This must-see 1888 brick building is home to the Cable Car Museum, the Cable Car Barn, where all of the Cable Cars "go to sleep" at night, and also contains the inner workings that power SF's iconic Cable Cars. Admission is free and the museum is open Tuesday to Thursday from 10AM to 4PM, Friday to Sunday from 10AM to 5PM and closed on Monday. The museum is open every day except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The museum chronicles the start of the cable car system, explains the intricate workings of the system that powers the cable cars, and offered lots of lore and tidbits of info related to this unique form of public transportation in SF. The original, and oldest #8 Cable Car is also on view in the museum - so neat to see it! In fact, SF's is the only operating cable car system in the world! IMHO neatest of all was the bird's eye view of the huge sheaves that run the system, both on the top level of the museum & the lower level of the museum. The system of cables, sheaves, and the engines in the museum are pretty amazing! It was also cool to understand the mechanics that the grip men on the cable cars use to run the cars on a daily basis. Hard work indeed! There is a little souvenir store, a video to watch about the revitalization of the cable car system in the 80s & lots of things to read. It took us only about 30 minutes to enjoy the museum & I'm so glad we did! You can take any of the cable cars on the Powell line to the museum because they pass right by it as well. Parking is tough in this area, but you may find a spot on the street. Donations to the museum are suggested. Peace. read more

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One of the more interesting buildings I've visited in the city. I wanted to come here maybe the last year or so, and am glad I finally made it in and got to see all the fabulous mechanics and history of the San Francisco Cable Car system. It has a lot of ties to the 1906 earthquake, which was phenomenal to learn about. The museum itself has two main public-viewing floors and a lower level, if you want to see more up close of the moving parts. There's honestly not much there to see on the lower level though, as it's all behind a large protected pane window. But the upper levels is where the action is at. There are displays of old cable car seats, an old cable car, parts of a cable car, and in the smack center, you will see large moving wheels that is what is used in real time, to move the Cable Cars on the surface streets. For a full story of how they work, check out the exhibit signs. Quite amazing! I was there for awhile reading up almost everything lol. There's also a gift shop inside, mostly touristy souvenirs if you enjoy those, and also some covered displays of old coin dispensers used for fare collections for rides. Worth a visit if you're into history or in the city. Admission is free and easily accessible by foot. Or you can take a taxi to get here as well. read more

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awesome little museum, great to learn about the history and see it up close. very little people know about this museum. even locals. it doesnt take too long to get through, maybe 30 mins if you read things you smell the metal (not sure what it is actually) when you enter this place street parking only. read more

Nice, no-cost museum in SF. Was able to find parking about three blocks away. They have a small gift shop. Cash only. The cable car happened to stop outside the buster right when we're leaving. It was fun to learn about this history of Cable Cars in SF and how they work. The museum made for a nice activity while in the area. read more

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The Cable Car Museum is a great place to learn about cable cars and see how they work. This museum is free, therefore donations are recommended to keep these types of educational establishments operating. There are many diagrams, pictures, and explanations that describe the history of the cable cars and how they work. This location is the main source of power that runs the cable cars that still operate. Visitors can see how the cables are powered with electric motors, tensioned with pulleys, and how they are adjusted. There is a machine shop where workers fabricate parts used to keep the cable cars operating. The machine shop was outfitted with typical industrial equipment such as drill presses, lathes, ban saws, CNC fabrication equipment, gantry crane, and various metal working tools. read more

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Free to get in and get a quick lesson on the mechanics of how the cable car works! Lots of information about the history of the cable cars! Gift shop is so cute! Definitely worth a stop in, if you're in the area and like learning. read more

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The Cable Car Museum was a surprising discovery. What is great about it, is there is no entrance fee. Inside the museum, there are historical cable cars. It takes you back to learn about the history, engineering design and the process of the cable cars. Additionally, there is a souvenir shop inside the museum. Just be aware it's loud inside because of the machinery. read more

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This is a great place to spend about an hour if you have relatives visiting who like museums or friends or children who are engineering oriented. This is the central operations area that has the power system that runs the cable car system. There's also a machine shop where they support the operations. There are displays that show the cable system, the gears and routing, motors and other system information. For those who are really technically oriented, they also show the gripping mechanisms of the cars in detail and show details of the mechanical components used in the system. Mechanical engineers will really appreciate the information here. This museum is free. read more

