cable car tour sf

A Guide to Cable Cars in San Francisco: How to Ride Them, Cost & Routes

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From which routes to take, where to get on, and where to sit for the best views, this article has everything you need to know to ride cable cars in San Francisco.

San Francisco’s iconic cable cars not only transport people through the city but also through time–back to the city’s gold-rush origins. 

Taking a cable car ride is a must-do experience that I always recommend to visitors.

Step onto a hand-crafted wooden car, and an underground cable steadily pulls you along the city streets through colorful neighborhoods to the waterfront. 

Grab a seat outside for some incredible views. Or, if you’re brave, hold onto the pole for an urban rollercoaster ride!

Although San Francisco has plenty of high-tech transportation options available (watch out for those driverless cars!), cable cars are still one of the best — and most fun — ways to get up and down the steep streets of Nob Hill.

Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state. 

Table of Contents

Cable Car Map, Routes & Timetable 

View route map here.

San Francisco has three cable car routes: Powell Hyde, Powell-Mason, and California Van Ness. Powell Hyde and Powell Mason run from downtown San Francisco to Fisherman’s Wharf.

In contrast, California Van Ness runs along California Street, through the Financial District, and into the leafy Nob Hill neighborhood.

Most people start their ride at the turnaround. It’s fun to watch the car spin around, plus starting your trip at the beginning of the line gives you the most bang for your buck. Union Square is a tourist hotspot, with shops, restaurants, and museums nearby.

Both Powell line routes follow the same line through downtown, splitting as they get closer to the northern end of San Francisco to terminate in different areas of Fisherman’s Wharf.

So if you’re trying to decide which cable car route to take, ride one line out and the other Powell route on your return.

The cable car schedule is straightforward: you’ll see a cable car every ten minutes, from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. daily.

An important note: the cable cars are historical artifacts or accurate recreations of one. Unlike other MUNI transportation, cable cars are not wheelchair accessible, unfortunately.

Powell Hyde Cable Car

Powell Hyde starts at the Powell and Market cable car turnaround near Union Square and ends at Fisherman’s Wharf. The route is 2.1 miles long and takes about 20 minutes.

After departing Union Square, this cable car line takes passengers into the beautiful Russian Hill neighborhood, with its historic homes and steep hills. 

If you’re looking for scenic views of the city, take this route from Union Square toward Fisherman’s Wharf.

The cable car pauses for a moment as it passes by the top of famous Lombard Street, known as the world’s most crooked street, so take this opportunity to grab a photo. Here you’ll get those fantastic views across the city and beyond, all the way to Alcatraz Island. 

The Powell Hyde cable car line ends at Hyde and Beach Streets at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Nearby Ghirardelli Square offers delicious hot chocolate if you’re looking for somewhere to warm up after a chilly ride.

Follow the wharf to the east for Pier 39, where you can cut down Taylor Street to hop on a Powell Mason line for the return trip down Powell Street to Union Square.

Powell Mason Cable Car

Powell Mason also starts at Powell and Market Street, ending at Taylor Street and Bay Street in the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood. 

The route is 1.6 miles long and takes about 17 minutes to complete.

The Powell Mason line stops close to the bottom of famous Lombard Street, which is the best view of this street. This cable car ride takes you into the buzzy North Beach neighborhood, known for its vibrant Italian-American community.

This stop is an excellent place to hop off for a bite, eat in one of the neighborhood trattorias around Washington Square, grab a drink at Francis Ford Coppola’s Cafe Zoetrope, or check out the literary landmark, City Lights bookstore.

The Powell Mason cable car line ends at Taylor Street, where it drives onto the Bay & Taylor cable car turnaround for the return journey. 

Confusingly, Bay Street is not adjacent to the bay – this is the old boundary of the city before landfill gained extra land from the water.

Head north three blocks, and you’ll hit the Fisherman’s Wharf area, where you’ll find tourist attractions at Pier 39. 

Continue your San Francisco tour into the water with a bay cruise , or explore the ocean while staying on dry land with a trip to the Aquarium of the Bay .

Walk west along the water’s edge to Hyde Street Pier, where you can see the historic ships used by San Franciscans to cross over to Marin before the Golden Gate Bridge was constructed in 1937. 

To return to Union Square, head south on Hyde Street toward Beach Street, where you’ll find the cable car turnaround for the Powell Hyde line.

California Van Ness Cable Car

There are other cable cars besides the Powell lines.

Unlike the Powell lines, which run north-south, connecting downtown San Francisco to the  Fisherman’s Wharf area, the California line starts at California and Market streets. It follows California Street on an east-west route. 

The route is 1.4 miles long, taking about 16 minutes.

Starting near the Ferry Building, the SF cable cars glide through the Financial District and Chinatown, climbing up to Nob Hill and ending at Van Ness Avenue.

The California line is the least touristy of all three cable car lines. It’s popular with commuters, who use the historic streetcars for their original purpose of bringing in workers to the Financial District.

If you step off for a look around, the towering modern buildings contrast with the classic cars.

After emerging from the high-rise shaded streets of the business district, the cable cars continue up to the swanky neighborhood of Nob Hill. 

Hop off to sip martinis at the Top of the Mark, the Intercontinental Hotel’s famous bar with fabulous views across San Francisco.

The California Street route also takes you through Chinatown, home to the biggest Chinese population outside of Asia. 

I highly recommend taking a tour of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory to see how they make these little post-dinner treats.

California line cars do not need a turnaround, as they have double-ended cars. These more “modern” cable cars have outer sections at the front and back.

Cost to Ride the San Francisco Cable Car

Cable car tickets cost $8 for a single ride, with under four-year-olds riding for free. Seniors, people with disabilities, and those on Medicare can ride for $4 from 9pm to 7am.

If you have exact change, you can pay the cable car fare collector after you are seated on board.

Otherwise, buy a ticket from one of the ticket booths located across the city . A Clipper Card will also work as payment on the San Francisco cable car system.

The cable car price gets you a single ride only, and that could be just a few stops if you want to get off to explore the Cable Car Museum or any of the other exciting landmarks along the route.

If you’re using public transport to get around San Francisco or want to ride more than once, it makes sense to buy a One Day Visitor Passport for $13 instead.

These passes offer unlimited rides on all Muni transport, including the historic cable cars. Multi-day passes are also available.

Download the MuniMobile app to buy a visitor pass. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can buy a pass from a kiosk at a higher price of $26.

How to Ride the Cable Cars in San Francisco

Getting on the Cable Car

Most people get on at the cable car turnarounds and exit at the other end of the cable car lines, which makes sense because you’re getting the longest possible trip this way.

However, this also means waiting in line during busy periods. You can avoid lines by walking to the next stop, but you may not get the best spot.

