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Cable Cars


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #22 of 641 attractions in San Francisco
Traveler Description:
Since 1873, cable cars have run up and down the hilly city, though after the 1950s, these cars have been kept in operation more out of historic...... more » Since 1873, cable cars have run up and down the hilly city, though after the 1950s, these cars have been kept in operation more out of historic nostalgia. Seventeen miles of track remain and have been deemed a historical landmark. « less
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Attraction type: Tram
Address: San Francisco, CA
Tel: 415 673 6864

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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5 of 5 stars
globeseeker007   1,041 contributions
globeseeker007
Dec 8, 2009

A ride on one of the cable cars is a must if you're ever visiting San Francisco. It's a fun ride and a great way to see the city. There are several still in operation and these are well over a century old. They are symbols of that great city and are probably the only ones of their type anywhere... more

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5 of 5 stars
PhillyBeth   3 contributions
Dec 8, 2009

Long lines after 11 am. Go early in the mornig as we wasted a lot of time in line in the afternoon once we wre ona great ride wooooio hoooo more

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4 of 5 stars
OzDennyCrane   31 contributions
Melbourne, Australia
Nov 17, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

The one thing you have to do in San Francisco is take a ride on the cable cars, and for a first timer it is good fun. Standing on the running board while you fly down the hill to Fisherman's Wharf is not to be missed. Observing the gripman and brakeman work in tandem to control the car is quite... more

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5 of 5 stars
WilliamHWilliam   19 contributions
Sunny South Florida
Nov 2, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

A cable car gripman has every right to be rude to you. You, after all, ask a bunch of dumb questions, while he operates a vehicle that is as easy to operate as a Russian VCR. I especially enjoyed the response to the Eastern European drink of vodka that cried that she "only received two tickets" (which was entirely idiotic... more

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5 of 5 stars
OzTraveller33   10 contributions
Australia
Oct 6, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

Riding the cable cars when you are in San Francisco should be on every visitor's "to do" list. These fascinating historic cars are a really interesting and fun attraction on their own and as an added bonus, still a useful way of getting around a lot of the city's major attractions. It's true that a single trip is comparatively expensive,... more

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1 of 5 stars
boardthedogandgo   8 contributions
WV
Sep 27, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

FYI... The SF trolley car drivers are some of the rudest people on the planet. more

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3 of 5 stars
dottt22   4 contributions
Boston, MA
Sep 18, 2009
2
people found this review helpful

As a first timer in San Fran, one of the top things to do is, of course, ride the cable cars. It is definitely a worthwhile experience especially when you get an adrenaline rush going down those hills! However be prepared to a) wait over an hour, especially on a weekend b) pay a hefty fair for a one way... more

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5 of 5 stars
beckyjpiano   2 contributions
Graham, NC
Aug 30, 2009
1
person found this review helpful

We had a great time riding the cable cars. Got to see so much of downtown San Francisco. Now when I see movies filmed in San Francisco and commercials with cable cars, I can say I have been there, done that. more

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5 of 5 stars
catp79   111 contributions
Winchester
Aug 22, 2009

Riding the cable cars is the best way to get around San Francisco. They take you to most of the must-see areas and the drivers will make sure you know which stops to get off at for certain locations. The drivers were good fun and you MUST do as they say...stand where they tell you, they're only doing it for... more

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5 of 5 stars
dkkmclark   38 contributions
Tampa
Aug 15, 2009
2
people found this review helpful

We rode the cable cars every day we were in San Francisco. We thought they were so much fun! I would strongly recommend the Muni pass, because individual rides are expensive. We were fortunate to be able to stand and hold on to the outside railing. What an experience and what a view! Unfortunately, the cars are very crowded. There... more

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Cable Cars Address

San Francisco, CA
Tel: 415 673 6864