three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location with a field of view showing a street surface at the specified location; and tilting the field of view up from the street surface so that the field of view points toward the horizon in the panorama view of the specified location; and the orientation overlay comprises a visual indicator identifying the specified location on a portion of a two-dimensional map, the visual indicator oriented in a direction of the field of view and positioned at a location in the portion of the two-dimensional map corresponding to an origin of the panorama view. presenting a map containing a specified location on a display with a field of view that is pointed downward toward a street surface; while presenting the map with the field of view that is pointed downward toward the street surface receiving user input requesting a panorama view of the specified location; in response to the user input requesting the panorama view of the specified location, presenting on the display an animated sequence transitioning from the map to the panorama view of the specified location; and presenting an orientation overlay overlapping the panorama view, wherein: the map comprises a two-dimensional map; the panorama view comprises a three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location, the three-dimensional panorama view providing a three-dimensional street view; the animated sequence comprises: zooming into the specified location on the two-dimensional street map; transitioning from the zoomed two-dimensional map to the three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location with a field of view showing a street surface at the specified location; and tilting the field of view up from the street surface so that the field of view points toward the horizon in the panorama view of the specified location; and the orientation overlay comprises a visual indicator identifying the specified location on a portion of a two-dimensional map, the visual indicator oriented in a direction of the field of view and positioned at a location in the portion of the two-dimensional map corresponding to an origin of the panorama view. the map comprises a two-dimensional map; the panorama view comprises a three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location, the three-dimensional panorama view providing a three-dimensional street view; the animated sequence comprises: zooming into the specified location on the two-dimensional street map; transitioning from the zoomed two-dimensional map to the three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location with a field of view showing a street surface at the specified location; and tilting the field of view up from the street surface so that the field of view points toward the horizon in the panorama view of the specified location; and the orientation overlay comprises a visual indicator identifying the specified location on a portion of a two-dimensional map, the visual indicator oriented in a direction of the field of view and positioned at a location in the portion of the two-dimensional map corresponding to an origin of the panorama view. zooming into the specified location on the two-dimensional street map; transitioning from the zoomed two-dimensional map to the three-dimensional panorama view of the specified location with a field of view showing a street surface at the specified location; and tilting the field of view up from the street surface so that the field of view points toward the horizon in the panorama view of the specified location; and the orientation overlay comprises a visual indicator identifying the specified location on a portion of a two-dimensional map, the visual indicator oriented in a direction of the field of view and positioned at a location in the portion of the two-dimensional map corresponding to an origin of the panorama view.