San Francisco cable car system
San Francisco cable car system, Historic tram network in San Francisco, United States.
Three cable car lines transport passengers through San Francisco streets using an underground cable system that pulls carriages up and down steep hills.
Andrew Hallidie established the first cable car line in 1873 after witnessing accidents involving horse-drawn carriages on San Francisco's steep grades.
The cable car system received National Historic Landmark designation in 1964, marking its importance in the development of American urban transportation.
Passengers can purchase tickets at booths near Powell Street and Market Street terminals or through the MuniMobile application using digital payment methods.
The system remains the last manually operated cable car network in the world, requiring skilled operators to control the cars using mechanical grips.
Location: San Francisco
Inception: 1873
Official opening: 1878
Part of: public transportation in San Francisco
Website: http://sfcablecar.com
GPS coordinates: 37.79556,-122.40750
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:19
San Francisco brings together historical monuments and natural sites that reflect the city's unique history and geography. The Golden Gate Bridge, a 2,737-meter-long suspension bridge completed in 1937, is one of the region's most recognizable structures. Alcatraz Island, a former high-security federal prison operating from 1934 to 1963, is located in the bay and is visited by ferry. The Painted Ladies, seven Victorian houses built between 1892 and 1896, exemplify San Francisco’s characteristic residential architecture with their colorful facades facing Alamo Square Park. The city also includes Fisherman's Wharf, a historic port district developed from late 19th-century Italian fishing piers, and the Fillmore, a performance hall from the 1910s that contributed to the development of the West Coast music scene. Twin Peaks provide viewpoints at 928 feet (283 meters), while Lands End features rocky cliffs and hiking trails at the western tip of the peninsula. The Cable Cars, a mechanical transportation system operating since 1873, run on three lines through San Francisco's sloped streets.
These funicular railways cross steep slopes and connect cities with mountain summits. From historic lines in old quarters to modern installations in the Alps, each route provides different views of its region. The technical facilities transport passengers across elevation differences of up to 710 meters.
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