Cable car san francisco

San Francisco Cable Car Guide

San Francisco Cable Cars – The Guide.

Cable cars are a historic symbol recognized around the globe and offer real working transportation up the steep hills of San Francisco.

Cable Car Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. every day of the week (7 days a week) – Updated August 2022

You can download our printable cable car map, with all of the stops and top areas or a full San Francisco map. The (very popular) cable cars generally run about every 10 minutes.

From Union Square to the crest of Nob Hill, cable cars offer a thrilling way to move with the City. A ride on San Francisco’s cable cars may be the most iconic and memorable of your entire trip to California. Even people who might dismiss cable cars as a cheesy tourist attraction will admit that there is something incredibly romantic about these rides.

Insider Tips for Riding the Cable Cars

In addition to the tips provided throughout this article, here are some other insider things that will help you to enjoy the best ride possible on a San Francisco cable car:

The Three Cable Car Routes

There are three different cable car routes to choose from in the city. The two main lines, Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason, start off at the busy intersection of Powell and Market and vaguely make their way towards the popular destination of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. These are the two lines that most visitors ride due both to their location and the fact that they climb some major steep hills and give those classic city views to the riders. The other San Francisco cable car route is the California/Van Ness line, which starts at California and Market and continues on until Van Ness.

Note: You can clearly see the exact routes for all of these cable car lines (and their relation to other major city attractions) on our free downloadable San Francisco city map.

Here is a look at some of the major highlights of each of the three lines:

Fun Fact: The California Street cable cars are larger than the cars on the other lines. That’s because they are double-ended cars with an open section and a grip on either end while the other cars are single-ended cars.

The San Francisco transportation pass called The Clipper Card can also be used on MUNI whether you have a monthly pass or cash value on the card. Hand it to the cable car attendant and (s)he can scan it for you. Visitors can get a multi-day MUNI pass that includes cable car access (such as the MUNI and Cable Car 7 Day Passport).

How to Ride the Cable Cars

If you have never ridden a San Francisco cable car before then it can seem kind of confusing to navigate it at first. Don’t worry; it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know what you are doing.

Most visitors will get on the cable car at the beginning or end of the line and ride it all the way to the other end to get the most bang for their buck. There is a cable car turnaround at the intersection of Powell and Market Street near Union Square. The cable cars must be turned around because they only have one grip end with which to grab the cable. It is kind of neat to see the cars turn around here if it’s something you’ve never seen before. Here you can get in line to get on both the Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines. Note that everyone gets in the same line. Look at the sign on the top of the cable car to see which one is about to leave. If the next car isn’t yours and you are next in line, just step to the side and let the people behind you pass. You’ll then be first in line for your car. During busy times, there is likely to be a very long line at this stop. However, the cars run every ten minutes or so and each car holds up 65 people so the line often moves more quickly than you’d expect.

TIP: If you want to avoid the long line then you can walk north a few blocks and get the car at the next stop. The downside to this is that the car will be almost full and you will most likely have to hang on to the side of the car to ride; the upside is that the wait is significantly shorter.

Although many people find it easiest to catch the cable car at the main turnaround, you are allowed to get on the car at any stop along the route. Simply wait at the stop, which is indicated by a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop and gives the line information. The car will stop for you and you can climb on. You do not need to wave it down.

You are allowed to sit in the outside seats or inside seats, stand in the inside section, stand on the back section or stand on the footstep area on either side of the car. In the latter case, you will need to hold on to the pole in front of you as you ride. If you are looking for the most adventurous ride then you’ll want to be in the front of the car, standing on the running board and hanging on to that pole. This is the best spot on San Francisco’s cable cars and sure beats being cooped up inside where you won’t see anything. Just make sure to scoot your boot when passing other cable cars and traffic; you don’t want to turn yourself into road-pizza because your caboose got clipped by a delivery truck.

Tip: It’s a lot warmer in that inside section so if you’re not trying to stake out a great view and just want to enjoy the ride in comfort then choose those inside seats.

Wherever you catch your ride and wherever you choose to sit, you should get fully onto the cable car and find your seat immediately, allowing others to get on as well. The attendant will then come around to see your ticket or collect your fare. Make life easier for everyone by having your ticket or fare money out and ready when he comes around.

There are no buttons to push or bells to ring to let the driver know that you want to get off of the cable car. On busy days, the cable car will stop at all of the stops along the route and you can just get off when it stops. The same is true if you are riding the car all the way until the end of the line. However, if it is a slow day, you may want to let the driver or attendant know what stop you want. You can tell them when you get on the ride or as the stop approaches. They’ll stop for you and you can be on your way.

Note: You can get exact information on where stops are located and the timetables of operation through SFMTA.

Cable Cars: Transportation vs. Tourist Attraction

Many people assume that the cable cars are just a ride that the tourists go on. While it is definitely one of the city’s major attractions, it is also a viable form of transportation and one that people who live in the city sometimes do use (although usually only in the offseason when the cars aren’t so jam-packed!) This is important to know even as a visitor because there are a few rare instances in which the cable car is actually quicker and more convenient than the bus system. For example, during peak hours in low-tourism seasons it can be faster to take a cable car to Chinatown than to take a bus. (Note, however, that it’s also more expensive!)

San Francisco Cable Car History

The San Francisco Cable Car system is the last working system of its kind in the world. The cable cars move by gripping an underground cable that is in constant motion, powered by an engine located in a central powerhouse. The “grip man” on board the cable car is responsible for operating the grip and ringing the bell. The car also has a conductor or attendant who takes the fare and helps keep an eye on everything for the grip man.

The cable car system in San Francisco was built in 1873. Local legend has it that Andrew Hallidie was inspired to build the cable car system when he witnessed some wagon horses fall to their deaths due to the steepness of Jackson Street. By 1890 it had nearly two dozen lines operating to get people all around the city. This system served as a model for similar systems in cities around the world. However, the system was short lived because electric streetcars were developed towards the end of the nineteenth century and provided a more efficient and cost-effective system of getting around. The final nail in the original cable car system was the 1906 earthquake, which damaged so much of the city’s existing infrastructure.

By 1912 only three cable car lines remained (and those only because they could get up the steepest streets that the electric streetcars couldn’t navigate). By the 1920s there were also buses as alternatives to these lines. However, some people did want to keep the historic cable cars running and there was a lot of debate about how to do so. Changes have been made to the lines over time but today the three main lines do continue to run. Learn more on cable car history here!

Fun Fact: The cable cars are the only mobile National Monument in the world, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cable Car Special Events

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the month of July then you won’t want to miss the annual cable car bell ringing contests, which happen on either the second or third Thursday of the month. The contests are held in Union Square and draw thousands of spectators, both locals and visitors. Some of the grip men are extremely good at what they do and the applause that they receive can be thunderous with approval. Grab a hot dog and make a day of it; the event draws celebrities and local dignitaries like the Mayor of San Francisco so you know you’ll be in for a wild time.

Do you have your own special event in the city? You can actually charter a cable car for your group. Learn more at SFMTA.

Cable Car Museums

If you want to learn more about San Francisco cable cars then check out The Cable Car Museum at the corner of Mason St. and Washington St. This is a free museum that is open every day of the year except for the major holidays. You can see some of the historic cable cars, learn all about the different eras of the San Francisco cable car and see photographs of the cars in action. The neatest part, though, is that this is actually the powerhouse of the cable car system and you can see the huge engines at work as they pull the massive cables that run the cars.

Another free museum is the SF Railway Museum, which is located close to the San Francisco Ferry Building. This museum has information about the cable cars as well as the historic F-line trolleys in San Francisco. Learn all about the history of varied rail transit in the city through the exhibits at this museum, which is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

Cable Cars in San Francisco: Discover Their History, Routes and Tips for Riding

Updated: June 17, 2022

Do you want a fun way to get around the city? If so, then the cable cars in San Francisco are the way to go!

The SF cable cars run seven days a week including holidays. They are a popular forum of transportation not only for tourists, but also for residents.

The first SF cable car line was put on the tracks on August 2, 1873. Horses and carriages had a very tough time getting up and down the steep hills, especially when it was raining. So, the system was built to get San Franciscans around safely.

The city kept adding more and by 1889 it consisted of eight different lines. Over the years, the use of the cable cars in the city declined as faster transportation was developed.

In 1947, the city attempted to close down all of the San Francisco cable car lines. The locals protested and were able to retain the remaining three cable car lines that still run today.

The oldest line still in operation is the California cable car line. It currently runs up and down California Street from Nob Hill to the Financial District.

San Francisco Cable Car Routes

The map below shows you each of the three San Francisco cable car routes. The arrows indicate the starting/ending point of each line.

The green arrows are for the Powell/Hyde line, the red arrows are for the California line and the blue ones are for the Powell/Mason line.

Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

How to Use the San Francisco Cable Cars

How do you use the cable cars in San Francisco? If this is your first visit or the first time riding the cable cars, there is no need to worry. They are easy to pay, ride and use. Here are a few things to keep in mind before your first ride.

Climbing Aboard: You will board the cable cars on either the front or the back. The first step is quite steep, so grab one of the railings to help you climb aboard. You are welcome to sit either inside or out.

