Cable Car Museum

Address:1201 Mason Sq.
San Francisco, California
Tel: (415) 474-1887

Learn about the workings of the famed San Francisco Cable Cars and get up close and personal with 3 antique cable cars from the 1870s!

Established in 1974, the Cable Car Museum is located in the historic Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse. The museum deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables and contains historical and explanatory exhibits on the San Francisco cable car system, which itself can be regarded as a working museum. Downstairs is a viewing area of the large sheaves and cable line that enter the building through the channel under the street. Visitors can enjoy the display of various mechanical devices such as grips, track, cable, brake mechanisms, tools, detailed models, a large collection of historic photographs, the Sutter Street Railway No. 46 grip car and No. 54 trailer, and the only surviving car from the first cable car company.

The museum store offers a variety of cable car memorabilia, books, clothing, cards and even genuine cable car bells that you can take home with you as a souvenir! The Cable Car Museum is located at 1201 Mason Street San Francisco. Ramp and elevator for disabled visitors are located on the Washington Street side of building.

Located in the historic Washington/Mason cable car barn and powerhouse, the museum deck overlooks the huge engines and winding wheels that pull the cables. Downstairs is a viewing area of the large sheaves and cable line entering the building through the channel under the street.