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This may sound like a boring museum, but it is one of the coolest things to see downtown. If may be a museum, but it is still a functioning part of the San Francisco cable car system. This is the place that propels the network of underground cables that move the cable cars on the street. There are several exhibits that show the history of cable cars in San Francisco. And, best of all, it's free. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Posted on yelp first visit ..returned 3 times since last year tour..used app today visited unlimited day pass ..4 rides try the alternate California route or at night evening...stop by the cable car museum again ..with cable car rides app tour ..super 2025..Christmas time trees gift shop read more

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This is definitely a cool place to visit. Not only is it a museum but it's actually an actively used warehouse for the cable cars running around San Francisco. I was in awe of their being able to not only maintain but currently utilize this warehouse for their cable cars currently in usage. The machines are so old that if any parts fail then they have to custom reproduce that part with their own machinist. The parts cannot be reordered from anywhere because there is no company out there anywhere in the world that has spare parts. I loved listening to the cable being pulled into and out of the warehouse. Also, watching the cable cars pull in and out. read more

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Good, Quick Stop The Cable Car Museum is small but worth checking out. It's pretty loud inside since the cables are working You can see the entire system in action. There's plenty of historical info around, interactive displays and you can get up close to the old cable cars and equipment. The gift shop was disappointing in that it was full of mass produced imports, but overall, it's a worthwhile educational stop. read more

Cable Car Museum - Looking down from second floor to cable system. - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Of All The Years being as a local And I have been to this Fun Attraction which is The Cable Car Museum I have visited this place several times!!!!! And the best part about this Cable Car Museum is that it shows u how was the Cable Car invented which is a fun thing!!!!!!! read more

A fun free attraction that shows SF's history and inner workings. The wheels and pulleys were audible from the entrance. There were two levels, with the bottom being a small room that peered into the underground gears. The top floor was much more active with various retired cable cars and historical trinkets. It was interesting reading how the cable cars came to be and there was a small video at the end of the museum for guests to watch. The gift shop was reasonably priced but everything was cash only. There were also clean bathrooms available. It took about 30 minutes for me to finish the entire museum. Considering it's near Chinatown, I would add this as a stop if you're in the area. read more

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Wonderful free activity in San Fran. Museum is right in the trolley stop and has the history of cable cars in the city. Lots of information including a short video presentation. You also can look over into the cable terminus for the city and the maintenance shop. This is where the actual cables moving the trolleys are located so it's a real, working operation. Head down below to see how the cables move under the streets. You could spend 30 min to 2+ hours here depending on how much you want to learn and observe but I would guess 45 min-1 hour is average visit. Nice spot to learn about the an iconic piece of San Francisco. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a really cool free museum! It's only a 4 minute walk from a good coffee place, the coffee movement. At first, I thought it was just a museum about the history of cable cars and the science behind it. But I was shocked to see that it houses the actual powerhouse, with the 4 main cable lines running through SF! I thought it was a good mix of things to look at and things to read. Very cool place for visitors of all ages! read more

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This was a really great visit for a free rainy day activity. You learn about how cable cars work and even get to observe the tech at work. It was a really well curated museum with interesting tidbits, photos and replicas! Definitely pay it a visit and try to get a ride on a cable car if you're able to afterwards! read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Considering that this is a working museum you have a unique opportunity to see what pulls the cable cars through the City. You can also see some of the original cable cars and other factoids about the unique system including efforts to dismantle it. It's free so you cannot find a better deal in town. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

It was great seeing the museum especially the working cables! A must see if in San Francisco.

Great historical breakdown with photos and to see how the entire system works underground. read more

Cable Car Museum - Older trolley used in San Francisco! - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

A delightful, free museum to learn about (and see!) how the Cable Cars work. They also have a small gift shop (cash only). If you're riding the Cable Cars, especially with kids, definitely stop here so they can see the inner workings. read more

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The Cable Car Museum is a free museum that details the history of San Francisco's cable cars. It's run by a non-profit organization Friends of the Cable Car Museum dedicated to preserving cable car history. The museum houses a collection of historic cars, photos, displays, and a gift shop. The museum was established in 1974 and is located at Washington and Mason. You can see the cables that pull the cable car under the streets. It's really neat to see especially if you are not familiar with the mechanics of the cable car system. That humming noise is the cables pulling underground. The museum is informative and we had a fun time looking at the various displays. read more

