How to Ride the Cable Cars in San Francisco

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Riding the cable cars in San Francisco is a must-do for any first-time visitor! As a longtime Californian, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the iconic cable cars, from routes to tips on avoiding long lines.

A person with long hair sitting on a bus seat, smiling at the camera. The bus interior has green seats and large windows, reminiscent of a scenic ride through San Francisco's historic cable cars. — *This post contains affiliate links. I might make a small profit if you choose to purchase at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide you with high-quality, free content.*

Having ridden these historic cars on almost every visit to SF over the past 15 years, I always recommend it for first-time visitors to San Francisco.

However, if you aren’t used to riding public transit, it might be a little bit confusing.

And even if you’re a transit pro, there are a few things you’ll want to know about SF’s cable car system in advance.

Let’s get riding!

How Many Cable Car Lines in San Francisco Are There?

San Francisco has three iconic cable car lines:

1. Powell/Mason Line

A Powell & Mason Sts. cable car is parked on a city street. The wooden car features an open seating area with benches and windows, typical of cable cars in San Francisco. Buildings and trees with lights are visible in the background.

Perfect if you’re short on time. It’s faster than the Hyde line, especially if you start at the Taylor end, near Pier 39.

What’s the route that the Powell/Mason Line takes?

The start and end of the Powell/Mason line:

South Terminus: Powell Street turnaround at Market Street.
North Terminus: Taylor and Bay, a few blocks south of Pier 39.

2. Powell/Hyde Line

A Powell and Market streetcar, labeled "Hyde & Beach / Fisherman's Wharf," is pictured in motion with passengers inside. The streetcar, one of the iconic cable cars in San Francisco, has an American flag on top and the number 21 on its front.

The most scenic route. Traveling north, you can catch views of the Golden Gate Bridge on clear days, Lombard Street, and Alcatraz.

What’s the route that the Powell/Hyde Line takes?

The start and end of the Powell/Hyde line:

South Terminus: Powell Street turnaround at Market Street.
North Terminus: Beach and Hyde near Ghirardelli Square.

3. California Line

A San Francisco cable car travels on Van Ness Avenue. Nearby buildings line the street, and a yellow delivery van is parked on the side. A few people are visible inside the cable car. This scene illustrates a quintessential moment of experiencing the charm of Cable Cars in San Francisco.

Ideal for avoiding crowds. This lesser-known line offers a low-key experience and great selfie opportunities, but it runs less frequently, so check the timetables.

What’s the route that the California Line takes?

The start and end of the Powell/Hyde line:

East Terminus: California and Drumm near the Ferry Building.
West Terminus: California and Van Ness near Lafayette Park.

Each ride takes about 20 minutes, not including wait times. And be sure to account for wait times!

Which Cable Car Route is the Best?

A historic streetcar travels along a tree-lined street in an urban area, surrounded by buildings and another streetcar in the background, reminiscent of the iconic cable cars in San Francisco.

Well, that depends on what you’re looking for and how much time you have.

On my recent visit, I took the Powell/Hyde line from the South Terminus. It was super close to where I was staying, the InterContinental SF.

So, consider where you are staying in San Francisco, and how far you are located from the cable car start and end points.

This line offers really nice views along the way, including a stop at Lombard Street, and it finished near Fisherman’s Wharf.

You can watch my experience riding San Francisco’s cable car right here:

ONE NIGHT in San Francisco | Best Things to Do in San Fran with Only a Day

Watch this video on YouTube

We were super lucky to catch views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge that day!

If you want the most scenic experience, definitely take the Powell/Hyde Line. If you’re short on time, go with the California Line.

But really, if you have the time, I suggest riding all three lines! It’s a great way to experience the different parts of the city.

Where to Board the Cable Cars in San Francisco

A narrow city street with shops on both sides, trees lining the road, and a classic San Francisco cable car in the center. Multicolored flags are displayed outside some stores. People are walking and sitting around.

You can board at the cable car turntables (the beginning or end of each route) or look for the brown-and-white cable car signposts along the way.

Starting at the end gives you the full ride, but boarding at a stop along the way can help you avoid long lines (more on that, below).

Just make sure to prepay on your app before you hop on!