There are also several places for those interesting in standing. If you waited in line for a while, the outside seats and standing spots will fill up first. You are welcome to stay in line for the next cable car if you decide you want a better seat than what is available.

Paying: You can either pay in cash (exact change is required) or with your Muni card. You can also use your Muni passport to ride the cable cars in San Francisco. An attendant on board will be available for payment.

They are typically in the front of the cable car. You can’t miss them, and their job is to find you to collect for boarding. Riding the cable cars is not free.

Standing Riders: If you get a coveted standing spot, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will need to stand for the entire trip or for about 35 to 40 minutes. Make sure to keep your hands and feet inside the cable car and don’t lean out. Make sure to hold on tight!

Exiting: The cable cars stops are very different from our other public transit options. The cable car lines are in the middle of busy streets and the cars do not stop when the cable cars stop to let off passengers.

Before you step off the car, check for traffic before you proceed. You will then want to hurry over to the sidewalk to avoid any oncoming traffic. Also, make sure to wait until the cable car has come to a full stop before exiting.

These are just a few quick things to help you prepare for a safe ride on our historic cable cars.

Powell/Hyde Line: Union Square, Lombard Street to Fisherman’s Wharf

The Powell/Hyde line is one of two cable cars in San Francisco that run from Union Square to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.

This is my favorite line, since you get the chance to pass by Lombard Street and see amazing views of the bay on the final hill of the ride. It’s the one I always recommend when you ride from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Powell/Hyde line beings near Union Square at the turn style at Powell Street and Market Street. Powell dead ends right before Market Street and you’ll see the starting point for this line once you arrive. This line goes up Powell Street for about a mile.

It then turns west and goes forward for about five blocks. Then it turns north again onto Hyde Street. It then follows Hyde Street all the way down to Jefferson Street and ends in the wonderful Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood.

Local secret: Try to sit in the front of the cable car on the east side. This gives you the best view. If you aren’t sure which way is east, your seat will face away from Sephora.

By sitting here, you are in the best position to get a look at the famous Lombard Street. You are also in a great position to see the SF bay as you head down Hyde Street toward Fisherman’s Wharf.

Double check the signs for this SF cable car when you board. The Powell/Mason line picks up in the same location, so make sure you read the signs before boarding.

The stop at Lombard Street give you the opportunity to hop off and take pictures. This cable car is an excellent choice to select if you are heading straight to Lombard Street, Ghirardelli Square, Aquatic Park or other location on the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf.

If you hop off at Lombard Street to take some photos or to walk down «the most crooked street in SF», you have a few options to get to Fisherman’s Wharf:

Without question, the Powell/Hyde is my favorite of the cable cars in San Francisco. The ride has the most hills and it is fun to see Lombard Street along the way.

Local Secret: When picking up this cable car from Fisherman’s Wharf, do not stand in line at the turn style at Hyde and Beach Streets waiting for your turn.

Simply walk up Hyde Street to the stop at North Point Street. When the cable car leaves the turn style, there is always a little room to pick up passengers along the way.

This locals’ technique will save you up to two to three hours of time standing in line! You can also use this technique for any stop on the routes. Even though you won’t get the best seat, at least you don’t have to wait in line as long.

Powell/Mason Line

The Powell/Mason line runs from Union Square to Fisherman’s Wharf. This line takes a slightly different route to get to Fisherman’s Wharf.

I recommend taking this one on the trip from Fisherman’s Wharf to Union Square. By taking the Powell/Hyde line one direction and this one other direction, you get to see some different sights in the city.

I would recommend the same seating location as the Powell/Mason line. This allows you to look out over the east side of San Francisco.

This line heads up Powell Street. It does a quick turn on Jackson Street and after one block it then turns again north up Mason Street.

If you are heading towards North Beach or Fisherman’s Wharf for the day, this is the line to choose. You can jump off at Columbus Street in North Beach.

You can also ride all the way to Bay Street and walk just three blocks to Jefferson Street (the main street in Fisherman’s Wharf).

An added attraction for this line is the Cable Car Museum. It stops right in front on the museum, so you can quickly jump off and head inside for a visit.

Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt: Want to have fun while learning more about San Francisco? Check out this cool, self-guided Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt. You’ll be given clues that you will have to solve to find the next location on your scavenger hunt. It’s a fun option for the entire family!

California Line

The California line is the only line to run east to west. It starts at California and Market Streets in the Financial District. This is the cable car in San Francisco that heads up and over Nob Hill and ends at Van Ness and California Streets.

Seating Tips for Market Street: If you pick the cable car up at Market Street, find a seat in the back on the north side facing the Hyatt Hotel. From these seats, you will get a great look down the hill as you head up California Street.

Seating Tips for Van Ness: If you catch the cable car at California and Van Ness, I recommend you sit in the front on the north side of the car. You know you are in the right seats if you are facing away from Starbucks and Wells Fargo.

These seats afford you a view of Grace Cathedral, the Fairmont Hotel and one of the old ‘Big Four’ mansions (the Flood Mansion) at California and Mason Streets. You also great some great views of the city as you head up or down the steep hill of California Street.

San Francisco Cable Car Schedule

The cable cars in San Francisco run 365 days a year including holidays. You will find that tourists aren’t the only ones that use them to get around the city, so they are always in operation.

All three San Francisco cable car lines start around 7 am and run until around 10:30 pm daily.

All of them run often and leave about every 15 to 20 minutes.

Payment Options, Tips & Discount Passes

If you decide to hop off, you will have to pay again to re-board and finish the route. The cable cars do not offer transfers.

How to the San Francisco Cable Cars Work?

How do the cable cars in San Francisco work? Cable cars do not have a motor or an engine.

They are pulled along the streets in San Francisco by large cables which are pulled by large wheels. These large cable wheels are powered by engines in a wheel-house inside the Cable Car Museum and Barn in the heart of San Francisco.

This museum is free, and you are welcome to come and watch these wheels in action every day of the week. Each cable’s wheel has a sign above it, so you can see which cables are currently pulling cars around the city streets.

Alcatraz Tours: If you have not booked your trip to Alcatraz, then read this section before you book. It tells you all you need to know about the difference between the morning and night tours. This information will help you decide which tour is right for you.

Attractions by Neighborhood: Discover some of the top attractions by neighborhood. If you want to plan out your trip by neighborhood, I recommend reviewing the information on this page. You can find some great places to visit during your stay.

Museums: There are a number of great museums in San Francisco. Are you looking for history museums? What about art museums? Check out this page to find more about some of the best San Francisco museums.

Трамвай на веревочке в Сан-Франциско (Cable Car)

— Давеча еду в трамвае. И стою, конечно, на площадке, поскольку я не любитель внутри ехать. Стою на площадке и любуюсь окружающей панорамой. (Михаил Зощенко «В трамвае»)

Стою на площадке и любуюсь окружающей панорамой

Когда садишься на этот трамвайчик без мотора, то, как будто, переносишься в конец XIX века. В то время кабельные трамваи были распространены в крупных городах США и Великобритании, но в настоящее время сохранились только в Сан-Франциско и возведены здесь в ранг туристической достопримечательности. Каждый турист считает своим долгом сделать в Сан-Франциско фото с трамвайчиком и прокатиться на нем.

Туристам особенно нравится ехать, стоя на подножке трамвая

Как любой уважающий себя турист, я тоже решила испытать на себе это чудо техники. Сказать по правде, мне было боязно ехать на этом, по сути, примитивном транспорте по крутым холмам города. Вдруг трамвай отцепится от троса и покатится назад вниз? К счастью, этого никогда не случалось. Когда вагоновожатый начинал тормозить на крутом спуске, в воздухе пахло паленым от трения тормозного устройства, тем самым добавляя адреналина пассажирам.

Живописные вагончики трамвая вносят свою ощутимую лепту в неповторимость Сан-Франциско

Для меня само устройство трамвая, движущегося с помощью лебедок было диво-дивное и я так до конца и не представляю как же это все устроено. Несмотря на старину, и казалось бы хрупкость этих вагончиков, ездят они довольно шустро как с горы так и в гору.

Трамвай тянут наверх постоянно движущиеся тросы

Трамвай на механической тяге спокойно поднимается на крутой холм

Все кабельные трамваи, передвигающиеся по улицам Сан-Франциско, относятся к категории национальных памятников США. Это единственные национальные памятники, которые не стоят на месте, а двигаются. Когда и откуда взялась эта идея передвижения с помощью кабельного трамвая?

Кабельный трамвайчик также как и сто лет назад перевозит пассажиров

Трамваи Сан-Франциско считаются национальным достоянием

Сан-Франциско абсолютно уникален по рельефу. Много городов построено на холмах, но ни один город не стоит на такой крутой горе с плотной застройкой. Там невозможно организовать серпантины. Все улицы прямые, и это натуральные обрывы. Пассионарность американцев, страсть к техническим новинкам и — одновременно — очень бережное, трепетное отношение к историческому наследию обусловили существование кабельного трамвая в нетронутом виде.

