Cable Car

A trip to San Francisco is not complete without a ride on the cable car. And yes, they do seem to “climb halfway to the stars”. It will without doubt bring a smile to anyone’s face once you are clanking along the steep hills of San Francisco.

The cable cars are literally pulled up the hills on a steel cable. The California line, the longest of the three, is 4 miles long. There are three cable car lines. I recommend them is this order; Powel-Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California line.

Both the Powell-Hyde and the Powell-Mason will take you to the Cable Car Museum and Chinatown. The views from these two cars includes Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. The California line views are east toward the Bay Bridge and the Ferry building.

I enjoy standing on the outside running boards. Just keep your tummy tucked in when another cable car passes you just inches away in the opposite direction. Also listen carefully to the conductor as they will announce each street they stop at.

Your chances of getting on the cars are best at the beginning or end of each line, even though you will need to wait a bit in line. The operators each have their distinct identity when it comes to ringing the bell and every year there is a cable car bell ringing competition. Check the link at the top of this page for pricing and maps.