San Francisco Cable Cars

What you need to know

San Francisco’s cable cars are part of an 1873 transit system invented by Andrew Hallidie. The cars grip a continuously moving underground cable to climb hills too steep for ordinary streetcars. Three lines still operate, run by SFMTA. The system was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964 and remains the first moving system to receive that status.

The Three Lines

Each of the three lines runs a different route and ends at a different destination.

Powell-Hyde Line

Powell Street from Market over Nob Hill and Russian Hill. The descent on Hyde Street, near Lombard, has open views toward Alcatraz and the bay. The route ends at Hyde and Beach near Ghirardelli Square and the Hyde Street Pier. Lines at the Powell & Market turnaround are usually the longest of the three.

Powell-Mason Line

Shares the Powell & Market turnaround with Powell-Hyde, then turns through North Beach and ends at Taylor and Bay, closer to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. Same starting wait times. The route doesn’t run along the bay-view ridges of Hyde Street.

California Street Line

Runs east-west between Drumm Street in the Financial District and Van Ness Avenue, climbing over Nob Hill. Cars reverse direction at each end (no turnaround). Stops near Grace Cathedral, the Mark Hopkins, and Old St. Mary’s Church in Chinatown.

Avoiding the Powell Turnaround Wait

The Powell & Market turnaround is where most of the wait happens. On summer weekends, the queue can run over an hour. Options to shorten the wait:

Walk up Powell two or three blocks and board mid-route. Cable cars stop for boarding passengers at intermediate stops if there’s space.

Take the California Street line. No turnaround, no concentrated boarding point, generally shorter waits.

Early morning or late evening. Before 9am and after 7pm, lines are typically shorter.

Weekdays draw fewer riders than weekends.

Riding

Cable cars have inside benches and outside running boards. Riders can either sit on the wooden benches or stand on the outside running boards holding a pole. The cars are fully open on the outside.

The Powell-Hyde descent down Hyde Street is the steepest stretch on the system, dropping about 21% grade between Lombard and North Point.

Cable cars are operated by a two-person crew: the gripman, who works the underground cable, and the conductor, who collects fares and handles passenger flow. Follow their direction when boarding and disembarking.

Fares and Hours

Single ride: $12 (effective January 4, 2026).

Cable Car Plus day pass: $18. Unlimited cable car and Muni rides for one adult plus up to two children for one day.

Hours: Daily, roughly 7am to 11pm. Service frequency runs every 5 to 15 minutes depending on line and time of day.

Pay with Clipper or MuniMobile. At the Powell & Market, Bay & Taylor, and Hyde & Beach terminals between 8am and 8pm, fare must be purchased in advance before boarding. At other stops the conductor collects fare on board.

Pro tips

Walk up a few stops from Powell to skip the line. Take California Street line to avoid crowds entirely. Stand on the running boards for the best experience.