Сан-Франциско построен на крутых холмах

Кабельный трамвай сохранили в том виде, в котором он существовал век назад

Холмы Сан-Франциско придают езде на кабельных трамваях дополнительную прелесть. На некоторых холмах угол подъема превышает 20 градусов.

Угол подъема на некоторых холмах города очень большой

В Сан-Франциско езда по крутым холмам привычна только для его жителей

Еще одной их особенностью является то, что передняя площадка его открыта и часть людей едет стоя на подножке, счастливо улыбаясь прохожим-туристам, постоянно фотографирующим это движущееся чудо.

От желающих прокатиться на необычном трамвае нет отбоя

Когда вступает в строй новый трамвай, он тоже моментально становится национальным памятником. Кабельные трамваи перемещаются за счет троса, который находится неглубоко под землей, в расположенном между рельсами желобе. Трос непрерывно движется, поэтому когда находишься на улице, по которой ездят кабельные трамваи, слышишь непрекращающееся «ж-ж-ж-жуж-ж-ж-жание».

Трос, который тянет трамвай, находится неглубоко под землей в расположенном между рельсами желобе

Канатный трамвай двигается за счёт троса, который тянется по всей длине его маршрута. Водитель цепляется к тросу чем-то похожим на гигантские пассатижи и трос влечет трамвай за собой. Стальной трос диаметром в полтора дюйма (примерно 3.8 см) проходит под землёй, в специальной канавке между трамвайными рельсами. Если туда заглянуть, его прекрасно видно — он всегда движется с постоянной скоростью — около 15 км/ч. Соответственно, в самих вагончиках отсутствует какой-либо мотор. Для того чтобы ехать, они цепляются за этот трос специальным зажимом. Если нужно остановиться, кондуктор открывает зажим, отпуская трос и приводит в действие тормоза (есть целых три системы торможения).

Трос в углублении постоянно движется со скоростью 15 км/ч

На участках, где рельсы лезут в гору останавливаться проблематично, поэтому в таких местах все остановки происходят на перекрёстках — там дорога горизонтальная. Кстати от водителя канатного трамвая (его называют gripman), требуется огромная сила и координация. Рычаг, который управляет зажимом очень тяжёлый, а закрывать и раскрывать его надо в очень точных местах. Отпусти трос на секунду раньше нужного и трамвай покатится назад вниз по склону.

На историческом фото видно, что не все холмы Сан-Франциско еще застроены

Проезжаем на историческом памятнике мимо исторического памятника

Жилые дома Сан-Франциско ни с чем не спутаешь

На перекрестках, где два троса пересекаются и один проходит поверх другого, грипмэн трамвая на «нижнем» тросе должен в правильном месте отпустить его, чтоб вагон проехал это пересечение по инерции. Если он зазевается, и не сделает этого в нужнуй момент, то верхний трос может получить серьёзные повреждения. Пройдя опасное место, трос захватывается вновь, и трамвай едет дальше, а для пассажиров эта манипуляция схожа с переключением скоростей водителем автобуса и они ничего не замечают.

При спуске с крутого холма чувствуется запах паленого

Интересна решена проблема с поворотами, например на перекрестке улиц Powell & California, где соединяются две линии кабельных трамваев. Трос одной линии (Powell) проходит под тросом другой. Поэтому водитель одного из трамваев должен отцепиться от своего троса, проехать перекресток по инерции и зацепиться опять за трос. Если отцепившейся трамвай по каким-то причинам остановится на перекрестке, потом его нужно будет толкать руками, пока он не сможет прицепиться к тросу опять.

Место соединения двух линий кабельных путей

Поворот кабельный трамвай производит за счет силы инерции движения

Самая известная конечная остановка — угол Powell & Market. Как правило, здесь много туристов, которые стоят в очереди, чтобы прокатиться. Здесь, пожалуй самое интересное и зрелищное действо — это как трамвайчики разворачивают на конечной остановке маршрута. Видна площадка, на которой трамвай разворачивают — вручную!, чтобы он мог поехать в обратную сторону. Хорошо виден желоб между рельсами, по которому проходит движущийся трос. Разворачивать трос так, чтоб трамвай мог бы вместе с ним развернуться было бы очень сложно, поэтому в конце каждой линии стоят подвижные круги с отрезком рельсов посередине. Вагон подкатывается к такому кругу, отпускает трос, и его руками заталкивают на круг. После этого грипмэн с помощником разворачивают трамвай на месте, пока он не поравняется с рельсами в обратную сторону.

Вагон разворачивают вручную на специальном вращающемся круге

На улицах города, где проложен маршрут кабельного трамвая, стоит знак STOP для всех, кроме кабельного трамвая, у которых есть преимущество перед остальными видами транспорта.

У кабельного трамвая есть преимущество перед всеми видами транспорта, которые обязаны уступать ему дорогу

Эти милые старые вагончики скорее являются забавой для туристов, нежели серьёзным видом общественного транспорта. Уникальность этой системы передвижения делает её очень интересной с инженерной точки зрения. На сегодняшний день ни один другой город в мире не может похвастаться действующими трамвайчиками, работающими по такому принципу.

Так как маршрут трамвая проложен по крутому холму, то остановки сделаны прямо на горизонтальных перекрестках

Сердце всей этой конструкции находится в депо — в здании длиной 80 метров. Все тросы под дорогой сходятся к одному зданию, в подвале которого находится моторная станция. Там, внутри, огромные моторы General Electric крутят четыре набора больших колёс, которые и гонят по городу четыре длинных троса (по одному для каждого из маршрутов, и ещё один, чтоб доставлять трамваи в депо на ночь). В само здание депо можно попасть всем желающим за дополнительную плату. Мы туда не пошли, но есть огромное количество видео на youtube, где можно посмотреть как эта система действует.

В здании депо огромные катушки тянут тросы

Колёса эти могут ездить взад-вперёд, чтоб поддерживать нужное напряжение в тросе (иначе он может соскочить!) Каждый трос с годами ослабевает, и колесо отодвигается всё дальше и дальше, чтоб держать его натянутым. Когда дальше отъезжать уже некуда, трос меняют — это трудный процесс, но механики должны успеть всё сделать за одну ночь, пока трамваи стоят. Тросы меняют каждые 6-8 месяцев, так как они от нагрузок со временем вытягиваются.

Трамвай делает остановку на горизонтальной площадке перекрестка

История возникновения такого необычного вида транспорта началась с Andrew Smith Hallidie. Эндрю был предпринимателем, к трамваям он не имел никакого отношения, его фирма делала тросы, веревки и канаты — очень важный товар для золотоискателей. Как-то раз он увидел, как повозка, запряженная пятью лошадьми-тяжеловесами, сорвалась с холма на улице Сан-Франциско. Погибли все, лошади в том числе. Через самое непродолжительное время после этого несчастного случая Andrew Smith Hallidie вошел в мэрию со своим проектом.

Оригинальная идея создания трамвая на механической тяге пришла предпринимателю Andrew Smith Hallidie

«Иду я по Бердичеву и, вдруг, гляжу — по улице в трамвае Билл Клинтон едет! Ну ничего себе! Кто бы мог подумать, что в Бердичеве пустят трамвай?!» А вот в Сан-Франциско трамвай пустили и кто только на нем не катался! Первая успешно работающая канатная уличная железная дорога была открыта в Сан-Франциско в 1873 году, она называлась Clay Street Hill Railroad. Канатный трамвай пользовался успехом. Многие предприниматели строили трамваи такого типа в Сан-Франциско и других городах. Благодаря патентным выплатам Andrew Smith Hallidie стал богатым человеком.

Первая канатная уличная железная дорога была открыта в Сан-Франциско в 1873 году

Эта немыслимая конструкция действительно переносит нас на 150 лет назад, когда всё делалось грубой мускульной силой. Водитель водит трамвай и использует свою силу. Он стоит посередине вагона между лавками. Всю дорогу он исполняет очень сложный танец, играя двумя рычагами, захватом и тормозом. Есть еще педаль, она тоже управляет тормозами. Трос смазан лубрикантом, позволяющем захвату проскальзывать. Сейчас это какой-то полимер (уступка прогрессу), а раньше была смола. Поэтому трамвай в прежние времена был со специфическим запахом.

Водитель такого трамвая должен обладать недюжинной силой

Кондуктор также участвует в вождении трамвая, в его распоряжении один из тормозов

Вагоны канатного трамвая полу-открытые.Спереди и сзади площадки, куда запрыгивают пассажиры. У этих вагонов сбоку особо широкие приступочки и на них тоже можно ездить. Из за такой особенности конструкции, сидений в них не так много и расположены они так, чтобы пассажиры сидя смотрели наружу. Сразу ясно, сделано для туристов.

Что может быть лучше, чем кабельный трамвай? Два кабельных трамвая!

Стоим на задней площадке трамвая

Трамвайчик едет с небольшой скоростью

В общем-то, никакого смысла в кабельных трамваях давно нет, современные автомобили и автобусы справляются с задачей ползания по этим горам гораздо лучше. Но историческая ценность существования кабельного трамвая огромен. Очень впечатляют наблюдения за тем, как трудились наши прапрадеды. Еще более удивительно, как работала техническая мысль, когда примитивнейшими средствами создавались довольно сложные инженерные сооружения. И тем более интересно, что сеть кабельных трамваев Сан-Франциско работает в наши дни в точности так же, как и более ста лет назад. «Разные возвышенные мысли приходят. Разные гуманные фразы теснятся в голове. … И вдруг кондуктор разбивает моё возвышенное настроение» (М.З.), зычно выкрикнув название нашей остановки. Мы выходим и на этом наши трамвайные приключения заканчиваются.

