 | San Francisco Cable Cars/Museum Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 131 |  |
The cable car in San Francisco is not just a limited form of transportation sometimes used by the locals, a must thing to do for the visitors, a great tourist attraction, and a ready source of income for the city's coffers. Much more than that, cable car is an important part of San Francisco history, its birth the definite mark of time when horse-drawn carriages ended and public cars began.
Over the 150 years since August 2, 1873, when the first cable car ran its course on Clay Street, cable cars have become the most vital and irrefutable icon of this hilly city on the Bay of San Francisco. One cannot think of San Francisco without an accompanied image of a double-ended car chugging down Hyde Street or huffing up Nob Hill.
The cars sprang back to life after being almost destroyed in the Great Earthquake, and the system continues to exist after multiple attempts from politicians and utility companies to end its function. The cars continued existence speaks volume on the tenacity of the residents in this city. The San Franciscan obstinacy was demonstrated repeatedly every time a bill was proposed to abolish the cable car system. The fascination with the little cars that could lies not just with tourists, but also in the hearts of many San Franciscans, old and young. Leave a Comment
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Take the Cable Car from Fishermans Wharf to the city.
The Powell-Mason line begins at Bay Street at Fisherman's Wharf , and the line runs from there up and over Nob Hill and down to the Powell/ Market turntable.
Tickets can be purchased at turnarounds or from the conductor as you board.
COST.....$3.00 each way per adult or $9.00 for an all day pass Leave a Comment
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The CABLE CAR was introduced to San Francisco on August 2, 1873 and the idea was conceived by wire-cable manufacturer Andrew Hallidie.
The first cable car to descend down Clay Street on Nob Hill was an immediate success. Besides creating a vital link in San Francisco's public transportation system, the cable car opened the door for buildings on steep hills, which until this time was thought to be impossible.
San Francisco's beloved cable cars are the only vehicles of their kind still in operation. Leave a Comment
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It's easy to find a cable car in Union Square. From there, you can take a ride down to Ghiradelli Square/Fisherman's Wharf area. On the way you will pass the ever winding Lombard Street. Fares are $2.50/adult one way. You can purchase a ticket once you board, or by walking down to the end of the trolley line where they turn round. It's usually easier to board a block or two up from the original boarding site, as it's less of a wait. Leave a Comment
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Most tourists know of the one cable car line called Powell Street. It goes from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf. However, there is an easier line to use, mostly without lines of tourists. The California Street line starts at Market and California streets and goes up and over the hill. The Bart station nearby is Embarcadero.
Best bet is to take this line and get off at the top of the hill, transfer over to the Powell Street line and go on down to Fisherman's Wharf. You have to be a little aggressive to squeeze on, but just be polite and go for it. Be sure and keep your paper ticket for your transfer.
There are two workers on the cable car, the brakeman--cable grabbing person, and the person who gets your cash.
Try to board the front where the seats are outside. You can also stand and hang onto a post. One caution--when you go by the other cars going in the other direction, watch out for your possible rear end collision. :-) Directions: Embarcadero Bart Station is one block from the California Line. Fare is now five dollars with no transfers to trams, or buses. You can change at the top and get on the cable car that goes down to Fisherman's Wharf with this ticket.Website: http://www.sfcablecar.com
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The massive brick building located at the junction of Mason and Washington Streets is San Francisco's only surviving cable car barn. Although the building's main function is as a powerhouse and barn, it also houses a small museum which offers insight into the inner workings of the cable car system as well as historical tidbits regarding cable cars. On the upper level there is a balcony which offers a view of the huge wheels over which the continuous loops of cables are revolving. It's quite an impressive sight, especially when you realize that the entire cable car system is run from here (the signs above the huge wheels read "California" "Mason" "Hyde" "Powel", the only remaining cable car lines). The museum's exhibits include the Car No 8, the only survivor of San Francisco's first cable car line, which began operation in 1873. The museum also includes explanatory displays, historical tools and photos. Downstairs you can take another look at the "sheave" (wheel) room where the thick steel cables enter the building before being routed up to the main sheaves. Leave a Comment
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This was our first stop in SF - and it's free! More than a museum - this is a working powerhouse. The cables are actually turning inside the building, and you can watch workers at their jobs below. Around the perimeter are explanatory plaques and historical information. Above is the cable car barn where the cars are stored at night (you can't see this from the museum).
Displays also focus on the cable car system revitalization in 1982 and historic cars which are now out of service. Leave a Comment Phone: 415-474-1887Directions: On Nob Hill. There are 4 cable car lines (Hyde, California, Mason and Powell).Website: http://www.cablecarmuseum.com
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The cable cars are very typical in San Francisco and a nice and inexpensive way of seing the city. You can go almost everywhere in San Francisco on them.
There are three lines, the Powell-Mason and the Powell-Hyde , which end both near Fisherman's Wharf, though in different areas, and the California Street line that runs from the Financial district through Chinatown.
A ticket costs $3.00 each way while there are whole day passes for $9.00 or 3 day passes for $15.00. Leave a Comment
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Cable Cars run along three different routes roughly every ten minutes. 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. 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. The Powell/Hyde line actually ends up close to Ghiradelli Square where you can shop or eat. San Francisco's famous Cable Car has enormous cable wheels, which pull 11 miles of cable at 9.5 miles per hour. The cable cars move by clamping onto it and stop by their release.
* Cash: Pay the conductor on the car (no transfers accepted or issued)
o Adult: $5.00 each way
o Youth: $5.00 each way
o Senior and Disabled: $5.00 each way ($1.00 9pm-7am)
* Passes
o FastPass: Monthly unlimited riding, also good on BART within SF
+ Adult: $45.00
+ Youth: $12.00
+ Senior and Disabled: $12.00
o All-Day Pass sold by conductors on the cars
+ One Day: $10.00 (cable cars only, not buses or electric streetcars)
+ Effective 01-April-2006: One day: $11 (good on all Muni vehicles, like the Passport,
but only sold on the cable cars)
o Passports: A good deal for visitors or locals. Can be purchased online in advance.
+ One Day: $11.00
+ Three Days: $18.00
+ Seven Days: $24.00
* City Pass: A seven-day Muni pass plus admission to several local attactions.
o Adult: $42.00
o Youth (5-17): $34.00 Phone: (415) 474 1887Directions: There are 4 cable car lines (Hyde, California, Mason and Powell). 1201 Mason St. at Washington, San Francisco, CA 94108-1010Website: http://www.sfcablecar.com
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Cable cars are considered one of the San Francisco signatures. This public transportation system was invented in 1873 and was designed to deal with the city's steep slopes. Presently there's only three lines left (Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, and California Street). The concept is quite simple. Under the city streets there's looped cable which is powered from the central powerhouse. When the cable car gripman operated the handle the grip grabs the cable and the cable car is pulled along by the moving cable. So hop in and enjoy the ride. Leave a Comment
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