If you’re keen to get a good seat, it’s worth waiting at the turnaround and letting a few people in line behind you go first so you’re first in line for the next car. 

Don’t forget; you can also board on the other side of the cable car. Hustle, and you can grab a great seat even if you’re not first in line.

It’s also important to remember that if you’re paying with cash, you’ll need to have exact change. 

Cable car stops along the routes are clearly marked with a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop. Wait by the sign and wave to signal the driver that you want to get on when you see the car approaching.

Where to sit on the Cable Car

There are outside and inside seats or poles to stand up and hold. The outside seats usually go first, as they offer the best views. Bring an extra layer; it can get cold in San Francisco!

For the best views on the Powell Hyde line, sit on the right side on the way to Fisherman’s Wharf or the left if you’re heading back to Union Square.

Personally, I think the best seat is not a seat at all, but the standing area by the poles. It’s a lot of fun coasting down hills and zipping round corners as you hang on tight, wind in your hair, traffic inches away.

How to get off the Cable Car

Most people get off at the cable car turnarounds, where they stop to let everybody off. 

If you want to hop off at another point on the route, simply say “Next stop, please” to the driver about half a block before you want to leave.

Be careful getting off at the stops, as you will be stepping into traffic. Disembarking at the turnarounds is the safest option.

Tips for Riding San Francisco Cable Cars

• Skip long lines at the Market Street turnaround by waiting instead at the O’Farrell Street and Powell Street stop. Drivers leave a few seats empty at the cable car turnarounds so passengers can get on at later stops.
• Lines are generally shorter for the California line turnaround at California and Market streets, so take this route if you don’t have time to wait.
• The Powell Hyde route has the best views but also the longest lines. Go between 9 and 10a.m to avoid a long wait.
• If you took the Powell Hyde line to Fisherman’s Wharf , ride the Powell Mason route back – the line is shorter, and you’ll go through a different neighborhood.
• It’s a lot of fun to stand on the outside step holding onto the pole, especially when coasting down the steep streets. Just don’t let go!

Fun Facts About San Francisco’s Cable Cars

• San Francisco cable cars are a unique National Historic Landmark, the only one that moves.
• Poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou was a San Francisco cable car conductor in World War II.
• New cable cars, hand-built by skilled carpenters, take around two years to complete.
• In addition to the historic cable cars, San Francisco also has traditional streetcars, which run along the Embarcadero.
• Two people operate San Francisco cable cars: a conductor and a gripman. The gripman has a difficult job, requiring perfect timing and upper body strength to handle the cable pulling the car.
• A bell-ringing contest among cable car operators is held annually in Union Square. Conductors and gripmen compete for glory in a popular event that draws huge crowds.

History of the San Francisco Cable Car

San Francisco has a unique topography, creating a unique problem. The many hills scattered across the city’s seven square miles are so steep that the transportation system of the 1870s (horse and cart) was sadly underpowered.

Seeing the poor animals struggle to drag heavy loads through the city streets, inventor Andrew Smith Hallidie devised an innovative solution: a cable-driven rail system based on mining technology.

Members of the public boarded the first cable cars in August 1873.

The San Francisco cable car system was hugely popular, and at its peak, there were 53 miles of track across the city, connecting neighborhoods with the Ferry Building, Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio.

In 1888, electric streetcars came on the scene, and cheaper technology replaced cable cars in San Francisco as a standard San Francisco convention. 

The 1906 earthquake and subsequent fires also damaged the cable car system, including the cable car barn that housed the vehicles.

By 1947, the city proposed shutting down the last three lines. Fortunately, San Francisco cable car fans launched a successful campaign to save the iconic cable cars, recognizing that cable car rides are an essential part of the city’s heritage.

Today, only three lines remain, but they take millions of tourists and commuters to their destinations across the city every day. 

Today, the restored cable car barn does double duty as a repair shop and as the site of the Cable Car Museum.

Ultimately, Hallidie’s San Francisco cable cars survived earthquakes, wars, and new technology to become an enduring icon of this Bay Area city well into the 21st century.

Visit the Cable Car Museum to Learn More

The Cable Car Museum is one of the most unique San Francisco Museums. The Powell line runs by the Cable Car Museum ,  in the Washington-Mason power house, and the cable car barn on Nob Hill at the corner of Mason Street and Washington Street.

The museum is free and showcases old cable cars plus other exhibits. You can also see the enormous winding wheels that move the underground cables and the engines that power them.

It’s an excellent opportunity to find out more about the history of the San Francisco cable car.

FAQs About San Francisco Cable Cars

Which cable car route is best in San Francisco?

Many consider the Powell Hyde line the best cable car route of the three lines in San Francisco, which runs from the corner of Powell and Market Streets to the end of Hyde Street at the waterfront.

Cars on this line diverge from the Powell Mason line at Jackson Street, taking a steep route through the famous hills of San Francisco.

Riding a cable car on this line gives passengers superb views across the city and a thrilling ride down one of the steepest hills in San Francisco.

Because of its popularity, expect long lines at the Market Street stop, especially in the summer.

Arrive early at 9 a.m., or consider one of the other lines, like the California St line.

Are cable cars currently operating in San Francisco?

After a 16-month shutdown during the pandemic, the cable cars are back in service. Cable car hours are 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

How many cable car routes are there in San Francisco?

Three cable car lines remained after a successful campaign in the 1950s to preserve cable cars as a tourist attraction.

The Powell Hyde line and Powell Mason line depart from the corner of Market Street and Powell Street, ending in different areas of Fisherman’s Wharf.

The California Street cable cars run between the Ferry Building and Van Ness Avenue in Russian Hill.

Do Clipper cards work on cable cars?

Yes, Clipper Cards do work to ride the cable cars. If you have a monthly transit pass, riding the cable cars is included along with all other MUNI transportation options. 

You can buy a Clipper Card for $3 at one of the ticket booths, where you can also load cash onto the card.

If you are a visitor, a one, three, or seven-day Visitor Passport offers better value for money if you plan on riding a cable car more than once.

Do cable cars go down Lombard Street?

The cable cars do not wind down Lombard Street itself, but they pass by at the top and the bottom of the famous street. 

If you want to walk down Lombard Street (preferable to walking up the notoriously steep road), take the Powell Hyde line from the corner of Powell and Market Streets, then disembark at the Lombard Street stop.

Walk down the steps, then continue your journey to Fisherman’s Wharf by getting on the Powell Mason line, which stops at the bottom of Lombard Street.

Are San Francisco Street cars and cable cars the same?

These two modes of transportation are different, and you can ride both in San Francisco. 

Street cars, which eventually replaced most cable car lines, are propelled by overhead electrical lines along rails on the street.