Одна из конечных остановок находится у залива

Вагончики быстро заполняются пассажирами на конечной остановке

И напоследок приглашаю в путешествие(видео) на кабельном трамвае.

Часть 1

Часть 2

Cable car san francisco

Cable cars are a historic symbol recognized around the globe and offer real working transportation up the steep hills of San Francisco. The cable cars begin their runs at 6 a.m. and continue until midnight. You can download our printable cable car map, with all of the stops and top areas or a full San Francisco map. The (very popular) cable cars generally run about every 10 minutes.

From Union Square to the crest of Nob Hill, cable cars offer a thrilling way to move with the City. A ride on San Francisco’s cable cars may be the most iconic and memorable of your entire trip to California. Even people who might dismiss cable cars as a cheesy tourist attraction will admit that there is something incredibly romantic about these rides.

Cable Car Tickets and Operating Hours

Insider Tips for Riding the Cable Cars

In addition to the tips provided throughout this article, here are some other insider things that will help you to enjoy the best ride possible on a San Francisco cable car:

The Three Cable Car Routes

There are three different cable car routes to choose from in the city. The two main lines, Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason, start off at the busy intersection of Powell and Market and vaguely make their way towards the popular destination of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. These are the two lines that most visitors ride due both to their location and the fact that they climb some major steep hills and give those classic city views to the riders. The other San Francisco cable car route is the California/Van Ness line, which starts at California and Market and continues on until Van Ness.

Note: You can clearly see the exact routes for all of these cable car lines (and their relation to other major city attractions) on our free downloadable San Francisco city map.

Here is a look at some of the major highlights of each of the three lines:

Fun Fact: The California Street cable cars are larger than the cars on the other lines. That’s because they are double-ended cars with an open section and a grip on either end while the other cars are single-ended cars.

The San Francisco transportation pass called The Clipper Card can also be used on MUNI whether you have a monthly pass or cash value on the card. Hand it to the cable car attendant and (s)he can scan it for you. Visitors can get a multi-day MUNI pass that includes cable car access (such as the MUNI and Cable Car 7 Day Passport).

How to Ride the Cable Cars

If you have never ridden a San Francisco cable car before then it can seem kind of confusing to navigate it at first. Don’t worry; it’s actually pretty straightforward once you know what you are doing.

Most visitors will get on the cable car at the beginning or end of the line and ride it all the way to the other end to get the most bang for their buck. There is a cable car turnaround at the intersection of Powell and Market Street near Union Square. The cable cars must be turned around because they only have one grip end with which to grab the cable. It is kind of neat to see the cars turn around here if it’s something you’ve never seen before. Here you can get in line to get on both the Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines. Note that everyone gets in the same line. Look at the sign on the top of the cable car to see which one is about to leave. If the next car isn’t yours and you are next in line, just step to the side and let the people behind you pass. You’ll then be first in line for your car. During busy times, there is likely to be a very long line at this stop. However, the cars run every ten minutes or so and each car holds up 65 people so the line often moves more quickly than you’d expect.

TIP: If you want to avoid the long line then you can walk north a few blocks and get the car at the next stop. The downside to this is that the car will be almost full and you will most likely have to hang on to the side of the car to ride; the upside is that the wait is significantly shorter.

Although many people find it easiest to catch the cable car at the main turnaround, you are allowed to get on the car at any stop along the route. Simply wait at the stop, which is indicated by a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop and gives the line information. The car will stop for you and you can climb on. You do not need to wave it down.

You are allowed to sit in the outside seats or inside seats, stand in the inside section, stand on the back section or stand on the footstep area on either side of the car. In the latter case, you will need to hold on to the pole in front of you as you ride. If you are looking for the most adventurous ride then you’ll want to be in the front of the car, standing on the running board and hanging on to that pole. This is the best spot on San Francisco’s cable cars and sure beats being cooped up inside where you won’t see anything. Just make sure to scoot your boot when passing other cable cars and traffic; you don’t want to turn yourself into road-pizza because your caboose got clipped by a delivery truck.

Tip: It’s a lot warmer in that inside section so if you’re not trying to stake out a great view and just want to enjoy the ride in comfort then choose those inside seats.

Wherever you catch your ride and wherever you choose to sit, you should get fully onto the cable car and find your seat immediately, allowing others to get on as well. The attendant will then come around to see your ticket or collect your fare. Make life easier for everyone by having your ticket or fare money out and ready when he comes around.

There are no buttons to push or bells to ring to let the driver know that you want to get off of the cable car. On busy days, the cable car will stop at all of the stops along the route and you can just get off when it stops. The same is true if you are riding the car all the way until the end of the line. However, if it is a slow day, you may want to let the driver or attendant know what stop you want. You can tell them when you get on the ride or as the stop approaches. They’ll stop for you and you can be on your way.

Note: You can get exact information on where stops are located and the timetables of operation through SFMTA.

Cable Cars: Transportation vs. Tourist Attraction

Many people assume that the cable cars are just a ride that the tourists go on. While it is definitely one of the city’s major attractions, it is also a viable form of transportation and one that people who live in the city sometimes do use (although usually only in the offseason when the cars aren’t so jam-packed!) This is important to know even as a visitor because there are a few rare instances in which the cable car is actually quicker and more convenient than the bus system. For example, during peak hours in low-tourism seasons it can be faster to take a cable car to Chinatown than to take a bus. (Note, however, that it’s also more expensive!)

San Francisco Cable Car History

The San Francisco Cable Car system is the last working system of its kind in the world. The cable cars move by gripping an underground cable that is in constant motion, powered by an engine located in a central powerhouse. The «grip man» on board the cable car is responsible for operating the grip and ringing the bell. The car also has a conductor or attendant who takes the fare and helps keep an eye on everything for the grip man.

The cable car system in San Francisco was built in 1873. Local legend has it that Andrew Hallidie was inspired to build the cable car system when he witnessed some wagon horses fall to their deaths due to the steepness of Jackson Street. By 1890 it had nearly two dozen lines operating to get people all around the city. This system served as a model for similar systems in cities around the world. However, the system was short lived because electric streetcars were developed towards the end of the nineteenth century and provided a more efficient and cost-effective system of getting around. The final nail in the original cable car system was the 1906 earthquake, which damaged so much of the city’s existing infrastructure.

By 1912 only three cable car lines remained (and those only because they could get up the steepest streets that the electric streetcars couldn’t navigate). By the 1920s there were also buses as alternatives to these lines. However, some people did want to keep the historic cable cars running and there was a lot of debate about how to do so. Changes have been made to the lines over time but today the three main lines do continue to run. Learn more on cable car history here!

Fun Fact: The cable cars are the only mobile National Monument in the world, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cable Car Special Events

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting during the month of July then you won’t want to miss the annual cable car bell ringing contests, which happen on either the second or third Thursday of the month. The contests are held in Union Square and draw thousands of spectators, both locals and visitors. Some of the grip men are extremely good at what they do and the applause that they receive can be thunderous with approval. Grab a hot dog and make a day of it; the event draws celebrities and local dignitaries like the Mayor of San Francisco so you know you’ll be in for a wild time.

Do you have your own special event in the city? You can actually charter a cable car for your group. Learn more at SFMTA.

Cable Car Museums

If you want to learn more about San Francisco cable cars then check out The Cable Car Museum at the corner of Mason St. and Washington St. This is a free museum that is open every day of the year except for the major holidays. You can see some of the historic cable cars, learn all about the different eras of the San Francisco cable car and see photographs of the cars in action. The neatest part, though, is that this is actually the powerhouse of the cable car system and you can see the huge engines at work as they pull the massive cables that run the cars.

Another free museum is the SF Railway Museum, which is located close to the San Francisco Ferry Building. This museum has information about the cable cars as well as the historic F-line trolleys in San Francisco. Learn all about the history of varied rail transit in the city through the exhibits at this museum, which is open Tuesdays through Sundays.

How to Ride a Cable Car in San Francisco

You may think of riding a San Francisco’s cable car as a city «sight» rather than as transportation. Most people do, and who wouldn’t? Cable cars in San Francisco are cute and old-fashioned, in the best kind of way.

This guide will help you enjoy your cable car ride with a minimum of fuss, disappointment, and aggravation.

How the Cable Cars Work

Before you start to ride a cable car, you need to know about the people who run them, and what their jobs are. Each cable car has a staff of two. The conductor sells tickets and looks after the passengers.

The grip person is the driver. They use levers and handles to grab or release a moving cable that runs in a continuous loop beneath the street.

To stop, the grip puts on the brake, which is nothing more than a big piece of wood that drags the ground. The grip is also the bell-ringer, signaling the car’s approach.

San Francisco Cable Car Map: Where They Go, Which One to Ride

Three cable car lines run through San Francisco. The map shows their routes.

