Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround
Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround
Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Union Square
Originally home to rallies supporting the Union Army in the Civil War, this grand square has become the city's premier shopping and entertainment district containing the largest number of upscale department stores, chic boutiques, art galleries and theatres in the city. It's a large open area where tourists and locals gather, watch cable cars and crowds go by, enjoy a snack, or plan their day of shopping and sightseeing, If feeling the pulsating energy of the city is on your agenda, Union Square is the place to soak it in.
How to get there
- Powell St • 1 min walk
- Powell St • 2 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
998 reviews
Excellent
421
Very good
357
Average
159
Poor
29
Terrible
32
Karim Maarouf
Cairo, Egypt872 contributions
Sept 2019
The cable car is an icon of San Francisco. This is the start station near Union Square and takes you all the way to the end at Fisherman's Wharf. The best way to buy a ticket is from the MUNI app. It's much cheaper that way. A tip while riding: don't wait in line at the turnaround station, head up the street a bit and ride from there. You will wait much less.
Written 15 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,543 contributions
Aug 2023
The tourists are back and that is a good thing. They line up here to take the historic Cable Cars over Nob and Russian Hills to Fisherman's Wharf and back again. You can buy your ticket at a little booth over to the side. But sometimes there is a long line to board. The ride is classic and fun and lets you see a lot of lovely parts of the city. This turnaround is in the heart of downtown.
Written 14 August 2023
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.
Lottelli
Wirral, UK2,934 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Look, you won’t be missing much but it is quite interesting!
The turn around table spins round to ensure the cable cars are facing the right way. Then they are pushed by hand off the turn table and to their stop. Its interesting to see
The turn around table spins round to ensure the cable cars are facing the right way. Then they are pushed by hand off the turn table and to their stop. Its interesting to see
Written 5 November 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,543 contributions
Mar 2020
Lately I've been surprised at how thin the crowds have become. I've been used to very long lines here, lines of people waiting for the start of the Powell cable car line. But now lines are short. Lots of characters in this area, music and preaching.
Written 3 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.
Reslimpan
Rayong, Thailand3,511 contributions
July 2022 • Solo
At the end of the line for the cable cars there is a turnaround, where the cars turn on dime. I was surprised to see that this was a manual operation just like in the old days. Once the turn around the cable car is ready to take you across the city.
Written 3 July 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.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN5,872 contributions
Oct 2022
Cable Cars are an iconic feature of San Francisco and should be experienced if visiting San Francisco. So much fun to stand along the side platform as the cable car makes it way up and down the steep city streets. The Powell and Market Cable Car Turnaround located near busy Union Square is a great place to catch a ride. You can ride on the Powell/Hyde Line all the way to Fisherman's Wharf. $8 for a single ride but just $13 for an all day pass that includes not only the cable cars but also the historic street cars that travel along the Embarcadero. You will need to download the App to get a Muni-pass
Written 8 May 2023
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.
CPaM68
Texas701 contributions
July 2023 • Family
If you're visiting San Francisco for the first time, riding the cable car should be on your to-do list. One of the routes runs from Union Square near downtown to the Fisherman's Wharf. At the intersection of Powell and Market streets (Union Square) you will find the end/start of the cable cars route. When a car gets to this point, in order to go back the opposite way, the driver and conductor have to manually push the car to turn it around so it can head the other way. You can buy your ticket at a little booth over to the side, but just be ready to stand in line for a while, since generally there is a line of people waiting to get on board.
Written 26 March 2024
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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,543 contributions
Aug 2020
This is one of the centers of town as it is where Market Street hits the big cable car stop. Lots of shopping here, Nordstrom's is across the street. It is tourist center for better or worse and be prepared for lots of characters trying to make a fast buck.
Written 12 September 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.
Jschuller
Lexington, KY74 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Getting on the cable car here gives you the most bang for your buck. It is the longest and prettiest ride. It stops right at Lombard street and then all the way down to Fisherman’s wharf. Wait at the front of the line until you get the right front seat and standing spot. People will stand right in front of you so get the best spot.
Written 31 October 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.