Cable cars are a uniquely San Francisco invention devised for the steep hills. A steel cable running below the street connects to the car above through a device controlled by the cable car operator, or “gripman,” driving the car.

You can ride a historic streetcar on the F line, which runs along the Embarcadero on San Francisco’s waterfront.

Other terms for street cars are the San Francisco trolley or tram.

How do Cable Cars Work?

San Francisco’s cable cars appear to glide along the streets without any apparent means of power. The secret hides under the tracks: a steel cable snakes through a channel below the rails.

Each cable car has a grip, a device that holds the cable, enabling the cable to pull the vehicle along the streets at a constant speed of 9.5 miles per hour. 

When the cable cars pass over another set of rails, the grip must disengage to avoid slicing through the tracks. The car coasts through the gap, and the grip is engaged again on the other side.

This maneuver is all performed by a cable car operator, a gripman. It’s a highly skilled job that requires perfect timing. 

You can learn more about how the cable car system works in the Washington and Mason Streets Cable Car Museum.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah McDonald

Sarah McDonald is a travel writer based in the Bay Area. She writes for the national parenting website Red Tricycle and on her own family travel blog, Tiny Trailblazers . She loves exploring California’s outdoors and has a weakness for a national park gift shop.

Sarah enjoys sharing her Bay Area expertise with readers curious to try popular restaurants and off-the-beaten-path adventures in California. When she’s not writing reviews and travel guides, you’ll likely find her trying to keep up with her kids on a hiking trail or deciphering the menu at a new restaurant.

Looking for more San Francisco travel tips? Check out these related articles below!

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Best Thrift Stores in San Francisco for Second-Hand Gems 

Best Pizza Places in San Francisco

Best Weekend Trips From San Francisco 

Things to do in San Francisco at Night

Best Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge

Where to See Redwoods Near San Francisco

Outdoor Date Ideas in the Bay Area

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Hi, I'm Mimi! I'm an outdoorsy Californian who has spent over 28 years immersed in the incredible natural beauty that California has to offer. My goal is to inspire others to get out and find their next adventure in California. Whether it’s escaping to an alpine lake in the Sierras, finding peace among the giant redwoods, or road tripping down the PCH, there’s always more to explore in this beautiful state.

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How to Ride

The san francisco cable car.

This post is a guide to riding the famous San Francisco cable cars including tips on tickets, routes, and how to ride.

We give you tips on which important attractions and sights can be seen with each particular line. We also include a ride (and tutorial) on our  San Francisco in One Day Tour . 

As a local San Francisco tour guide, I spend a lot of time doing things alone, often before or after my tours.

To help write this post, I've used some of my and my fellow guides' experiences on the cable cars and streetcars.

I've also used some of the ideas from people like you, folks who have taken our tours.

I hope the post provides you with all of the info you need to have an enjoyable ride through the beautiful city of San Francisco!

• Cable Car Routes
• Where to Board
• Tickets + Schedules
• Information, Including How to Ride a Cable Car
• Cable Cars vs. Streetcars
• Tips from Locals and Travelers
• Things to do in San Francisco

CABLE CAR ROUTES

There are three routes you can choose from.

• Powell-Hyde Line (Blue Line)
• Powell-Mason Line (Green Line)
• California Line (Red Line)

Which cable car route is the best to take?

Though each route provides breathtaking views, your experience will vary depending on the direction the car is going, your location in the car, your driver, and traffic. 

All three lines intersect at the California Street and Powell Street intersection.

Click on the image below to open a larger interactive San Francisco Cable Car map.

Most San Franciscans will tell you that the Powell-Hyde line is the most exciting trip to take and we wholeheartedly agree.

The Powell-Hyde Street line starts at the cable car turnaround at Powell Street and Market Street ( map ).

On this route, you'll have views of  Coit Tower , Alcatraz Island , the Financial District, and San Francisco Bay.

As it rides north along Powell Street, you pass by Union Square, through the downtown area, and ride up to Nob Hill where the views can’t be beaten.  

You'll also pass the  Cable Car Museum , which is located at 1201 Mason Street, worth a visit if you are interested in the mechanics and history of cable cars.

As the ride continues up (and up, and up) to Russian Hill, you'll cross Lombard Street , known as the "Crookedest Street in the World."  

It's from this stop (Hyde and Lombard) that you will get an unobstructed view of Alcatraz Island.

The car then plunges (VERY slowly) down the steep Russian Hill and you'll arrive at Fisherman's Wharf . From there, where you connect with our Fisherman's Wharf tour or see Pier 39 at the end of the route!

One thing it's important to note is that tickets for this line must be purchased in advance of boarding if traveling between 8 am and 8 pm.

TIP:  For the best views, we suggest riding on the right side of the car if you're departing from Powell & Market, and the left side if you're departing from Hyde & Beach.

Which cable car goes to Chinatown?

The California Line will take you to the southern end of Chinatown. It's not the most popular cable car line in the Bay Area, but it's an excellent option if you want to visit this historic district of San Francisco.

This cable car service will also take you to the Financial District!

Which cable car goes to Lombard Street?

As we mentioned previously, the Powell-Hyde line will take you to the top of Lombard Street, but if you want to see it from the bottom, you should take the Powell-Mason Street line instead.

It's also worth noting that the Powell-Mason line ends just a few blocks short of the Aquatic Park.

WHERE TO BOARD A CABLE CAR

The easiest way to start your cable car ride is at one of the turnarounds (in other words, the beginning/end of the line).

Above you'll find a video of the Powell-Market Sts. turnaround where you can see the conductor and grip operator turn the cable car around so it can head back in the other direction!

You may also start your cable car ride at any stop along the route . 

Stops are located about every two blocks along each line, and you'll see a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop.

When waiting at the stop, you'll see the cable car approaching from a distance. - when it nears you, raise your hand to signal the driver to stop or the driver may pass you by!

Keep in mind that if you board at a stop that is somewhat near the beginning of the cable car line, the car might be full and you won't be allowed to board.

CABLE CAR TICKETS

You have a few different payment options to buy your ticket:

The most convenient way is to purchase tickets from the MUNImobile app . 

You then use the app to open the ticket image which you then show the conductor! It's very cool and super convenient. 

You can also buy your tickets at the ticket booths located at the Powell-Market Street turnaround and the Hyde-Beach Street cable car turnaround.

Be warned: lines at the ticket booths can be very long.

Buy your ticket from the cable car conductor. Officially, you can only pay with exact change.

However, conductors often give back change, but you must pay with small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20). The driver won't take any money larger than a $20 bill.

You can buy your tickets from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (also at Powell and Market).

