Huntington Park
Huntington Park: Nob Hill Oasis
Cable Car Museum: A Ride Through San Francisco History
Explore the history and mechanics of San Francisco's iconic cable cars at the Cable Car Museum, a free and fascinating Nob Hill attraction.
Discover the history and mechanics of San Francisco's iconic cable cars at this free museum. Located in the historic Washington-Mason cable car barn, see the engines that power the system and vintage cable cars on display.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Cable Car Museum
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Tuesday
10 am-4 pm
Wednesday
10 am-4 pm
Thursday
10 am-4 pm
Friday
10 am-5 pm
Saturday
10 am-5 pm
Sunday
10 am-5 pm
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Getting There
Cable Car
The most direct way to reach the Cable Car Museum is by taking either the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car lines. Both lines stop right in front of the museum at the corner of Washington and Mason Streets. Cable car single ride fare is $9. You can purchase tickets at kiosks, on the MuniMobile app, or pay cash (exact change only) to the conductor.
Public Transport
From downtown San Francisco, you can take the Muni bus line 27 to Leavenworth St & Clay St. From there, walk approximately 2 blocks east on Clay St, then turn left onto Mason St. The museum will be on your right. A single ride on Muni is $3 if paid in cash and $2.50 if paid via MuniMobile or Clipper Card.
Walking
From Union Square, walk north on Powell Street. Turn right on Clay Street and walk uphill for three blocks. Turn left onto Mason Street. The museum will be on your right. Note that this is a steep walk. Allow approximately 30 minutes.
Parking
Street parking near the Cable Car Museum is limited. Several parking garages are located within a few blocks of the museum. The Fairmont Hotel Parking at 950 Mason Street is about two blocks away. Parking rates vary, but expect to pay around $30-$50 for 2 hours. Other options include the Brocklebank Garage at 1040 Sacramento St and the Crocker Valet Garage at 1045 California St.
Local tips
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Visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.
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Don't miss the underground viewing area to see the actual cables pulling the cars.
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The museum is located in the Nob Hill district near North Beach and Chinatown.
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Allow 45 minutes to an hour for your visit.
Discover more about Cable Car Museum
The Cable Car Museum, located in the Nob Hill neighborhood, offers a fascinating look into San Francisco's iconic cable car system. Housed in the historic Washington-Mason cable car barn and powerhouse, the museum is more than just a display space; it's the heart of the cable car network. Established in 1974, the museum is operated by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum.
Visitors can view the actual cable winding machinery that powers the cable cars, explore exhibits detailing the history and mechanics of the system, and see a collection of historic cable cars. The museum contains several examples of old cable cars, including grip car 46 and trailer 54 from the Sutter Street Railway dating from the 1870s, and grip car 8 from the Clay Street Hill Railroad, the only surviving car from the first cable car company. A viewing area allows visitors to witness the enormous wheels turn as they pull cables at a constant 9.5 miles per hour.
The museum is free and open to the public every day except Mondays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. It is located at 1201 Mason Street.
A brief summary to Cable Car Museum
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