How to board the Cable Tram in San Francisco: curiosities, price

One of the curiosities and attractions of your sightseeing tour to San Francisco is to see the historic trams circulate through the steep streets of the city.

But in addition to seeing them you can enjoy a ride aboard these trams which have now become a tourist attraction more than a real means of transportation.

But did you know that San Francisco streetcars Do they have an original system of operation through cables?

These are not the usual trams that move by electric traction with cables strung through poles, but rather they do so by means of cables that are inserted in the rails that extend along the streets.

La San Francisco cable streetcar network It is the last one left in the world of these characteristics, and its survival is largely due to the fact that, as I mentioned before, they have become a great tourist attraction.

In fact in San Francisco two lines persist cable trams that start from the center (Downtown) of the city, near the Union Square, and they head down the steep slopes of the neighborhood of Nob Hill towards the tourist area of Fisherman's Wharf.

Curiosities about the history of San Francisco's cable cars

El first cable tram It began to circulate through the streets of San Francisco in 1873.

Years later, in 1892, the first electric traction trams arrived, which jeopardized the continuity of the original cable trams.

And the same thing happened when in the 20s of the last century the first buses to San Francisco.

But even so, some cable tram lines remained active, although in 1986 they were closed because due to safety problems the entire system had to be rebuilt.

Cable car ticket price in San Francisco

Since then, San Francisco cable trams They have maintained their activity for tourist trips. Due to this purpose, the price of the bill to use the cable tram is elevated, 7 dollars each way.

Now, 40 percent of users use it without paying, given the large attendance of tourists crowding trams and make it difficult for the driver to collect the ticket.

Such is the tradition that even in 1974 the San Francisco streetcar museum where you can see old trams and mechanical devices and accessories typical of these vehicles, as well as a large collection of old photos.

Tourist cable car lines in San Francisco

Currently, there are three cable car lines that you can ride in San Francisco.

La 60 line connect the terminal Powell Street and Terminal Beach next to the San Francisco Maritime Museum.

La 59 line also part of terminal Powell Street and goes to the area of Fisherman's Wharf, and it is the most popular among tourists.

Finally, line 61 runs through the Van Ness California Street a the Embarcadero, and it is the most used by residents.