Trip Planner:   USA  /  California  /  San Francisco  /  Cable Car Museum

Cable Car Museum, San Francisco

4.6
#2 of 48 in Museums in San Francisco
Specialty Museum · Hidden Gem · Museum
A free museum, Cable Car Museum gives visitors a peek inside the history of cable cars. Several cable cars are on display, as well as a few exhibits. Be sure to check out the viewing platforms in the power station. After viewing the power station from above, descend into the cavern at the junction of Washington and Mason streets, where the cables are routed. The power station is the working hub of the cable cars and still maintains the daily runs. PutCable Car Museum into our San Francisco journey planner and find out what's close by, where to stay, and where to head next.
Create an itinerary including Cable Car Museum
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Tours to Cable Car Museum

FROM $270 BOOK WITH VIATOR Private Tour: San Francisco Sightseeing - 3 Hour
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $270 »
FROM $269 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Francisco Private Sightseeing Tour
5.0
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $269 »
FROM $21 BOOK WITH VIATOR San Francisco Scavenger Hunt Adventure
4.5
Duration: 3 hours
Tours from $21 »

Cable Car Museum reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
3,701 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By markbL6141BO
    This is a working museum in an original and still used cable car barn. Very good displays and you can watch the cables in action. It is centrally located in Chinatown and free - I take all my...  more »
  • By tobo347
    Stumbled on this gem and glad we did! Great history lesson and an amazing engineering feat back in its day. Great its still operational.  more »
See more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • By Robert Bylls
    Very interesting! See the motors that pull the cable cars. Many diagrams describe how the system works. See models and full size cars. See the machine shop where repairs are made. Great way to spend an hour, then catch a cable car to the wharf or back to Market St.
  • By Beck Marquis
    The cable cars stop outside and it only takes 30-40 minutes to look around. The main feature is the spinning wheels continually pulling the cables around the city. There is a very clear explanation of how the cars are controlled- I really appreciated the work the guys running the cars do after the visit. Also an interesting information section about the earthquake and fight to stop the cars being abandoned. There is a nice gift shop. The visit made me appreciate what an impressive system the cars are.
See more on Google »

Plan your trip to San Francisco

  • Get a personalized trip
    A complete day by day itinerary
    based on your preferences
  • Customize it
    Refine your trip. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules
  • Book it
    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off
  • Manage it
    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Popular things to do in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge ©
Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
4.8
Duration: 2h 30 min
Alcatraz Island ©
Island
Alcatraz Island
4.7
Duration: 2h 30 min
Fisherman's Wharf ©
Pier / Boardwalk
Fisherman's Wharf
3.4
Duration: 2 hours
Exploratorium ©
Science Museum
Exploratorium
4.6
Duration: 4 hours

Hidden gems in San Francisco

Golden Gate Park ©
Park
Golden Gate Park
4.6
Duration: 3h 30 min
Ferry Building Marketplace ©
Shopping Mall
Ferry Building Marketplace
4.5
Duration: 1h 30 min
Japanese Tea Garden ©
Garden
Japanese Tea Garden
4.1
Duration: 1h 30 min
©
Beer Tasting / Tour
Beer Tastings & Tours
4.8
Duration: 5h 30 min

Side trips from San Francisco

©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Wine Tours & Tastings
Napa
4.6
Duration: 8 hours
©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Wine Tours & Tastings
Healdsburg
4.9
Duration: 8 hours
SIMRACEWAY PERFORMANCE DRIVING CENTER ©
Auto Race Track
SIMRACEWAY PERFORMANCE DRIVING CENTER
Sonoma
4.9
Duration: 6 hours
Point Reyes Safaris ©
Safari
Point Reyes Safaris
Point Reyes Station
5.0
Duration: 4 hours

Parks in San Francisco

Crissy Field ©
Park
Crissy Field
4.6
Duration: 2 hours
Marina Green
Park
Marina Green
4.3
Duration: 2 hours
Washington Square ©
Park
Washington Square
4.2
Duration: 30 minutes
Corona Heights ©
Park
Corona Heights
5.0
Duration: 2 hours

Kid-friendly things to do in San Francisco

California Academy of Sciences ©
Science Museum
California Academy of Sciences
4.4
Duration: 3 hours
Buy tickets from $37 »
Ghirardelli Square ©
Shopping Mall
Ghirardelli Square
3.4
Duration: 2h 30 min
The Wave Organ ©
Monument
The Wave Organ
3.0
Duration: 2 hours
Baker Beach ©
Beach
Baker Beach
4.6
Duration: 2 hours

Nearby attractions in San Francisco

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre ©
Theater
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
4.6
Duration: 1h 30 min
Blue Heron Custom Tours ©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Blue Heron Custom Tours
5.0
Duration: 8 hours
Green Dream Tours ©
Wine Tour / Tasting
Green Dream Tours
4.8
Duration: 8 hours
Oracle Park ©
Arena / Stadium
Oracle Park
4.7
Duration: 1h 30 min

Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

Trips to Cable Car Museum by other users

5 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES San Francisco 10 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM PUERTO RICO Battery Spencer Golden Gate Bridge Crissy Field 5 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES SS Jeremiah O'Brien Alcatraz Island Fisherman's Wharf 8 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Boat Tours & Water Sports Alcatraz Island Fisherman's Wharf 9 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM PHILIPPINES International Art Museum of America Exploratorium Ferry Building Marketplace 8 days in San Francisco BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Walt Disney Family Museum Golden Gate Bridge Presidio of San Francisco