Two lines take off from the same hub near Union Square. Check the signs on the cars to be sure you get on the one you intend to.

Both the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines pass Union Square and the Cable Car Museum (Washington at Mason). For Chinatown, get off at California or Sacramento and walk two blocks to Grant).

Powell-Hyde Line (Green)

The Powell-Hyde line runs from the corner of Powell and Market Streets to the end of Hyde at the waterfront near Ghirardelli Square.

If you want to go to the top of and walk down it, this is the car to take.

For maximum fun, take the Powell-Hyde Line from Union Square to the top of Lombard Street, get off and walk down the «crooked» street. From there you can continue to the waterfront, or get off at the end of the line near Ghirardelli Square and walk two blocks along the waterfront to Fisherman’s Wharf.

The Powell-Hyde boarding area at the waterfront can be super-busy with long lines. You can get on a car faster by walking a few blocks over to the intersection of Taylor and North Point streets to catch the Powell-Mason line instead.

Powell-Mason Line (Blue)

Powell-Mason starts near Union Square at Powell and Market Streets and runs to the intersection of Mason and North Point.

To get to North Beach, take this line and get off at Filbert then walk one block to Columbus. To get to Fisherman’s Wharf, go to the end of the line and walk two blocks toward the waterfront.

Use the Powell-Mason line to go to Union Square from the waterfront. Its boarding area is less busy than the one at Hyde Street.

California Line (Red)

If all you want to do is say you rode a cable car, this is the one. It’s the least busy of the three. It’s also full of thrills as it climbs the steep hill from California and Market to the top of Nob Hill, then runs back downhill to Van Ness.

Get off at California and Taylor to explore the surrounding Nob Hill area and walk from there to Chinatown or downhill to Union Square.

Fares and How to Get Cable Car Tickets

Everyone who is older than four needs a ticket to ride the cable car.

Your payment is good for only one ride. If you get off for any reason — even if it’s only to tie your shoe —you’ll pay again.

If you find a long line when you arrive at the cable car stop, be smart. Send one person to buy tickets while the rest of your group gets in line.

Ways to Get Cable Car Tickets

You can buy single-ride tickets from the conductor on the cable car. Have small bills available if you plan to do that.

Visitor Passports allow unlimited rides on cable cars, the Market Street F-Line streetcar, and city-run buses. You can get a paper pass or use the MuniMobile app.

You can also get tickets and passes from machines or attended booths at Powell and Market (near Union Square) and Hyde at Beach (just below Ghirardelli Square).

The San Francisco CityPass gives better prices on attractions and includes a MUNI passport.

Boarding the Cable Car

The physical part of boarding is easy. Just step up, and you’re on.

Figuring out how to get a cable car to pick you up instead of rattling by is harder. First, look for a sign like the one in the picture. Wait on the curb next to it.

Check the sign to make sure the car you’re boarding is going to your destination. The sign above says the car that stops there is going to Bay and Taylor.

Wave as soon as you see the car approaching to signal you want to get on. For safety, stay on the curb until the car stops, then walk out to it, checking for approaching automobiles.

If the cable car is full (and it can sometimes be jam-packed for several stops after it leaves the end of a line), it won’t stop no matter how much you wave or yell. If there’s no room, there’s just no room. If several of them pass you, all too full to stop, it may be time to re-evaluate your plans.

Where to Ride: In Or Out?

If you’re riding the cable car for the fun of the experience, choose the seating that suits you best. One of the best spots is between the rows of benches at the back, just behind the grip where you can see out and also watch them work. For safety, you’ll have to stay clear of their workspace.

If you ride standing up on the outside of the cable car, you can see everything and feel the wind in your hair. If you sit on the outside benches, you can still feel the wind but will have to peek around others who can block your view.

If you ride inside the car, you can see a little bit out of the windows, but only if you stand up. If you sit down in a crowded car, all you’ll see are the hip pockets of your fellow passengers.

How to Get Off the Cable Car

Getting off a cable car sounds easy, doesn’t it? You step down, and it’s done. If you’re going to the end of the line, that’s all you’ll have to worry about.

If you want to get off along the way, you’ll have to notify the grip person and conductor.

On other transit systems, pulling an overhead cord says you want to get off, but that isn’t the case on the cable car. The white cord you see in the photo isn’t for you. Instead, it rings the cable car’s bell.

To ask for a stop, go old school: Say «Next stop, please,» speaking loud enough for the conductor or grip to hear you.

Cable cars take a little while to come to a halt. Signal at least a half-block ahead, or you might have to wait until the next stop.

How to Ride

The San Francisco Cable Car

This post is a guide to riding the famous San Francisco cable cars. including tips on tickets, routes, and how to ride.

We give you tips on which important attractions and sights can be seen with each particular line.

We also include a ride (and tutorial) on our San Francisco in One Day Tour.

CABLE CAR ROUTES: WHICH IS THE BEST TO TAKE?

There are three routes you can choose from:

Click on the image below to open a larger interactive map.

Though each route provides breathtaking views, your experience will vary depending on the direction the car is going, your location on the car, your driver, and traffic.

Most San Franciscans will tell you that the Powell-Hyde line is the most exciting trip to take and we wholeheartedly agree.

The Powell-Hyde line starts at the cable car turnaround at Powell Street and Market Street (map).

On this route, you’ll have views of Coit Tower, Alcatraz Island, and San Francisco Bay.

As it rides north along Powell Street, you pass by Union Square and ride up to Nob Hill where the views can’t be beaten.

You’ll also pass the Cable Car Museum, worth a visit if you are interested in the mechanics and history of cable cars.

As the ride continues up (and up, and up) to Russian Hill, you’ll cross Lombard Street, known as the «Crookedest Street in the World.»

It’s from this stop (Hyde and Lombard) that you will get an unobstructed view of Alcatraz Island.
The car then plunges (VERY slowly) down the steep Russian Hill and you’ll arrive at Fisherman’s Wharf. From there, where you connect with our Fisherman’s Wharf tour!

TIP: For the best views, we suggest riding on the right side of the car if you’re departing from Powell & Market, and the left side if you’re departing from Hyde & Beach.

WHERE TO BOARD A CABLE CAR

The easiest way place to start your cable car ride is at one of the turnarounds (beginning/end of the line).

Below is a video of the Powell-Market Sts. turnaround where you can see the conductor and grip operator literally turn the cable car around so it can head back in the other direction!

You may also start your cable car ride at any stop along the route.

Stops are located about every two blocks along each line, and you’ll see a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop.

Keep in mind that if you board at a stop that is somewhat near the beginning of the cable car line, the car might be full and you won’t be allowed to board.

CABLE CAR TICKETS

You have a few options to buy your ticket:

The most convenient way is to purchase tickets from the MUNI app.

You then use the app to open the ticket image which you then show the conductor! It’s very cool and super convenient.

You can also buy your tickets at the ticket booths located at the Powell-Market Street turnaround and the Hyde-Beach Street cable car turnaround.

Be warned: lines at the ticket booths can be very long.

You can buy your tickets from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (also at Powell and Market).

TIP: Instead of waiting on the long lines at the ticket booths, walk up a few blocks and catch your cable car there and purchase your ticket from the conductor.

But remember, you must have small bills to purchase your ticket from the cable car conductor.

TICKET PRICES

You may have heard that you can hop off and on the cable cars as many times as you like once you purchase a ticket.

This isn’t exactly true, though there is a way to use the cable cars as a hop-on/hop-off tour experience.

These tickets give you unlimited rides on the cable cars and other transportation modes (Muni, Muni Metro, and historic streetcars).

You can purchase a one-day, three-day, or seven-day Passport (Must be consecutive days).

If you are interested in taking more than one ride or doing a self-planned hop-on/hop-off trip, you may want to buy a Visitor Passport Ticket.

For more information check the San Francisco MTA website.

An extra bonus: if you are buying a Visitor Passport ticket, these tickets sometimes have coupons for discounts at San Francisco attractions.

One of the most common discounts is for stores at Ghirardelli Square. So head over to the Powell-Hyde line and then hop over to Ghirardelli for a delicious ice cream sundae after your ride!

TIP: If you are thinking about taking a guided hop-on/hop-off bus tour, take a look at our post for all the options as well as recommendations Which San Francisco Bus Tour Is Best?

CABLE CAR SCHEDULES

The cable cars in San Francisco begin running around 7:00 am and they run until about 10:30 PM.

The schedule varies throughout the day, but you can get the exact timing of departure for each route by looking at the San Francisco MTA schedule page.

HOW TO RIDE A CABLE CAR

Riding a cable car is somewhere between riding an open-air bus and taking a roller coaster ride (but a slow roller coaster!)

When you board the cable car, you’ll have to decide what kind of ride you want to take.

Many people prefer to sit down for a more comfortable ride (although the wooden benches are pretty hard, and the cable car does bounce around a bit).
Other people prefer to stand up and hold onto the poles to make the ride a little more exciting, especially as the car goes up and down the steep San Francisco hills.

Be sure to keep your backpacks, bags, and purses toward the center of the car and not dangling outside of the car because trucks, buses, and other cable cars pass in close proximity.