TIP:  Instead of waiting in long lines at the ticket booths, walk up a few blocks, catch your cable car there, and purchase your ticket from the conductor.

But remember, you must have small bills to purchase your ticket from the cable car conductor.  

CABLE CAR TICKET PRICES

You may have heard that you can hop off and on cable cars as many times as you like once you purchase a ticket.

This isn't exactly true, though there is a way to use cable cars as a hop-on/hop-off tour experience.

So, how much does it cost to take a cable car ride in San Francisco?

Single Ride Tickets  

These are $8 a trip (no transfers) although there's a discount of $4 for seniors, the disabled, and those with Medicare if they ride before 7 am and after 9 pm. An ID for the latter may be required.

Note that youth under the age of four can ride cable cars for free.

These tickets are valid for a single ride. If you start your ride, then get out of the car and try to board a different car, you will have to pay another $7.

Visitor Passport Tickets  

If you are interested in taking more than one ride or doing a self-planned hop-on/hop-off trip, you may want to buy a Visitor Passport Ticket.

These tickets give you unlimited rides on cable cars and other transportation modes (Muni, Muni Metro, and historic streetcars).  

You can purchase the following tickets, however, it's important to note that multi-day passes must be used consecutively.

• 1-Day | $13.00 plus a $3.00 card fee
• 3-Day | $31.00 plus a $3.00 card free
• 7-Day | $41.00 plus a $3.00 card fee

Note that there is a discount on these if you purchase them on the MuniMobile app, though you can also find them at ticket kiosks and sales locations.

For more information check the  San Francisco MTA  website.

A bonus: if you are buying a Visitor Passport ticket, these tickets sometimes save you money at San Francisco attractions.

One of the most common savings is at stores at Ghirardelli Square.

So head over to the Powell-Hyde line and then hop over to Ghirardelli for a delicious ice cream sundae after your ride!

TIP: If you are thinking about taking a guided hop-on/hop-off bus tour, take a look at our post for all the options as well as recommendations   Which San Francisco Bus Tour Is Best?

CABLE CAR SCHEDULES

The cable car hours start at 7 am and some operate until 11 pm every day.

With 62 stations on the 3 cable car lines, we can't list the entire schedule here.

However, you can plan out your trip on the SFMTA website. This is where you can see the departure schedule for your desired station.

CABLE CAR INFORMATION

Below we've included some information on how to ride a cable car, about how they work, and about the history of this San Francisco landmark.

How to Ride a Cable Car

Riding a cable car is somewhere between riding an open-air bus and taking a roller coaster ride (but a slow roller coaster!)

If you have never ridden a cable car before, it's good to know the 'rules of the road', especially if you want to have the best views or the most comfortable ride -- or both!

When you board the cable car, you'll have to decide what kind of ride you want to take.

Many people prefer to sit down for a more comfortable ride (although the wooden benches are pretty hard, and the cable car does bounce around a bit).

Other people prefer to stand up and hold onto the poles to make the ride a little more exciting, especially as the car goes up and down the steep San Francisco hills.

Note that the cars don't stop at every single stop. You must let the driver know ahead of time by saying something like "Next stop, please".

Most importantly make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the car--we don't want anybody getting hurt!

Above is a video where you can see for yourself the best way to ride the cable cars and what you shouldn't do while riding one (like waving...not a great idea!)

How Cable Cars Work

It's actually quite simple.

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line. The cable lines are always moving through the city streets at a constant speed.

When the conductor needs to stop, he or she simply releases the car's grip on the cable. To move, the grip is initiated again.

Thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

History of the Cable Cars

Before cable cars were invented, the only form of mass transit was horse-drawn trolleys.  

That's fine in flat areas of the region. But San Francisco is well known for its steep hills.

Enter Andrew Hallidie, a wealthy businessman who, after witnessing a bad horse-trolley accident said to himself, "There's got to be a better way!"

He put his time, money, and energy into discovering that better way, and in 1873 the San Francisco Cable Car took to the streets.

They quickly became one of the city’s most widely used and most recognized modes of transportation.

Though the cable car system was nearly eliminated twice (once due to the destruction caused by the 1906 earthquake, and again in 1947 at the hands of the city’s mayor), the cable car has always managed to stay on its tracks.

The San Francisco Cable Cars were named a National Historic Landmark in 1964, the first public transportation system to do so.

You can read more about its history at  San Francisco Cable Cars: The Invention that Changed a City .

SAN FRANCISCO STREETCARS

Despite the common belief that the San Francisco Cable Car and San Francisco Streetcars are synonymous and interchangeable, this isn’t actually the case.  

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line, thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

The streetcar runs on tracks as well but has an electrical pole on top connecting it to a wire, its main source of power.

They could technically be called a San Francisco Tram or even a San Francisco Trolley but this is not something locals like to hear.

You can read more about the city's streetcars at  How to Ride San Francisco's Historic Streetcar .

The  San Francisco Cable Car  looks like this:

The  San Francisco Streetcar  looks like this:

Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy your ride in San Francisco!!

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to ride San Francisco cable cars and streetcars, sometimes you need answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

Thankfully, our  San Francisco Travel Tips group on Facebook is the perfect place to look for any answers you may need.

Here are a few examples of interesting and helpful tips and tricks provided by our staff and others:

• Skip long lines by riding before 9 in the morning or after 8 at night.
• You can also skip long lines at one stop by walking up to the next cable car stop.
• Sadly, cable cars do not have accessible boarding.
• If you can, stand on the ride and grab onto a pole. Hold very tightly!
• The most popular seats face outside and they are grabbed quickly. If you want one and aren't first in line, go around to the other side of the car.
• Be sure to keep your backpacks, bags, and purses toward the center of the car and not dangling outside of the car because trucks, buses, and other cable cars pass nearby.
• If traffic allows, the driver may let you off between stops. No matter what though, you should not get off until the car comes to a complete stop.

Related Posts

• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
• Things to Do in San Francisco
• Alcatraz Tours

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San Francisco

Cable Car City Tour

Explore the best sights of San Francisco at your leisure, while riding the world famous Cable Car! We will stop at many attractions like Union Square, Chinatown, Nob Hill, The Italian Quarter, and Fisherman's Wharf! On this tour you can get off at any stop and explore for as long as you want! Keep in mind Cable Cars will arrive at each stop, every 10 minutes.

