- Hours: Cars run daily
- Admission: $6 fare one-way, day passes available for $14
San Francisco ATTRACTIONS See all
Cable Cars
In this age of seat belts and air bags, a rickety ride on a much-loved San Francisco cable car is an anachronistic thrill. Indeed, cable cars may not be the most practical means of transportation, but in San Francisco, a cable car ride is a must-do experience when visiting the city.
They clank up and down the city’s steep hills, carrying locals and visitors alike, some seated, some hanging onto leather straps, while standing the outer running boards. You catch a cable car two ways: at the turnaround stops at the beginning and end of the lines, or follow the tracks up a few blocks and do what the locals do: hop on when the car stops, hang on to the pole, and have your $5 fare ready to hand to the brakeman. It’s from out here that the best views of San Francisco unfold.
Practical Info
San Francisco has three cable car lines: California, Powell-Mason, and Powell-Hyde. The California line begins at the foot of Market Street and runs east-west along California Street through Chinatown and Nob Hill. The Powell-Mason line begins at the base of Powell and Market streets, then heads past Union Square. The Powell-Hyde line follows the same route as Powell-Mason until Jackson Street, where it turns down Hyde Street to terminate at Aquatic Park. There are seats for about 30 passengers, but sitters are often outnumbered by passengers clinging to the creaky leather straps.
Tours & Tickets
San Francisco CityPass
For the best deal in San Francisco, go for the CityPASS! Your pass to the City by the Bay includes tickets to world-renowned attractions, discounts and seven ... Read more
Location:
San Francisco, California
Duration: Flexible
Go San Francisco Card
See San Francisco your own way with the flexible Go San Francisco Card. Do as much or as little sightseeing as you like, at your own pace while saving ... Read more
Location:
San Francisco, California
Duration: 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days
7-Day Small-Group Tour: Los Angeles to Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite and San Francisco
Experience Los Angeles, Grand Canyon National Park, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park and San Francisco on this amazing 7-day road trip! After a Los Angeles ... Read more
Location:
Los Angeles, California
Duration: 7 days, 6 nights
Walking Tour of Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach with Cable Car Ride and optional Alcatraz Ticket
Take this guided walking tour and see the best that San Francisco has to offer! Visit the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, take in fantastic views of the Golden Gate ... Read more
Location:
San Francisco, California
Duration: Varies
