A little piece of San Francisco
history, the Cable Car Museum is located in the celebrated Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse overlooking the massive engines and winding wheels that pull the car cables. You’ll have the opportunity to see vintage cable cars, learn about their history, and even shop for books and memorabilia. Founded in 1974, the San Francisco Cable Car Museum features antique cable cars from as far back as the 1870s, including the only surviving car from the very first cable car company, Clay Street Hill Railroad. You’ll also enjoy a collection of photographs, mechanical displays, and a non-profit gift shop run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers What kind of exhibits are at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
The San Francisco Cable Car Museum
has just one primary exhibit, but it’s packed with a large collection of historic photographs, detailed models, various mechanical devices such as grips, track, cable brakes, and tools, as well as detailed models. You’ll also find three antique cable cars—The Sutter Street Railway No. 46 car, the Sutter Street Railway No. 54 trailer, and the only surviving cable car from the very first company, Clay Street Hill Railroad’s No. 8 grip car.
Finally, you can head to the museum store to shop for a variety of cable car memorabilia, books, clothing, and even genuine cable car bells!
When is the San Francisco Cable Car Museum open?
The San Francisco Cable Car Museum is only closed on Mondays, so you can plan your visit for any other day of the week. Visit between 10 am and 4 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and between 10 am and 5 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The museum is open most days of the year—with the exception of New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Pro Tip Be sure to arrive at least an hour before closing time to give yourself ample opportunity to explore the cable cars and take in all of the historic photos!
How much is admission for the San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
Admission for the museum is always free! You can supplement your visit to the museum with a ride on the existing cable cars at the following rates:
Adults and Youth (aged 5+): $7 each way
Seniors (aged 65+) and disabled folks: $3 each way before 7 am or after 9 pm or $6 each way between 7 am and 9 pm with a valid ID
Children (below 5 years of age): Free
If you plan to use multiple Muni vehicles to get around San Francisco—including the cable cars, historic streetcars, and trolleybuses—you can purchase a passport for one day ($21), three days ($32), or seven days ($42) and enjoy unlimited rides.
What else is going on at the San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
In addition to keeping its regular exhibits up and running, the San Francisco Cable Car Museum also participates in restoration projects around the city. Recently, they worked with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to rehabilitate the gearboxes—which have been in service since 1984—that power the city’s cable car system.
The museum also holds an annual bell-ringing contest every July in Union Square. This commemorates the very first bell ringing contest, which was hosted in May of 1949 and won by Cal Cable’s Alexander Nielsen.
The Friends of the Cable Car Museum also hosts an online store
for those interested in memorabilia but unable to make the trip to San Francisco. Where can I find affordable car insurance?
If you’re taking a road trip to San Francisco to see the Cable Car Museum, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is protected with a top-notch car insurance policy before hitting the road.
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