Expected Tour Length: 3 hours 5 mins

Number of Stops: 14

Tour Type: 🚗 driving

Key Locations

• •  Union Square  
• •  Chinatown  
• •  Westin St. Francis  
• •  North Beach  
• •  Nob Hill  
• •  Cable Car Musuem  
• •  Fisherman's Wharf  

Available in:

• •  English  
• •  French  
• •  Spanish  
• •  Portuguese  
• •  German  
• •  Italian  
• •  Filipino  
• •  Arabic  
• •  Japaneese  
• •  Korean  
• •  Chinese  
• • Private tour, completely controlled by you!
• • Pintours App allows for full personalization.
• • Pause or skip any stop on the tour.
• • Unlimited free time, stay as long as you want
• • Free access to secret info per stop

Designed By

Matt chatta.

Certified Tour Guide since 2005

Tour Sample

Start location, $ 15 /tour ($5 per extra person).

( Includes Unlimited Cable Car rides all day and tour! )

Total: $ 15

298 reviews, pintoursreviewer.

Wow! Such a fun tour! I definitely recommend booking the cable car tickets option, as you have unlimited cable car rides all day! We ended up also adding the Fisherman’s Wharf tour, and Downtown SF. It was great! We got to see the whole city and have free rides the whole time!

Short trip. New experience.

It did no play during my cable car trip: it said not playing! I tried fumbling with it but stopped as it was distracting from the views. Later, in my hotel, I was able to play SOME stops, but not all.

funktioniert

helpful. It did y tell me where I was or where each stop was.

We had a good time. but at times the video portion was hard to follow

Engaging, but wold like to hear more stories!

Had fun all day

Great commentary and fun ride!

Had a blast on the cable car! Really a fun and memorable experience! Great fun for the entire family

The operator of the cable car were very friendly and interacted with the guest. It made the ride fun.

Nice views and commentary

Heard a lot about the cable car! Fun tour, but its a shared experience! Unless you have a big group of 10 people, other people will sit with you as well! If you book the single ride, you can only ride once. Otherwise, I recommend booking the unlimited pass for all day rides

Only had 2 days in SF, and wanted a quick intro through the city, and this was great! Booked this after my last meeting of the day, and got to the cable car line around mid day. I got the single ride ticket, but recommend the unlimited pass, if you want to explore all the stops. The tour app is fun as well! I used the public wifi when waiting in line to set it up I recommend also doing a walking tour to learn more about the city.

Booked this for 150th cable car anniversary discount! It was a lot of fun, just keep in mind there’s always a lot of people here! So try to come early! And make sure to setup the tour app before riding

Was not clear where the start and stop locations were. They do not tell you when you get on.

Excellent explained

I wanted more specific places to visit other than just street corners.

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San Francisco’s cable cars are symbolic of the charm and distinct flavor of the city. In no other place can you ride a moving national historic monument.

Fisherman’s Wharf is served by two cable car lines: the Powell-Hyde line on Hyde and Beach Streets (Aquatic Park near Ghirardelli Square), and the Powell-Mason line on Taylor and Bay Streets (middle of Fisherman's Wharf area, a few blocks from Pier 45 at Taylor and Bay Street). Both lines run between Fisherman's Wharf and Powell and Market Streets in Union Square. 

The inventor of the cable car was Andrew Hallidie, a Scottish engineer and wire rope manufacturer. Hallidie's inspiration came after observing a team of four horses struggling to haul a public conveyance up a steep San Francisco hill. The cobblestone street was slick from the fog, and when one horse slipped, the car rolled backwards, dragging all four horses with it. Hallidie then designed a cable railway system, and at 5:00 a.m. on August 2, 1873, Hallidie guided the first cable car down Clay Street. Today, San Francisco has 38 cable cars in its fleet. 

Cable Car Fares

Adult and youth, ages 5 to 17: $8 each ride, a single ride on a single cable car vehicle.

Senior, ages 65 or older; disabled; Medicare card holder:  7 a.m. to 9 p.m.: $8 each ride.  Before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.: $4 each ride, cash or ticket only. Valid ID required.

No transfers/fare receipts are accepted.

Fare receipts are issued; one-ride-only receipts are not valid as transfers.

An All-Day Passport is sold for $13 if you use the Muni Mobile app, or load it on a Clipper card. The cost of a paper pass is $24. This passport is equivalent to a 1-Day Passport only on the day sold. You may want to purchase this if you will be riding more than one cable car vehicle, e.g., transferring between a Powell line and the California Line, as well as riding other Muni vehicles.

Clipper cards containing Muni monthly passes or cash value are accepted. Show card to Cable Car conductor.

Single ride cable car tickets are available at ticket booths located at Powell and Market or Hyde and Beach.

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Cable Cars: Halfway to the Stars

Neighborhood: Nobhill

Description

Since Andrew Smith Hallidie introduced Cable Cars in 1873, San Francisco’s cable car lines changed the landscape of San Francisco, making hilly neighborhoods accessible.  The cable cars survived the 1906 earthquake and fire as well as outlasting political attempts to modernize transportation.  The cable cars have gained worldwide attention over the decades to become what it is seen as today – an icon.

Cable Cars have captivated both locals and tourists alike blending technology, politics and passion.  It’s been in operation for 150 years, and have become one of the most recognizable symbols of The City.

Riding a cable car is a quintessential San Francisco experience, but taking a walking tour to learn about the history of these historic cars are a great way to immerse yourself in the city’s rich cultural heritage.  Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor to the city, this walking tour is a must-do experience for anyone interested in San Francisco’s history and culture.  Grab a handle and step aboard the cable car sideboard for a few stories from the past on the ups and downs of San Francisco’s cable car history.

• Wednesday, June 19 at 11:00 am given by Bruce B. Sign Up
• Thursday, June 20 at 11:00 am given by Rose F. Sign Up
• Sunday, June 23 at 10:30 am given by Bruce B. Sign Up
• Thursday, June 27 at 11:00 am given by Kenn S. Sign Up
• Saturday, June 29 at 1:30 pm given by Kenn S. Sign Up
• Thursday, July 4 at 10:30 am given by Bruce B. Sign Up
• Saturday, July 6 at 11:00 am given by Rose F. Sign Up
• Tuesday, July 16 at 11:00 am given by Rose F. Sign Up
• Sunday, July 21 at 10:30 am given by Bruce B. Sign Up
• Thursday, August 1 at 11:00 am given by Rose F. Sign Up

Approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hour

Bring a jacket.

This tour is a deeper dive historically and may not suitable for young children.

Tour ends at the Cable Car Museum at Mason and Washington Streets.

The tour does not include a ride on a cable car but gives walkers the opportunity after the tour to do so.

Meet at the fountain at the center of Huntington Park.

California Cable Car to Nob Hill. Powell/Hyde Street Cable Car to California Street. MUNI: 1 California

Please note: Private group tours required for groups of 8 or more.

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Real history, real experiences, real San Francisco

See the real sf, sightsee780139, tripadvisor.

