Cable cars

Question

How and where do you ride a cable car? We are staying at the Coventry Inn.

Answer

San Francisco’s cable cars are a classic way to see the city and experience its iconic hills. Since you’re staying at the Coventry Inn (located near Union Square), you have convenient access to multiple cable car lines.

Where to Ride:

The Powell-Hyde Line – starts at Powell & Market (a short walk from your hotel) and goes through Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and ends near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman’s Wharf. This is the most scenic route with great views of the Bay and Alcatraz.
The Powell-Mason Line – also starts at Powell & Market and goes through Nob Hill to North Beach, ending near Fisherman’s Wharf. Slightly shorter and less steep than Powell-Hyde.
The California Street Line – runs east-west along California Street, connecting the Financial District to Van Ness Avenue. This line is less crowded and gives a nice view of the city streets and classic architecture.

How to Ride:

Walk to the cable car turnaround at Powell & Market for the Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines. Lines can get long, especially on weekends and holidays, so arrive early.
Tickets can be purchased on the cable car itself from the conductor or in advance through the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) website or apps.
A single ride ticket costs a few dollars (exact fare updated annually), or you can buy a day pass if you plan multiple rides.
Board at the designated stops and either sit inside or stand on the running boards. Be prepared for hills and occasional sudden stops!

Tips:

Try to ride early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid long lines.
Hold onto the poles or rails if standing on the outside; the ride can be jerky on hills.
For a more relaxed experience, consider riding the less crowded California Street Line first to get the feel of a cable car before tackling the tourist-heavy Powell lines.

Overall, starting at Powell & Market puts you within a 5–10 minute walk from your hotel, making it very convenient to hop on and enjoy this iconic San Francisco experience.

Cable cars

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