Ride the Cable Cars - San Francisco

Hop aboard San Francisco’s famous cable car and take a scenic route around the city. It was the worlds first mechanized mass transport system, and is still the last remaining manually operated cable car system in the world.

The idea for these mechanized trolleys came after Andrew Hallidie watched some horses struggle and fall to their death on a typical steep San Francisco street. Known as San Francisco’s moving historical landmark, these cable cars have been ferrying passengers since 1873.

In their heyday, there were almost 600 different cable cars in constant use transporting thousands of San Franciscans to work and back home again. The 1906 earthquake destroyed most of these lines. Visit the Cable Car museum for some insight into the development and rebuilding of these cable cars.

Today, the San Francisco cable car system runs through some of the most visited areas in the area. Three lines pass through different areas; if you want to see the city this is a great way to start.

Ride along the Hyde and Powell line and see Fisherman’s wharf. There is also the Powell and Mason line. These lines service both residential areas and tourist attractions. Catch the cable car to Union Square, through Chinatown or to North beach. The oldest remaining route is the California line which climbs the steep Nob Hill and passes through some beautiful areas.

While visiting San Francisco you must take a ride on the cable cars, a special experience is unique to San Francisco. Be warned, the cable cars are slow! For serious commuting, most San Franciscans use the bus lines, but if you are on holiday these quaint little cable cars are just irresistible.