Such an interesting deep dive into the Castro and Mission neighborhoods, for which we had an incredibly sunny warm summer day. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, having grown up in the area, and pointed out not only historical places, but beautiful murals, homes and fun nooks and crannies (like hidden stairways to streets) that we never would have seen on our own. We definitely came away with much more of an appreciation for Castro and the Mission (love Dolores Park!) and will seek out other neighborhoods on our next trip!

I had the most amazing time, as a solo traveller doing a small group tour is perfect. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He gave us lots of fun facts along the way and the whole experience was very interesting. Bring your walking shoes we started at 10 am and finished at 6 pm, I highly recommend you do this tour. We went to places tourist didn’t go.

Jamie Sarkozi

My Boyfriend and I booked an all Day SF tour with Christofer and had an amazing time! He knew a ton of history which we loved and we were able to see a ton. We loved it as it had been our first time visiting. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to be shown around the city.

Edgar Wallace

Did a wonderful tour with these guys while I was in San Francisco on business. I’d also done a tour with the sister company in Los Angeles several years ago. Kevin, who was the guide, was great and it was so nice to be outside. We learnt tons about SF. Definitely recommended!

Our guide Damien was so very knowledgeable about the area and history of SF. We experienced different methods of transport (avoiding those big hills!) and areas we would not otherwise have known about.

Damien was the best! Friendly & very informative. He took into consideration our interests & made it very enjoyable. Great exercise- best way to see SF. Liked Haight Ashbury the most.

Campanilla2014

We had a two day layover in San Francisco, so we wanted to make the most of our time there. It’s always been somewhere we wanted to visit and on this tour we got to all the places we most dreamed of going – downtown, Nob hill, Castro, Haight Ashbury, painted ladies, Lombard St, North beach and Chinatown. It was only a small group and the guide was amazing. It wasn’t tiring at all and we had a great time jumping from trains to buses to cable cars. AWESOME DAY!!!

SF in a Day Tour

$110 / pp Includes all transit travel

WALKING & METRO

Less than 5 miles walking Over a day it’s an easy distance

10am – 6pm (8 hours) Daily

Our SF in a Day tour will take you places that no other San Francisco tour company does, traversing the city by cable-car, tram and bus as we visit enchanted gardens, secret stairs, glorious rooftop vistas and many of the city’s nicest neighborhoods, to create an unforgettable experience. You’ll avoid crowds at the usual tourist hot-spots, while experiencing the real culture of SF and learning its storied history. If you really want to know San Francisco, this walking and cable car tour is the best option you'll find.

We’ll start your tour in downtown San Francisco, near Embarcadero, when we take the cable-car to the top of Nob Hill. It's where the railroad millionaires of the nineteenth century built their magnificent mansions, because of the central location and fantastic views. From there we take the cable-car down to City Hall (or, on the weekend, the Cable Car Museum). After going inside this huge historic building, we can walk over to nearby Hayes Valley, which is a great place to get a morning coffee.

After that we head to the Castro, a hugely important symbol in the LGBTQ+ movement and a fascinating and fun neighborhood, which you'll learn all about. We finish the morning part of the tour in Haight-Ashbury, which is forever associated with the Hippie and anti-Vietnam War movements. By this time you'll be hungry, so it's the perfect time to pause your SF in a Day tour for lunch.

After lunch we take you to see an icon of San Francisco - the Painted Ladies - at Alamo Square. From there we head to another SF icon - Lombard Street, which you can walk down. Experiencing it this way means avoiding the usual gridlock on the surrounding streets AND getting the best photos.

We finish the tour with a stroll through North Beach (Little Italy) to Chinatown, where your SF in a Day tour ends, in the perfect place to get dinner. By then you’ll have had an authentic experience of San Francisco and made some beautiful memories to take home with you.

Our tours can sell out. If you can't make a booking email  [email protected] , telling us when you want to go and how many guests are in your party. If we can squeeze you in we’ll let you know.

Logistics & Details

*Cost: $110 pp.

*Walking distance: less than 5 miles over the day.

*Tour starts 10 am daily, Cable Car Station , California and Drumm St ( photo of meeting point ).

*Tour finishes 6 pm, Chinatown  (about 10 minutes walk from meeting point).

*Travel by San Francisco transit during tour is included in ticket price ($20 value).

*2 cable car rides and 1 journey on the historic streetcar included (if possible).

*There’s a big range of food options and all types of diet are available (vegan, gluten-free etc).

*We donate $1 for every guest to Climate Cents, a climate change organization.

*A great option if you have a layover in San Francisco, you'll make the most of your time.

You can book this as a private tour starting at just $800 for up to 10 guests

Disclaimers.

This tour is in English. If your English isn’t fluent this may not be the best option for you. We do not offer this tour in any other language at this time.

Food/drinks are not included.

This is a walking tour and we move at a reasonable pace, climbing several hills and sets of steps. It’s not suitable for people with mobility issues.

Please note cable car and streetcar operations can be affected by events and technical issues beyond our control.

This tour is not recommended for children under 15 y.o.

We never cancel tours in advance due to the weather conditions. Be sure to wear layered clothing, we can get four seasons in a day.

Aim to get to the meeting point 10-15 minutes early. If you’re late you may miss the tour.

Contactless payment for gratuities available, please allow 15-20%.

Full refund or exchange available up to 48 hours before tour start time.

You must book in advance.

Subject to change at our discretion.

Ride Along on a Cable Car Tour of Iconic San Francisco Restaurants and Bars

Hop on and sip tiki cocktails at the Tonga Room, down Irish coffee at the Buena Vista, and slurp oysters at Scoma’s on literal the dock of the bay

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For a full 150 years, San Francisco’s cable cars have climbed to the Top of Nob Hill and rumbled down Mason Street to deliver riders to Fisherman’s Wharf. In fact, the brown-and-mustard yellow cars are such a staple of the San Francisco experience that clinging onto the side of one of the open-air trains with the wind in your face and the city of seven hills rolling by scores a spot on just about every visitor’s must-do list.

Thanks to the at-times hour-long lines to get onto a car at the famous turnarounds near Union Square and overlooking Aquatic Park, enjoying this piece of the city’s history might not seem all that appealing to locals. But San Francisco’s cable cars can be a thrilling way to see the sights — and visit some of the city’s most famous restaurants and bars.

Here’s how to plan a cable car crawl to some of San Francisco’s legendary food and drink destinations.

What to know about San Francisco’s cable cars

The best way to pay for your cable car rides will be via the MuniMobile app , where visitors can purchase a 1-day pass for $13. Cable car lines start operating at 7:30 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Expect the biggest crowds on weekends; the ideal time to take on this itinerary might be a Thursday evening.

