Best Place To Catch Cable Car in San Francisco?

June 11, 2015 4:54 PM

I have family coming to visit me in SF and they want to ride a cable car. I never take the cable cars and need advice. I always see a HUGE mass of people waiting in line at the cable car stop next to the Powell BART... How can we avoid that line? Is there a perfect stop to jump on that will have (a) shorter lines and (b) a good chance that nieces/nephews can hold on to the outside poles? We'll be walking all around the city so the exact location isn't important as long as it's a cable car with some cool hills. Thanks in advance!
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto to Travel & Transportation around San Francisco, CA (18 answers total)

Walk up Powell one or two blocks.

Or go to the California line, it's never as crowded and the cars are larger (and have outside portions on both ends). The Cali line goes through FiDi and up to the top of Nob Hill, past the Fairmont and Mark Hopkins, and also you get a good view down Grant.

It's a shorter ride and it doesn't term at Fisherman's Wharf but ugh Fisherman's Wharf is the Powell Street Turnaround times a million.
posted by janey47 at 4:57 PM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]

Yeah the California line is a lot easier to get on. I visited SF as a tourist July 4 - 5 and I had no trouble getting on the California line to do a quick shop at Whole Foods that morning but OMG the other lines are insane. I waited at least an hour in both later that afternoon. But I was glad to do so because the hills were way cooler on the Powell - Fishermans Wharf run.

I'd also try doing it first thing in the morning.
posted by kitten magic at 5:17 PM on June 11, 2015

Or, walk up to North Beach (via the Embarcadero - about 2 miles, but not hilly) and get on the other end. If you go over to the Hyde street line, it will be easier to get on than Powell/Mason. Also it will probably be a lot easier if you go early in the morning and during the week. Which, on preview, I see has already been suggested.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 5:23 PM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]

Just to add, I *think* but am not positive that if you board at the Fisherman's Wharf end of the Powell Mason line (the one with the yellow signage, while Powell Hyde has dark red signs), the line to board is generally shorter, because it's not in as scenic a spot.

But in any case, if there's a long line where you want to board, seriously walk along the line one or two blocks. They deliberately leave some space for boarders along the route, although that may mean that holding onto the outside poles is out.

I live about 2/3s of the way toward Fisherman's Wharf on the Powell Hyde line, and on occasion have snagged the cable car from the stop on my block. On popular weekends, it's totally crowded whenever you try to get on. On weekday mornings, as has been said, it's basically empty.
posted by janey47 at 5:28 PM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]

Agree with the suggestion of the California line. You can get on right near Embarcadero BART, there usually isn't much of a line. Farther up that line, you can also switch over and take either Powell line farther or back to Market & Powell. The whole deal has gotten kind of expensive, but you can get 1-day or multi-day Muni passes that include the cable cars, so that may be worth it.
posted by vunder at 5:36 PM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]

I will say that the advise to walk a stop or two ahead often doesn't work as during tourist season (when isn't it?) they don't stop for more passengers.
posted by saradarlin at 5:37 PM on June 11, 2015

Note that, depending upon how you will get around, you'll want to get Muni passes. That gives you buses, trolleys on the F line, and cable car, but not BART. Also, the cost of a one-way cable car ticket goes up to $7.00 on July 1st.

The F streetcar line runs from the Castro district up Market street, passes by the Union Square shopping area, turns left at the Emabarcadero, and proceeds up to Fisherman's Wharf. It's run with vintage streetcars purchased from all around the world.
posted by blob at 6:02 PM on June 11, 2015

What blob said and also, unlike the other SF Muni lines, cable cars do not accept transfers. If you go up Cali on one car and switch over to ride to Fisherman's wharf at Powell & Cali, where the cable car lines cross, you pay twice. Per person. Eek!
posted by janey47 at 6:59 PM on June 11, 2015

The one that starts by Fishermans Wharf and goes up whatever hill that is toward the crooked part of Lombard Street is the worst. Tourists stand in that line forever to go up to Lombard and it will be packed so there won't be room up the hill. You could catch it around Lombard Street or beyond trying to go down hill -- it's less full then. But when I had family in town, hopping on on Powell Street near the shopping district wasn't difficult. The California line was also easy.
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:01 PM on June 11, 2015

California line is generally less crowded, but it only goes up to Van Ness, nothing exciting there, and downtown, and this is the double-ended type cable car, not the turn-table kind (yes, there are at least two kinds).