Most importantly make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the car—we don’t want anybody getting hurt!

Here’s a video where you can see for yourself the best way to ride the cable cars and what you shouldn’t do while riding one (like waving. not a great idea!)

HISTORY OF THE CABLE CAR

Before cable cars were invented, the only form of mass transit was horse-drawn trolleys. That’s fine on flat areas of the region. But San Francisco is well known for its steep hills.

Enter Andrew Hallidie, a wealthy businessman who, after witnessing a bad horse-trolley accident said to himself, «There’s got to be a better way!»

He put his time, money, and energy into discovering that better way and in 1873 the San Francisco Cable Car took to the streets.

They quickly became one of the city’s most widely used and most recognized modes of transportation.

Though the cable car system was nearly eliminated twice (once due to the destruction caused by the 1906 earthquake, and again in 1947 at the hands of the city’s mayor), the cable car has always managed to stay on its tracks.

SAN FRANCISCO STREETCARS

Despite the common belief that the San Francisco Cable Car and San Francisco Streetcars are synonymous and interchangeable, this isn’t actually the case.

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line, thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

The streetcar runs on tracks as well but has an electrical pole on top connecting it to a wire, its main source of power.

You can read more about the city’s streetcars at How to Ride San Francisco’s Historic Streetcar.

The San Francisco Cable Car looks like this:

The San Francisco Streetcar looks like this:

Hop on, hold tight and enjoy your ride in San Francisco!!

San Francisco’s World Famous Cable Cars

Cable cars were invented by Andrew S. Hallidie, a Scots-born mining engineer. The story goes that he saw horses struggling to pull a railcar filled with passengers up one of San Francisco’s hills and decided to adapt his mining conveyor technology to pull rail cars, by means of an endless loop of cable under the street, between the tracks. He opened the world’s first cable car line, on Clay Street in San Francisco, in August 1873.

Cable cars soon dominated San Francisco’s transit scene, with more than a dozen lines, including five on the city’s main street, Market Street. The 1906 Earthquake and Fire ended the cable era on Market Street, but other lines soldiered on through two World Wars as a quaint relic (even then), survived an assassination attempt by misguided (or malicious) politicians in the late 1940s, were wounded in a follow-up assault in the 1950s, and yet survived it all to become a worldwide symbol of San Francisco.

Two types of regular service cable cars

Today, there are two types of cable cars in regular service. Though they differ in appearance, their operation is almost identical. (See how cable cars work.)

The two Powell Street lines (Powell-Hyde & Powell-Mason) use smaller cable cars, operable from only one end. They thus require turntables to reverse direction at the ends of the line. There are 28 Powell cars kept on the roster at any given time. Thanks to a project supported by us, Market Street Railway, nine of the cars in the Powell fleet now sport historic liveries recapturing the way Powell cable cars looked during various periods in the twelve-decade history of the service.

The California Street cable car line uses 12 larger, maroon cable cars which have an open seating section at each end and a closed section in the middle. These cars can be operated from either end, and turn around by means of a simple switch at the end of the line.

Special service cable cars from vanished lines

Additionally, Muni owns two operational cable cars from defunct lines. These operate on special occasions only. O’Farrell, Jones & Hyde line Car 42 was reacquired thanks to Market Street Railway and restored in a joint project by Market Street Railway volunteers and Muni crafts workers. Sacramento-Clay Car 19 was preserved by the Northern California Chapter of the Railway & Locomotive Historical Society in the late 1940s and restored by Muni crafts workers to return to special service in 2019.

Riding a Cable Car in San Francisco

Riding the iconic San Francisco cable cars is one of the best things to do in the city. Why are most of the people on the car smiling? Because it really is a blast!

This is a local’s guide to riding the cable cars: how it all works and my tips for getting the most out of it.

Here are the most important things to know before getting on the cable cars.

Good news! T he cable cars were closed down at the start of this crisis, but since August 2021 all three lines are running again.

San Francisco Cable Car Tickets

Cable Car Fares

One ride on the San Francisco cable car now costs $8: same price for everyone.

How to pay for the cable car ride

Pay after you get on. There are two people running each cable car. One is the grip man (or woman) who operates the car, and the other handles the payments and helps people get on board.

They take payments after everyone is on board. So once you’re in your place and the car is moving, you’ll be asked for your fare (cash, ticket or pass).

But there’s a ticket booth at each of those turnarounds where you can buy the tickets or passes. Or just get on at a stop further away and pay cash.

Payment options

The California Line doesn’t have a ticket booth, so it’s cash or passes for those cable cars (unless you bought the tickets elsewhere).

Tip: for a brief visit to SF, using the MuniMobile app is probably the easiest way to pay fares or get transit passes.

You don’t need the carry the right amount of cash (and the buses and streetcars do require exact change) and you can do everything online instantly. Plus you can buy all the family’s tickets on one MuniMobile account.

You can download the app on either iOS or android phones.

The ticket booth above sells one-way, cable car tickets, as well as adult Clipper Cards, and the 1, 3 and 7-day SF Visitor Passports. But you save money by putting the transit passport on the MuniMobile app or on a Clipper Card instead of getting the paper passes. See below.

The ticket booth is on Market Street at Powell, right next to the exit from the underground Muni and BART trains, Powell Stop for both.

I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website. Thank you for your support!

Saving money on the tickets

Cable cars are on the expensive side if you plan to make more than a couple of trips on them, especially if you also plan to get around SF on the buses and trolleys during your stay.

One solution is getting a transit pass which gives you unlimited travel on all four of the public transportation modes in San Francisco: buses, street cars, antique F-line trolleys and the cable cars.

The most popular transit pass is the:

SF Visitor Passport. Purchase these at the ticket booths at the cable car turnarounds, the underground Muni ticket machines under Market Street, or at a few retail locations.

Also, you can purchase them online with via the MuniMobile app, or add them to your Clipper Card.

Good to know: the Visitor Passports are cheaper if you use them via the MuniMobile app or the Clipper Card, instead of buying paper passes.

San Francisco CityPass. You used to be able to get a pass for 3 days of unlimited travel on all the SF buses, trolleys and cable cars, along with entry to four popular SF attractions.

As of March 1, 2020, the SF CityPass no longer includes the 3-day transit pass, but you can still purchase the two passes separately. See the SF CityPass for more info and booking.

For a detailed guide to all the various transit passes available in SF, how to get them, and advantages & disadvantages of each, see my tips on getting around San Francisco.

SF Cable Car Hours

Cable Car schedule: all lines are now running daily, 7:00 am to 10:30 pm.

The cable cars run about every 10 minutes, on average. A little closer together in the morning and a bit farther apart in the evening, but generally within an 8 to 12 minute time span.

There’s a handy app, NextBus, that tells you the arrival times of upcoming buses and streetcars, but unfortunately it doesn’t work with the cable cars.

Visitors will notice that when the cable cars arrive at the end points, they can stack up three or more deep sometimes, even though there’s a long line of people waiting for them.

They kind of look like they’re just lounging around, but they have to keep to the schedule and coordinate with the cars on the other lines that are sharing the same track, so they’re doing what they need to do.

How to ride the cable cars

Getting on at the starting points

Most people get on at the turnaround points at either end of the cable car lines.

You’ll notice the long lines waiting to get on, especially at the Powell & Market and the Hyde & Beach turnarounds for the popular routes that run between Fisherman’s Wharf and downtown San Francisco.

When it’s your turn to get on, you can sit anywhere there are seats available or stand and hold onto a pole at the designated standing spots.

You can also walk around to the other side of the car to access the seats and standing spots on that side.

If you are one of the last to get on, the best spots (outside seats and pole hanging) will probably be taken and only the inside seats will be available.

Given the long lines, people are often surprised that they don’t fill the cars, and leave quite a few seats empty (mainly inside the car). That’s so people at subsequent stops have a chance to get on the cars, and that leads to the secret for avoiding the lines!

Getting an «outside» seat

If you’re not towards the front of the next group to get on, you can still maneuver to get a «good» seat. You can let some of the people behind you get on, and wait for the next car.

Or when the boarding begins, go immediately around to the other side of the car and get on there.

Getting on at other stops

All along the route, about every block or two, there are cable car stops marked with a purple sign. If there’s room, and there almost always is, they will stop and let you board.

Wait at the curb and wave at the car when it’s about half a block away. When it stops, get on and find a place. Then you’ll pay the fare or show your pass.

Depending on how busy the season is, or the time of day, or who has just gotten off, you may or not get one of the coveted outside seats. There is a pretty good chance of getting one of the pole-hanging spots, though.

Getting off the cable car

Two things to know:

Avoiding the long lines

The longest lines are at the two ends of the Powell-Hyde line: Powell & Market and Hyde & Beach.

Here’s where you don’t want to stand in line:

And this was in April, not the busiest season. The line above had probably over an hour wait time.

I was standing here for only ten minutes, just watching, and the sound of the erhu player squeaking the same four notes almost sent me round the bend!

But this doesn’t have to be you in the line.

Which is the best route?

The cable car routes come in three flavors, but they all go up and down steep hills and give you an exhilarating ride!

