Cable Car Museum
add photosThe cable cars are quite noisy which is fun for most children, but might be a bit too loud for the average baby or toddler.
Passports:
Perfect for visitors to the city, and allow riding on streetcars, buses, and cable cars.
One day - $9
Three days - $15
Seven days - $20
Destinations:
Basically, there are three cable car routes in operation, and it helps to know their respective destinations. At Powell and Market streets, there is a cable car turntable which serves as the beginning stop for two lines, the Powell-Mason and Powell- Hydelines. The Powell-Mason line begins at the Powell/ Market turntable, and the line runs from there up and over Nob Hill and down to Bay Street at Fisherman's Wharf. ThePowell-Hyde line also begins at the Powell Market turntable and runs over Nob and Russian hills before ending at Aquatic Park near Ghiradelli Square. Both these lines end near Fisherman's Wharf, but at different areas, and the routes are significantly different. Paying close attention to the signs on the cable cars will help you distinguish where in Fisherman's Wharf you will find yourself.
The cable car runs seven days a week. For a complete list of all cable car stops and time tables, visit www.transitinfo.org.
7 Reviews for Cable Car Museum
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0 families found this helpful
"Huge working machinery shop!"
very cool to see the actual cables working in front of your eyes. There is a small gift shop if you need any souvenirs. A movie (kids won't know it's educational) about the earthquake, and the walls are lined with earthquake info and it's aftermath related to the cable cars. Touch a real cable, and ring the bell. A great, free, break just next to Chinatown!
Very well done!
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"Fun to see and free"
We read about this in a sight seeing book and so decided to stop in. We loved it. To understand how the cable cars work just adds to the fun of riding them. We enjoyed seeing the old cable cars inside too. I had a hard time rating this - I almost gave it a five, but then I give disneyland a five too.
1 family found this helpful
"See the Cables Go Round and Round"
This is a good educational stop for both kids and adults. I've been living in Bay Area for most of my life, and had never been to this little museum that lets you see the action behind the famous cable cars. My son (age 8) was able to read some of the information and understand the mechanics behind the cable cars. It will only take you about 15-20 minutes to got through this small museum.
We also liked that there was a little, uncrowded cafe across the street.
1 family found this helpful
"Free & Fun!"
A hidden gem with a great history lesson! You'll learn a lot about the history of the cable car, how it's operated (which is amazing!) and get to see some really old cars. You can catch the Cable car at Powell Street and ride it right to the museum. Plus, it's FREE!! Definitely worth a trip.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
National Historic Landmarks, the famous cable cars of San Francisco are fun, rain or shine. You get fresh air, great photo ops, and roller-coaster rides up and down the steep hills. To avoid standing in line, very early in the day during the week is the best time to hop on and off the Powell–Hyde, Powell–Mason, and California Street lines, each ending at a “turnaround.” From the Powell–Hyde turnaround on Market Street, walk 2 blocks up to Union Square for an exciting ride on one of the St. Francis Hotel’s thirty-two-story glass elevators, an eye-and ear-popping, 1,000-feet-per-minute flight with dizzying views at the top.
At the end of the California line, you can get off at Mason Street near the Fairmount Hotel and head 3 blocks north to visit the museum.
0 families found this helpful
"The little museum that could."
It is small, noisy, but fascinating. You get to observe how cable cars work, the mechanics are quite simple actually but it is fascinating to look at these cables going on and on and on. Do not miss the downstairs room.
It is free and fun and an easy stop on your way to the Coit Tower or Fisherman's Wharf.
0 families found this helpful
"Interesting for young engineers"
Young engineers will be fascinated with the fantastic huge engines that pull cables all across the city of San Francisco. Take a cable car ride from union square and stop off to see the muscle engine that has kept the cable cars running across San Francisco's hilly streets for hundreds of years.
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