San Francisco Cable Car Museum
Explore the history and mechanics of San Francisco's iconic cable cars at the free Cable Car Museum in Nob Hill. A unique SF experience!
Discover the history and mechanics of San Francisco's iconic cable cars at this free museum in Nob Hill. See historic cars, learn about the technology, and view the still-functioning powerhouse that drives the system.
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
- The museum is free, making it an affordable and worthwhile stop for any San Francisco visitor.
- Visit during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Don't miss the chance to see the powerhouse in action and learn about the cable car mechanism.
- The museum is easily accessible by cable car, making it a convenient stop on your cable car tour of the city.
Getting There
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Walking
From Union Square, walk north on Powell Street towards Geary Street. Continue onto Powell, passing Post Street and Sutter Street. Turn left onto Bush Street, then right onto Mason Street. Walk north on Mason Street for approximately 4 blocks. The Cable Car Museum will be on your left. The walk is approximately 0.7 miles and should take about 15 minutes.
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Public Transport
From Fisherman's Wharf, take the Powell-Hyde cable car line towards downtown. The Cable Car Museum is located at the corner of Mason and Washington Streets, a short walk from a cable car stop. A single ride on the cable car costs $9. Alternatively, take the F line to Market Street and transfer to a bus heading towards Nob Hill. Check the MuniMobile app for the best route and real-time arrival information. A single ride on Muni is $3.
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Driving
From the Bay Bridge, take the Fremont Street exit and head north. Turn left onto Pine Street, then right onto Taylor Street. Turn left onto California Street, then right onto Mason Street. The Cable Car Museum will be on your left. Note that parking in this area is limited and can be expensive. Several parking garages are available within a few blocks of the museum, with hourly rates typically ranging from $4 to $10. Street parking is difficult to find.
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