It’s pretty cool to watch the cable car technicians turn the car at the end or start of the line, so you might want to check it out and then walk up to the next stop to board.

Prefer to ride the cable cars on a guided tour instead of DIY-ing it? Check out this tour by GetYourGuide (my preferred tour provider) to get a taste of real San Francisco culture and history.

Tips for Avoiding Long Lines

Riding the cable cars in San Francisco is a very fun and very popular thing to do. As you might imagine, they can get crowded, and it can take a while to board them.

A vintage-style streetcar, reminiscent of the iconic cable cars in San Francisco, travels on tracks beside a parked white car and yellow vehicle. Overhead wires provide power, and a large tree is visible in the background under a blue sky.

A few tips to avoid waiting in a long line:

Walk up one block: They don’t fill up the cars at the turnaround points, so if you walk to the next cable car stop, you can usually get right on. If not on the first car, then almost certainly on the next one.

Timing: Depending on the season, time of day, or who has just gotten off, you may or may not get one of the coveted outside seats. However, there’s a good chance of snagging a pole-hanging spot.

I recommend going before you eat breakfast. Seriously, go first thing in the morning – at 9 am – for the shortest wait.

Otherwise, you might end up waiting to ride for upwards of an hour. Yikes! 😬

How Much Does Riding the Cable Cars Cost?

A cable car moves along a street intersection in a city with historic buildings and pedestrians on the sidewalks, reminiscent of the classic charm of Cable Cars in San Francisco.

I’ll be honest, it’s not cheap for a fairly short ride. Riding the cable car in San Francisco costs $8 for a one-way ride, without transfers.

If you want to ride multiple times or try a different line, it’s a good idea to get the 1-Day Visitor Passport using MuniMobile. This includes unlimited rides on Muni, Muni Metro, streetcars, and, of course, the cable cars!

The 1-day pass costs $13, so if you plan on riding transit a few more times that day, you end up saving money.

There are also 3 and 7-day passes available if you’re planning a longer trip in the city.

Payment Options

A smiling person with glasses and long hair holds onto a vertical pole inside a bus or cable car in San Francisco. A sign above their head indicates seats must be vacated for seniors and disabled persons.

You can pay for your cable car ride a few different ways:

Muni Mobile App: Download and fund the Muni Mobile app, then have the conductor scan your app. This is how you get the $13 day pass mentioned above.
Clipper Card: This card also works on BART and Caltrain. You can purchase a plastic Clipper card from kiosk machines or download the app and add the card to your phone’s wallet.
Paper Ticket: You can buy a paper ticket at the kiosks at either end of the Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines.
Cash: On the California line, you can pay the conductor in cash, but not on the other lines.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Cable Car Experience

Two people, one wearing sunglasses and a leather jacket and the other smiling, taking a selfie in front of a red and gold cable car marked with the number 11, showcasing the iconic Cable Cars in San Francisco.

Best Seats and Views

For the ultimate cable car experience, aim for the outside seats or standing up while hanging onto a pole. Kind of scary, kind of thrilling, and definitely a good view.

However, these spots tend to fill up quickly, so if you’re one of the last to board, you might end up with an inside seat.

Don’t worry, though – there’s still plenty to see!

Safety Tips on SF’s Cable Cars

Two women smiling and posing on the steps of a moving streetcar in San Francisco, one dressed in a white coat and pink sneakers, the other in a burgundy top and black sneakers. Trees are visible in the background, capturing the charm of cable cars in San Francisco. — Throwback to my first cable car ride in 2010!

San Francisco’s busy streets and steep hills make for an exciting cable car ride. But if you are hanging onto one of the poles, you will want to be very careful.

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Hold on tight: Whether you’re sitting or standing, always hold on to the rails, especially if you’re in a pole-hanging spot.

Don’t lean out: If you’re standing and holding onto the poles, resist the urge to lean outward when the cable car is moving.

Getting off the cable car: Wait until the car comes to a complete stop before getting off, and be sure to watch out for cars!
Be careful with what you wear! Don’t let your scarf snag on a tree that passes by, and keep all your belongings tucked away in a backpack.

Fun Facts

The California line features a larger car with an inside compartment in the middle and outside seating on both ends.

