Cable Car Ride
add photosFor Routes and Maps: http://www.sfcablecar.com/routes.html
Tickets: can be purchased at turnarounds or from the conductor as you board.
- Adult & Youth (ages 5-17): $3.00 each way.
- Senior (ages 65+) & Disabled: $3.00 each way ($1.00 9pm-7am).
Passports Passes: are perfect for visitors to the city, and allow riding on streetcars, buses, and cable cars.
- One Day: $9.00.
- Three Days: $15.00.
- Seven Days: $20.00.
18 Reviews for Cable Car Ride
37
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'11, '12
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"A San Francisco Treat"
The cable cars that run up and down the hills of San Francisco are a must do for anyone visiting the city. Stand or sit on the outside of the car and you get a great glimps into the unique neighborhoods of the city. Also know that you can get on/off at other points besides Union Square and Ghiradelli Square, which usually have very long lines.
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"OK, it's touristy, but it's so worth it!"
If you have small children, I recommend getting on at the round about near Market St in order to get a seat. Sitting in the outside area, where the kids can watch the cable grip is fabulous! If kids are older, and it's not too busy, get on at union square.
The cable museum is worth an stop, too!
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"most memorable"
My boys most memorable experience in San Francisco was their ride on the cable cars. The first time I took them my youngest fell asleep so he didn't get to enjoy it but the oldest 4 loved it. They made all kinds of tourist friends while riding and loved the sounds. And if you need to get your little one to sleep while out and about the cable car may be a good option too!
1 family found this helpful
"A Must Do!"
Everyone has to do this if they are in San Francisco! The cable car is so iconic and so much fun on top of it! Kids of all ages will love it. My 3 year old thinks it is so cool to be on an "open train". Even if it isn't going where you need to go, it is fun to just ride it around and see the sights. It does get crowded with locals and tourists, so just hold on to the kiddos tight.
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"You have to do this...no matter the age of your child"
No matter how old your child is, take them on a cable car. They mandate smaller children stay in the covered area of the cable car. My son was about 15 moths old when we took him on the car and he LOVED it! Maybe it was the people (loves people), or the bells, but it was an amazing experience!
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"Cable Car Ride"
A must do activity for San Francisco. It is a great way to see the major attractions of San Francisco. The company also allows you to hop off and on at the various stops if you want to spend some time at the attractions rather than just drive by. The tour guides have a great sense of humor and an extensive knowledge of the city. I'm not one for guided tours but this was definitely worth it.
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"MUST DO IN SF!!!"
We were so glad we got to experience SF'S famous cable cars. Thankfully my kids are older and got seats. A big negative is that a lot of local commuters ride the cable cars so they can get packed real quick. We had people hanging out the doors! nbut if you get a seat it's a great way to take in the sights of SF. Didn't have time to shop at Union Square, but I understand that is another MUST DO!
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"a must"
GOTTA TRY AT LEAST ONCE!! it is a must when going to SF downtown. Believe me better than driving a car. Getting crazy driving there. So hectic, with one road you can barely pass cause of taxis stopping whenever they want then the other road only one way, the way you don't wanna drive to. Hop to bart exit powell, it'll take you to the mall, get upstairs to the guest/customer relation. ask for map. Get outa the mall, cross the street. get a one day pass if you want to walk around downtown. wait for the 'ahem..looong line (be patient. wooorttthhh it!!!) It'll take you to the main attraction of the city. union square, chinatown, fisherman wharf, lombard street, you name it. just remember to check the map cause sometime you'll get caught up and you'll forget. Try the back where you can see the road, the middle with the driver, the front for dare devil whom too young for rollercoaster. ring the bell when you want to stop. and oh yeah, take picture with it, and in it. don't be shy to overuse it. afterall, it is what san francisco well known for. remember check the last ride back to powell. trust me you don't wanna walk back to powell, or get taxi. The night lights here are awesome too, especially holiday season. HAVE FUN!!!
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"older kids will love this"
I remember when me and my father were in SF together and he took my on my first cable car ride, i was 11, but it was still scary, but it was also fun and memorable! It might be hard if you take more that one kid, it also might be dangerous, but if you have a older kid, this is perfect!
1 family found this helpful
"Must do!"
After walking around all day it was nice to take the cable car ride! It's nice because you have views from every direction. Plus it's just plain fun! I think everyone of all ages could enjoy a ride on the cable cars just because it's so different from what we are used to. It's a must do if you visit San Francisco!
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"Try it without the stroller"
Cable cars are great adventure in a modern city. Choose a line you want to try and be sure you come to the end stop on time. It gets crowded easily and with kids in tow you may want to be seated. You can also bring and umbrella stroller with you, because it is folds easily and you can use it for another transportation. With five dollars per person it is kinda pricey, but must-do activity in San Francisco. Kids will be delighted!
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"So fun every time"
I used to take this thing as my commute to work...it hasnt lost its fun. I love the smell of the wooden brakes and a smile always crosses my face every time we hit the hill on mason and green(ish). It doesnt really go where I need it to anymore but I wish I could have my own for trips to the grocery store:) PS skip the wharf and hang out in north beach...biscotti, trieste, l'osteria del forno etc!!
1 family found this helpful
"Best ride in town"
My kids LOVE the cable cars. That is all my Littles (4year old twins) wanted to do. My older kids loved it as well. They loved just riding around town seeing the buildings and waving at people on the sidewalks. The cable cars are a must for anyone visiting the San Francisco area.
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"A Must Do"
Going to San Francisco and not taking the cable car is an aberration. this is a must do in the city! My favorite: taking the cable car at the end of Powell Street and going all the way to Fisherman's Wharf, with the cable car going down towards the Bay. Breathtaking. Do not forget to look at the machine men and how they handle the riding of the cable car. After or before your ride, pay a visit to the Cable Car Museum: free and fun.
1 family found this helpful
"Expensive ride but gotta do it..."
Whenever I have the urge to play 'Tourist' which is not often, and the kids (12/10) are game, we head to SF and try to do as much touristy stuff as we can. Once in a long while, we'll take the cable car ride, but not in the summer time, as we don't want to spend most of our time in the long, long lines. Mind you it is pricey for a one way ride, but the experience of having the cool breeze, clang of the bell, and the bumpy ride is well worth it .
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"The roller coaster of public transportation"
I haven't had a chance to ride this with my own kids, but I still remember the thrill of riding as a child. The chilly winds of an open trolley car, the huge hills and drops, all while passing by oncomming traffic: who wouldn't feel a little sense of excitement? Just bring a coat, because those winds will chill you to the bone!
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"The Real San Francisco Treat"
Your kids probably don't know what the Rice a Roni song, but they've still gotta take a rollercoaster ride on the SF cable cars up and down those crazy hills. If you've got little kids who are afraid of loud noises, this might be too much. Just take the bus and watch the cable cars from the street.
For older kids, get on board and enjoy the ride. For your thrill-seeking teens/tweens, have them stand on the trolley off the back and get the true experience of riding the trolley old school style.
Be sure to take it down to the end of Powell and see where they turn the cars around. If you take it to 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 Cable Car Museum if you're kids are into a bit of history.
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"Expensive but worth it"
We actually live off the Powell-Mason cable car line and still think it's a fun thing to do with out-of-town visitors. But try to do it at off-hours because it can get crowded. You'll pass by old San Francisco neighborhoods and catch glimpses of the Bay and other iconic images. Weather-permitting, stand or sit outside to catch the exhilarating air (probably foggy). If you're coming from Union Square, go one way on the cable car and come back along the F-line or regular MUNI bus (it will be cheaper).
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