San Francisco Cable Car Museum: A Tribute to a City Icon
Explore the history and mechanics of San Francisco's iconic cable cars at this free and fascinating Nob Hill museum.
The Cable Car Museum in San Francisco is a free museum dedicated to the history and mechanics of the city's iconic cable car system. Located in the Nob Hill neighborhood, the museum showcases historic cable cars, engines, and exhibits explaining the technology behind this unique transportation.
A brief summary to Cable Car Museum
- 1201 Mason St, San Francisco, Nob Hill, California, 94108, US
- +1415-474-1887
- Visit website
- 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
Local tips
- Visit during off-peak hours (weekdays or early mornings) to avoid crowds.
- Take the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car lines directly to the museum.
- Don't miss the viewing deck where you can see the cable car system's machinery in action.
- Check out the gift shop for unique cable car souvenirs.
Getting There
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Walking
From Union Square, walk north on Powell Street towards Nob Hill. Continue onto Mason Street. The Cable Car Museum will be on your left at the corner of Mason and Washington Streets. The walk is approximately 1 mile and will take about 20-25 minutes.
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Public Transport
From the Powell Street BART station, transfer to the Powell-Hyde or Powell-Mason cable car line. Ride the cable car to the Cable Car Museum stop. The single ride fare for the cable car is $9. Alternatively, take the Muni bus lines 1, 12, 27, 30, or 8AX to the Clay St & Mason St stop, which is a short walk from the museum. Muni bus fare is approximately $3.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
From Fisherman's Wharf, a taxi or ride-share to the Cable Car Museum will take approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. The estimated cost is $15-25. Note that traffic can be heavy, especially during peak tourist season.
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Driving
Driving to the Cable Car Museum is possible, but parking in the area is limited and can be expensive. Street parking is difficult to find. Several parking garages are located within a few blocks of the museum, including the Grace Cathedral Garage and the Fairmont Hotel Parking. Expect to pay $30-$50 for a few hours of parking.
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