#4 of 1,188 · Things to do in San Francisco California
Cable Cars
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#2Cable cars & funiculars in the USTravelers' Choice 2026
- from USD 9
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About
Cable Cars are San Francisco’s last manually operated cable car system: two routes link Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf; a third follows California Street.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 18:00
Tuesday10:00 – 18:00
Wednesday10:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 18:00
Shorts
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Some history & fun facts about the cable cars in San Francisco!Abbie Cheeseman
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Cable cars have been carrying people up and down the hills of San Fra…David Alan Arnold
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Classic San Francisco Cable Cars!PhotowalksTV with Jefferson Graham
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How Cable Cars Work. These Machines Pull all the Cable Cars in San Fr…Kingdom of Curiosity
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How Cable Cars Work! Massive Wheels Pull Cable Cars Around San Franci…Kingdom of Curiosity
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How SF’s Cable Cars Work!Rail Weekly
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San Francisco Cable Cars Threatened (1954)British Pathé
Why go
- The Powell–Hyde line descends Hyde Street at the system’s steepest grade: 21%.
- Ride one of the few moving National Historic Landmarks in the United States.
- Ride the California Street line, the oldest cable car line still operating, opened in 1878.
Interesting facts8
History
Hallidie promoted the first line and William Eppelsheimer engineered it. Hallidie tested the system near Nob Hill at Clay and Jones Streets; early grip cars pulled separate trailers. Today’s Powell–Hyde route combines parts of two older lines.
- 1869Andrew Smith Hallidie conceived the cable car system.
- 1873The Clay Street Hill Railroad made San Francisco’s first successful cable-operated street run on August 2. Regular service began on September 1.
- 1877The Sutter Street Railway introduced side grip and lever operation, allowing cars to cross at intersections.
- 1880William Eppelsheimer invented the bottom grip still used on the surviving historic cars.
- 1888The Powell–Mason route opened and still follows its original alignment.
Show all
- 1906An earthquake and fire destroyed cable car depots and powerhouses, including the Powell Street depot and its 117 cars.
- 1912Only eight lines remained, serving grades too steep for electric streetcars.
- 1947Friedel Klussmann led a campaign to keep the municipal Powell lines from replacement by buses. A referendum required the lines to continue operating.
- 1954Cable car service west of Van Ness Avenue ended.
- 1964The surviving system’s present form became a United States national monument on January 29.
- 1982The system closed for a rebuild spanning tracks and cable channels across 69 city blocks. Work renewed the barn and powerhouse and repaired or rebuilt 37 cars.
- 1984The system reopened on June 21, ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
- 2017–2019Muni rehabilitated the system’s gearboxes.
- 2021After a pandemic shutdown, limited service returned in August and full service in September.
Tips for your visit
- Allow for boarding waits of two hours or more; Powell–Hyde is particularly popular with tourists.
Know before you go
- Most passengers are tourists, and waits to board can reach two hours or more.
Don't miss
- Cable Car MuseumVisit the working engine house for free, see historic cars and cable technology exhibits, and look from the museum galleries into the powerhouse and cable-routing cavern.Washington and Mason Streets
- California Street lineLook for Grace Cathedral and the Fairmont hotel as the cars climb Nob Hill.California Street, Nob Hill
- Powell–Hyde linePass Lombard Street, enjoy views of Alcatraz Island, and finish beside the waterfront, Maritime Museum and Ghirardelli Square.Along the Powell–Hyde route
- Powell–Mason lineShare Powell–Hyde’s climb to Nob Hill, then head north on Mason Street. Its terminus is closest to Pier 39, two blocks south of Fisherman’s Wharf.Nob Hill and Mason Street
- Powell line turntablesWatch crews turn single-ended cars for the return journey.Powell and Market, Taylor and Bay, and Hyde and Beach
How to get there
- TramBoard Powell–Hyde at Powell and Market or Hyde and Beach, beside Aquatic Park.
- TramBoard Powell–Mason at Powell and Market or Taylor and Bay.
- TramBoard California Street at California and Market or California and Van Ness.
Sources: San Francisco cable car system - Wikipedia · San Francisco cable car system - Wikipedia (par… · San Francisco cable car system - Wikipedia (par… · Cable Cars de San Francisco - Wikipedia · San Francisco Cable Cars - Wikipedia · checked 26 Sep 2026
Where
CA, San Francisco
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
How many passengers can a San Francisco cable car carry?
Powell–Hyde and Powell–Mason cars have open-sided front sections and enclosed rear halves, carrying 60 passengers, including 29 seated. California Street cars carry 68, including 34 seated.
Who operates San Francisco’s cable cars?
The cable cars are part of the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni). A grip operator handles the cable, while a conductor collects fares, manages crowds and controls some rear-wheel brakes.
Where can I board a San Francisco cable car?
Stops are usually near each block, often in the middle of an intersection.
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