Cable Car Museum
Cable Car Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A museum to San Francisco's beloved cable cars, with a subterranean walkway that lets you see the moving cable.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Nob Hill
Swanky and stylish, Nob Hill sits in the heart of the city and is home to amazing architecture and views. The hike to the top can be a challenging workout for those who forego a cable car ride, but they will be rewarded with some of the city’s most beautiful architecture adorning its peak. Originally populated with mansions after the Gold Rush, most if not all were devastated in the 1906 earthquake and fire that followed. Luckily all is not lost; storied hotels and Grace Cathedral surround Huntington Park. Having a drink or dinner while taking in the sunset and views at the "top of the Mark" is tough to beat.
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See what travellers are saying
- Chris NWorthing, United Kingdom156 contributionsGreat visit to this free attractionHave been here a couple of times now and have enjoyed both visits. So much information to take in from how they were initially installed, repaired following the earthquake and eventually saved when facing the axe. Being able to see the cables turning and whirring and take in the smell is amazing. Free entry, but donations welcomedVisited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 September 2023
- Claudia PSwindon, United Kingdom57 contributionsUnexpected gem!Unexpected gem! This museum is a working engine room as well - Amazing to learn how the cable cars work and the history. I had no idea about how the cars work and this was brilliantly pitched for everyone. Seeing the actual cables and mechanisms in use was fascinating! I spent about 45mins there reading every info board fully, so maybe 30mins activity for quicker readers!Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 14 November 2023
- Simon BurgessAlhama de Granada, Spain19 contributionsNot to be missed - superb attractionAs other reviews say, it's a real gem. In my view should not be missed. It houses the motors that actually drive the City's cable car system. You see them working away and learn how the cables twist and turn and pull the historic cable cars. Quite amazing!Visited November 2023Travelled soloWritten 17 November 2023
- Jane CBeauly, United Kingdom234 contributionsFascinating behind the scenes look at the cable carsI love finding out more about how things work, particularly when they are as historic as the cable cars in San Francisco. It's not a fancy museum, but it has all sorts of interesting things to see in there, including watching the cables in action. Definitely worth stopping to see it.Visited February 2024Travelled with familyWritten 17 February 2024
- The Winded Traveller64 contributionsFree ExperienceIt’s a free museum. Kind of neat as your get to see how the cable cars actually work. They do provide a lot of history regarding the cable car network. Gift shop is cash only.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 March 2024
- Marsha R6 contributionsIntriguingThis place not only has the visual explanation for how cable cars operate but there is an original cable car dating back to 1873. This was most interesting as it looked very different than the ones today. Also there were pictures on the wall of the great earthquake of 1906 showing how the road split and pushed up and of the fire and people fleeing. I went on a Sunday afternoon and did not realize they closed early. I would have liked more time here.Visited May 2024Travelled soloWritten 7 June 2024
- sandiebeachsRaceview, Australia8 contributionsAffordableVery interesting, shows how they all work and the exibits were clean , the staff very helpful. The trip on then cable car was amazing and very affordable. The Cable cars ran nonstop so easy to get places and see loads of San Fran.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
3,781 reviews
Excellent
2,217
Very good
1,285
Average
248
Poor
25
Terrible
6
J David
Virginia Beach, VA1,619 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
The city by the bay is all about cable cars. So it's natural to think that San Francisco would celebrate them with a museum. I have been twice around five years apart.
I killed around 30 minutes on a recent and enjoyed it. Nothing had changed. There is no charge and it's right off the line near Chinatown. The kids will enjoy too! Visitors can board a trolly, read about the history and purchase souvenirs.
One thing visitors CANNOT do is access the lower level which is a working area for the cars with moving cables. However, I had a contact and got a tour of the floor which was next level cool. The machinery seems ancient. But everything is functional.
If you have the time it will not take long and you will learn about the rich cable car history.
I killed around 30 minutes on a recent and enjoyed it. Nothing had changed. There is no charge and it's right off the line near Chinatown. The kids will enjoy too! Visitors can board a trolly, read about the history and purchase souvenirs.
One thing visitors CANNOT do is access the lower level which is a working area for the cars with moving cables. However, I had a contact and got a tour of the floor which was next level cool. The machinery seems ancient. But everything is functional.
If you have the time it will not take long and you will learn about the rich cable car history.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth E
5 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Who knew?! Nestled on the North side of Nob Hill, the original building housing the cables and the giant mechanism that feeds them is a treasure. You will learn about the evolution of the system that still runs today's cable cars, the growth of the city as a result of the California Gold Rush of 1849, the before and after of the 1906 earthquake. Excellent photographs, timelines, and explanations.
Don't believe the "takes 10 minutes" reviews. Allow at least an hour if you're at all a history buff. You can take a cable car to the front door, or get your exercise and walk uphill. So worth it!