A Brief History of San Francisco’s Cable Car System

View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the rocky shoreline, with blue sky, ocean, and distant hills in the background, capturing a quintessential San Francisco scene where cable cars often weave through charming streets nearby.

The cable cars San Francisco is famous for were invented by Andrew Smith Hallidie in 1873.

Inspired by early mining systems and a harrowing experience watching horses struggle on wet cobblestones, Hallidie developed a steam engine-powered, cable-driven rail system.

The first successful test run was on August 2, 1873, on Clay Street, marking the beginning of a transit revolution in the city. Pretty cool, right?

Historical Milestones

San Francisco’s cable cars have witnessed huge events in history:

Expansion: By the late 1800s, 53 miles of tracks connected the city from the Ferry Building to the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, and the Castro.
The Great Earthquake (1906): The earthquake and fires damaged much of the cable car infrastructure. Despite the rise of electric streetcars, cable cars survived due to their ability to navigate the city’s steep hills.
Post-War Challenges: In 1947, Mayor Roger Lapham proposed replacing cable cars with buses. Friedel Klussmann’s Citizens’ Committee to Save the Cable Cars led a successful campaign to preserve them, resulting in Measure 10’s passage.

Preservation Efforts

San Francisco’s cable cars are a cherished symbol of the city. The locals love the cars, and visitors do, too.

So, over the years, there have been many efforts to preserve this piece of the city’s heritage.

Going back as far as 1947, a man named Friedel Klussmann formed the Citizens’ Committee to Save the Cable Cars.

The committee worked to pass Measure 10, which ensured the preservation of the Powell Street cable car lines.

Because of the many efforts by the committee, San Francisco’s cable cars are now one of only two National Historic Streetcar Landmarks in operation.

With these protections in place, the cable cars should be able to continue operating for years to come! Fascinating, right?

Suggestions for the Ultimate Cable Car Enthusiast

Head to the Cable Car Museum

An old-fashioned streetcar labeled "Central Ave, Market St & The Ferries" and a connected open-air trolley labeled "Sutter St," reminiscent of the iconic Cable Cars in San Francisco, displayed in an indoor exhibit.

Located at Washington and Mason Streets, the Cable Car Museum offers a fascinating look at the history and mechanics of these iconic vehicles.

You’ll find historic cable cars, photographs, and detailed exhibits on how the cable car system operates.

Before you head to the museum, you could plan on grabbing breakfast at a cafe near the Cable Car Museum — a few good spots within walking distance are Cafe Isabella, The Morning Fix, and Toast Eatery.

Plus, you can see the giant wheels that pull the cables in action!

Ride the Market Street Railway

A green and cream-colored cable car is stationary on a city street with a modern high-rise building in the background. An American flag is mounted on the front, reminiscent of the classic charm of Cable Cars in San Francisco.

Expand your trolley experience by riding the Market Street Railway Muni line.

This line features beautifully refurbished trolley cars from around the world, including cities like Philadelphia, Dallas, St. Louis, Mexico City, Porto, Moscow, Milan, and Kobe.

It’s kind of like a rolling international museum! 😆

I had the chance to hop on one of these unique trolleys while exploring the Castro. The conductor was kind enough to let us on board and take a few photos. Check it out in my YouTube video!

The Market Street Railway charges regular Muni fees and runs from 17th/Castro in the Castro neighborhood, along Market Street, turning north onto the Embarcadero, and ending at Pier 39.

Wrapping Up Your Cable Car Adventure

A red and cream cable car travels up a steep street in San Francisco, with people riding inside and others standing on the sides. Buildings and parked cars line the street.

Riding the cable cars in San Francisco is an unforgettable experience! It’s a great combo of history, views, and even some thrill.

I hope this guide has covered everything you need to know to make the most of riding the cable car in San Francisco. If you have questions, leave a comment!

Remember to explore the Cable Car Museum, consider the Market Street Railway for an international trolley experience, and use my tips to avoid long lines and stay safe during your ride.

Ready to plan your trip to San Francisco? Check out my guide about the top hotels to stay at in San Francisco for my recommendations on where to rest your head after your wild cable car ride!