This free museum lets you watch the giant wheels that pull the city’s cable cars, with historic cars and photos explaining how it all works. Pair it with an actual cable car ride.
Local Legend: The Horses That Inspired the Cable Car, Nob Hill
What is actually true: SFMTA says “legend has it” and the Cable Car Museum says “as the story goes”: the account comes from Hallidie’s own recollection years later. The rest is well documented. The first cable car made its test run at about 4am on 2 August 1873 on Clay Street, and public service began on 1 September 1873. Hallidie knew wire rope from his father’s patent and his mining work, and William Eppelsheimer engineered the system.
Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 am–4 pm |
| Wednesday | 10 am–4 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–4 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Same page also says 'Open every day except...' (stale line conflicting with CLOSED MONDAY).
From the venue’s own page, checked September 19, 2026. Holiday hours and one-off closures can differ.
Getting There
- MWashington St & Mason StPowell–Hyde cable car, Powell–Mason cable car · 9 m, about 1 min walk
- MMason St & Washington StPowell–Hyde cable car · 35 m, about 1 min walk
- BMontgomery Street BART0.7 mi, about 16 min walk
Transit directions, including buses
Nearest Muni Metro, streetcar and cable car stops and BART stations, from SFMTA and BART published stop data. Distances are straight-line, and walking times are our estimate. Buses aren’t listed here.
More in Nob Hill
Places in the Neighborhood
- Bob’s Donuts Bakeries
- Grace Cathedral Attractions
- Huntington Park Parks & Playgrounds
Mentioned in Our Guides
Questions People Ask About Cable Car Museum
Is the Cable Car Museum free?
Yes, free for everyone, and you do not need a ticket. It is one of the few indoor San Francisco attractions that costs nothing.
What day is the Cable Car Museum closed?
Mondays. It also closes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
What time does the Cable Car Museum close?
4 pm Tuesday to Thursday, and 5 pm Friday to Sunday. It opens at 10 am every day it is open.
Is the Cable Car Museum accessible with a wheelchair or a stroller?
There is a ramp for disabled visitors on the Washington Street side of the building, and staff will help with anything else - the museum asks you to contact them.
Cite this page: Project SF, “Cable Car Museum”, projectsf.com/listings/cable-car-museum/ (updated ).