San Francisco Cable Cars: How to Ride, Tickets, and Tips

Once upon a time, cable car lines serviced the entire city. Today, only three lines remain, but they can take you to some of San Francisco's most popular neighborhoods.

The Powell-Hyde Line

When people imagine riding the cable cars, the Powell-Hyde line is probably what they picture. It traverses some of the steepest streets in the city, giving riders unbelievable views of the city below and the bay beyond. From the clattering climb to Nob Hill to the exhilarating descent into Fisherman's Wharf, the Powell-Hyde cable car will take you to legendary local landmarks including Lombard Street and Ghirardelli Square.

Ride the Powell-Hyde Cable Car

The Powell-Mason Line

While it shares most of its route with the Powell-Hyde line, the Powell-Mason line is not to be counted out. If it's easy access to Chinatown and North Beach you're after, the Powell-Mason line is for you. This route also has the benefit of terminating closer to PIER 39, making all of its great dining and attractions even more accessible to you.

Ride the Powell-Mason Cable Car

The California Street Line

The least popular of the three cable car lines, the California Street route certainly has its merits. The views as it makes its way to and from downtown are dizzyingly dramatic. Its stops on Nob Hill bring you to some exceptional bars, restaurants, and venues—including the classic Tonga Room—and its western end means you're in the perfect spot to explore Polk Street or journey into other nearby neighborhoods on foot.

Ride the California Street Line

A ride on the cable car is a bucket list experience. Here are some must-do's during your ride.

Take Plenty of Photos

Whether you're just looking to make a splash on Instagram or capture the perfect family portrait for your Christmas cards, the cable cars offer you some truly iconic photo ops. When the California Street line reaches its summit on Nob Hill, you can disembark for a visit to Grace Cathedral, The Fairmont Hotel, or Top of the Mark to snap a pic in some luxurious surroundings. Hop off the Powell-Hyde line at Lombard Street for a view at the top of San Francisco's most famously crooked street. Plenty of cable cars are usually waiting to enter service at the turnaround points, making it easy to take photos without worrying about keeping your balance.

Ride the Running Board

Confident visitors can really feel like a local by standing on the outer running boards of the cable cars as they roll along at a steady nine-and-a-half miles per hour. This is perfectly within the rules of Muni ridership; just be mindful that cable cars do share the road with cars, buses, and bicycles. 

Visit the Cable Car Museum

At the intersection of Mason and Washington streets sits the cable car barn and the free and fascinating Cable Car Museum. This is the nexus of San Francisco's cable car system. Visitors can see the massive machinery that keeps the thick cables churning beneath our feet all year long. Learn about the history of the cable cars and the efforts to keep them running. You can reach the Cable Car Museum aboard the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason lines.

How to Ride the Cable Cars

• Visitors must purchase a ticket to ride the cable cars, and must pay for each ride. Adults pay $9; seniors pay $4; children under age four ride for free. You can pay with exact change or via the MuniMobile app or a Clipper card.
• There are designated cable car stops along each route. Line up and wait for the cable car to approach and come to a full stop. Be aware of your surroundings as you step from the curb; cable cars share the road with cars and buses. Listen to the cable car operator's instructions for where you may sit or stand. Payment will be collected after you board.

How to Avoid Big Crowds and Long Lines

The cable cars are understandably quite popular. Follow these inside tips to make sure there's time for them in your itinerary.

• Board at less popular stops. While the turnarounds and terminals of each cable car route might be convenient, they're often very crowded. Consider boarding at less frequented stops along the route. For example: hop on the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason lines at Powell and Sutter streets, just a few blocks north of the busy Market Street turn-around. Or, board the California Street line at Grant and California streets after a visit to Chinatown, rather than waiting in line at the Drumm Street terminal.
• Ride at less popular times. Mid-day (roughly 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) is when most of your fellow visitors board the cable cars. For a more relaxed experience, consider starting or ending your day with a cable car ride instead. A nighttime ride on the California Street line heading downtown can be breathtaking, with the lights of the Bay Bridge shimmering ahead as you plunge down the hill. Just remember to bring an extra layer or two!
• Choose less popular routes. We don't like to play favorites, but the numbers don't lie: the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines are much more popular than the California Street line. If you're short on time and want to squeeze a cable car ride into your stay, try the California Street line. 

What to Expect During Your Cable Car Ride

• Be a little patient. You will never be the only one waiting for a chance to board a cable car. Sometimes you may be waiting upwards of 30 minutes, particularly if you want to board at the Market Street turnaround of the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines. And if you were hoping to get somewhere in a hurry, the cable car isn't for you. Besides having to obey traffic signals and making frequent stops, the cable cars never move faster than nine-and-a-half miles per hour. So, chill out and enjoy the ride.
• Be willing to get cozy. The cable cars aren't very large, and operators won't be shy about asking you to squeeze in to make room for other riders. You may wind up having to stand for the duration of your ride. Just roll with it (no pun intended); you never know who you might meet or what you might learn while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other eager visitors. 
• Dress in layers. Visitors should be ready for a change in the weather no matter what they do in San Francisco, and riding the cable cars is no different. The cable cars are not fully enclosed, and even the parts that are won't be heated. If you were planning an evening ride, you'll probably get chilly. Have that trusty light jacket or hoodie with you when you board.