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San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photo by Phil Coblentz

San Francisco's cable cars run on 8.8 miles of track along three of their 100-year-old routes. These motorless carriages travel by gripping the constantly-running underground cable on the ascent and releasing on the descent, going about ten miles per hour, on grades exceeding 20%.

The cable car system was developed in 1869 by Andrew Smith Hallidie, who was inspired when he saw five horses die when a horse-drawn streetcar slid backwards under its heavy load. In 1946, local citizens began a battle to save the cable cars, finally prevailing over the forces of "progress" in 1964, when San Francisco's cable car system was designated as the only "moving" National Historic Landmark.

Ride the Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde lines to the Cable Car Museum, including the car barn and powerhouse, plus historic exhibits.


Getting Around
Chateau Tivoli	The San Francisco peninsula is created by the Pacific Ocean to the west, and San Francisco Bay to the east. The Golden Gate Bridge (Hwy 101) will take you north to Sausalito, Marin County, and points north; the Oakland Bay Bridge (I-80) will lead you to Oakland, Berkeley, and points east.
Heading south, Highway One is scenic but slow; if you're in a rush, take I-280 to Hwy 101. If you're flying to San Francisco, be sure to compare rates for both Oakland and San Francisco airports; JetBlue and Southwest are affordable Oakland options. In January 2003, you should be able to take a BART train from San Francisco airport to the city and beyond in the Bay area. Traffic is tough, so use public transportation as much as possible. Within the city, you have a choice of cable cars, buses, and historic streetcars; you can buy multiple day passes from the Visitors Bureau. The San Francisco CityPass gets you into six famous San Francisco attractions, plus a seven-day cable/streetcar pass for a 50% savings. If the weather is clear, take a harbor cruise or a round-trip to Alcatraz.
When to Go
San Francisco weather varies little, with minimal seasonal change in temperature. September and October are ideal months to visit, with little fog and lots of warm, sunny days. Although summers in the city are cool, a 30-mile drive inland can result in temps that are 30 degrees higher.
Sights & Activities
A relatively compact city, San Francisco's varied neighborhoods are enjoyably discovered on foot. Download free walking tour maps from the Visitors' Center and you'll be all set to visit Union Square, North Beach, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, and Pacific Heights. Save time to explore Golden Gate Park, home to the California Academy of Sciences, plus miles of fields and flowers. You don't have to be a kid to enjoy a visit to the Marina District's amazing Exploratorium, a hands-on museum of art, science, and human perception, near the Golden Gate Bridge in the Palace of Fine Arts. For a complete change of pace, visit the Museum of Modern Art, adjacent to the Moscone Center, with collections that complement its striking architecture. Born to shop? Although the big name chain stores are in the Union Square area, , we much preferred to stroll along Fillmore and Union Streets in Pacific Heights. More San Francisco info...
B&Bs and Inns
Artists Inn	Enjoy the electic ambiance of a 19th century farmhouse, an artist's studio, and an lush garden courtyard at the Artist's Inn, just steps from the great shops and dining areas of Fillmore Street.
An equally fine choice is the Union Street Inn, offering elegant guest rooms, cozy and inviting common areas, and a lovely hidden garden. Union Street is known for its wonderful shops and restaurant, and is located between the Pacific Heights and Marina neighborhoods. Just off Alamo Square is the Chateau Tivoli, one of San Francisco's most remarkable "Painted Ladies." Inside are spacious common areas and guest rooms lavishly decorated in period. Right on the square is the eponymous Alamo Square Inn, comprised of two adjacent Victorian manions. The Golden Bear Inns have one location just a block from Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, and the other in North Beach. All guests are invited to join the owner for evening wine on his North Beach rooftop deck with great area views. Check BedandBreakfast.com specials for great deals. A Victorian mansion built in 1872, Inn San Francisco is located near the Castro and Noe Valley neighborhoods, and offers comfortable rooms, a neat roof-top deck, and a lovely courtyard garden with hot tub. More San Francisco B&Bs... More San Francisco Bay area B&Bs... San Francisco hotels & motels