Don't believe the "takes 10 minutes" reviews. Allow at least an hour if you're at all a history buff. You can take a cable car to the front door, or get your exercise and walk uphill. So worth it!
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire K
Hove, UK1,960 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This museum was surprisingly interesting (especially when you have someone with you who loves to know how things work). It’s all about what goes on under the streets of San Francisco & how these iconic cable cars move around. And it’s really well done.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
Dec 2019
Visiting this museum helps you see the famous cable cars in a whole new way. The museum nicely puts together the history of cable cars in San Francisco, along with a very cool view of the cables that drive them around the city. It's also a nice little stop to head indoors if you suddenly get caught in San Francisco's ever-changing weather.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike1046
109 contributions
Mar 2022
Great history of the cable cars and how they work. In the middle of the museum is the actual working cables that move the cars throughout the city, you can view them from the museum or go to the observation area downstairs. They also have a gift shop with not only cable car gifts but other San Francisco items. Admission is free, street parking or you can ride the cable car to the museum. They do ask that you wear a mask while in the museum
Written 9 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael O
Avon Lake, United States82 contributions
Feb 2020
This was a great museum, showing the large motors and sheaves which drive all the cable cars. We spent 90 minutes reading and seeing the exhibits, and the history of how the cable gripper changed over the years and how the cable turns corners. It was well worth a visit and free.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aerowing
Monee, IL5,951 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
This is a Great museum to witness the history of the cable cars in San Francisco. It’s free to get in and it’s very informative. You go down some stairs below the ground and you can witness the cables in action. Up on the main floor you can see the cables in action as well but with different pulleys.
There’s a nice gift shop in here as well. There’s a nice collection of all the cable cars including the worlds oldest one which is really cool to see.
I had a great time here and would recommend it to anyone coming to San Francisco who wants to learn about the cable cars.
There’s a nice gift shop in here as well. There’s a nice collection of all the cable cars including the worlds oldest one which is really cool to see.
I had a great time here and would recommend it to anyone coming to San Francisco who wants to learn about the cable cars.
Written 7 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dyanne C
10 contributions
Jan 2020
My husband and I enjoyed the Cable Car Museum immensely. We had no idea how much engineering and design went into creating this amazing transportation system. It is a working museum that houses the four main cable line systems that whir constantly through the streets from 6am to 1am pulling the charming cars and their passengers up and down the steep streets in SF. Go to the Museum first and then ride a Cable Car and you'll get so much more out of it.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jameson
London, UK69 contributions
Jan 2020
We didn't plan to visit this museum but stumbled across it whilst searching for a coffee shop . It really was excellent. You get to the see the actually machinery that is working to pull the current cable cars and a look underground at the wheels and cables. The whole museum is small, so ideal if you are not into huge museums, very interesting and full of facts and memorabilia. The cable car passes right outside the door so it is easy to get to and definitely with a visit.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tek_rice
Calgary, Canada148 contributions
Jan 2020
We were walking by the museum and we are glad we stopped in to take a look. This free (donations accepted) museum was really neat to stop in and wander around. We learned a few things about the car system we never knew. They covered the earthquake and devastating fires in 1906 and their impact on the cable car system as well. Worth stopping in for a quieter moment too.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would like to ask if this place is worth a visit and how much would a single ticket cost ?
thankyou :)
Written 7 April 2018
Well worth it! It’s free and interesting!
Written 8 April 2018
I would like to ask if this place is worth a visit and how much would a single ticket cost ?
thankyou :)
Written 7 April 2018
One of the best bargains in SF at no cost ( donations optional). Depending upon the time of day the activity will vary so your time on site is your call. The museum itself is probably a 30 min or so visit. The cable machine room (down stairs below street level) is worth the time and can be boring or interesting depending on your interest level. Walk around the back and see the working cable cars - they probably won't let you inside but you can get a good look through the open doors. Also a pretty good shop located inside with reasonable prices.
Written 7 April 2018
Koliko košta ulaznica, da li je određenim danima ulaz besplatan ili umanjena cena?
Da li ima nekih specijalnih programa određenim danima?
Written 16 December 2017
The museum is free to visit every day. You will be able to view the mechanism that keeps the trolley cars moving throughout the city.
Written 8 April 2018
Francois M
Metz, France
Bonjour,
Afin d'organiser ma journée sur San Francisco, j'aurai aimé savoir combien de temps faut-il pour visiter le "Cable Car Museum" ? Est-ce que 45 minutes vous semble suffisant ?
Merci d'avance
François
Written 10 April 2015
Oui, 45 minutes est largement suffisant ! Le musée est petit mais il y a une vidéo très sympa à regarder sur l'histoire des "cable cars". Bon voyage
Written 11 April 2015
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