Powell-Hyde Cable Car

The Powell-Hyde cable car line is one of San Francisco's three surviving cable car routes and is often described as the world's last manually operated cable car system. The line begins at the Powell Street and Market Street turnaround in downtown San Francisco, California, near Union Square, and climbs over Nob Hill and Russian Hill before descending toward the waterfront near Fisherman's Wharf. The route passes the top of the crooked block of Lombard Street and gives wide views of Alcatraz and the bay as the car crests the hills. Gripmen operate the grip lever by hand, clanging the bell at crossings, while conductors collect fares and manage the boarding platforms. Visitors can sit on the wooden bench seats inside or stand on the outside running boards and hold the poles, which gives the best views but requires a firm grip on the steep descents. A full one-way trip takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and a round trip with a stop for sightseeing generally fills about an hour or more. Cable cars run roughly every 10 to 15 minutes from about 6:00 AM until after midnight, and the ticket booths at Powell and Market are open about 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A single ride costs $9 (USD), and the 1-Day Visitor Passport at $15 (USD) covers unlimited Muni and cable car rides, which makes it better value for anyone planning several trips. Payment can be made on board in cash or through the MuniMobile app. The Powell and Market terminus has the longest queues, particularly from late morning to late afternoon in summer, when waits can last well over an hour. Boarding at an intermediate stop, such as Hyde and Lombard, can shorten waiting but the car may already be full. Early morning and evening rides are quieter. The Powell Street BART and Muni Metro station sits right at the Market Street terminus, which makes the line simple to reach from across the Bay Area.