In 1873 Andrew Smith Hallidie originally started the San Francisco cable car after witnessing a horse and car accident losing traction on a hill in 1869, is one of those must do experiences when in the city. Considerably more expensive than riding other forms of Muni as it's more expensive to run and maintain with its more limited capacity, labor intensive for every car. It's fun watching the cable car being rotated on the turntable to its new destination.

These require two people to operate, one is the grip person, which basically watches for traffic safety of pedestrians, motor vehicles, controls the movement of the cable car using a control to grip a moving cable traveling at 25mph underneath its track. To stop the cable car, the operator releases the grip of the moving cable and applies another control for the breaks using pine wood, accounting for the smell of burnt wood, which must be replaced every 72 hours. The second person is the conductor to collect fares, signal the operator for stop requests with one clang, signal clear to go with two clangs on a secondary bell, switch tracks if needed, assist with secondary breaks in the rear when descending downhill.

The route I like best is on the Powell and Hyde Streets line just before its steep descent along Hyde St about six blocks away heading towards Fisherman's Wharf standing on the front of the car with its breathtaking view as it descends downhill along with the smell of burnt pine wood used for braking. Bring a warm jacket in case it's chilly. The Powell and Mason Street line takes a different route to a different part of Fisherman's Wharf lacks the dramatic view from a high hill. The California Street line runs from California and Market in a straight path to Van Ness Avenue, have bi-directional cars, so it switch tracks differently without the need of a turntable at the end of the line as the other two lines. Any of the three lines has a stop to Chinatown.

Fares, routes, and schedules begins running shortly before 6am running to sometime after 1am. Seniors 65 or older with valid ID may ride before 7am or after 9pm for considerably less cash fare. Souvenir tickets are available in limited quantities at the Powell & Market, Hyde & Beach ticket booths, 949 Presidio Ave., Room 103; San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau at 900 Market St, or online for various passes available. It would be worth considering if you intend to ride Muni, including its cable cars, or BART within city limits. Take some time to visit The Cable Car Museum located at Mason/Washington Streets, by way of the Powell and Hyde or Powell and Mason cable cars, open to the public October to March, 10am-6pm, admission is free where you can see the cables in motion and its also the barn where the cable cars come out, go in, and maintained.

There is not enough nostalgia to justify a long wait. Check and see what the wait time is before you start waiting. Lines are slower than they appear. Spend valuable time with other more entertaining pursuits.

I LOVED RIDING THE CABLE CARS!!! The staff were all so entertaining and friendly. I have never met such kind and warm people. They joke around with you as if they have been your friends for years. All the staff was as welcoming as the next. It was such a joy, from Mel to Carl. The ride does seem a bit like a roller coaster, but nothing nauseous. They usually point out sights, as the cable cars are filled with tourists.

All rides on the cable cars are a part of the transportation pass that you can buy at Powell Central Station at Union Square. If not, you can buy a one-way ride for $3 where the conductor has change on the cable car. The cars run constantly (practically every ten minutes), where there are only waits when the cars are filled.

http://www.sfcablecar.com/

Designed and built in 1873 by Andrew Smith Hallidie, the cable cars are still running strong over a hundred years later up the huge hills of San Francisco. It is quite a San Francisco treat to hop on one of these old relics and be transported up over Nob Hill while taking in the breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. If you are lucky you can sit on one of the outside benches and hope that your conductor is in the mood to play the bell as the car rolls along. It is amazing to me that the city actually stopped using the cable car system in the 1970's. They came to their senses, however, and other than the Golden Gate Bridge, they are the most recognised and beloved landmark in this great city. We took the cable cars to Russian Hill from Powell street and also went down to Fisherman's Warf.

If you are really into seeing how the whole system works, go to the Cable Car Museum which is housed right in the operating wheel house where the cables are replaced and the huge motors that pull the cable along are located. The museum has detailed descriptions on how everything works and displays old cable cars, ticket machines, signposts and photographs of the cars in action all the way back to its beggings. There is a very good video that you can watch that explains how the whole thing works. We really enjoyed this museum.

A great way to see San Francisco. Very touristy, But it’s a must-do. Plus, you get the added bonus of feeling like you're in the opening credits of 'Full House'. I was afraid of falling out, but that fear proved baseless.