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Nice little gem in the city. It's a nice way to learn of the history and how the famous cable cars work. The museums is free but donations are taken. Nobody asks there's just a post box like box. Not overwhelmingly huge but nice to learn about SF culture as well. The gift shop has plenty of souvenirs and goodies but it's a cash only place. My favourite part was seeing the actual machines at work in the underground's of San Francisco. Get yourself a day pass and ride the unlimited cables cars all day as much as you want for the designated time. Make sure to visit the museum once you're on Washington St and Mason St There's restrooms. There's a lower and upper lever once you enter the building. It's pretty much a your own guide type of thing as the only staff member was the individual at the shop. Recommend if you are passing by and or by Chinatown as well. read more

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so much information! amazing views and a movie. FABULOUS museum and it's free!!! wow what a great time, we learned so much, also all the cable car drivers were hilarious, caring and patient. i LOVE the cable cars!! a must do when in SF read more

A great museum. So fascinating. It's free. There are restrooms There's a gift shop- cash only. There's a 10 min video to watch I think 1.5 hours is plenty of time to budget here read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a cool museum where visitors can learn about the history and workings of an iconic part of SF. It includes various elements related to science and technology, an opportunity to view what happens beneath street level when cable cars pass through, and plenty of machinery, equipment, and discussion of important people that have contributed to the progress and preservation of the cable car. It doesn't take long to peruse the entire museum and its exhibits, including a gift shop area. And the best part, admission is free, so although it's touristy, it's not exactly a tourist trap. read more

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It's hard for me to remember when I last visited and toured this Nob Hill landmark. After all, it's a natural connection to the San Francisco treat. (). I've been walking by a number of times with my fur baby, tempted to rekindle memories. My guess is a field trip when I was eleven or twelve years old. That long?! Yes, I'm THAT old. I remember that my grammar school teacher took our class and we oohed and aahed looking at the machinery, mainly gears, cogs, and cables that power that cars up and down the streets of San Francisco's neighborhoods. I remember admiring how shiny the brass parts were. There are the staple bells that the operators ring when they approach the intersections. And, if you have small children, you can tell them this is where the cable cars sleep at night. Stop here for a bit of history of old San Francisco. There's more to cruising through Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and the Wharf. Hope to walk in one of these weekdays. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I decided to spend a free afternoon pretending to be a first-time visitor to San Francisco like it was Groundhogs Day. The other condition I put on myself is that each of my stops had to be within walking distance of each other. Between stops at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company (review: https://bit.ly/3qRJRAv) and Lombard Street (review: https://bit.ly/3rAcbGs), I came here for the very first time. I have to admit I'm not the first one to hop on a cable car or hang on the pole as it's moving. I'm usually the one who has to be convinced by someone else to pay the exorbitant fare when it was cheaper to take the MUNI bus. However, considering that this is completely free to enter on your own, this was a pretty entertaining permanent exhibit of the history of these trolleys with the top floor devoted to its legacy and history and how the 1906 earthquake altered their future as a useful transportation mode for residents. Their are historic cars, headlines on tattered newspaper, and well worn internal parts for you to explore your inner cable car geek. The best part of the experience was watching the cables in operation through a series of interlocking gears. Oh, cables. Cable cars. I get it. RELATED - Exploring Nob Hill? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2IfTVOB read more

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Yo, this place is off the rails. Highly informative, thoughtful, thorough, open, and attractive museum. Not sure if it's worth repeated viewings, but the giant wheels are hypnotic. I didn't leave thinking I was a chicken or anything but they're oddly magnetic. Per square inch, I'd say this was all greatest hits with no filler, making it one of the best museums I've seen. The gift shop, however, was a little lacking: instead of being cable car- specific it was mostly the same touristy trinkets you'd find in Chinatown. read more

Cable Car Museum - Clang clang clang - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

What an incredible, free museum! Learn about the history of San Francisco cable cars...the last remaining cable cars in the world! Nice gift shop, cash only (at least when I went). read more

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I'm a bit of a Transit geek and enjoyed seeing the cable car museum. They have some great historic displays and their video presentations are also quite good. The cable cars were not running the weekend that I was there so I couldn't see the machinery in motion, which was kind of sad. I was very disappointed that I didn't get to ride a cable car but I do plan on going back. If you go, the gift shop only accepts cash. They have a good assortment of items there and it helps support the museum, so I am glad I had some cash on me that day. The museum is free and definitely worth seeing. It was my first stop that day and then I went to Chinatown for the Moon festival. If you are visiting San Francisco, make sure you stop here. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

