Warning re: San Francisco cable cars

[RonaldL]

Two of the three cable car lines start at Powell and Market, the heart of downtown.  Both lines go within a couple of blocks of Fisherman's Wharf but different routes.  In the spring and particularly in the summer the line to board is frequently up to a two hour wait.  Add almost another hour for the ride.  If you have a deadline, such as boarding a cruise ship this time frame could cause a serious problem.  Beware if time is critical to you.

[Philob]

And the fare is $7pp per boarding.   Get off, take a picture, get on the next one, $7 more.

 

Discount fare if you purchase a Visitor Passport and for Seniors, Disabled, Medicare between 9pm & 7am.

 

https://www.sfmta.com/fares/cable-car-single-ride

[Anyislandwilldo]

Thank you for posting this.  We plan to be out in the area next year mid May.  Will this apply during our time frame?

 

[CruiserBruce]

45 minutes ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Thank you for posting this.  We plan to be out in the area next year mid May.  Will this apply during our time frame?

 

The cable cars are not currently running, due to Covid.

 

If you search for Muni, I think the rate is $8 now.

[RonaldL]

If the world returns to normal you can count on the long lines.  The cable cars have a platform in the front on both sides like a large running board.  You actually stand in front of the people sitting in the front and actually block part of their view.  Many people are uncomfortable with hanging on like this and no kids.  Many times you can beat the line by walking up two short blocks to the cable cars first stop.  If there is room on the platform you can jump on.  Just hang on for dear life to one of the poles.  If you fall you will fall out into the street.  In the "old days" it was men only but some women sued and won the right to stand on the platform.

[Anyislandwilldo]

18 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

The cable cars are not currently running, due to Covid.

 

If you search for Muni, I think the rate is $8 now.

 

Thanks, I will check this out.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Would we be better off using the Muni and doing it ourselves vs booking a hop on hop off bus?

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Would we be better off using the Muni and doing it ourselves vs booking a hop on hop off bus?

Depends on what you want to do. We frequently use the Hop on Hop off as an intro to a city, and then decide on a second loop, or a second day,  what we really want to see. Muni can get you a lot of places, but hop on hop off gets you to all the sites.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Thanks.  There are some sites we definitely want to see.  We will have to narrow down exactly what we want to see and how to do it.

[RonaldL]

There are at least 2 of the hop on/off bus companies.  Double decker and open on the top level.  Two start/finish at Fisherman's Wharf.  The major downside is there are certain stops (Union Square for example) that are so popular  that they have lines waiting to get back on the bus.  It is not rare for buses to go right past you because they have no room.  Don't completely give up on the cable cars.  They are fun and there isn't any where else that has them.  There is a much less crowded 3rd cable car line that runs from California and Market-a block from the Ferry building.  It goes up and over Nob Hill to Van Ness Ave.  Catch it in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel at California and Market.  Another fun trip is the ferry boat to Sausalito.  Catch it at the Ferry Building.  A fun town to walk around with tons of restaurants for lunch.

Edited May 14, 2020 by RonaldL
correction