3 Tips for Enjoying SF Cable Car Culture

So, you’re hanging out in SF and you want 2 see the sights, get out on the town, tour the city.

What do you do?

You could call an Uber or Lyft.

Or ride a bike.

(We’ll even let you borrow one of ours.)

Or enjoy one of the country’s most walkable cities by foot. We have maps 4 you!

But you know what’s not everywhere?

Cable Cars.

You can call an uber, rent a bike, or walk in any city. But, when you’re here, you’re not in any city. You’re in SF!

Listen, do all of the above. But we’re just here to tell you: put the cable cars on your list. You won’t regret it. We understand it’s kinda #oldschool and unfamiliar, which is why we’re going to give some tips.

Three of ‘em.

Ready?

Choose from 3 Routes
First, there are only three routes. the Powell-Hyde Line, the Powell-Mason Line, and the California Line. That simplifies things, right? Right. And that’s what the cable cars are all about. Simplicity. Practicality.

It’s what makes them so darn charming and puts them on postcards.

#ProTip: Both the Powell-Hyde Line and the Powell-Mason Line have stops just outside our door. Your cable car adventure awaits.

Bring Cash or an App
No, not an appetizer, though we are 100% positive the conductor would appreciate something with bacon. Perhaps some mozzarella sticks. No, we mean the MuniMobile app, which you can use to buy tickets. (single rides are $8 per person)

#ProTip: If you’re going to be cable car-ing more than three or more times, consider buying a Visitor Passport. They are available in 1, 3, and 7-day varieties.

Visit the Cable Car Museum
Riding the cable cars will help you understand why they’ve become SF’s unofficial mascots. They’re efficient and fun. And if you want 2 go deeper into the lore, the cable cars can help you with that, too. Both the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stop at the Cable Car Museum where you can learn all about the history of cable cars and the ongoing efforts to save and rebuild them in San Francisco.