SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CARS

Another well-known San Francisco attraction is its cable cars - even Jerry Rice would agree, I'm sure: they're truly "The San Francisco Treat®." (Sorry, I just couldn't resist!)

But, really, could anything be more romantic and nostalgic than the cable cars of San Franciso? I don't think so!

WHAT ARE SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CARS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Well, they're vehicles like open-sided buses which move by means of an underground cable, a grip, and a track.

When the gripman determines it's time to go, he uses a lever which causes the grip (a vice-like thing-a-ma-bob) to grasp the constantly-moving underground cable very firmly so the car is pulled along the track.

Time to stop? The gripman releases the grip & the brake lever is engaged.

It's a pretty simple concept, but it sure solved the problem of horses trying to pull heavy wagons up those San Francisco hills with their hooves slipping on the rain and fog soaked cobblestone streets in the 1800s!

THERE ARE THREE SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR ROUTES REMAINING

• The Powell-Hyde Line starts at the Powell & Market turntable, travels north along Powell over Nob Hill to the Hyde & Beach turntable in Fisherman's Wharf - The views from the tops of the hills are amazing!
• The Powell-Mason Line also starts at the Powell & Market turntable & travels north along Powell, but switches to Mason, and ends at the Aquatic Park turntable near Ghirardelli Square
• The California Line travels east and west from the Financial Disctrict (California & Market), through Chinatown and over Nob Hill, to Van Ness Avenue. This is the oldest cable car line still in operation. It differs from the other lines in that it uses double-ended cars, so - no turntables.

The interesting thing about the turntables is that they're still operated by manpower.

Here's how it works: the car coasts onto the turntable; the conductor, the gripman, and a helper give the car a push to get the turntable started; then they push the car off the turntable to head back along the way it just came.

If you're interested in learning more about the San Francisco cable cars, be sure to visit the Cable Car Museum. It's located in the historic Cable Car Barn & Powerhouse at 1201 Mason Street. You'll actually see the cable winding machinery in action! Best of all - it's free!

If you've ever enjoyed the thrill of riding a cable car in The City, hanging on to one of the special poles with the wind blowing your hair and the gripman's bell chiming in your ear . . .

. . . or if you still hope to get that chance - you can thank Friedel Klussman and her Citizens' Committee to Save the Cable Cars for the opportunity. It was 1947 and The City was going to retire the system for good when Mrs. Klussman stepped in and organized the effort to preserve what was left.

Just be sure to heed the Gripman when he says, "Step up! Step up!" Otherwise you might be sideswiped by one of the many obstacles along the way!

Follow one of the links below to explore other famous San Francisco attractions:

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