If you have to catch the Powell line, I'd start at Union Square (away from Powell/Market) or even in Chinatown near the cable car museum. It's a bit of an uphill walk through. (3rd @ Market take 30/45 to Chinatown, get off at Clay/Washington. Go uphill to Cable Car museum)

Also keep in mind that if you buy the Muni Passport, it's a day pass that includes unlimited Muni rides including cable car. And you can get them in 1-day, 3-day or 7-day versions.
posted by kschang at 12:13 AM on June 12, 2015

It is easier anywhere UP on the hill since people don't walk up ;) A great stop in my opinion is the one at the cable car museum.
posted by Fallbala at 1:03 AM on June 12, 2015

Clipper cards can be used on all Bay Area transport.

Nthing the F streetcar.
posted by brujita at 3:11 AM on June 12, 2015

Nothing exciting at the Van Ness end of the California line? Au contraire!

Nothing less than Swan Oyster Depot and Bob's Donuts (get the apple fritter and the old fashioned). I concur, the cable car museum is great.
posted by jindc at 7:55 AM on June 12, 2015 [1 favorite]

Hop on here, right around the corner from Ghiradelli Square, and ride it back to Powell. Laugh at the long line of people at Powell when you arrive. Suckers.
posted by maryr at 7:56 AM on June 12, 2015

Seconding the cable car museum as well.
posted by maryr at 7:56 AM on June 12, 2015

I will say that the advise to walk a stop or two ahead often doesn't work as during tourist season (when isn't it?) they don't stop for more passengers.

This is true. I would get in line over by Powell and have someone run and get hot cocoa or coffees for those waiting in line. It isn't that long (maybe 30 minutes?) and it makes sure that you actually get on the cable car.
posted by Toddles at 8:06 AM on June 12, 2015

I'd also try doing it first thing in the morning.

Or late at night, if you can find one (like we did that time on Nob Hill). Repeating the advice for taking the California line, and buying a Muni day pass for payment (using it not only for the Cable Cars, but also the buses, and a ride on the F trolley).
posted by Rash at 2:09 PM on June 13, 2015

At least a few stops up from the turnaround (terminal @ Market) either at Sutter, Bush or Pine for shorter lines... O'Farrell, Geary or Post only if no one else is waiting there (outside pole 0-50% chance, you probably won't all be able to get one)... you risk getting passed up if the conductor sees a huge group waiting at any given stop. Conductors never pack a car to capacity at the turnaround so if you are the only one waiting at the next stop up and trying to get on, you will most likely, and without the lines. A few conductors will also pass you up if you are carrying a bulky backpack (ie. no checked luggage haha).

If you're not set on taking the Powell lines, try the California Street turnaround (@ Drumm Street). This is usually a quick wait (if any) and usually empty between 8 - 10am. I think all the kids (?) will have a good chance of getting to ride on the outside poles on this line. Note: line ends at Van Ness, most "scenic stuff" ends at Grace Cathedral, a single way ticket is $6 (increases to $7 on Jul 1) whether you ride 1 stop or to the terminal (ask about discount transport passes at the MUNI kiosk at Powell station). If you get off at Grace Cathedral, check out their labyrinths, the Fairmont hotel lobby, and Huntington Park across the street is a good break spot for kids. Masonic Auditorium, live event venue, is also across the street. Quick walk back to Union Square, Chinatown.

In general: be sure to look up/down the streets you pass and not just in the direction the car is traveling (for views of the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz, Transamerica Pyramid, Lombard Street, rolling hills). Make sure kids hold on tight, not leaning out for photos (they can get hit by oncoming lane partitions/cars) , look both ways for cars before getting off. Note cable cars are cash only if you didn't buy tickets in advance but conductors carry change. Check out the Cable Car Museum on Mason and the Transport Museum on the Embarcadero. ~SF native
posted by sunrise8 at 4:06 PM on June 24, 2015