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The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco. The system forms part of the intermodal urban transport network operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway , which also includes the separate E Embarcadero and F Market & Wharves heritage streetcar lines, and ...
It's easy to find and board a cable car. Choose from three cable car lines - two start at Powell and Market and continue to the Fisherman's Wharf area; one starts at California and Market and continues to Van Ness Avenue. Board at the cable car turntables (the beginning or end of each route) or look for the brown-and-white cable car sign post.
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.
Cable cars were invented by Andrew Smith Hallidie here in San Francisco in 1873. Hallidie's cable car system was based on early mining conveyance systems and dominated the city’s transit scene for more than 30 years.
Mar 20, 2024 · San Francisco has three cable car routes: Powell Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Van Ness. Powell Hyde and Powell Mason run from downtown San Francisco to Fisherman’s Wharf. In contrast, California Van Ness runs along California Street, through the Financial District, and into the leafy Nob Hill neighborhood.
The 1957 closure of a cable line in New Zealand made San Francisco’s cable cars unique in the entire world. Threatened with scrapping in 1947, cable car lovers rallied to defend San Francisco’s system and when the original installations wore out in the early 1980s, the City rebuilt its cable car network from the dirt up. Learn more in person
San Francisco is the only place in the world you can ride cable cars like this. They take you to great places with spectacular views along the way. Here’s our guide to historic sites along the cable car routes.