Matthew D
132 contributions
July 2018 • Family
Powell and Market is the terminus for one of our two still existing cable car lines. The lines to ride are seriously long and you might be pestered (or at least appalled) by the hordes of junkies and hobos that beg and "act out" while you wait. Might I suggest an alternative?
Our other cable car line, the California line, is, in my opinion, just as picturesque and fun as the Powell line and, here's the best part, has wait times of minutes as opposed to hours! Head to the corner of California and Van Ness and quickly hop on the cable car where the line begins then ride up California through Nob Hill down the steep hill to Chinatown, past the mighty buildings of the Financial District and on to the last stop near the Embarcadero. If done on a Sunday you're just a short walk to the Ferry Building farmer's market where you can sample fruits and veg from our justifiably famous local farms, nosh on brilliant cheese from Cowgirl Creamery (and other vendors), buy real sourdough bread from various stalls or lunch at a terrific selection of local restaurants or food stands (hello Slanted Door)! The bay views are great and the building historic and fascinating (don't forget to check out the second floor). Put together, the cable car ride and the Ferry Building won't disappoint...I promise!
Our other cable car line, the California line, is, in my opinion, just as picturesque and fun as the Powell line and, here's the best part, has wait times of minutes as opposed to hours! Head to the corner of California and Van Ness and quickly hop on the cable car where the line begins then ride up California through Nob Hill down the steep hill to Chinatown, past the mighty buildings of the Financial District and on to the last stop near the Embarcadero. If done on a Sunday you're just a short walk to the Ferry Building farmer's market where you can sample fruits and veg from our justifiably famous local farms, nosh on brilliant cheese from Cowgirl Creamery (and other vendors), buy real sourdough bread from various stalls or lunch at a terrific selection of local restaurants or food stands (hello Slanted Door)! The bay views are great and the building historic and fascinating (don't forget to check out the second floor). Put together, the cable car ride and the Ferry Building won't disappoint...I promise!
Written 27 July 2018
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.
Hello! Where I can parking my car near to the Powell an Market St. with safe?
Written 17 March 2019
Sorry Vanewor. We didn't drive there. We took the transit and walked a lot.
Written 19 March 2019
How long does it take for a round trip from fisherman’s wharf to the end and back to fisherman’s wharf?
Written 4 January 2019
Took about 20-30 min with stops along the way. At the end have to get off and wait in line again to go back but if you walk to next stop line not as long.
Written 5 January 2019
They began to operate quite long time ago..
California St. line: 1878, Powell-Mason line: 1888 and Powell-Hyde line: 1957.
Written 17 February 2019
Do all passengers have to get off the cable car when it gets to the turn around? My plan is to board it 1-2 stops before it gets there and stay on, thus beating the crowd.
Written 6 January 2018
Everyone must exit at the turn about. Faster to board a few stops after the turn about but realize that everyone wants to sit outside and if you get stuck inside, there will be people boarding and then standing in front of you, so you will see nothing but people inside. You sit where the conductor tells you and most people do not get off till the end to maximize their $7 worth.
Written 14 August 2018
Hi, plan to visit SF during 2018 Spring Break (~Mar 12-14), i'd luke to go to Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf by Cable Car. is best like to take the F-Line? and also, what is approx wait time to get aboard at 10a and how long will the ride take from ine end to the other of my stops? thank you.
Written 29 December 2017
If you dont wish to wait for ages at the beginning, then get on at Union Square but be prepared to stand or be a little squished. Takes you to Fishermans Wharf and if you buy a pass you can also use this on buses and the BART system if you wish. We bought ours a Walgreens and purchased a 7 day pass which we used every day. Never had to pay for any other transportation except the taxi to the airport! Have fun
Written 29 December 2017
Not sure, but there are different cable car stops/stations.
You may want to try emailing them or check out their website.
TripAdvisor does not allow posting links, so I cannot add. Just google "cable cars san francisco" or San Francisco transit SFMTA for more info
Written 19 December 2016
What time does the cable car open in the morning on week days? What time do people tart queuing?
Written 27 September 2016
It's open approx 8am if I remember correctly
The length of the queue is dependant on the tourists at the time
It gets longer around midday
Watch out for the tram you're after there was one line for 2 different destinations
Written 29 September 2016
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