The museum is located in the historic Washington and Mason cable car barn and powerhouse, and its deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables. There is also a viewing area downstairs of the large sheaves and cable line entering the building through the channel under the streets. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Cash only for purchases. Read the signs follow history. Go when the workmen are there

Free museum. Street parking only and parking nearby will be on a hill. This is a great place to visit with the kiddos. Not too busy on a Saturday. You can just walk right in. One thing I didn't see was an accessible entrance so please call ahead and see if there is an alternative entrance. The one I walked into only had stairs. read more

Cable Car Museum - Inside the museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

The city by the bay is all about cable cars. So it's natural to think that San Francisco would celebrate them with a museum. I have been twice around five years apart. I killed around 30 minutes on a recent and enjoyed it. Nothing had changed. There is no charge and it's right off the line near Chinatown. The old brick building is a working business for the city cable cars. The kids will enjoy too! Visitors can board a trolly, read about the history and purchase souvenirs. One thing visitors CANNOT do is access the lower level which is a working area for the cars with moving cables. However, I had a contact and got a tour of the floor which was next level cool. The machinery seems ancient. But everything is functional. Visitors can view the lower level from above as its wide open. If you have the time it will not take long and you will learn about the rich cable car history. read more

Cable Car Museum - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

A friend who lives in SF recommended the Cable Car Museum to me so I decided to check it out while I was in town. It's completely free to walk around in and has a cute little gift shop in the lobby area. It's not a huge museum, but it's pretty neat to see the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables from the museum deck. There are also exhibits telling the history of cable cars in SF and other artifacts from the "old days". I wouldn't suspect it to take more than an hour to go through the entire museum. read more

If you're in Chinatown, walk a couple of blocks up the hill and check this out. It actually powers the cable cars there and gives the visitor a historic view of the evolution of the cars as well as the mechanics behind cable cars. Cable cars were designed to get around SF's hills as horse drawn carriages had a hard time negotiating the downhill portion. They show how the brakes work and hot it connects to the cable to power the cars. Pretty cool stuff. read more

I love trains , buses , subways and all kinds of public transportations! Having to grow up in Japan, I used to take the bullet trains to Tokyo and slow trains to my friends houses and the subway metros , it was soooo much fun!!! There's no cable cars in Japan so going to the Cable Car Museum and learning about how the cable cars work was really interesting. It was a bit smelly inside because of the oil and a bit noisy because the cables are running ( for those who have sensory sensitivities). I learned why the Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde turn on the turntables and the California cars don't. Former cars are single-ended and the latter is double -ended so no need to turnaround . The mechanism of how they work is also interesting to learn and the history of it. This museum is full of information panels , photos, actual retired cars and a TV screen where you can watch to learn about the cable cars . The gift shop is full of cable car related merchandise also. ^ - ^ 08.07.21| Saturday read more

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I was born & raised in San Francisco and, in my nearly 55 years on this planet, hadn't yet visited this most San Franciscan of places! So, on a lark one morning, I decided enough was enough: I *had* to visit. I was happily surprised to find there was free admission, but I did put $5 into the donations box at the top of the stairs overlooking the cable motors. The shop is chock-full of everything San Francisco cable cars (cash only in the shop, please)! The exhibits are loaded with authentic cable cars and other memorabilia, and make for a nicely informative stroll as the cable motors power all the routes around The City. I bet there were plenty more wheels years ago to power all the other lines. Dunno why I waited this long to visit, but I'm sure glad I finally did! read more

For a free museum, this place is great. It gets hot/stuffy on the main first floor, but keeping in mind that you actually get to see the cables at work, it's really no big deal. There are four routes the cable cars take and you can see the cables that pull each of them. Downstairs is a small viewing area where you can view the sheaves. The gift shop has lots of neat, well-priced knickknacks ranging from the typical to shirts and mugs to the slightly more interesting postage stamps and die-cast (?) metal replicas of cable cars. There is a $10 minimum for credit/debit card. I highly recommend the watercolor-looking postcards. One of them features the Hyde St. cable car which I tried to get a photo of at its exact location. If you want to check it out in real life, the postcard features the view from a hill a little past the beginning of the famous part of Lombard Street (which there is also a nice watercolor postcard of available in the shop). read more

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