Stop 1: Clock Bar inside the Westin St. Francis

335 Powell Street, San Francisco

The Westin St. Francis , located just off Union Square, has been open since March 21, 1904, and stepping inside the lobby can feel like taking a step back in time. The hotel’s ground floor lounge, Clock Bar , serves a full menu of beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits in a cozy, warmly lit space.

To start the tour, either head south on Powell to the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market streets — or catch a car as it trundles by just outside the hotel on the corner of Powell and Geary streets. Both the Powell-Hyde Line and Powell-Mason Line will get you to your next stop.

Stop 2: Tonga Room

950 Mason Street, San Francisco

Get off at California Street, at the top of Nob Hill. From there it’s a short walk up California to the entrance for the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar inside the Fairmont San Francisco . This legendary and highly immersive tiki bar transports customers to a tropical getaway with its massive central “lagoon” complete with a floating stage for live music, intermittent “rain” that patters from the ceiling, and pirate ship decor. If kids are tagging along, remember the bar and restaurant welcomes customers of all ages until 10 p.m.

Boozy, rum-based tropical drinks such as zombies, mai tais, and jungle birds make solid beverage choices and can be paired with pupus including ahi tuna poke tostadas and fried spring rolls. There’s a $15 entertainment fee per guest and live music starts nightly at 7 p.m.

When you’re ready, head back out to California and Powell streets to jump back on the Powell-Hyde Line. It’ll take you all the way to the waterfront near the foot of Ghirardelli Square. Pro tip: Keep an eye to the right as you pass the “ crookedest street in the world .”

Stop 3: Buena Vista Café

2765 Hyde Street, San Francisco

When you reach the end of the line, you’ll be right in front of the historic Buena Vista Cafe , the world-famous San Francisco bar known for introducing Americans to Irish coffee in the early 1950s. The obvious order, then, is the bar’s perfect Irish coffee , which the Buena Vista sells anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000 glasses of every day. There may be a short line out front, but ask the door person nicely and you may be able to belly up to the bar for a quick drink.

Stop 4: Scoma’s

1965 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco

By now it’s likely you’ve worked up an appetite and getting to the final stop on this San Francisco food crawl doesn't require public transportation. It’s a short 5-minute walk down to the water and up Jefferson Street to Scoma’s , the classic seafood restaurant perched on the dock of the bay.

As far as dining options go in tourist-focused Fisherman’s Wharf , it’s a reliable choice and serves a “lazy man’s” rendition (as in, the crab is already cracked for you) of the city’s most famous dish: cioppino. Other seafood-filled favorites include Dungeness crab cocktail, locally caught petrale doré, and big bowls of hot clam chowder.

Head to This North Beach Shop for an Elite Sandwich and Beer Double-Header

33 new bay area restaurant and bar openings to know this june, point fire forces evacuations of sonoma county residents and wineries.

How to Ride a Cable Car in San Francisco

You may think of riding a San Francisco's cable car as a city "sight" rather than as transportation. Most people do, and who wouldn't? Cable cars in San Francisco are cute and old-fashioned, in the best kind of way.

If you charge off to ride a cable car, your fun adventure could turn into an annoying one. If you show up at the busiest boarding area, you stand in line so long that you start wondering if you need to file a change of address form. Getting on a cable car mid-route can also be confusing - and getting them to stop isn't obvious, either.

This guide will help you enjoy your cable car ride with a minimum of fuss, disappointment, and aggravation.

How the Cable Cars Work

Before you start to ride a cable car, you need to know about the people who run them, and what their jobs are. Each cable car has a staff of two. The conductor sells tickets and looks after the passengers.

The grip person is the driver. They use levers and handles to grab or release a moving cable that runs in a continuous loop beneath the street.

To stop, the grip puts on the brake, which is nothing more than a big piece of wood that drags the ground. The grip is also the bell-ringer, signaling the car's approach.

San Francisco Cable Car Map: Where They Go, Which One to Ride

Three cable car lines run through San Francisco. The map shows their routes.

Two lines take off from the same hub near Union Square. Check the signs on the cars to be sure you get on the one you intend to.

Both the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines pass Union Square and the Cable Car Museum (Washington at Mason). For Chinatown , get off at California or Sacramento and walk two blocks to Grant).

Powell-Hyde Line (Green)

The Powell-Hyde line runs from the corner of Powell and Market Streets to the end of Hyde at the waterfront near Ghirardelli Square.

If you want to go to the top of and walk down it, this is the car to take.

For maximum fun, take the Powell-Hyde Line from Union Square to the top of Lombard Street , get off and walk down the "crooked" street. From there you can continue to the waterfront, or get off at the end of the line near Ghirardelli Square and walk two blocks along the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf .

The Powell-Hyde boarding area at the waterfront can be super-busy with long lines. You can get on a car faster by walking a few blocks over to the intersection of Taylor and North Point streets to catch the Powell-Mason line instead.

Powell-Mason Line (Blue)

Powell-Mason starts near Union Square at Powell and Market Streets and runs to the intersection of Mason and North Point.

To get to North Beach , take this line and get off at Filbert then walk one block to Columbus. To get to Fisherman's Wharf , go to the end of the line and walk two blocks toward the waterfront.

Use the Powell-Mason line to go to Union Square from the waterfront. Its boarding area is less busy than the one at Hyde Street.

California Line (Red)

If all you want to do is say you rode a cable car, this is the one. It's the least busy of the three. It's also full of thrills as it climbs the steep hill from California and Market to the top of Nob Hill, then runs back downhill to Van Ness.

Get off at California and Taylor to explore the surrounding Nob Hill area and walk from there to Chinatown or downhill to Union Square .

Fares and How to Get Cable Car Tickets

Everyone who is older than four needs a ticket to ride the cable car.

Your payment is good for only one ride.  If you get off for any reason — even if it's only to tie your shoe —you'll pay again.

If you find a long line when you arrive at the cable car stop, be smart. Send one person to buy tickets while the rest of your group gets in line.

Ways to Get Cable Car Tickets

You can buy single-ride tickets from the conductor on the cable car. Have small bills available if you plan to do that.

Check current fares and find out how to pay on the SFMTA website .

Visitor Passports allow unlimited rides on cable cars, the Market Street F-Line streetcar, and city-run buses. You can get a paper pass or use the MuniMobile app.

You can also get tickets and passes from machines or attended booths at Powell and Market (near Union Square) and Hyde at Beach (just below Ghirardelli Square).

The San Francisco CityPass gives better prices on attractions and includes a MUNI passport.

Boarding the Cable Car

The physical part of boarding is easy. Just step up, and you're on.

Figuring out how to get a cable car to pick you up instead of rattling by is harder. First, look for a sign like the one in the picture. Wait on the curb next to it.

