Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Traveling by Cable Car
As the only “moving national monument” in the United States,
San Francisco's cable cars are world famous
(see pp106-7)
and
every visitor will want to ride one at least once. The cable car
service runs from 6:30am to 12:30am daily. There is a flat fare
of $6 for each journey, with a discount for seniors and the
disabled after 9pm and before 7am. Although this is a great
way to experience the city, buses and streetcars
(see pp282-3)
are often a more practical option.
Commuters like to use cable
cars too, so avoid traveling
during rush hours if possible
(7-9am and 4-7pm Mon-Fri).
Whatever time you travel
though, you are much more
likely to get a seat if you board
the cable car at the end of the
line you have chosen.
Tickets
If you have not already
purchased a Muni Passport
(see
p282)
, you can buy a ticket or a
one-day pass ($15) from the
conductor. Tickets are collected
once you board. Muni passes,
souvenir tickets, and maps are
available at kiosks at Powell and
Market streets and at Hyde and
Beach streets, or at the city Visitor
Information Center
(see p282)
.
Using the Cable Cars
Cable cars run along three
routes. The Powell-Hyde line
is the most popular. Starting
at the Powell and Market
turntable
(see p119)
, it skirts
Union Square and climbs Nob
Hill providing good views of
Chinatown. It continues past
the Cable Car Museum
(see
p105)
, crosses Lombard Street
(see p88)
then descends Hyde
Street to the turntable near
Aquatic Park
(see p174)
. The
Powell-Mason line also begins
at Powell and Market streets
and follows the same route to
the Cable Car Barn. From there,
it passes by North Beach and
ends at Bay Street
(see p105)
. Sit
facing east on the Powell lines
and on your journey you will
see some of the city's best-
known sights. The California
line runs from the base of
Market Street, at the
Embarcadero, along California
Street. It passes through part
of the Financial District and
Chinatown. At Nob Hill the
Powell lines cross the California
line, so passengers can transfer
between lines. If you have a
one-way ticket you will need
to purchase another, but those
with a Muni Passport have an
unlimited number of cable car
rides. The California line then
continues over Nob Hill, ending
at Van Ness Avenue. For each of
the three lines, the return trip
follows the outward route, so
riders are able to catch views
from the other side of the car.
Cable Car Stops
To catch a cable car you can line
up at either end of a line or wait
at a stop. Stand on the sidewalk
and wave to alert the gripman.
Do not board until the car has
come to a complete stop and
be prepared to jump on quickly.
Stops are marked by maroon
signs that display the outline
Recognizing your
Cable Car
Currently 40 cable cars operate
on the city's three lines. Each car
seats 29 to 34 passengers and,
depending on the type of car,
can accommodate an additional
20 to 40 people standing.
On the front, back and sides
of every cable car is the name
of the line: Powell-Hyde,
Powell-Mason or California
Street. The number of the cable
car is also displayed. California
Street cars are easy to identify
because they have a
driver's cab at both ends.
Cars on the two Powell
lines have only one cab.
The conductor and
gripman are generally
friendly and helpful, so
ask one of them if you
are not sure which
line to take to reach
your destination.
Bell
Grab handle
Line board
Car number
Running board (holds
up to eight
passengers)
Headlight
Bell
Destination board
Running board
Side seating
Gate