The two lines leaving from Powell and Market Streets both take you to Fisherman’s Wharf, but take different routes to get there.

The California Line runs perpendicular to the other two lines.

The Three Cable Car Routes

The Powell- Hyde Line

This is the most popular line, largely because it takes you directly to Fisherman’s Wharf and you get great views of Lombard Street, Coit Tower, and Alcatraz.

The cable car stops at the top of the crooked block of Lombard Street, where you can get a great picture of the city and bay, with Coit Tower in the distance.

If you get off here, you can walk down Lombard and take photos of the cars coming down the eight switchbacks among the blooming hydrangeas.

If you don’t want to walk back up Lombard to catch the cable car again, you can walk over to Fisherman’s Wharf. Go left on Leavenworth Street (at the bottom of Lombard) and walk three blocks to the wharf.

If you continue on with the cable car to Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll go down a nice steep hill where you get a great view of Alcatraz.

Where to sit: for the best views, sit on the right side on the way to Fisherman’s Wharf, and on the left side heading back to Union Square.

Takes about 20 minutes.

The Powell-Mason Line

I think this is a somewhat under-appreciated cable car line. The Powell-Mason line is a good line to take to Fisherman’s Wharf if you don’t want to fight the crowds. Even if you wait in the long line at the turnaround, you’ll find people letting you go ahead so they can take the other line.

The hills aren’t quite as steep, or the views as amazing as the other Powell line, but you’ll get some nice views of the Transamerica Pyramid and go right through the heart of North Beach, our Little Italy.

This is the best route to take back to downtown when you’re ready to leave Fisherman’s Wharf because of the much shorter line.

Takes about 17 minutes.

The California Line

This is sort of the forgotten cable car line. Most people ride the two lines that leave from Powell and Market, so this one is much easier to get on; usually there’s no wait. There are more locals on it as well.

Grace Cathedral is also on top of Nob Hill, right on the cable car line: a beautiful old church with a popular labyrinth.

There are two cool and historic bars at the top here: Top of the Mark, a classy cocktail lounge with incredible city views, in the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the Tonga Room, in the Fairmont Hotel, one of the city’s original tiki bars. This is a fun line to ride after dark.

Takes about 16 minutes.

You’ll also pass through Chinatown at the picturesque intersection between the Sing Chong and Sing Fat buildings, with a good look down the main street and hanging lanterns of Grant Avenue.

Seating on the cable cars

The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines use the same style of cable car. Half of the car has an enclosed compartment with wooden benches, and the other half has rows of wooden benches facing outward.

In front of the benches outside are steps for people to stand on, with poles for hanging on.

There are 14 places available for hanging on to the Powell line cars, 8 on one side and 6 on the other. It’s usually possible to snag one of these places (the most fun ones, I think).

These cars can only go in one direction, hence the rotating platform that has to be manually turned to get them facing the right direction for the return trip.

The California line has a larger car, with an inside compartment in the middle and outside seating on both ends, also with steps for standing and hanging on.

The California cars can go in both directions so they don’t have to be turned around.

Which are the best seats?

I think the best ride, if you’re able, is to stand and hang on to the pole. You get an unobstructed view (unlike the people you’re standing in front of), feel the wind in your hair, and can appreciate how close you are to the other traffic on the street!

Of course, riding there requires you to be more vigilant so you don’t get bumped by the other vehicles traveling on the street. You realize it isn’t an amusement park ride when city traffic is zooming by your body only 12 inches away! But that makes it all the more exciting;)

The next best seats are the outside benches. Much better views than the inside seats, especially when it gets crowded and there are also people standing inside.

And if you can get the seats all the way at either end of the car, the views are better and you can really see how steep those streets are.

The ride is a bit rough; it’s the same ride that people had in the late 1800’s. The grip men keep reminding riders to «hold on», and for good reason, especially around the corners!

History of the SF Cable Cars

Beginning. The cable car system was invented in 1869 by Andrew Hallidie, an engineer who had also designed a transport system for carrying loads of rocks out of the mines up in the Gold Country.

Legend has it that he was inspired to try to design a transportation system for San Francisco’s steep hills after witnessing a terrible accident in which horses pulling a street car up a hill slipped and were dragged to their deaths.

Success. San Francisco’s system launched in 1873. The cable cars worked so well and were so much more efficient than the horse drawn cars, they caught on quickly, and spread to other cities like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

At the peak, San Francisco had over 70 miles of cable car tracks carrying passengers throughout the city.

The end. almost. Two things almost delivered a knockout blow to the SF cable cars. Electric streetcars had been introduced to San Francisco in 1892 and were rapidly replacing the more expensive and much less efficient cable cars. Then disaster struck: the 1906 earthquake destroyed much of the cable car system along with most of San Francisco.

The extensive cable car system was reduced to only three lines, running on the steepest streets that weren’t as practical for the new streetcars.

27 cable cars survived the terrible fire, having been stored outside the fire zone, and they were put back in use after tracks were repaired.

Cool fact: these original 27 cars are still running on San Francisco streets, along with some built more recently.

Battle to save the cable cars. In 1947, San Francisco’s mayor wanted to «modernize» the city and do away with the old fashioned cable cars. But a fierce battle followed when citizens formed action groups to save the iconic cars, and ultimately, locals voted on a referendum the same year to keep the cars running.

The San Francisco cable cars were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962. They were the first cable cars in the world and now they’re the only remaining manually-operated cable car system still in use.

The current system. Over 13 million people ride the cable cars every year. San Francisco has 4.7 miles of tracks, on three lines, down from 75 miles at the high point.

The cars are all powered by a collection of giant, 8-foot wheels that drive the cables pulling the cars. The machinery is located in the Cable Car Barn, which also contains the popular Cable Car Museum (see below). The power is now electric, though originally it was driven by a steam engine.

How do the cable cars work? The cars have no engines and rely on a clamp that grabs the moving cable running under the street.

The cables travel underground at a constant speed of 9.5 miles per hour. The cable car grip man regulates the speed by how tightly he grips the cable. There’s also a braking system on the cars.

The cars are fairly high maintenance. Because the pressure and friction is so great, both the brakes and grip mechanism have parts that wear down and have to be replaced every 2 to 3 days. The cables themselves also wear out and need periodic repairs and replacement.

How many cars are there? Altogether, there are 40 cable cars, of which about 28 are in use during the day. The cars run from around 6 am until around 12:30 at night. At the end of the day, they trundle back to the Cable Car Barn where they spend the night.

The cables themselves run 19 hours a day.

The Cable Car Museum

This is a really fun museum to drop into. Entry is free. The museum is also the Cable Car Barn where the cars spend the night, as well as the power house that runs the cables for all three lines.

Along with several of the historic cable cars, there is a lot of information about the development of the cable cars, how they work, and how the vast system of cable cars covering San Francisco dwindled to a small remnant, and almost disappeared entirely in 1947.

You can see Car #8 there, the only cable car left from the original ones built in 1873; it’s the oldest cable car in the world.

The best part, however, is you can stand and look down at the massive, 8-foot wheels that drive the cables. The working mechanism of the cable system is exposed and you can see the four lines of cable being hauled through the system.

There are four separate lines because the Powell line is a shared line, and the other three lines (Hyde, Mason and California) are specific to just one cable car line.

Amazing that these cables are pulling 28 heavy cable cars through the city, and up the steep hills!

You can also go into the basement and see the massive wheels pulling the cables underground.

The exterior of the building is the original car barn and power house from 1888.

Location. 1201 Mason Street, between Jackson and Washington, where the two Powell lines split on their journey to Fisherman’s Wharf, near Chinatown.

Getting there: both Powell lines stop here, both coming and going, so taking a cable car gets you right there. Otherwise, the 30-Stockton bus runs along Stockton Street, two blocks down from the museum.

Street parking is tough in this neighborhood. Aim for a garage in Chinatown (see Chinatown parking).

Museum Hours. Open daily. April-October: 10 to 6, November-March: 10 to 5.

The cable cars have inspired artists.

At some point, the cable car system was transformed from a means of transportation through San Francisco to an icon for the city and an extremely popular tourist attraction.

The hippie vibe of the 1960’s and 1970’s inspired some fanciful renditions of the city and its cable cars.

Learn about taking the other forms of public transportation in San Francisco. Check out our local tips on riding the buses, trolleys, ferries, and more.