Check the sign to make sure the car you're boarding is going to your destination. The sign above says the car that stops there is going to Bay and Taylor.

Wave as soon as you see the car approaching to signal you want to get on. For safety, stay on the curb until the car stops, then walk out to it, checking for approaching automobiles.

If the cable car is full (and it can sometimes be jam-packed for several stops after it leaves the end of a line), it won't stop no matter how much you wave or yell. If there's no room, there's just no room. If several of them pass you, all too full to stop, it may be time to re-evaluate your plans.

Where to Ride: In Or Out?

If you're riding the cable car for the fun of the experience, choose the seating that suits you best. One of the best spots is between the rows of benches at the back, just behind the grip where you can see out and also watch them work. For safety, you'll have to stay clear of their workspace.

If you ride standing up on the outside of the cable car, you can see everything and feel the wind in your hair. If you sit on the outside benches, you can still feel the wind but will have to peek around others who can block your view.

If you ride inside the car, you can see a little bit out of the windows, but only if you stand up. If you sit down in a crowded car, all you'll see are the hip pockets of your fellow passengers.

How to Get Off the Cable Car

Getting off a cable car sounds easy, doesn't it? You step down, and it's done. If you're going to the end of the line, that's all you'll have to worry about.

If you want to get off along the way, you'll have to notify the grip person and conductor.

On other transit systems, pulling an overhead cord says you want to get off, but that isn't the case on the cable car. The white cord you see in the photo isn't for you. Instead, it rings the cable car's bell.

To ask for a stop, go old school: Say "Next stop, please," speaking loud enough for the conductor or grip to hear you.

Cable cars take a little while to come to a halt. Signal at least a half-block ahead, or you might have to wait until the next stop.

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Full-Day San Francisco Tour By Cable Car & Foot

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Powell Plaza Cable Car Photo Opportunity

Hop onboard a 150-year-old cable car at Powell Plaza Tuesdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., weather permitting.

Visitors can take photos, explore the vehicles up close, learn some history about the national landmark and have their questions answered by SFMTA’s cable car ambassadors.

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Things to do

Things to do | san francisco’s hot tourist attraction: driverless cars, cable cars are still trundling up the city’s hills, but robotaxis from waymo are shaping up as the city’s latest must-do for visitors.

Self-driving cars, also known as autonomous vehicles or, colloquially, robotaxis, have been driving the streets of San Francisco in some form since 2009 and have been operating commercially since August. The cars are also shaping up as the city’s latest tourist attraction.

De Clercq, 42, who splits his time between New Jersey and Sardinia, where he owns restaurants and bars and rents villas, is an avid traveler.

“I love exploring and doing new things,” he said. “I knew that I definitely wanted to get a ride while I was in town.”

What, where and how to ride

Conversations abound on Reddit and the social platform X, with visitors seeking advice on how to secure a ride while in San Francisco, or be well positioned to spot a driverless car on the go.

Some basics are necessary when plotting your own robotaxi ride. First, while AV companies such as Cruise and Zoox have proliferated in recent years, Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet (Google’s parent company), is currently the only company offering rides to the public in San Francisco.

Waymo also operates in the Phoenix metro area, including offering rides to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and is currently slowly rolling out rides in Los Angeles and testing rides on the San Francisco Peninsula and in Austin, Texas. In Phoenix, you can hail a Waymo using the Uber app; in all other locations, downloading the Waymo app is required. (The app is very similar to other ride-hailing services; pricing is comparable, too.) And in almost all service areas, there is a waiting list to be granted access.

Anjelica Price-Rocha, a public relations manager for Waymo, was not able to provide specific estimates for waiting list times in various cities, but she did say that the wait is shorter in San Francisco than in Los Angeles. (I signed up for the app in San Francisco in late April and was off the waiting list just over a week later.)

“For anyone visiting San Francisco, I would suggest that you get on the waitlist as soon as you book your trip,” Price-Rocha said. Looking to spot a Waymo car on the go? According to Price-Rocha, popular pickup and drop-off locations include tourist attractions such as the Ferry Building, Pier 39, Coit Tower and the Japantown Peace Plaza.

A futuristic attraction

Not able to get direct access in time? Try asking friends, family or colleagues if they’ll invite you on a ride. Jason Karsh, a 38-year-old San Francisco resident who works as a tech marketing executive and consultant, regularly “hails” Waymo cars and suggests riding in them as a tourist activity.

“San Francisco has gotten a bad rep for visitors recently,” Karsh said. “This is a reminder that San Francisco also is a place that’s living a few years into the future technologically.”

Waymo vehicles are all-electric Jaguar I-PACEs outfitted with radar, lidar, sensors, and internal and external cameras. You use the app to unlock the car when it arrives and to play music during your ride. Four seats are available to passengers — you can sit up front, but you’re not allowed to sit in the driver’s seat (if you try, the car will not move). A real-life customer support team remotely monitors your ride for unsafe activity and is available should you require assistance.

Karsh described a recent ride with a group of colleagues: “They immediately got out their phones and began filming, almost like they were taping a celebrity or a concert.”

Indeed, riding in a Waymo can turn you into the main attraction. On a recent trip through San Francisco with my visiting in-laws, we not only filmed much of our ride, but spotted a group of tourists who pointed and stared at our driverless vehicle, even pulling out phones to snap footage of their own.

De Clercq, visiting from New Jersey, described his ride home from a night out in Chinatown as “very interesting and futuristic. It was extremely cautious and quite slow.”

According to safety data from the company, Waymos are significantly safer than human drivers. That hasn’t prevented public backlash over AVs — California suspended Cruise vehicles from operating on the streets of San Francisco after an incident in which a pedestrian was hit and dragged under a vehicle. There have been regular complaints of Waymo cars blocking traffic and emergency vehicles. Crashes, largely involving stationary objects, have led to a federal investigation of Waymo.

However, in Karsh’s experience, Waymo rides are sometimes less than seamless because they’re too cautious.

“If there’s a car stopped with the hood up on a two-lane street, a human driver will know to go around. A Waymo might just sit there,” he said.

From awe and delight to near normalcy

But perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of a first-time Waymo ride is how quickly it feels normal.

“For the first couple of minutes, there’s this giddiness,” Price-Rocha said. “But we see that, really quickly, people just ease into the experience.”

Karsh saw this shift happen firsthand on a recent trip to New York City, when his family opted for a ride in a yellow cab.

“My 3½-year-old son turns to me and my wife and says, ‘Look, Daddy, a driver!’ He was kind of shocked.”

This article originally appeared in <a href=”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/22/travel/self-driving-cars-san-francisco.html”>The New York Times</a>.

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