iSan Francisco Cable Car Museum
The Cable Car Museum sits in the Washington/Mason car barn and powerhouse on Nob Hill, which still drives the city's cable car system. A viewing deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables, and downstairs you can see the sheaves where the cable enters from under the street. The collection also includes three 1870s cable cars, among them Clay Street Hill Railroad car No. 8, the only surviving car from the world's first cable car line, plus grips, brakes, models and historic photographs.
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What's On
Permanent Collections
The Powerhouse: Winding Machinery and Sheave Room
Watch the live engines and 14-foot winding wheels that pull every cable car, then head below Washington & Mason to see the cables arrive through the sheave vault.
Sutter Street Railway Cable Train (Cars 46 and 54)
A complete 1870s cable train: Sutter Street Railroad grip car No. 46 coupled to trailer No. 54, both built by the company in the late 1870s.
Clay Street Hill Railroad Car No. 8
The lone surviving car from the world's first cable car line, which Andrew Hallidie opened in 1873. It went to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and has been on display here since 1966.
Plan Your Visit
Getting there
1201 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
Nearest station: Washington St & Mason St (Powell–Mason and Powell–Hyde cable cars) and Chinatown–Rose Pak (Muni Metro T Third)
Show on mapHours
Closed 26 November
Closed for Thanksgiving
| Mon | Closed |
| Tue | 10:00–16:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–16:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–16:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| SatToday | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
Admission
Free
Admission is free.
Accessibility
Ramp for disabled visitors is on the Washington Street side of the building; museum staff can offer further assistance.
Last verified
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Visitor Information
- Is San Francisco Cable Car Museum free to visit?
- Yes, general admission to San Francisco Cable Car Museum is free. Admission is free.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
- What are the opening hours of San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
- San Francisco Cable Car Museum is open Tuesday–Thursday 10:00–16:00, Friday–Sunday 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays. Also closed on Thanksgiving (26 November 2026), Christmas Day and New Year's Day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
- San Francisco Cable Car Museum is located at 1201 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94108, in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco. The nearest stations are Washington St & Mason St (Powell–Mason and Powell–Hyde cable cars) and Chinatown–Rose Pak (Muni Metro T Third).
- What can I see at San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
- Free museum inside the working 1887 powerhouse where giant wheels still pull every San Francisco cable car. Current highlights include The Powerhouse: Winding Machinery and Sheave Room, Sutter Street Railway Cable Train (Cars 46 and 54) and Clay Street Hill Railroad Car No. 8.
- Do I need to book San Francisco Cable Car Museum in advance?
- San Francisco Cable Car Museum is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is free.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
- When is the best time to visit San Francisco Cable Car Museum?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
- Is San Francisco Cable Car Museum accessible?
- Ramp for disabled visitors is on the Washington Street side of the building; museum staff can offer further assistance.
Image credits
8
- San Francisco Cable Car MuseumJaredzimmerman (WMF) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- The Powerhouse: Winding Machinery and Sheave RoomJaredzimmerman (WMF) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sutter Street Railway Cable Train (Cars 46 and 54)Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
- Clay Street Hill Railroad Car No. 8Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0
- Chinese Historical Society of America MuseumAnna Majkowska / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
- Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)Jllm06 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA)JCruzTheTruth / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0