San Francisco’s Cable Cars

Cable Car Lines/Routes

Powell-Hyde Line

Little groceries and cafes on Powell have named themselves after the cable cars

Powell-Hyde Car crosses Washington Street before taking its first turn onto Jackson

An empty Car rounding the corner from Washington on to Powell Street

Turning on to Hyde Street from Jackson, at Nook Cafe in Russian Hill

Most of the Hyde Street segment of the route is lined with trees

If you can manage to get an outside seat on a car with no standing riders, you’ll be set up for great photos

Two cars crossing on Hyde Street at Lombard

Car passing the top of Lombard Street on Hyde Street

Climbing Hyde Street to Chestnut, Alcatraz in the background

The bay comes into the view looking back from a Car climbing Hyde Street

Powell-Mason Line

Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde Cars both inch past Union Square

Cable car 18 crossing Clay Street, giving riders a quick glimpse of the Transamerica Tower

Powell-Mason Car about to cross Broadway

Red Car 25 on Mason at Jackson Street

One of the few spots where the cable car passes a distinctive row of Victorians, on Mason between Union and Filbert

Powell-Mason Car 21 intersects Columbus Avenue in North Beach

Hanging on to the side of the back section is allowed, as well as the front

California Street Line

California Street Car near Grant Avenue

The California Street line crosses through Chinatown

California Street Car stopped at Grant Avenue

California Street cable car in front of the Mark Hopkins Hotel at the top of Nob Hill

Inside the cable car on the California Street line

Cable car 2 crossing California Street on Powell Street at the signal booth

California Street car at Hyde Street, after descending Nob Hill

Cars on the California Street line are longer than those on the Powell lines

In front of the Lumiere Theater on California Street just before Polk Street

Stations/Turnaround Points

Powell Street & Market Street

Cable cars at rest on Powell Street, in the queue for the turnaround

Empty cable cars stack up on Powell Street waiting for the turnaround and boarding point

Rear of cable car 19, at rest on Powell Street

Cars are rotated on the turntable at Powell Street

Bystanders are no longer allowed to help turn the Cars

Once the Car is lined up, it is pushed out from the turntable onto the track

Hyde Street & Beach Street

Cable cars on Hyde Street waiting to move to the turnaround point

Cable cars arriving and departing on Hyde Street at Beach Street

Cable car turnaround at the end of the Powell-Hyde line, at Maritime Park

Hyde Street cable car turnaround at Maritime Park

Cable car 15 at the Hyde Street turnaround

The Hyde Street turnaround, and masts of the ship Balclutha in the background

Taylor Street & Bay Street

Powell-Mason Cars stop at Taylor and Francisco and riders disembark

Cars line up on Taylor Street between Francisco and Bay waiting to return to service

Cable car 15 and others in line for the turnaround at Taylor and Bay Streets

The Powell-Mason line terminal point is two blocks south of Jefferson Street and Fisherman’s Wharf

Cars are turned around at Taylor and Bay Streets to return in the opposite direction

Once they’re turned and pushed back on the track, riders can get on from either side

California Street & Drumm Street

Cable cars stop before Drumm Street and wait to move to the reversal point

The boarding point is directly across from the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Embarcadero

Riders take photos of each other while waiting for the cable car to start up California Street

California Street & Van Ness Avenue

Cable cars on the California line travel directly along California Street without any turns

The west terminal point for the California Street line is Van Ness Avenue

Cable Car Facts

Movement of the cable car is controlled with the grip levers

Pulling back on the lever engages a mechanism that grips the moving cable under the street

The undercarriage is similar to a train car, the wheels stay on the tracks

Cable car tracks guide the wheels while the grip mechanism reaches through the slot in the middle where the cable runs

Turntable at Powell and Market, on which cable cars are manually turned around to point the opposite direction

Cable car operators push the turntable around the reverse direction

The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines use the same type of single-direction cars

Work on cable car 15 extended over a 5-year period ending in 2009

Signal Booth at California and Powell, signalling right of way to crossing cable car lines

New operators are trained on cars without passengers

Operators often hang jackets on grip levers while cable cars are at rest

The Cable Car Museum

The Cable Car Museum and powerhouse at Washington and Mason Streets

Entrance to the Cable Car Museum

This antique cable wheel is just inside the museum entrance

Components of the original systems are displayed and explained in the museum

The wheels move the cables through the tunnels under the streets

Repair area inside the Cable Car museum

Museum display showing the composition of the cables

Sutter Street Cable Train number 54 dates back to the 1880s

Gift shop inside the Cable Car Museum

Cable car related souvenirs include shirts, mugs, tote bags, and magnets

Miniature cable cars are a popular item

Fares & Riding Tips

Conductors will check passes or collect money for fares after you’ve boarded the cable car

The ticket booth at Powell and Market sells advance or multiple-day passes

The line to board the cable cars at Powell and Market Street can get extremely long

Cable cars will stop for you only if you’re waiting at the correct corner, where these signs are posted

If you intend to board an approaching cable car, just make sure you’re not standing by this sign

If a car is full, you won’t be able to board, even if you’re at a designated stop

The cable car stop at Powell and Post Street at Union Square, also known as Fantasy Island

The running board can accommodate two standing riders between each rail, and conductors will enforce this

Standing on the outer step area can feel like you’re floating above the street

Standing offers the best views, but it is difficult to take photos while hanging on

Cable Car History

The first cable car line began operating in 1873 and ran up and down Clay Street

An unusual three-car train at Sutter and Larkin circa 1880

California Street Cable Railroad Cars in a photo reportedly including Adolph Sutro and Mark Twain, 1882

Market Street Cable Railway Car on Haight Street, 1890

The Sutter Street Line, 1905

Cable car climbing Fillmore Street, circa 1905

The only car belonging to the California Street Cable Railroad to survive the 1906 earthquake and fire

Cable Car Barn on Washington and Mason, 1906

A two-grip reversible cable car, like those on California Street today, circa 1909

Cable car turnaround on Bay Street, 1940

Long cable car running on Castro Street, 1941

Uniformed cable car operators in front of a car on Fillmore Street, 1941

Riders promoting the Fishermen’s Fiesta, 1946

Cable car climbing Hyde Street, 1953

Wheels inside the Cable Car Barn, 1957

Cable Car Barn at Washington and Mason, 1967

Laying cable car track in 1983 during replacement of tracks and cable tunnels

Comments

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Streetcar, Cable Car: What’s the difference?

To a transit enthusiast, this may seem like a silly question, but what exactly are the basic differences between streetcars (also called trolleys or trams) and cable cars?

Cable cars

Cable cars run on steel rails with a slot between the tracks where an underground cable runs at a continuous nine miles per hour.

The cable runs from a central powerhouse, from huge winding wheels, as the cable cars themselves are completely mechanical and have no means of independent locomotion (no motors).

In order to move forward, the underground cable is grabbed by a grip on the cable car that works like a pair of pliers.
Originally, the powerhouse used steam power to run the cables beneath the streets, but as electricity became more commonplace, steam engines gave way to electric motors (hydroelectric power) which wind the huge wheels that spin the cable to this very day.

Cable cars were invented in 1873 by Andrew Hallidie to climb the hills of San Francisco. Many cities once had cable cars, but today, San Francisco’s Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, and California Street lines are the only ones left in the world. The Powell Street cable lines and the F-line form an ‘iron triangle’ of historic transit service between Downtown San Francisco and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Cable cars are often misidentified as ‘trolleys’, but that term refers specifically to the trolley pole used by streetcars to get power from an overhead wire (hence streetcars are often called trolleys, correctly). Cable cars use no overhead wire, and have no trolley poles. Cable cars can be most easily identified by their open end sections with running boards where riders can stand outside of the car, as seen in the picture above.

And don’t be fooled by the number of replica cable cars that can be seen driving around the city on rubber tires (even though some of them were converted from retired authentic cable cars). The real San Francisco cable cars run only on steel rails, and only on the California Street, Powell-Mason, and Powell-Hyde lines.

Streetcars (trolleys/trams)

Streetcars also run on steel rails, but with no slot between the tracks, and no underground cable. Unlike the mechanical cable cars, streetcars are propelled by onboard electric motors and require a trolley pole to draw power from an overhead wire.

Far faster than any earlier form of urban transportation, the streetcar quickly eclipsed cable cars and horsecars as America’s choice for transit in the first half of the 20th century. With 100,000 vehicles and 45,000 miles of track in the US by 1918, the streetcar helped trigger rapid urban growth and created the nation’s first true suburbs.

San Francisco has the world’s most diverse collection of streetcars in regular transit service, and many are quite unique and different looking. This makes streetcars more difficult to classify by sight than the cable cars, which are all very similar in appearance. But, there’s a simple test to distinguish streetcars from cable cars:

If it runs on steel rails with a trolley pole connected to an overhead wire above, it’s a streetcar.

If it runs on steel rails with an open slot between them, and no overhead wires, it’s a cable car.

(And just to confuse things further, San Francisco is also one of the few American cities that operates trolley coaches, which look like regular buses, but are completely electric and have twin poles on the roof of the bus that draw power from double overhead wires. So, if it connects to a pair of overhead wires but has rubber tires like a bus, it’s a trolley coach. Market Street Railway has helped Muni preserve four historic trolley coaches dating from the 1940s and 1950s, though they are not currently used in service.)

Источники информации:

• http://www.sftourismtips.com/cable-cars-san-francisco.html
• http://tarasova.org/cablecarsf/
• http://www.sftodo.com/cable-car-san-francisco.html
• http://www.tripsavvy.com/ride-cable-car-in-san-francisco-1479148
• http://freetoursbyfoot.com/cable-cars-san-francisco/
• http://www.streetcar.org/cablecars/
• http://www.inside-guide-to-san-francisco-tourism.com/cable-car-san-francisco.html
• http://www.sanfranciscodays.com/cable-cars/
• http://www.streetcar.org/wheels-motion/difference/